Wiggy's Sleeping Bag Review-Urban Survival

[goodcat1982]

somebody tell this moron that there are houses with beds in an urban enviroment!

[envirosponsible]

@goodcat1982 Geez, I feel like I'm lecturing a toddler. Do you know that you're being an energy vampire when you call people names?  If you have a point then make it but there's no need to be rude.

[goodcat1982]

@envirosponsible you just called me a toddler. That makes you a hypocrit. Your arrogance is amazing. Good luck with your urban survival. You will never need it though. Don't waste your life on this crap. bye

[testbooster]

I paid $280 for my Wiggy...I have yet to use it but my cold weather training will start very soon.

[heyimjoe]

laughed so hard at the "don't know if that's minus 40 in Celsius or in Fahrenheit" bit :D

[survivalofthekit]

EVEN THE CANADIANS LIKE AMERICAN STUFF , THAT IS THE BIGGEST HONOR EVER! ,

[Number1Techguru]

@envirosponsible unless that is just the ftrss cover.

[Number1Techguru]

@envirosponsible The bag you have is not the Ultima Thule.The Ultima Thule only comes in black.You have the Ultra Light or Super Light,most likely the Super Light,it is the one rated at -40 with the ftrss system.Nice bag though.

[drew5337]

Wiggy's bags rule. I've slept out in -15 in my Ultralight FTRSS (rated to -20) and was cozy and warm. As much as the gear whore in me wants a Western Mountaineering down bag, I know that while my Wiggy's is heavier, its also more dependable, since it will work even if it gets soaked. And if its less than 40deg at night, its a survival situation. Hypothermia is not to be messed with. A good sleeping bag is a life saving piece of kit.

[rross27]

Nice setup! Thats not cold wtf... I lived in Fairbanks Alaska (Military) and one night my buddy Justin and me decided we were going to test ourselves at -40 for real. But we cheated, it was about - 42 below 0, and we used military "Mummy Bags" which I think you can survive the night in up to like -80 below 0. So it was nice and cozy, until Justin started farting and we both had to leave the tent for five minutes and "whiffle" it out. Never eat baked beans and sausages while camping!! *cough!

[jpofsc]

Just returned from a camping trip in the Smokies.

Nothing extreme to say the least but I carried my zero degree Super Light Wiggy bag since its all I have and it was overkill for sure. Temp was low 40s, humid. The other guys using down bags rated 30-40 degrees were all wet from sweat. I was not sweating, or it was moving to the outside of the bag.  As typical for warmer, humid nights, my bag exterior was wet in the morning and the inside was dry.

Bulky & heavy, yes, but they work!!

[Quadmachine0]

My personal choice is a First Generation Modular Sleep System. That sleeping bag absolutely rocks, although it is heavy and bulky. Wiggys from what I've heard are pretty awesome too. They're just expensive. I got my bag used on ebay for only $140.00, shipped.

[DarthDregan]

Great Review. Will buy one. Thanks.

[rmstudio]

The ultimate survivalist without a flashlight... LoL

[halofanjg]

GRAND JUNCTION COLORADO!?!?!?! :D!!!! AWESOME!!!! Best place in the US :) jk jk, but seriously lol

[gumdokim]

would you upload a vid abandoned underground bunkers in Canada? Like their coordinates? So incase of an apocalypse we knw where to go ...even tho I live in the states.

[OHT53]

The green bag is a zero degree bag so you have two zero degree bags there I have the zero degree bag as well as the 35 degree bag its cut larger for use as an outer bag making the combination a sleep system I've had mine for 3 years now with no complainants these bags are bulky but dry very quickly in a wet/cold environment down can kill you as its thermal properties are zero when wet a Wiggys bag retains much of its thermal protection even when wet these bags are also very durable

[moonlitrn1]

dont know anything about any mark taylor- blue cheese - en baloney,, do know most backpacking "elites" dont care for wigtohski for some reason,, but after 6 yrs in the military- 4 yrs in alaska- 3 yrs in iraq 2 yrs in montana my wiggys bag is the BEST bag I ever crawled into and I would trust my life to it-- only disatisfaction I have is the side zip. I prefer the center zip on my army extreme cold bag simply bcause you can grab it and yank it open right now in an emergancy yer life is worth it

[AllFallBeforeMe]

plastic zipper and no snaps. lol. try a military bag not a fag bag.

