Wiggy's sleeping bags

[Cpl Punishment]

OK, we did the Down sleeping bag thread.

Wiggy's are the ones competing with the down bags for me.

I read their website, and according to the ad copy there, their Lamilite insulation is as good as down: i.e. it doesn't suffer from loss of loft like other synthetics, and wouldn't have as much problem as down if it got somewhat wet.

OK, so for those that have actually used Wiggy's bags, do they live up to the hype? Are they really a good alternative to down?

I'm looking at the Ultralight and FTRSS overbag (gives me a 35 degree bag for fall/spring and a 20 degree bag for winter, or can be nested should I vacation somewhere colder).

 

[Ankar Sheng]

The insulation is supposed to last a lot longer than other synthetic bags, but it is nothing like down in terms of weight or compression.

I got the 'superlight' and the overbag, and together it's really big and quite heavy, but it is an extremely warm bag with top notch quality and a good warranty.

 

[Ankar Sheng]

WIGGY’S GUARANTEE: Our Guarantee is for a lifetime of use. If a seam opens, the zipper breaks or the Lamilite insulation deteriorates (such as losing its loft or separating, clumping in one place or another), Wiggy’s will repair or replace your bag at no charge to you.

 

[BlackHills]

I know most here love the Wiggy's bags but I'm not a fan. Several years ago I had a Wiggy's bag and I put it in a decent sized dry sack in my truck for the winter. I took it out in the spring for a camping trip...after a week it still hadn't lofted up. I also tried running it through the dryer to restore the loft with no effect.

I will say that it's possible that the fill material in mine was different than what they use now, but even back then they said it wouldn't hurt it to keep it compressed. That was my first and last Wiggy's product.

 

[DWK2]

For different views on Wiggy's guarantee, it is worth checking some of the other outdoor websites. A couple years ago, while doing synthetic bag research, I came across one outdoor forum that banned Wiggy's threads because they lead to such acrimony. However, the bags have a large number of dedicated supporters. I expect the insulation would last at least as long as my North Face Polarguard 3D Snowshoe (which was not good).

DancesWithKnives

 

[haley1]

I've had a Wiggy's Ultra light with overbag for 13/14 years. Nothing ever lives up to the hype, but it has held up better than anything else I've ever used. I don't leave it compressed though, even in my truck. I usually just lay it out. No significant loss of loft. I've used the over bag as my only bag in the summer in Montana, the Superlight as a bag spring and fall. Both in the dead of Winter down to around 0/-10. I was warm and it didn't retain moisture, so that part of the hype is right I guess. It is bulky and heavy compared to down, not so much against other synthetic bags. And longer lasting than any that I know of. I've been happy, and I'll buy another if I ever manage to wear this one out. Oh, and normally I sleep out year round under a poncho or tarp, or under a tree. I remember waking up one so called Montana spring with three inches of snow on top of me. Ultra light only, I was warm and dry inside. Everyone is different though, I tend to sleep warm.

 

[wildmike]

The wiggy's bag are both heavier and bulkier than down for a comparable insulating value.

They are however very well made quality bags. They have a very good rep for durability and wear.

but they can't be compressed down to the size of a small loaf of bread like 880 powerfill down bags can.

 

[k_estela]

I love my Wiggy's. I have three, the ultralight, overbag and desert. They are what they are and will never be down bags. The desert is by far my favorite. The 20 degree bags have saved my but in cold weather when they were soaking wet (Marcelo remembers that canoe trip!)

I'm saving up for a Kifaru Slick bag right now that might fit the bill for an intermediate cold weather bag.

 

[1Tracker]

I think Mountain hardware may also have a bag with Lamilite used for the synthetic insulation.

 

[DWK2]

When I read their literature some years ago, Wiggy's indicated that lamilite was their name for their proprietary synthetic insulation. Of course, they may have licensed it to Mountain Hardware since then.

DancesWithKnives

 

[tyuio]

I own a couple wiggys bags and the ones i use the most are the nautilus for summer, ultralight, and if needed due to temp, the overbag for winter. They aren't light compared to other backpacking bags, and don't compress like down, but they always keep me warm. I've used my ultralight in fall, winter cold, snow and rain and never had a bad thing to say other than it was a bit warm at anything over 35 degrees F but unzipping it made it easy to control temp. Being warm and comfortable while spending nights out on the trail are worth the sacrafice of a little bit bulkier and heavier bag. I've owned the ultralight for around 7 years now and i usually keep it stored compressed. I'm in the process of moving my gear inside vs the garage and will start leaving it out of the compression sack just in case. I do wash the wiggys bags and have never noticed a loss of loft or any kind of change to the bag. Most of the friends i camp with use down in the summer and synthetic in the winter, and their synthetic bags (not sure brand) don't stack up. Just my opinion from what i've experienced.