Author Topic: Anybody ever tried a Wiggy's sleeping bag?  (Read 156 times)

Offline chubbyhubby

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Anybody ever tried a Wiggy's sleeping bag?
« on: October 12, 2011, 09:47:38 AM »
Heard they are awesome, wondering if they're worth the dough. I see they're 30% off now.
"I shoot that dirty ass Wolf stuff that I swear is 1/2 pistol powder and 1/2 dirt (to slow down the burn for rifle use)."  Nealio

Offline ekuo

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Re: Anybody ever tried a Wiggy's sleeping bag?
« Reply #1 on: October 12, 2011, 10:08:51 AM »
I have one, though its going on over 15 yrs old.  From what I remember, the pro's:  Wiggy offers a WIDE version, which is a nice feature if you're a claustraphobic sleeper.  The batting is overlapped to avoid cold spots, which is a common feature today but not in the 80's and 90's.  Also, unlike other synthetics from that period (such as Qualofil), the batting Wiggy used didn't suffer as much from being compressed for long periods of time.  It seems like most manufacturers recommend storing their sleeping bags uncompressed when not in use to avoid long term damage to the fill.  Makes sense, and I try to do that with most of my sleeping bags, even the ones with goose down. 

Unfortunately for work purposes, my bags need to be kept packed all summer long and I can't store the sleeping bag in an uncompressed state very easily in the back of a truck or equipment locker.  The Wiggy was good for this.  In fact, the Wiggy now resides in the trunk of my wife's car for emergencies.   

From what I remember, the Wiggy I had was a good 3-season bag, though I would not want to winter camp with it.  Not sure what different ratings Wiggy offers these days, but my rule of thumb has always been:  If the manufacturer rates it as a 30 deg bag, in the real world it is good down to 40 degs, 15 deg back is good down to freezing, and 0 deg bag is good down into the 20's.  For a while there, I had a theory that the manufacturer's recommended degree rating was in CELCIUS! 

Hope this helps
Life is hard.  It's harder if you're stupid and can't shoot straight.

Offline chubbyhubby

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Re: Anybody ever tried a Wiggy's sleeping bag?
« Reply #2 on: October 12, 2011, 10:01:56 PM »
I appreciate your review! That Rawles from survivalblog sure loves his, tons of good review on their website, but just checking before I spend 300. Does anyone have a favorite winter sleeping bag? I mean the mother of all sleeping bags?
"I shoot that dirty ass Wolf stuff that I swear is 1/2 pistol powder and 1/2 dirt (to slow down the burn for rifle use)."  Nealio

Offline Brother dan

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Re: Anybody ever tried a Wiggy's sleeping bag?
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2011, 08:42:03 AM »
You just missed a sleeping bag sale over at Sierra trading post the other day. I picked up a Marmot 20 degree bag for next to nothing. ...wiggy bags are great, but spendy.  Most of your top dollar bags now days are good to within 5 degrees of their rating. At least that is what backpacker magazine has told me. YMMV.  For the longest time (15+ years) I used an old REI Nod Pod 15 degree bag.  I've used it winter camping, with just a wool blanket tossed inside, and have slept in it to temps down under the 0 mark. But, it was getting long in the tooth. I've generally steered clear of down bags because when they get wet, they don't insulate very well.  Synthetic bags do better...but that being said, the Marmot bag I bought is down, and pretty lightweight, under 3lbs.  I talked with another packer and he sold me on the idea of water proofing the bag, both the shell and the feathers with a product who's name escapes me at the moment.

Dan