Aeronaut Outdoor Founders Brandon and Laura Davey say the company was born from a simple problem: sleeping outside kind of sucks. After more than 15 years of experience designing gear for brands like NEMO, Marmot, and Patagonia, the Southern Californian couple decided to take matters into their own hands, designing the Hoverquilt, a premium down blanket and, more recently, the Booster, an insulated sheet that transforms into a pillow on-the-go. After reviewing the Hoverquilt in 2023 and using it nightly in our Overland Explorer Vehicles Alpine camper, I became curious about its origins. So, I reached out to Brandon and Laura to learn more about the story behind the brand.
How did Aeronaut begin?
The truth is, no one loves sleeping like a mummy, and your home bedding is bulky, too cold, and not quite right for adventures. We camp together as a couple and actually like to sleep together, and fussing with zippers isn’t the best way to do it. After designing and testing the best high-end, highly technical sleeping bags, it was time to change things. We stepped outside the “bag” to free you and yours with the warmest, comfiest camping quilts out there. With no compromises on quality or materials, we’re all in to make the whole experience better for everyone.
Speaking of materials, what have you chosen for Aeronaut products?
We engineered a beautiful 20D nylon base, the softest fabric I’ve used on any sleep product over the 15+ years in the outdoor industry. It’s the perfect balance of lightweight, quiet, and next-to-skin softness material that’s also breathable and durable. It has a DWR coating to resist spills and stains, yet it’s PFAS-free, meaning it doesn’t use any forever chemicals. The fabric has a tight weave construction (high thread count) for down proofness, softness, and durability. The top layer has a nice ripstop weave. We’ve had hundreds of customers with dogs of all sizes and (cats), and not one has requested repair services.
With the Hoverquilt, we engineered optimally sized 3D cubes of premium down to supercharge warmth. This is often reserved for technical sleeping bags rated 15°F or below. These 3D cubes have hidden walls of fabric to create more loft everywhere and eliminate cold spots. Other blankets use a cheaper stitch-through construction, crushing all layers together with every stitch line (meaning every stitch line is a cold spot).
Our down is 700-fill grey duck down and is RDS certified (responsible down standard). RDS ensures it’s traceable to each farm where the fowl is raised. Our down is always a byproduct of food and has no “poky” bits from cheaper fills or feathers. You’ll notice it’s very trendy to treat down with a water-resistant coating, but we’ve found in testing that it only lasts one to two washes before losing effectiveness. We chose to avoid those chemicals and don’t give anyone false hope that you can use this in a rainstorm. That’s best left for synthetic versions.
What was your biggest takeaway from 15+ years of experience designing gear for some of the biggest brands in the outdoor industry?
We’ve learned that passion takes the lead for award-winning product creation because that is the spark that will take it from average to special. At the root of passion is also selfless design. It is critical to thoroughly test and research to ensure you’ve discovered any opportunities or problems your community might encounter. By doing so, we have a crystal-clear problem, and the best solution for all is right in front of us.
Describe your most memorable trip.
We fell in love over a shared thirst for travel and are approaching 20 years together, so that’s a tricky question. We went on an amazing trip exploring and hiking the falls of Havasupai [Havasu Falls, Arizona], which felt otherworldly. We also had a chance to explore the islands of the Azores in Portugal with thriving hydrangeas 30 feet tall, the clearest blue lakes on mountain tops, and the best farm-to-table meal we’ve ever eaten. Overall, whether we’re off-roading to lakes in the Eastern Sierras or taking our family across Australia, we love discovering, and it’s always better together.
What is the best way to care for Aeronaut products? (Cleaning, storage, repairing, repurposing, etc.)
Our Hoverquilts come with stuff and storage sacks. The larger cotton storage sack is best for long-term storage and doubles as a handy laundry bag when you’re on an adventure. Typically, we wipe them clean if something gets on them, but as any family- and dog-friendly gear should be, they are machine washable. We recommend a gentle cycle with mild detergent and then tumble drying on low heat with a couple of tennis or dryer balls to help keep the down fluffy.
Why should potential consumers consider a down blanket rather than a sleeping bag? Are there times when a sleeping bag is the better fit or when the blanket is a better fit?
We haven’t used any sleeping bags since we started making these Hoverquilts. We’ve noticed that whether you sleep next to your partner or spread out like a starfish, sleeping with a Hoverquilt is just like how you’d sleep at home. We use the same down technology and construction of a 15°F (-9°C) degree bag and, in extensive testing, found these to be very comfortable to about 30°F (-1°C). I know some people might camp much colder than that, and in that case, you can stack your quilt or use it as a top layer over your existing sleep system.
What is the difference between the Hoverquilt and the Booster?
The Hoverquilt is full 3D cubes of premium 700 fill down and is great for all seasons. It can pack down to the size of a volleyball and is longer, wider, and warmer than any other camping blanket. The Booster sheet is lightly insulated with a down alternative and can be used on its own or stacked with the Hoverquilt. It adds 10°F (5.5°C) degrees of warmth or works great as a stand-alone summer light layer or picnic blanket and packs down into its own built-in pocket.
Anything new in the works?
We can’t stop dreaming! We’re always designing and prototyping in our garage and can’t wait to introduce new products. Aeronaut will always create and refine the most comfortable sleep systems out there, but we’re also leveraging our experience and passion for all things travel, adventure, and even wearables focused on bringing comfort everywhere.
What have you learned from becoming entrepreneurs in the outdoor and overland industries? What has been the biggest challenge along the way?
Being entrepreneurs isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s brutal and a roller coaster of the highest highs and some pretty deep lows. We’ve grown a lot over the past couple of years, wearing many hats in the business and getting the word out. We love connecting with people who share our passions and get inspired every single time. Overall, the hard work is worth it—to be pouring your heart into something that is your own dream instead of clocking in for someone else’s.
You are a family of six. What are your favorite ways to spend time together in the outdoors?
It’s so wild that we have four small humans and one fur baby. We love going on adventures together. The first time we took our oldest camping, it was in the winter in Moab, Utah, and she was only 4 months old. Spending time together outside has always been deeply ingrained in our family culture. We’re the happiest when we’re unplugged and near a body of water or in the mountains. With everything we need to juggle as a family and in our business, finding the right balance is key. We’re based in Southern California, so even if we can’t get away to the Sierras or to Baja, we find that going on micro-adventures—such as wandering at low tide for an afternoon—is a dose of pure happiness. Adventures, big or small, have this special way of resetting and bringing us closer.
What is your favorite piece of overland gear?
Overlanding hasn’t been the same since we got our GFC rooftop camper. It changes the game for a super-fast and easy setup and takedown. The bonus is that our truck is still a truck, so we can haul bikes, boards, and all kinds of gear. We love anything that makes things easier, smoother, and comfier. A close second is our Iceco fridge. Never having to stop for ice and fitting enough food for our crew is so magical. We’ll never go back.
Check out the Hoverquilt Learn more about the Booster
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