Wet Wiggy's Sleeping Bag in Winter - Urban Survival

[oregoncamp]

Ha! Good for you man! You are the only other person I know who has actually done this. I have been using Wiggy's bags for over 20 years and did this same test, with identical results. Down bags are back in fashion these days, but if you tried this same test with a down-filled bag, you'd be severely hypothermic or dead in the morning. Wiggy's is the only bag I will ever own. Try their "sweater". Nice job, keep it up.

[icychap]

Dude, awesome video. Testing by doing, that's the only way. Thanks for the demo!

[robbabcock1969]

I've had similar experiences with my Wiggy's bags. Aside from the ability to perform when wet, it's almost like they have a "thermostat" in them! They warm me when I'm cold but rarely roast me out when it's warmer (well, except my 0 degree bag when used in the summer).

Great bags. I doubt I'll ever buy another brand again.

[solobackpacking]

That is thermodynamically impossible.

If the body spends it's thermal energy warming and evaporating water off the bag, then it has less to warm the body.

I feel this is a product endorsement.

[envirosponsible]

@solobackpacking I appreciate your skepticism. I'm much the same which is why I had to try this for myself. While I don't have a scientific explanation for why this happened I know that it worked. The only way for you to know for sure is to try one for yourself or hang out with me for a night while I do it again. I wouldn't jeopordize my channel with false results; I've worked too hard to get it to where it is. 

[solobackpacking]

@envirosponsible

I noticed too much hype and half truths about North American made products due to a unshakable national pride. Even products that got the worst reviews by professional testers would be given TOP ratings by North American conservative males on Youtube.

[icychap]

@solobackpacking Not so - you might as well claim that wet suits are mythology, too. There's no reason to assume from the information given that he couldn't have produced enough metabolic heat to both evaporate the water AND warm the air inside the bag. Obviously it will depend on the ambient temperature, but I for one was very impressed with this test.

[thatswhatshesaid1]

@solobackpacking Then how does wool insulate when wet because it sure as shit does.

[mottledbrain]

I don't get it.

Just where did the water go? Did it migrate towards the outside of the bag perhaps???

[scruffymeigs]

@mottledbrain The warm water inside the bag vaporizes, and is able to pass through the taffeta lining into the insulation. The insulation is silicon coated and (hydrophobic?) repelling the vapor to the outside of the bag. I've heard of people with wet bags, waking up dry, but having fog inside of their tent.

[arbww2040]

is he gay ?? or.... what

[envirosponsible]

@arbww2040 Nope. Not that's there's anything wrong with that.

[AntoniusRome]

Great test. Did you sleep right on the ground? I'm from the great north of Ontario myself, wish I still lived there, I'd ask about joining you folks on your test.

[envirosponsible]

@AntoniusRome A fellow Ontarion, nice. I slept on a therma rest air mattress.

[hambonedodge34]

who do I make the check out to?

[dsnomon]

He blinked at least 4 times, lol! Really, though thx for the test

[RapperNamedQUICK]

all ya need is goretex on the outside and your good to go for life

[scruffymeigs]

@RapperNamedQUICK Wiggy's won't use goretex or any of the goretex knock offs. Jerry Wigutow claims that goretex doesn't work as well as advertised.

[VernonWallace]

Was this experiment with the over bag?

[envirosponsible]

@VernonWallace Good question and an oversight on my part for not mentioning that it was NOT with the overbag. I was using the Ultima Thule only. Thanks for asking.

[VernonWallace]

@envirosponsible That is amazing. Sounds great to me. I've got to get me one...

[bhilton81]

@envirosponsible Hey neighbor, what is that wiggys bag filled with? Keep up the great work on the videos. /Woodstock,ON

[envirosponsible]

@bhilton81 Well hey to you neighbour. The Wiggy's is filled with Lamalite.

