Tavis Malcolm grew up backpacking and camping, and he always knew he’d share that experience with his own kids. When his first son, Morrison, was born, he started planning family trips, but one thing held him back — how to keep an infant warm while sleeping outdoors. On their first outing, he bundled Morrison up in extra layers and blankets, but the setup didn’t work. The baby was uncomfortable and cold, and Tavis spent half the night checking to make sure he was okay. He knew that taking a baby camping shouldn’t feel this stressful.
Back home, he started looking for gear that would work better. Regular sleeping bags weren’t safe for infants, and baby sleep sacks were too thin for outdoor temperatures. He thought about how adult sleeping bags kept warmth trapped while allowing freedom of movement, and wondered why nothing similar existed for infants. He decided to make one himself.
Tavis used a vintage Singer sewing machine to put together the first prototype — essentially a tiny sleeping bag with a snug, insulated collar to keep the baby’s head free and the body warm. The first version was basic but practical: down-filled, lightweight, with a front zipper for easy access. He tested it on more camping trips and found it kept Morrison warm without the bulk of extra blankets. The idea made sense. It felt safe, and his son slept well.
Encouraged, he refined the design. He focused on making the bag safe above all else. The collar was fleece-lined and close-fitting so a baby couldn’t slip down inside. There was no hood, since covering an infant’s face was a hazard. The bag’s shape allowed for natural leg movement while still keeping warmth in. He also designed the front to snap closed, giving a swaddle-like feel without being restrictive.
Once he had a design he trusted, he made a few more by hand and gave them to friends who camped with young kids. The feedback was clear — they needed this. Tavis decided to launch Morrison Outdoors in 2019, naming it after his son. He started selling the bags online, focusing on families who wanted to keep camping after having kids.
The first model, called the Little Mo 20°, was rated for temperatures down to 20°F, making it one of the few sleep options designed specifically for cold-weather camping with infants. As more parents started using it, he expanded the line to include the Little Mo 40° for milder conditions and the Big Mo for toddlers. Each bag followed the same principle — warmth without compromising safety.
Demand grew as word spread among outdoor communities. The bags began appearing in REI stores and other outdoor retailers. Reviews from parents highlighted how easy it was to pack and how it gave them peace of mind during cold nights. Tavis kept refining the bags based on feedback, introducing new sizes and versions to fit kids as they grew.
Morrison Outdoors continued to grow while staying rooted in its original purpose: making it easier for parents to take young kids camping. Tavis stayed focused on practical improvements rather than expanding too quickly. Today, the company offers a range of sleeping bags designed for safe outdoor sleep from infancy through early childhood.
What started as a problem on one cold night turned into a practical solution for families who love the outdoors. Tavis built something he needed, found out others needed it too, and kept working to make it better.
