Designing Outdoor Gear That Removes Barriers
- Jul 24
- 1 min read
The North Face Universal Collection rethinks camping equipment around accessibility. The range includes a tent, sleeping bag, daypack and accessories with magnetic closures, oversized loops, tactile cues, simplified setup and adaptable carrying options.
The collection was developed by The North Face with adaptive athletes Vasu Sojitra and Maureen Beck, drawing on insights from the wider adaptive sports community.
Why I saved this: I was interested in how accessibility shaped the products from the beginning rather than being added to existing equipment. Features such as equal-length tent poles, a lower entrance and a zipper-free sleeping bag reduce barriers while improving usability for many campers. For design students, it shows how designing with people at the margins can produce better mainstream products.
Worth considering: Who might struggle with an interaction that currently feels obvious?
Try applying it: Test one product interaction using only one hand.
Design themes: Universal design, accessibility, outdoor equipment, co-design, human factors
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