[bhilton81]

@envirosponsible Thanks for the reply! How compressible is Lamalite compared to goose down? I have a Marmot Arroyo rated for -1 C and three times now I've pushed it to -2 C at night. The first trip I was managable (not comfy) in a tent. The second I was using my Henessy Hammock for the first time with a space blanket underneath of me (as an experiment) and it was still bitter cold. The third trip I used your advice and picked up a Thermarest. What a difference!

[envirosponsible]

@bhilton81 Knowing what I know now I would get a Super Light with Overbag. That's probably the best system for my environment. Even though you can compress a Wiggy's and leave it for a long time without losing loft they are bulky. That's definitely a consideration.  Now that I have one I have to rethink my backpack system but it's worth it.

[Bored197272]

...Are you up for the challenge? You can bring what ever you want. We are both in Ontario.. you in the south, and me in the north.

You might actually gain a little experience for your videos here that can be very valuable. And have something really worth while posting?

It is a serious invitation, think about it. We will head out in January or February?

Are you up for it?

[envirosponsible]

@Bored197272 Of course I'd gain a ton of experience and it would be awesome but I think our timing is off. I'm going on Dec 30th for six days. That's my only window. It'll be a skills building mission for me and my friend. The coldest I expect is around -10 or -15C and I might soak the bag, but I wouldn't play in -30C like that. I would camp in -30C though and would really dig learning from some experienced campers like yourself.

[Bored197272]

@envirosponsible

Understandable. Where are you going? what are your plans if you dont mind me asking?

And if you are going to soak the bag to experiment. Remeber. Be preparred. Always be preparred for the worst. Make sure you have another bag or a place set up (and always going) to warm up if the experiment goes bad. hypothermia sets in fast, and the thought process slows down. make sure you have someone with you that can take care of you and keep an eye on you...

[Bored197272]

@envirosponsible... at all times. even if it does not kill you, you dont want to loose your ears, toes, fingers etc to frost bite. What you are talking about is not that cold, but still be cautious. I've seen it happen. If you are going into a survival situation. just rememrb do what you know. Experiement only if you have to for survival when you have no ther choice.

And forget about those clothes you have been using. Good way to freeze to death if you really can not...

[Bored197272]

@envirosponsible ...get back to civilization. Look up 'Canada Goose Arctic Program'. Good clothing and warm. And yes the new sythentics combined with good down is the best way to go. Forget about the old army junk. There is good reason why it is cheap in a second hand store!

And leave those gimick knives and other junk at home. they will only pack you down with weight and take up energy better spent on what you need.

Be Safe!

[Bored197272]

So you're at it again? What about the colder nights? below freezing? what about whne it is -30?

And now you have people that are actually looking to you for survival advice. And may be following these videos...

I have a good idea. If you're up for it. And this is serious. Why dont you come along with me up in the bush for some real survival this winter. No friends cabins close by, no where to turn to, no warm anything slose by. You can soak your bag, and I will stay in mine (5 star Woods)...

[1LRLRG]

What style of Wiggy was it that you used, I missed that? Thanks and definitely more nerve doing that than me.

[envirosponsible]

@1LRLRG I got the Ultima Thule mummy style.

[mrsdjsdj]

Very excellent video. Don't take this the wrong way, but you might want to pitch your tarp a little tighter. Anybody that is "skeptical" on here should order one and try it. I believe that you actually completed this task.

[envirosponsible]

@mrsdjsdj Thanks and you're right about the tipi tarp. The wind was intense and was trying it's best to rip the tipi to shreds.

[mikkeljs]

correction - if its minus 10 C it would be snow of course.

[mikkeljs]

Great video! Im considering to find a job 140km from my parents home, so Im planning to get a sleeping bag and settle in a remote wood to save money. It would be cool if I could sleep without a tent, and still be warm in heavy rain. Would that be possible? Sleeping in a bag without a tent in minus 10 degrees C*?

[envirosponsible]

@mikkeljs That sounds pretty dangerous actually.  You're definitely going to want some sort of shelter. Do you have a lot of experience camping?

