Wiggy's Sleeping Bags

Submitted by Eric Daniel

You gotta love the internet.  I can buy guns on-line but I can’t buy a zipper.  I decided to try a full-up system test of my issue MSS sleeping bag and I have come to the conclusion there’s just no way in hell I’m going to fit in the black bag and the gortex bivy.  To say that I wear the bag is an understatement; I am truly mummified in the bag.  Not only does the bag bind significantly at the shoulders (I can’t zip the bag up from the inside - I need to either get someone to zip it up from the outside, or I need to expose an arm and do it myself, and just leave the exposed arm hanging) but it only comes up to about my collarbone.  The only way I could get all the way into the bag was to hop around like a hopping caterpillar until I could get the “hood” portion of the bag over my head, and then lay down.  All in all, just way too much work, and most assuredly something I don’t look forward to doing in the rain.

So, I’m looking on-line for a replacement sleeping bag zipper for my old M1949 mountain bag (the zipper blew out.)  Unfortunately, these seem to be rather rare things.  Moreover, all the local surplus stores seem to have gone out of business, so even finding an old sleeping bag to cannibalize for a replacement zipper has become an issue.

The end result of all of this is that I’m now looking for a mil-spec sleeping bag that I can use in the field to take the place of the waif sized MSS (or at least until I can get my old M1949 back on line.)  Granted, there are any number of civilian bags out there that would fill the role admirably, were it not for the fact that they were of an exotic color and expensive as hell.  Moreover, I like the idea of a modular system, that I can layer for additional insulation in cold, aka Yakima-like, weather.

One of the sleeping bag systems that caught my eye was the Wiggy’s line.  They offer a stand alone “military style” bag with a break away centerline zipper (the zipper runs town the middle of the bag, rather than on the left or right hand seam) that is large enough for you to get in with your clothes on, and easy to get out of in a hurry.  In addition, they’ve got a nested bag system that you can tailor to your temperature requirements.  This system consists of a standard overbag (rated to +35F, the military bag is rated to +25F) and a number of optional insert bags.  The inserts range in ratings from +20F to -40F and when used in conjunction with the overbag, provide an additional 40 degrees of insulation.

Has anyone had any experience with the Wiggy’s bags?

Check out the Wiggy’s sleeping bag line here

Comments

[Jason]

I have two. Plus a Wiggy's comforter on my bed, a couple of Wiggy's poncho liners, and a Wiggy's "sweater", which I wear alone or under a parka shell.

All great, no-nonsense gear. As with all synthetics, it's heavier than down. But not that much heavier. And for the extra weight, you get something that will take a lot of abuse. The insulation doesn't clump or bunch, breathes well, works even when wet, and can be machine washed repeatedly.

[Hugh Davis]

I have several wiggy's bags at this point.

First, for those of use who are larger than the average bear, wiggy's will do custom sizes. I have a 2xlt outer bag and a 1xlt (xlt is extra long and tall) inner bag (good down to freezing) that I have used frequently. I have a wiggy's bivy that fits the 2xlt outer bag as well.

The system has kept me warm in -50 F weather.

Durable as all get out as well -- I've had the system for at least 10 years now and other than an issue with a draw cord fraying I have not had a problem with them.

The inner bag by itself I've used in the field from late spring to early fall from 7000 feet up to 14000 feet. Fits well in the sleeping bag compartment of my pack (Kifaru) or the sleeping bag compartmnet of a CFP90.

In other words I can't say enough good things about wiggy's gear.

[Evert Bopp]

It might be worth also looking at the Snupack bags: http://www.snugpak.com/

[Jason]

Thrifty Outfitters (upstairs at Midwest Mountaineering) gets good local ratings as an outdoor gear repair place in Minneapolis. You might call them re: your zipper. http://www.thriftyoutfitters.com

Sometimes you really like the gear you have, and don't want to replace it! Hope that helps.

[Johnson]

Check out the new Kifaru bags.

[john galvany]

How many companys will tell you, nay actually encourage you to wash your Bags! Wiggys does. I have used my FTRSS(Flexable Temp Range Sleep System)modular bag in a lean to on Mt Washington at the end of December. Temp at -20. Slept warm. I have slept on a Ridge-rest and had puddles of water in among the ridges. Water evaporated out of my bag overnight(drying my wet clothing)and woke up dry.

[john galvany]

While out on the USNS Comfort back in '03 I e-mailed Wiggys with a question. Wiggy himself answered me within a few days. I requested some advice a few months ago on clothing. I spoke with Wiggy himself. GET HIS equitment. It is worth every penny. My kids all have Wiggys bags. I am Doing Mt Washington again this Dec. I will have his Boots, bag and sweater. I can't speak too highly of the man and his product.

[Hugh Davis]

Snugpack is not even close to wiggy's in quality -- I have two snugpack bags that my kids used -- one came apart after two campouts with scouts and the other one has been relegated to our trailer as the temperature rating on it is a fantasy at best.

[The Giand Skunk]

I, too have a Wiggys FTRSS sleeping bag system and one of his poncho liners. This is my go-to gear when out and about. His stuff has never let me down. Highly recommended.

[ragman]

I have owned Wiggy's bags for years. My scout troop got the "deal" a few years ago. They are remarkable products that still allow this 65 year old assistant scoutmaster to go clod weather camping in Anchor Point, Alaska in January. They are good, well made and warm. If you really want to sleep war, have someone make you a polypropelene liner. Good.

[Ed Moore]

I have used Wiggy's bags for 10 years also. His proprietary manufacturing process (the shag carpet-like component) is simple and brilliant. I have used them for 10 years, after almost freezing when fevered, while in a down bag at only 19 deg.F. I have used the 30-40 deg.F overbag mostly (many hundreds), and have washed it in a machine so many times I lost count. Besides repairable cuts, the washing machine is what wears things out. The black color dries quickly in the morning sun. My combined bags give me much lower temperature comfort than advertised (individually or together). I have also spoken with him more than once, but it has been many years now. First I asked him about my new bag, and could I exchange it for black, for quicker dry-out capability - it was no problem. I have had down bags- they accumulate moisture and can mean death when wet. In the cabin they are OK, but still difficult to clean. The Wiggy's bag insulates when wet. If you are down in the cold/rain, you can survive until help comes back. Think about it - it is the most important piece of equipment you own. The only improvement would be a centered pull-off emergency zipper like my M1949s, both of which are gone now. Maybe I'll buy the newer system which has it, even though I'll never wear these things out.