[isaacrolfe]

At my job I spend 8-22 days out in the weather at a time since I've purchased my Wiggy I've never been cold not even in -22 near Rangely Colorado. Also I'm only 5'4" and never had a problem with the Wiggy's height it should be noted that they will make them in more custom sizes than any other company I know of.

[nicklessig]

Craphole marketing.

[bluefrenchfries]

@nogranola54

Also, bag too long? Climb in deeper. It's not an open space either, it would lay flat on itself filling the space. Or, try thinking outside the box and simply folding it over, underneath your feet.

I see you are very passionate about your sleeping systems. Why not do some research firsthand on a product you are obviously unfamiliar with? I bet if you did, you'd get totally behind it. As I assume you realize, there's no substitute for first-hand experience.

[bluefrenchfries]

Also, go to Wiggy's site>>>sleeping bags and scroll down to the vacuum sealed red square. I'd post the direct link but youtube wouldn't allow it when I tried.

Ask yourself, can down do that? Would it regain 100% of it's loft? Would it still trap air effectively? The answer is no, the feathers would get all broken up and thereby hinder it's ability to rebound and insulate, limiting its effectiveness forever.

[bluefrenchfries]

@nogranola54

Wrong. Wiggy's Lamilite bags are rated conservatively and can be used in temps up to 20 degrees below where they are rated, and still pack smaller than the equivalent in down. No evidence? As Nike says, Just Do It.

Longer is better because you have the option of putting your wet clothes below your feet and helping them dry out overnight while you sleep.

I think the problem here is you are thinking very techy, very niche, whereas I am speaking from an urban SHTF type scenario.

[bluefrenchfries]

@nogranola54

Not mountaineering on the K2. Check with Alaska, see what they buy. You never answered my question either. P.S. If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?

[jtd724]

Why is Wiggys afraid to get EN tested for temp ratings?

[bluefrenchfries]

@nogranola54

For a day, enjoy your down. For a week plus>>>there's no contest. It's weekend warrior vs. apocalypse survivor, you determine your need and buy accordingly.

And for the record Wiggy's bags will pack smaller, will be longer length, and will serve you at lower temps. But pinch those pennies on that once in a lifetime purchase and sleep soundly, friend.

P.S. As I recently noticed and posted 4 anyone who cared to read it, the bags are on sale right now so they're actually cheaper. ;)

[MTCazador]

Great video, partner, thanks for sharing. I'm Marc Taylor, owner of Wiggy's-Alaska, in Anchorage. What you got there is a Flexible Temperature Range Sleep System built around a SuperLight (model) bag. It's rating is -40F/-40C. Takes some marbles to attempt to sleep in that uncovered truckbed, as that will fail most bags! Good on you! -- MTCazaodor

[jtd724]

uhh no, you got found out on BP.com forum, your bluefrenchfries turkey.

[jtd724]

Down is far superior this walmart brand of bag. Also, bluefrenchfries, is, Marc Taylor. Owner of Wiggy's Alaska. Now do any of you believe any of that crap he's spewing.

[MTCazador]

@jtd724 Idiot.

[bluefrenchfries]

@MTCazador

Agreed.

[bluefrenchfries]

@jtd724

So says the person who's never slept in a Wiggy's bag. :rolls eyes:

P.S. I'm not Marc Taylor, nor have I ever met him or even heard of him. I'm just a dude who's had a Wiggy's bag for 15 + years. And love it. And swear by it.

[jtd724]

@bluefrenchfries , no your Marc Taylor. Your too easy, your a Mark, marc.

[bluefrenchfries]

@jtd724

You're a tool, go suck something.

[clintonlee07111]

@jtd724 wat does mark marc mean and wat in gods name is a marc taylor?!

[clintonlee07111]

@jtd724 and I dont like like where this is going, YOU STOP IT RIGHT THERE WHISKER BISCUIT!

[0011101000101001]

@jtd724 Down + Wet = Epic Fail. Down is great unless it gets wet, and then it provides zero insulation. Just a fact.

