incredible experience related to me for all

A NEW WAY TO USE DOWN

Before I started writing about down I noted I had a new testimonial and after reading it I decided that it had to lead this commentary. I am not surprised about the result as you will see when you finish reading Mr. DeVaney’s account of his experience. I am very grateful that he took the time to write to me about his experience.

I was raised a Bush Alaskan, watching her turn from a Territory to a state as a commercial fisherman's son. Living in a wilderness environment was the way we got things done, and you learned quickly on the trail what to do - and what not to do. I have endured frost bitten ears at an early age proving it. After retiring from a Law Enforcement career, of which three years were spent in the Arctic, I had to return. Anyone that has been there understands, I don't think I could explain it well anyway. I came across Wiggy's while researching the gear I knew I would need - and at the time our Kodiak based Coast Guard SAR units were using the -20 bags for recovery of their hypothermic victims, especially at sea. I took the -60 with me, and later on a second expedition the -40 with the Thule shell that was offered (this was 1997 - 98). Those bags were to prove one of the best investments I have made in trail gear. Example - While out on what had started, and promised to be a beautiful day, I kayaqed out through a lead in the ice that was over a mile wide, and opening wider in the direction I was traveling. The land ahead was clearly visible, and only a few hours away. That was to change. The wind began to pick up out of the NE, and with the changing thermals a freezing mist began to flow off of the pack. Worse, the flow of the "Sag" River was starting the pack to corkscrew with the incoming tide, which began to cut off my lead openings - and then, as the visibility continued to drop, it began to close off the lead entirely. I began to hear the ice grinding together out of range of my view, which had dropped to less than 100 yards at best - usually less. Swirling, setting as deep as only a freezing sea fog can, I could feel my body core begin to take the strain. I worked my through one dead end after another, twisting my way through a changing maze of shadows grinding together as I passed, turning from one opening through another just after each would close. After over ten hours I was drained, and knew it was try to find a piece of ice that was stable and big enough to hold me, and get out of the kayaq, or freeze. It was barely an hour later that one came into view that had an opening just large enough for my kayaq to slip out of the way of the ice flows and into a safe place to haul out. I pulled the prospector's hammer out (a climbing pick would not have been strong enough to withstand the twisting motion of the loaded kayaq against the flow) and impaled it into the ice, then set the hollow titanium ice pegs in to secure the boat. When finally able to drag myself out, I could barely feel my legs, but I knew that I had to set up the full camp or without shelter I was done. The double wall tent went up without any complications, previously arranged in the bag to slide into place with each peg securing it as I went. Then after I laid out the pad, I heated a simple pot of soup - and crawled into the Wiggy's. The midnight sun was a frosty glow at 0130 hours that morning - but I slept like a log. The bag wicked out any moisture that would have finished me - and I awoke as if I had had a normal sleep on land - a hard pan sleep - there's no give in that ice, as you'd expect. But the bag did what I carried it for - and after 20 years and two expeditions it is still like new without a tear or failure of any kind - retaining bag and all. I'm planning a third photographic expedition to the Arctic again - the bags will go with me - and the Antarctic Parka, when I can afford it. The incident turned out right because the equipment was carried to make it right - but with so many that carry down or cotton in the field, it could have been much worse. Cotton kills - but Wiggy's kill the chills. I know - WKD

– W. K. DeVaney

Now for the commentary!

This past week I was told about a new form of down being introduced into the market place. It is trade named “Thindown”. I must admit the way the down is configured so it can be used without quilting is actually brilliant. Keep in mind even though I see it as brilliant it is not a good product for insulated clothing (accept if they are of a fashionable style, certainly not performance clothing) or sleeping bags. Thus far it is being used by the Bogner Company as insulation in their line of skiwear. However, when I researched the Thindown product which was patented in Canada in 2000 they also claim it can be used for sleeping bags.

SOME HISTORY

Since Eddie Bauer started making down jackets in 1936 when he patented the quilted down jacket and since all down products have been quilted. In the mid 1960’s I supplied a small jacket manufacturer in New York City with a polyester fiberfill that did not need to be quilted and from that time on all of the skiwear companies started to make their ski jackets without quilting., except down jacket makers, they had no choice. In the 1970’s down jacket makers used needle punched polyester batting between the down layer and the shell so they could have a flat look i.e. non-quilted appearance to their garments. That however, is an expensive manufacturing procedure and I do not know of any companies that do it anymore. That said the process devised to allow the down to be used from the get go without quilting is quite an accomplishment.

I have yet to see a sample of this material but will in about two weeks and will write about what I see. However, I will project what I believe they who make this have done as follows.

The down clusters are somehow bonded to each other, just like chopped staple fiber, creating a layer in a yard goods manner. Then this down material is layered between two skins in a similar manner that I join the Climashield to create the Lamilite. It could be a laminating process or a film is created that the down is layered onto and is carried from this point through the machinery. It would be much to tender to drive it through this process. Trying to drive it through the process would pull it apart.

The two skins as described to me are not vapor permeable and that is for a reason. If it were all moisture from your body would ultimately reach to the down clusters and the moisture would be absorbed as it always is by down causing it to lose its loft. That being said where does the moisture now go? It goes nowhere; it stays in your clothing. Moisture in your clothing will cause you to get a chill, and moisture in the down will compromise the downs effectiveness, so again you get a chill. Of course they suggest that the elimination of the quilting provide better insulation, not really. What it provides is a way to make down jackets more fashionable.

In the literature that they have published they claim that this way of using the down will provide up to 200% more warmth than the traditional method of using down which is quilted. And they further state up to 400% more warmth than polyfil!  How did they arrive at these percentages, they took them out of the thin air and in my opinion they are literally creating a lie. What did they base it on, a couple of drinks? Probably not but they might as well have. They are taking a page out of the Primaloft  and Gore book of marketing. I say book because these companies used the same one. The public be damned is the title I believe. As I have reported it does not matter how factually you expose these companies for giving out misleading information there is still one more to come along doing the same thing with their product. Back to the subject;then they say and I quote; “worlds warmest fabric”. Their use of the word fabric is a stretch with respect to the textile industry. I would refer to what they have created as a down batting no different in application than any polyester batting. However, I could easily claim that ounce for ounce Lamilite is unquestionably the warmest fabric in the world bar none, and I can easily prove it. Refer to the testimonial at the very top of the page or the hundreds on my web site.The sleeping bag is made with Lamilite fabric! They never discuss in the literature the weight per yard of their package. From the picture I saw on the internet the thicknesses are probably equal to a 2.5 ounce (L-2.5 Lamilite) to a 6 ounce (L-6 Lamilite). Equal in thickness maybe but in warmth hardly, not ever.

I suggest the inventor Ron Rueben and the manufacturer Paolo Bodo as well as their investors in the company if they read this article visit the Wiggy’s website and educate themselves about insulations!

`They also talk about the feel, big deal, Lamilite fools many because they believe when feel it in or out of a garment it is as soft as down.

As I have said it is quite an accomplishment to have done what they have done, but it still changes nothing as to making down any better than it was quilted, just the fashion aspect. If you look at the Bogner website you will be amazed at the prices for the garments that they make with this down product. they will never make a garment with this down batting that will ever equal a Lamilite/Climashield garment. they will make garments that ware equal to Primaloft garments that are suitable for use bone fishing off of the coast of Key West Florida in July.

As I read they have six brands that will be putting garments on the market, who they are in my opinion will be high end producers.

Do you think it has any chance to perform as the Lamilite did for Mr. DeVaney, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!