Wiggy's Survival Kit for the U.S. Air Force
Gear Spotlight: Wiggy’s Survival Kit for the U.S. Air Force
Founded in 1986 by Jerry Wigutow, Wiggy’s is an outdoor brand that has, over nearly four decades, grown into one of the world’s largest producers of sleeping bags. Ninety percent of his all-American brand’s supply chain is based in the United States, and he credits his spectacular success to this focus on domestic suppliers and the U.S. market.
In the early nineties, Wiggy’s undertook the development of vacuum-packed survival sleeping bags to be placed in fighter jets of the U.S. Air Force. Replacing down insulation with Wiggy’s proprietary Lamilite technology proved revolutionary. Made with Climashield®’ continuous filament synthetic insulation and a layer of Multicam nylon, Lamilite retains its ability to re-loft even after prolonged, repeated compression.
Wiggy’s vacuum-packed sleeping bags were so successful that, when it came time to update the B-52’s survival system, the Air Force turned to Wigutow once again. Two years of research and development led to a solution that exceeded all expectations. Before being authorized for use, the newly developed survival kits were tested by survival instructors at the Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, where temperatures often drop to negative 60°F.
“One of the things I have enjoyed about working with the Air Force,” says Wigutow, “is that they use real, live people. And it is from real, live people that you get the best feedback.”
Each U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft is fitted with 6 ejection seats. Attached to every one of them is a Wiggy’s survival kit in two vacuum-packed pouches.
The entire survival kit consists of six components:
- A poncho that can be converted to a sleeping bag
- Pants that close on each side with a hook and loop closure
- An insulated head cover
- Knee-length boot covers
- Above-the-elbow mittens
- A carry bag
The use of Climashield® continuous filament insulation ensures Lamilite’s unparalleled performance in both cold and wet conditions.
I am very appreciative of the Climashield company recognizing the Wiggy’s accomplishments.