Gryphon Gear Inc. in West Bloomfield Township has introduced its Taurus VRB Sleeping Bag that has a vapor-radiation barrier lining, a lightweight nylon exterior, and 900 fill power goose down. It is one of the lightest cold weather bags on the market, and a patent is pending.
“A sleeping person loses heat by means of the four heat transfer mechanisms: conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation,” says Gary Benninger, founder and president of Gryphon. “Conventional sleeping bags address two of the four mechanisms: conduction and convection but not radiation and evaporation.
“By using an aluminized Dyneema lining, we have also addressed heat loss by radiation and evaporation. This feature extends the lower usable temperature range of the bag by 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit for any given thickness or weight of insulation. The result is a lighter, warmer sleeping bag.”
Gryphon manufactures and sells down quilts and sleeping bags designed for hikers, backpackers, and mountaineers. Its products are designed and manufactured in the U.S. using globally sourced materials.
“Winter backpacking and mountaineering presents unique challenges due to the cold and the additional weight of the necessary equipment required to keep warm,” says Pierce Fitzpatrick, vice president of sales and marketing for Gryphon. “We expect our Taurus VRB Sleeping Bag will be the choice of cold weather backpackers and climbers that are willing to spend the money to save that extra weight.”
