REALITIES OF A SLEEPING BAG

REALITIES OF SLEEPING BAGS

Many years ago, I was working with a company who sold to the military. They were looking for a sleeping bag to be vacuum packed for the air force.

The parameters were arctic use and a specific size to fit in the ejection seat survival kit. The bags were down bags. The problem they had was interesting. If they had the proper temperature rating before vacuum packing and the right size, it was not acceptable when taken out of the vacuum package for arctic use. So, they increased the down content so it would be suitable for arctic use after vacuum packing. The problem now was the size, which was larger than required.

This company as well as several others was learning what a “catch 22” is. The guy running the program a civilians would not make any concessions. He didn’t want to end his job.

I told these guys at the company I had a synthetic that could be vacuum packed that would return. They didn’t believe me since they vacuum packed every polyester fiberfill, they knew of which didn’t come back. They never tried continuous filament.

I sent them one of mine and they videotaped opening it and to their astonishment it came back. The problem they had now was the size of an arctic bag. they would not show it to Cecil,

the civilian in charge at the air force. [I just remembered his name.]

I was in communication with the survival instructors at that time who asked about vacuum packing my bags. they were tired of Cecil.

The following is what I told the Sgt Magor in charge. I will send you 3 sleeping bags to test in the cold. Whichever bag tested best we will vacuum pack and the size we get you will have to live with. The result was significant because that bag became the standard worldwide for the air force. We have since then done a variety of configurations for the air force of different products.

When people want one of my bags for a specific temperature to fit in their backpack, I know that it will not fit and tell them so. I will not take an order for a bag when the customer is disappointed. I generally advise they get a radial compression stuff sack and tie the bag on their pack.

As an example, they want a 0-degree bag, the super light. It will not fit so they say some other brand of no sleep sleeping bag will. Okay why call me if some other product will.

The reality is if you want a sleeping bag that you will sleep in you get what works you get a Wiggy’s bag and you carry it as best as can be accomplished. If that means attaching it to your backpack, then that is what you do.

For years I have had to deal with someone buying a Wiggy’s bag only to find out it will not fit in his backpack. Often, they return it for a refund of less than 25 percent restock fee. I do not know what they do buy but I do know it is of the no sleep variety. I say that because I am convinced the variety of so-called sleeping bag choices are erroneously rated.

When I do get a call from someone whose intention is to put in their backpack, I tell them the truth as I know it. Then they can make the decision about getting a radial compression stuff sack or go elsewhere.

Like the air force found out about Wiggy bags is that they work and they are purchased for the air force special forces not vacuum packed, and they are a sizeable group.

The reality of sleeping bags is simple, if made correctly with the proper insulation in the correct manner you have a sleeping bag, one that you sleep in and that is what you get when you have a Wiggy bag. It is made correctly with the proper insulation, Lamilite. 

I received this testimonial as i was publishing the newsletter and had to add it.

1. My family and I are new to camping. We have wanted to do it for years and lately have decided it is time. We love the idea of spending time outdoors and have been researching the gear we will need. I knew very little about sleeping bags. I watched many Youtube videos and read many reviews. I realized most of these products were overly priced and they were all made in China. In my search for a quality made in America bag that fell within our budget I came across Wiggys. I feel very lucky to have found you. At first I ordered two super light bags. One for myself and one for my son as we were planning our first camping trip. Once I received them and tried them out on our living room floor, I was impressed right away with the quality and comfort. I went ahead and ordered two more for my wife and daughter as well as two standard ground pads and two luxury ground pads. My son and I took our first camping trip and wow. I cannot say enough about how comfortable these bags are. The night temperatures were mild getting down to only about the low 50's but I slept better than I do in my bed. The feel of the insulation in these bags is perfect. You can feel how it holds the warmth in without getting too hot. It is very fluffy and maintains its loft. When you unpack the bags, they practically inflate themselves for lack of a better word. The loft just wants to expand. The feel of the fabric was very comfortable as well. Both types of ground pads worked very well. The standard one was a little thinner than the luxury one, but I could not feel a noticeable difference between the two. I fully expect that if we had colder conditions the luxury one would have provided a little better insulation against the ground due to the extra thickness. I am looking forward to our next trip and will definitely be trying them out in colder weather. Thank you and your team for making a quality product right here in the good old US of A. You have gained a customer for life.

   – Kevin Metz