tv show

ALONE

For some time people have told me someone in each of the programs has been using a Wiggy’s bag. Not being a watcher of the program for more than a few minutes now and then I never did see the sleeping bags being used. However, one contestant Mike from Colorado did come to my factory to purchase a bag and a few other items that I recommended. What I told him was he would never be cold regardless how wet he or the bag might become. When I saw the interview last night of all the contestants and found out why he walked it was not because he was having trouble with his equipment but missed his wife and she was obviously more important than the money.

I was told the winner did have a Wiggy’s bag.

Here I will project my thoughts as to why he was able to sustain himself in what looked to me good condition, he slept each night because his bag worked very well for the intended job. When I reflected back to my experience being lost, I slept each night because I was warm. If you happen to be cold you do not sleep; period. The use of a sleeping bag that did not fail to do its job in the elements on Vancouver Island was a contributing factor, I believe significant in helping him sustain himself for as long as it took.

If you do not get good rest each night you must work harder each day to survive. If you do not sleep well the first night then each and every successive night gets worse and the consequence of this means each and every day becomes more arduous.

Your primary activity is getting food and the longer it takes, that works on your mind. You in this situation are living in a wet environment and all of your clothing does get wet, if not from the outside the inside i.e. your own perspiration. I did note that most every contestant was wearing a water-proof garment. Some might say it was the breathable type. However, when the outside air is laden with moisture the moisture inside the garment does not move through the material and out of the garment so all layers being worn retain the moisture that they are exposed too. If you were wearing a rain garment that was not coated or laminated in the same situation while it is vapor permeable the moisture is still stuck in the garment. If you were to wear the Gore-Tex type of garment in a dry environment the moisture would still stay in the garment, but if you are wearing a rain garment that is not coated in the dry environment you can expect some not all of the moisture to escape through the fabric.

The saving grace for those who happen to have a Wiggy’s bag is the fact that when you get into the Wiggy’s bag your body heat is retained and all moisture is then driven out of the bag and if you take your clothing in with you your body heat will also dry them. You wouldn’t have to wait till night time you could get this comfortable rest during the day as well.

Having had a short experience of getting lost versus choosing so to speak purposely being lost has given me some insight as to what is the best clothing to wear. Fishnets absolutely the first layer and after that only synthetics that are not coated in any manner or laminated to a film. Making every effort to avoid retaining the moisture you generate will definitely keep you warmer. You will not lose heat to the moisture that you have generated if it does not stay in your clothing specifically next to your skin surface. I did note most were wearing fleece liners and fleece does trap moisture. After Gore-Tex or similar material the fleece garments are no, no materials to surround your body with. You definitely want to wear garments made from woven fabrics because they are much more vapor permeable than knit fabrics.

I have been told that others have used Wiggy’s bags in the competition, how many I do not know. I do believe without a doubt that if every contestant did use a Wiggy’s bags they would all be better off. Those who have taken down bags with them exited early because the down bags ultimately got soaked. I also know if these contestants were to call me and take my advice as what to wear again they would be better off.

About the first week of August the Outdoor Retailer show takes place in Salt Lake City Utah and from what I have been reading about the products shown most are geared for people who are active only during the warmer months and their activities are aerobic for the most part. But the published information suggests cold weather use too. Good luck there. You can expect to see more water-proof breathable entries, more breathable light weigh garments, more odor resistant garments, and who knows what else will be on the market in the not so distant future, but will these garments perform as advertised, my opinion; doubtful!

I was just told that the winner went into the water and got into his sleeping bag to warm up since the water temperature is 45 degrees. So, in my opinion had he had any other brand of sleeping bag he probably would not have gotten warm.