[mikkeljs]

@envirosponsible I have never tried camping before. Perhabs I could roll out some plastic as a shelter and spread out a thick layer of hay under the sleeping bag. Just cant affort a tent. Do you have any suggestions to where to camp in a big city? I figured that I would be pretty undisturbed on a roof top. I will get my permission to sell coffee on the street in about 3 weeks, and then Im basically ready to try it. Last winter we got minus 23 C* in DK, so its gonna be exciting.

[envirosponsible]

@mikkeljs If you're seriously going to sleep outside you need to go talk with homeless people and learn how they live. They are the true masters of urban survival. You could be killed you if you don't know how to stay dry and warm. Surely there must be a better option. Your story is strange with the coffee and the homelessness. Also, some rooftops collect water and hold it before a timed release so be careful of where you sleep on a roof.  Let me know if you're really going to do this.

[envirosponsible]

@mikkeljs What an unusual story. PM me so we can talk about how serious living outside without certain knowledge can be and how to prepare, though I recommend NOT following through on your plan.

[mikkeljs]

@envirosponsible Thats why Im trying to collect some knowledge. I agree its a funny story when taken out of context. I have been looking for a job for 6 months now, I applied literally everything in the country, that I was qualified to. There is financial crisis. Secondly, Im educated as a pianist, and the only job it refers to is to be a piano teacher or an organist, so that doesnt give many options. But if I apply to work in a grocery store or as a mail delivery,

[mikkeljs]

@envirosponsible the companies doesnt take it seriously. They dont accept someone with a long education into a completely different field. Usually people take educations to get a job in that business. So then I came to this idea, coffee is sold with an extreme profit, considering that its almost costless to brew. In a danish cafe, a cup of coffee costs normally 6-9 USD, 7eleven coffee costs 4 USD pr cup. So now I want to try selling a cup at 2 USD on the street.

[McHenryAnge]

Impressive. Funny stuff getting in and I thought the heat transfer would catch up to you. Warming the water initially is not so hard to do. KEEPING it warm and drying out was not expected. I'm predominantly anti-synthetics but you made a really good case. Excellent.

We just had the furnace stumble on us and hand to pull out our army of wool.

I think the Wiggy can have more apps than just bug out.

Really nice demo.

[vanrooyendavid]

Mate!... you deserve respect. i enjoyed your attempt... balsy.

[djbarryiii]

I can believe this...with hydrophobic insulating fibers... but just barely. Wiggy's bags are kind of heavy and expensive, but if they really do this I might consider one.

[Beachcrib]

Zippy1one needs to grow some hickory nuts .. And try it before he judges . Thanks for having the nerve to give it a go!

[danzak44]

I got cold just watching you get into the bag! You are way braver than I or a bit loony! Thanks for doing the video and braving the cold, wet, bag! Now we know we are definitely getting Wiggys bags for all of us!

[jediknightofthewoods]

awesome test man! respect for getting in that thing when it was soaked! Hey, you gotta test your stuff in a safe environment first, anyone that waits till they are out in the wilds to see whether their stuff is up to scratch aint coming with me!!

[blkwulff]

dude that was awsome the guy that left dont worry about him dude now that testing you gear tpoo extremes awsome video

[fouqueria]

Hey man! you also made me get one! I didn't really need another sleeping bag, and there I go and get myself one... besides, they're on sale right now!...

[swilliams2482]

Awesome review ! ! !

[Tancrad]

going to be honest. i expected the legends to be false. this is quite impressive

[kgdblade]

Hard core man. I own the same bag and have not tested it under such rigors. I have used it at below freezing and under less then ideal moisture conditions but nothing like this. Congrats. I think it is always enviable to test the limits of your gear. I never wanted to do that on a -20oF bag but never thought about the testing you performed. Good stuff and good to hear that it performs as it does. KGD

[a4t5fan]

Great review! I've wondered about this claim about beig warm when the bag is wet but this is the first time I've seen proof. I may be ordering one for myself now.

[Zippy1one]

I don't believe this for one second. I just unsubscibed.

