Suvechha Sarkar
Embarking on family camping trips has been a growing trend in the past few years. Parents often seek safe and cozy ways to bring their little ones into the great outdoors. While there are multiple brands that cater to adult needs in connection with such adventures, very few truly address the unique needs of children. This is where Morrison Outdoors stands out since it specializes in producing award-winning and innovatively comfortable sleeping bags for kids from the age of six months to 6 years old. The company’s appearance on ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 16 episode 19 allowed its founder to catch the attention of the nation, enabling parents who love the wild to get to know about the brand and how it offers comfort for their kids.
Morrison Outdoors: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Before Morrison Outdoors revolutionized the family camping gear, the founder, Tavis Malcolm, was steadily building a career in the corporate world for himself. He completed his preparation for college at Charles Wright Academy in 2004, following which he graduated from the University of Washington in 2007. His professional life began when he landed the role of an Instructor at Kids N Clay in June 2007. Three months later, Tavis also became an Instructor at Dartmoor School. He left behind both these positions in June 2008, and in August of the same year, he evolved into a Client Relations Manager at Revolution Prep. He worked there till March 2009 before moving on to serving as a Marketing and Support Manager at TutorSource. While working here, Tavis joined Revolution Prep again in May 2010 as an Online Marketing Manager.
In January 2011, Tavis left his position at TutorSource but continued working at Revolution Prep, only to ultimately be promoted to Director of Marketing in June 2012. He stepped away from this organization for good over a year later, in December 2013, before taking a little career break. When he returned to the workforce, he did so as a Digital Marketing Specialist at Clean Energy Experts, where he served from May 2015 to June 2016. Then, in October of the following year, Tavis became the Director of Marketing and Membership at United America, holding this position until June 2018. Around this time, he and his life partner took their first camping trip with their child and faced the predicament of how to keep their baby warm and safe outdoors overnight. Although they had a good weekend, they were perpetually concerned about the comfort of their kid.
This incident gave rise to the idea of Morrison Outdoors, and the first prototype for its core product soon came into existence. It was a simple design in which they sewed two throw blankets into a sleep sack, all the while adding a front zipper for ease of use. Tavis knew that although it was simple, the product served its purpose of keeping a child dry and warm. It encouraged him to spend the winter of 2018 improving the prototype in his home garage. Eventually, in December 2018, Morrison Outdoors became a reality, with Travis as its Founder. By February of the next year, he launched the kids’ sleeping bag on Kickstarter. During this round, the company succeeded in raising $16,449 in funds from 184 pledgers. The product gradually started gaining more attention and even became available in Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) stores by September 2019. It’s also imperative to note that Travis has been serving as the Vice Chairman of the Board at endeavOR New Mexico since March 2025.
Morrison Outdoors is quite unique since it offers camping solutions for kids and adults alike. The baby sleeping bag it offers includes several thoughtful details like a soft and snug collar and adjustable cuffs for freedom of movement. It also has no drawstring or hoods to ensure the baby’s head does not slip inside mistakenly. Furthermore, the product meets every American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended guideline to ensure the sleep sack is entirely safe. Additionally, it is also designed with a premium insulation feature. The product is lightweight and, consequently, quite easy to pack. Apart from this, it has a water-resistant feature and is very convenient to clean. The sleeping bags are also 100% Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified, with the company assuring that the feathers and down it uses are obtained from animals that are properly raised and never force-fed or harmed. However, individuals can also opt for the synthetic material option of the product, which also provides a feeling of coziness.
Morrison Outdoors: Where Are They Now?
Since its launch in December 2018, Morrison Outdoors has grown from a garage-born idea into a trusted brand for adventurous families. Today, the company’s products are available in over 80 retail stores across the United States and Canada. These include well-known names like Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), REI, and Scheels. Customers who prefer online shopping can purchase their sleeping bags directly through the brand’s official website or through the Amazon store. We should also mention that since its launch, the business has expanded beyond its core product of Baby, Toddler, and Kids’ Sleeping Bags. They also offer adult sleeping bags, kids’ carriers, camping bathroom supplies, kids’ base layers, pajamas, outwear, t-shirts, and even maternity and nursing apparel.
Morrison Outdoors has definitely spread its wings, but it has done so while maintaining a balance between quality and affordability. The sleeping bags usually range from $59.96 to $124.95, the popular kid carrier is available for $99, and the camping bathroom essentials cost between $15 and $50. What’s even more impressive is that the customers have options in terms of insulation type and colours, and they can even choose between new and gently used bags. The latter comes from the company’s thoughtful trade-in program, which allows consumers to return their used sleeping bags in order to receive cashback or a discount when they purchase any new product. However, you don’t have to worry as these products are tested to ensure safety and continued usability. Beyond this, the brand has embraced its role as a value-driven company. At the end of its second year in 2020, founder Tavis reflected on the success he received and decided to join the Pledge 1% movement. In this initiative, the company proudly donates 1% of its profits from each quarter to a particular charity.
Since its establishment, Morrison Outdoors has also partnered with the Kids Who Explore organization. Over the years, it has also supported non-profit initiatives like the Adaptive Sports Program in New Mexico, Nature Niños, Make-A-Wish, and Direct Relief. For the quarter of April to June 2025, the brand has also partnered with OutGrown, providing them with donations to continue with their mission of connecting families to nature. Therefore, of course, their growing reputation has led to industry recognition and media coverage in ways they couldn’t have even imagined back in their initial year. In 2020, Morrison Outdoors was a finalist at the Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards, and it also earned the “best in show” honour from GearJunkie at the OR Snow Show. In May 2021, it successfully celebrated shipping its 10,000th sleeping bag and was even featured on the Forbes NEXT1000 list in December of the same year.
Most recently, in November 2024, Morrison Outdoors’ Little Mo 40 Sleeping Bag was named product of the month. Around this same time, the company ran a successful photo contest with the winners receiving gift cards worth $500, $200, and $100. From Black Friday sales to Valentine’s Day promo, it has kept its customer experience at the forefront, all the while also actively engaging with influencers and travellers on social media to expand reach. So, with positive reviews like, “Bought it for my Grandson. He is too young to use it yet. This sleeping bag is not a cute baby item. It is a real piece of camping equipment!,” the business is definitely thriving these days. Tavis Malcolm also continues to work diligently to take the company to new heights, hoping to provide the families with a kid-friendly camp under the stars.
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