[0011101000101001]

@jtd724 Down + Wet = Epic Fail. Down is great unless it gets wet, and then it provides zero insulation. Just a fact.

[1easterling3]

so, as this guy is talking about the amazing "Lamalite" did you get to hot in the sleeping bag? I tend to get very hot in expensive sleeping bags especially when i'm camping. Does Lamalite let this excess heat out do you think?

[1easterling3]

$218 ouch. Very pricey...

[bluefrenchfries]

@1easterling3

I just checked out wiggys.com to see what model my bag is and fwiw, all his bags are currently 30% off...so now would probably be the time if you or anyone were considering buying one. Basically a $200.00 bag would be $140.00 plus ship>>>CANNOT beat that. I paid over $200.00 for mine in the mid-late 90's--quite a lot for a teenager to fork out. But that's what you pay if you want the best.

[slpybuldog]

Thanks for the review. I appreciate that you actually slept in it. Awesome.

[arlos4506]

unpacking gear from backcountry overnight with Wiggy's bag. This bag held up very well. Temps only reached about 43 degrees but it rained the entire time. It was nice to climb in this after a full day of rain. Did not need to zip it closed. Pretty much just draped it over myself and did fine on top of a Thermarest. Will test again in a few weeks or so when I know temps will be colder.

[krubbor]

I have one........LOVE IT

[arlos4506]

just got my Wiggy's Hunter Lt. from Colorado. Will be trying it for first time in a few days. Forecast is rain and 40 degrees. Backwoods tent camp about 2 miles

from closest road on state land. I did not get the overbag. Bag is rated to zero

degrees. I did unpack and inspect it upon recieveing. Looks loke a quality item. Will repost comment after campout.

[mbabist01]

I read about this bag, or rather the Thule Ultima, in the novel "Patriots." I was very curious, thanks for answering my questions.

[aimsuxdoggydills]

Only 5lbs? Get real. A 5lb+ 25F bag that doesn't compress and won't last. Damn near worthless.

[bluefrenchfries]

@aimsuxdoggydills

If you are referring to a Wiggy's bag, you're clueless. I have had mine almost 15 years and it still to this day compresses and rebounds better than any bag made. I forget the name of the model (super light possibly?) but it is rated at O degrees, weighs 4.5 lbs, and can be used to -20 with a ground pad. And I can attest to that. In fact, it is the only insulation in existence that can handle being compressed and vacuum sealed for the Air Force's survival packs. Dumbass.

[bluefrenchfries]

If it couldn't be compressed why would the Air force choose it and only it to use vacuum sealed for their survival packs stowed behind the seats of the pilots, along with his boots (muk-luks)? It's on his site but the test was something like 6,000 pounds of compression for 5 or 6 days and within ten minutes it regained 90% of it's loft. No other insulation besides lamilite can achieve this, especially down where the feathers would get broken and smashed.

[bluefrenchfries]

It also exceeds down in loft and heat reflection, and due to it's exceptional compression abilities is the only bag on the market that guarantees it's insulation forever, not just the liner, and encourages laundering. No other bag I am aware of encourages laundering, because of the piling and shifting of the insulation which creates bunching>>>thick and thin spots=cold spots. Wiggy's bags are quilted and not stitched into panels, it's one continuous tube of gorgeous warmth.

[bluefrenchfries]

When Jerry Wigetow, the founder/owner first started making these by hand on his sailboat in the 80's he said you could toss it in the ocean and then retrieve it and hang it over the boom and it would be dry in about an hour. Always sleep naked because clothes make you sweat. He intentionally makes all his bags extra long so if your clothes are soaking wet you can take them off, wring them out and put them down below your feet, and by morning they will either be dry or at worst barely damp.

[aimsuxdoggydills]

@bluefrenchfries Polarguard is Polarguard, and old Polarguard is garbage.

[bluefrenchfries]

@aimsuxdoggydills agreed, Polarguard is total garbage. Are you familiar with Lamilite, the insulation used in Wiggy's bags and clothing?

[aimsuxdoggydills]

@bluefrenchfries Same garbage. It's Climashield now. Lamilite is Wiggy's name for it, but it doesnt change cheap crap from being cheap crap.