[envirosponsible]

@Zippy1one Cautiously skeptical huh? I can appreciate that but that's not how I operate. Just because you wouldn't get into a wet sleeping bag doesn't mean that I wouldn't. Is there a way I could make a video that would convince you or are you here just to bust my chops? I can tell you that I actually conducted this experiment and I will do it again in colder weather and I'll make another video to prove it-again. I hate to see you leave and if you change your mind I'll be here.

[CaptainBerz]

Sweet, I like it...

[SpartanJohns]

very cool product. very realistic test!

[flyod26]

Thanks for the realistic review!

[stealthyspider]

Wow that is amazing. I have to get one of them. Great vid.

[zhaneranger]

brave for climbing into a wet sleeping bag nearly naked

[seanmulhall]

An excellent review. Thanks for taking the time, discomfort and risk to do this test.

[goldenscales]

oh, yeah. found it.

[goldenscales]

Only in America, dammit! I'm sold, so where can I find the web page for these guys?

[Porkchopspaintshop]

2:30 dude is seriously peeing in the bag...em warm!!!!

[gasdorf]

pee inside the bag to warm it up ?

[4770589]

damn it! now i want one....

[CdnLifeguard71]

Great experiment and a great bag. I probably would have shook the bag out before climbing in and would do so in an actual emergency but it is great to know that the bag has that level of capability. thanks

Nate

[012mke]

guys got guts

[hallard069]

Great review - I was wondering how the tarp tipi was doing. boy that thing is noisy in the wind. Now I need to save up for a Wigglys to replace the black MSS bag I have.

[envirosponsible]

@hallard069 The tarp tipi is still a great product.

[BeardsRFun]

This is nuts and awesome simultaneously. Way to give it a go!

[shippen2010]

Now thats a man review

[MikeAutomaton1980]

Respect for this bro. There are lots of guys that talk about the limits of their gear, but few that have the balls to put it to the test. Good job.

[mostcanwait]

And now I understand why these bags are highly regarded.

[mohawksniper79]

Love it bro how much were?

[MTCazador]

KUDOS! It did the same a couple years back, EXCEPT, I tried to fail my Wiggy's Mountain Hunter +25F bag at 0F and couldn't do it. Soaked it and slept in clothing that I take on all my mountain hunts. The little thermometer inside the bag read 80F all night. I woke up dry after a full 8 hours. Try the same with your Ultima-Thule at -20F and you will get the same result, I promise!

[JeepSWAG]

Frigging amazing! Dude, you are hardcore. I think the "claim" is that you can put a wet person into a dry Wiggy's bag and he will dry out. You've taken it a step further. I'll be posting this review on my site - Thank you for the great review.

JeepSWAG.com

[azratt]

You can do it !....

[medicjimr]

Great review once youtube fixes there crap I will post your video response , great job 

[jama3335]

THIS GUY SCARES ME

NOT ONLY DOES HE NOT BLINK BUT HE SPEAKS SO SLOWLY WHICH IS VERY CREEPY

[envirosponsible]

@jama3335 Maybe you blinked when I blinked and you missed it.

[ElCoyotefromTexas]

thats going the extra mile to test a product

[bwillan]

Nothing like diving in feet first to test claims out for warm while wet. Did you happen to weigh the bag afterwards to see if all the water got out it?

[IrradiateTheNWO]

at least u had your bath while sleeping

[repelstee1]

Much respect to you!

Great sleeping bag as well.

Do they ship to Europe?

Lots of car noises in the background. That would irritate me to sleep in.

[nchiker1971]

Hard core review! Perhaps next time you should consider pouring the water out of the bag before you climb in? I'm definitely looking at getting one of these bags now.

[TheGreenerGardener]

2:30 straight up looks like he's peeing into the bag lol

[tomyhill123]

i think u over did it 

[tomyhill123]

why do u do what u do what is ur story

[RCvolunteer1978]

interesting 

[atruepatriot92]

Wow what a great sleeping bag, I'm going to look into one of those and maybe pick on up, thanks for sharing man and great videos!

[anyonefindAMERICA1]

Send this to wiggy's and tell them you made me buy one of these. Thanks.