This year, sleep-system experts Therm-a-Rest continue to celebrate 50 years of their category-defining outdoor gear with the launch of a special behind-the-scenes video within their European manufacturing facility in County Cork, Ireland.

Hosted by Irish Therm-a-Rest ambassador and ultra-marathon runner Conor O'Keefe, the video delivers a never-before-seen glimpse of how the brand's iconic mattresses are built, and the team who build them.

Back in 1972, Therm-a-Rest was founded in Seattle, USA by ex-Boeing engineers John Burroughs and Jim Lea, who changed the outdoor sleep market forever with their innovative self-inflating pad. Their goal was to create a mattress comfortable enough to deliver a restful night sleep for outdoor adventurers, something which the brand has been delivering on ever since.

To keep up with demand in Europe, in 1985 the brand expanded production to the town of Midleton, East Cork, and to this day the facility continues to build the full Therm-a-Rest mattress assortment for the European market. Employing over 100 staff across production, engineering, supply chain and more, the Midleton team are deeply committed to delivering on the values of the original Therm-a-Rest founders, and are immensely proud to work for such an important brand in the outdoor industry.

The brand's strength in local manufacturing is clear throughout the video, which not only delivers a sneak-peak into the brand's innovative products, but also the skill and expertise of the factory staff. "Manufacturing in Ireland for the European market is hugely significant for the brand", says Sean Raleigh, Cascade Designs Director of Engineering, "We know how important Therm-a-Rest is to its customers, and that's why we're delighted to give them the opportunity to see their favourite pads being built here in Midleton."