[bluefrenchfries]

@aimsuxdoggydills

LMAO @ cheap crap. Test it and you'll see you're absolutely wrong. That's why people in the know in Alaska who depend upon quality materials use it exclusively. :) Exactly what are you're credentials, anyway?

It's obvious you've never touched it personally or used it.

He manufactures it himself and so it therefore cannot be Polarguard or Climashield. It's breathable, it's light, and it's compressible--the three things no other material can claim.

[aimsuxdoggydills]

@bluefrenchfries He doesn't make the insulation. It's Climashield. Cheap crap. Might as well have a Walmart tag and be sold at Walmart prices. It's a Walmart bag.

[bluefrenchfries]

@aimsuxdoggydills

You're clueless. Lamilite is proprietary. Get out your microscope and look at some of it>>>it's like nothing else on the planet. It traps air better than any other material, it breaths and wicks moisture to the outside, & it rebounds and achieves full loft after subjected to ridiculous amounts of pressure no matter how much time has passed.

I'm done educating you, talking with you is like amateur hour. You're not budging and honestly, you deserve no more of my time. Later.

[bluefrenchfries]

@aimsuxdoggydills

So what product do you recommend, aimsuxdoggydills? Typical negative faceless internet critic who's aim seems simply to detract rather than list reasons why or offer alternative options. Sounds like you have an axe to grind with Jerry on a personal level to me, cuz his insulating product ABSOLUTELY speaks for itself.

[aimsuxdoggydills]

@bluefrenchfries Look for something EN-rated, and if it's going to be carried in a backpack, make it lightweight down. If you are worried about getting wet, that's also a red herring, but don't piss yourself in your sleep anyway.

[bluefrenchfries]

@aimsuxdoggydills

I already explained in my reply how Lamilite is FAR superior to down. Down lofts and reflects heat pretty well but it doesn't wick moisture to the outside like Lamilite does. You will accumulate ice in low temps over long duration of time>>>you don't need to piss yourself, you sweat!

I have tried down, I have tried Lamilite. And after numerous outings, I'll choose to own and use Lamilite (Wiggy's) every single time. Nuff said, done deal. You are flat out wrong. PEACE!

[hilltigger]

@bluefrenchfries Apparently, you need some education on how moisture is pushed out of the bag from body heat at low temps vs. wicking out. I've personally done numerous tests of down and synthetic bags in 0 degree temps including down over and under synthetic layers and compared moisture content, where it sits within the layer, etc. Your claim is contrary to reality. Also, down does not reflect heat. Down Insulation works by trapping warm air.

[bluefrenchfries]

@hilltigger

Well I guess that's why I'm not an expert and just a consumer. Also, "down does not reflect heat. Down Insulation works by trapping warm air" is spliting hairs to me, but you are probably technically right.

The only question I have is, was the synthetic bag you tested a Wiggy's bag? And what were your findings? If it wasn't Lamilite, they would be irrelevant to this video response but I'm still curious. Btw, thanks for reading.

[rayme4raw]

Wiggys is thee sleeping bag. I bought their comforter too, it's amazing. I'm actually looking forward to the winter this year thanks to Wiggys. Thumbs up.

[aimsuxdoggydills]

Big, heavy, optimistic junk.

[rayme4raw]

@aimsuxdoggydills It's only 5.25 lbs and I have a wiggys sleeping bag, I know first hand that it works.

[bordone]

hey thanks this video was real informative!

[WarzoneMerc]

What kind of wiggys was it?

[rayme4raw]

@WarzoneMerc Hunter Ultra

[jonnychaos313]

that material on the bivy sems pretty thin y not go for goretex outterlookslke yurs is sillnylon

[scruffymeigs]

@jonnychaos313 I don't think there was a bivy on the bag. I think that the color of the bag just looks different out in the natural morining light.

[moonlitrn1]

many cheaper bags will keep you warm. which is fine if you're going to a koa. But a wiggys bag will keep you alive. period. and that should be worth $400 to anyone. Never skimp on a bag-footwear-waterfilter or firestarters

[etekballer14]

how much did this sleeping bag cost?

