Wiggy's Sleeping Bag Review

I, although having tried every tip possible and about a half dozen different sleeping bags, always seem to get cold in the winter. The only system that kinda has worked for me is a 0 degree bag, with a HUGE flannel sleeping bag over top... yes... it's the same HUGE sleeping bag my grandpa likely used years ago. 100% cotton flannel, and as heavy as iron. 
 

In comes Wiggy's ( http://www.wiggys.com/ ). I heard about Wiggy's bags years ago, and they seem to have a love/hate following on the internet. They touted the following:

• Can be stored compressed.
• Wash as often as you like, even after each use if your so inclined. It won't affect the warmth, and is actually encouraged.
• Lifetime warranty.
• Can be submerged, wrung out, hopped into, and will still keep you warm on the coldest nights
• Soft and as comfy as down.

I had reservations, but finally saw one at a price I couldn't pass up this fall, so bought the 0 degree model. The owner himself called me up after placing the order to talk about sizing. That's customer service! 
 

The good:

• The bag, in spite of being roomy and comfortable, is definitely warm. Sleeping with temps in the teens, I still have not had to put the hood on or pull the zip cord around my head. That is amazing. As soon as I have put my head in the hood, I've gotten too hot. I think it will be plenty warm down to it's stated range of 0.
• It's made in America (Grand Junction, CO actually), and seems well made.
• The material, Lamilite, is different than other synthetic bags I've owned, and I would say more comfortable. Detractors point out this is just Polarguard with a fancy name, but I am not so sure.... It's not as soft and luxurious as down, but comfortable.
• The included pillow is a nice perk, and well sized.
• It is part of a component system. Buying an over-bag extends the range to just about H@#$ freezing over temperatures, and way below anything I ever hope to experience. I will likely purchase an over-bag anyway for summer use, or the unexpected trip to Antarctica.
• The zipper is burly. I'm talking BURLY. It will still be around and functioning long after the apocalypse. No worries about it breaking in the field.
• It appears very breathable, as I have had no condensation or moisture problems either inside the bag, or on the shell in the morning.
   

 

The Bad:

• No draft collar at the neck. This would be a nice feature, and one I am used to from other bags.
• Heavy. This is definitely more of a car camping bag. You would likely want a lighter option for backpacking.
• Thin shell material. I would not want to sleep out in the wind without a shelter in this bag, but it is fine in a tent or car.

Overall, I am a convert. (hence the review) If it stays as comfortable at 0 as I suspect it will, and holds up to all my washings, I may change from convert to zealot.... 

-Ryan
December 2009 



Update: Spring 2013

I have slept in my Wiggy's dozens of nights over the last 4 years, in temps very close to zero. It has been washed many times. My update: I still love the bag! In fact, I am looking to get a warmer one for summer use and to double up with in the winter for temps below zero. So far, the Wiggy's bag has been my best sleeping bag purchase to date. 

 

The summer overbag: at 2.5 pounds and highly compressible, we have used this bag repeatedly on backpack trips. Because of the synthetic lamilite, you don’t have to worry as much about getting the bag wet as opposed to down, however, overall, it it no where near as comfortable as a good down bag. It has a very narrow comfort range of about 40° - 45°. Any warmer and you sweat in it all night. Any cooler and your feet begin to freeze. To experience the most comfort in the bag, you must wear something that helps transport moisture away from your body. Wiggy provides such garments, such as silk underwear. We find that the bag needs extra insulation around the feet. A property that Wiggy calls “drapability” causes the bag to sit very closely to your body. This is supposed to reduce airflow in the bag and resultant cooling, but it also prevents the greater warmth from your torso being transported down around your feet, so cold feet is a problem. You must wear socks if it’s going to be very cool. the bag is very uncomfortable if the humidity is very high at all.You end up sweltering in it all night long and it becomes rather sticky.  It works best in lower humidities.

 

The 15° bags are much the same. We’ve spent two nights in those bags when outside air temp reached 15°. We spent both nights with the cold gradually creeping up our feet and lower legs. We had to add additional covers on our feet area to regain some measure of comfort, even though we were both wearing additional socks. In addition, your feet can be cool or even cold while your upper torso can be sweating.

 

So overall, we find the bags usable & utilitarian once you figure them out, but not nearly as comfortable as my old, trustworthy down bag that has a much broader temperature range in which I can sleep in it and be comfortable. Any time we’re just “camping” by sleeping in the back of our pickup, we don’t use the Wiggy’s bags.