[testbooster]

I just bought a Wiggys sleeping bag had to pay extra because I'm a fat body. Mine will be rated at -20 degrees.

[Magnageek]

Thank you for an excellent review. I pharted in my L.L. Bean sleeping bag last year and ruined it, so I'm in the market for a new one. Great review!

[ninjadude126]

army bi are the vvay to go

[ThePHENOMZ24]

Most people dont even sleep outside man and you did while its cold out gotta give you props for that man ..

[envirosponsible]

@ThePHENOMZ24 Encouraging words like those keep me going. Thanks.

[ThePHENOMZ24]

@envirosponsible Hey no problem man ..

[kikasshendrix]

@envirosponsible very good. I am going camping tmrw good vid

[MTCazador]

@envirosponsible Great video.

[SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

Thank you for the review! I need a good sleeping bag. Do you have one for your wife as well? And I hate to ask, but why the cotton socks etc? In montana we have a saying: "cotton kills". (I bet they have that saying in the Great White North as well) :)

Cheers,

Kel

[envirosponsible]

@SmokeRingsPipeDreams My wife has a crappy sleeping bag and probably won't drop $400 for a good one. The cotton socks happened to be what I was wearing during the day, so it was more convenience than anything. You're right though, wool is the premium choice for almost all layers of clothing.

[rayme4raw]

@envirosponsible Get her the comforter for christmas, I love that product, it's amazing how warm it keeps you. Plus it has stitching in the middle so that you can fold it over and turn it into a makeshift sleeping bag.

[haha48]

@VertexSurvival well.. i used a duck feather bag thats 30 years old its bigger then that and I can say its smokeing hot in side.. but with the marmot sawtooth what I use now;... Im allot warmer but theres allot less room.. which I kind of miss..

[envirosponsible]

@VertexSurvival Easy for you to cinch maybe! Thanks for weighing in.

[dinnerandashow]

If you love a Wiggys bag you are going to absolutely love a Mountain Hardwear, Marmot, and Big Agnes bags. Its a lot warmer per weight. These are are also more compact then Wiggies.

Wiggies is a more DIY style.

[johnny102marvin]

Your voice sounds a little like Clint Eastwood...."go ahead..make my day".

[bwillan]

Wiggy's isn't the only game in town for sleeping bags. The makers of Arctic Shield hunting clothing, make sleeping bags rated at 0F, -20F and -40 that range in price from $120 - 150 USD.  the -40 bag weighs a mere 5 pounds.

[WarzoneMerc]

How much do they sell for Chad?

[envirosponsible]

Each bag is different. The one in this video was about $400 Canadian.

[swibo6]

Good to know!

[haha48]

what matteral is made out of? sythetic or down?

[envirosponsible]

@haha48 The insulation is synthetic, and is called lamalite. Teeir website has more information.

[bluefrenchfries]

There is a lot more on Wiggy bags on the site. He'll never get the recognition from Backpacker mag etc cuz he replies abrasively to criticism & his grammar & spelling could def use a good editor but it doesn't change how awesome Lamilite is. I also have the comforter, the vest, some gloves...for me it's Lamilite all the way, nothing else can even come close.

[bluefrenchfries]

For certain, it is the ultimate bug-out bag. I definitely recommend owning one. No matter which one, it will be the best bag money can buy.

[bluefrenchfries]

Possibly the most amazing thing about Lamilite is the way it wicks moisture from the inside to the outside. This goes for all of Wiggy's products, whether it be his sleeping bags, gloves, vests etc. This is the main drawback of down, which does not. Mountaineering on 14'ers and above, you can expect 10+ lbs of weight to be added per week from your sweat being trapped inside your sleeping bag, unable to escape.~That's exactly on what I want on a mountain, ice in my sleeping bag~sarcasm intended.

[JimboJitsu]

Thanks for sharing!

[superassassin47]

good vid as usual

[losolomo]

How are you brother. Just wondering where you bought those sleeping bags.

[bwillan]

It was mentioned in the video that the bag was borrowed from a friend of his.

[icychap]

Great point about the humidity - something people often overlook when planning winter camping gear.

Excellent test, although being so high off the ground and having the walls of the truck bed offer more protection than you would normally have.

What did you wear while in the bag?