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| | Wiggy's
Antarctic Sleeping Bag
Wiggy's
Antarctic Sleeping Bag
| The Antarctic Bag is rated to -60 degrees F. The
long large version weights 7 lbs, which I have, and sells for $320
retail. For $144 you can add an outer bag that can be used alone
in warmer weather or over the Antarctic to add an addition 20 degrees of
warm. The Wiggy's Antarctic is perhaps the coldest rated bag on the
market and far from the most expensive.
Jerry Wigutow (Wiggy) has been producing highly functional cold
weather gear for years. His products are made with Lamilite
insulation, which is a single spun hydrophobic insulation. His bags are guaranteed
to maintain their loft even after being vacuum packed for
years. You can even buy bags vacuum packed for survival kits,
which is how they have been used for year as aircraft survival
bags. The insulation is laminated to the lining and shell to
create a seamless bag (no baffling seams, not cold spots).
Wiggy makes bags from -60 to +40, clothing, shelters, aircraft covers
and more. Many of their products are in use by military and government
agencies. Their web site offers extensive information on the
products, materials and lessons in the mechanics of
insulations. Visit them at www.wiggys.com
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Click Image to
see larger view |
| Wiggy was kind enough to provide his products at a
discount for the Serum Run in support of Col. Vaughan and the mission of
the Serum Run. Thank You Wiggy!! |
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Selection
| I wanted a bag rated to at least -40f. I consider a
good sleeping bag an essential survival tool, and I want it to function
if damp or wet, so no feathers or cotton. (If you fall through the
ice or get injured, your best bet for survival may be to crawl in your
sleeping bag and lay on the trail until someone comes along to help.)
Since I will be traveling by snowmobile, weight and compressibility
were not primary factors, however I wanted the bag to compress to
a decent size package, with reasonable weight. |
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Pros
| Life time guarantee: If the bag develops cold spots or
loses it's loft or anything else, just sent it back and it will be taken
care of. |
| Readily wicks away moisture and retains insulation value. |
| Can be used even if wet |
| Machine washable: Wiggy encourages washing the bag to
avoid build up of body oils and grime that may decease the performance
of any sleeping bags. |
| Can be compressed and stored for long periods without
lose
of loft |
| No baffling seams |
| Reasonable price: $320 for a -60 degree bag is
cheap when compared to most other bags. |
| Coldest rated bag on the market. |
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Cons
| I haven't found any real negative aspects to the bag for
my purposes! The only con is that when it's -20F it's
real hard to think about crawling out of the nice warm bag. |
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Field Notes
| So far I have used the bag several times with temperatures
in the 10-25 degree range, and have never been cold in it. To warm
at times maybe, but never cold. |
| First thing you notice is that it regains it's loft after
being pulled from the compression bag and left to lay. |
| The lining is cold when you crawl in but warms quickly. |
| I was amused when I felt like the lining was hugging my
body contours but found a hug amount of room when I brought my
elbow up to shoulder level. I think 2 could fit in the bag in an
emergency. The bag is made to stay close to your body,
but easily expands as you move. (Wiggy talks about the
advantage of this feature of Lamilite on his web site.) |
| Sleeping in temperatures from +10F to +20F, I found
the bag to be almost to warm. I did wake up one night soaked in
sweat. I unzipped the bag to vent off some moisture and fully
expected to wake up cold a short time later. Instead I woke up
about an hour later warm and dry snuggled under my bag using it as a
quilt. I was sleeping on a Wiggy's insulated pad and a layer
of fleece for insulation from underneath.
On the Serum Run shake down run I slept in my truck camper on 4"
of foam and an old heavy rectangular bag under me, then zipped up in my
Wiggy. Again I found it almost to warm. The first night I
started out in a light polypro top and bottom, but found the polypro to
be retaining more moisture than the bag. I peeled off the long
johns and never felt damp again. |
| The lack of baffling seams makes the bag smooth and
soft. The laminated insulation stays in place yet is softly flexible
and elastic. |
| The hood configuration takes a little getting use to if
you are accustom to the typical mummy bag hood. The back of the bag
lays flat in an arch above your head. The front of the bag is more
or less a straight line across your neck. A single drawstring
controls both the upper edge of the arch and the straight front of the
bag. You tighten the string to shrink the arch forward over you
head. the front tightens in to reduce the width of the bottom of
the opening. |
| On the 2002 Serum Run the bag worked wonderfully for cold
weather camping. My guess is that we had night time temperatures
as low as -20F to -30F, and I was warm and comfortable sleeping in a
tent. It was way to warm to crawl into when we spent nights in
school gyms and community centers, but it made a great additional
sleeping pad / quilt on those occasions.
It is now 2004, and I have used my Wiggy Bag many times, and it
continues to be my 1st choice for cold weather camping! While the
coldest temperatures I've used the bag in has been about -25F to -30F, I
can safely say that I trust it to keep me warm to at least -35F.
(As Wiggy explains on his web site, the temperature rating is more of a
guide than a fact. Sleeping comfort and warmth vary from person to
person. While some may be toast warm at -60F others may not be as
comfortable in the same bag at -15F. For me, sleeping in the bag
at -10F to -20F is perfect! I stay nice and warm, but don't
generate any perspiration. At -25F and colder, I find I am more
comfortable with a layer of polypro underwear on.
For 2005 I plan to add Wiggy's FTRSS over bag. It is
basically an over bag for any of Wiggy's bags. The FTRSS bag can
be used alone for temperatures of +35 and greater. It can also be
mated to the Arctic Bag to create a double bag. Or it can be used
as an outer bag, adding about 20 degrees more warmth to the inner
bag. When doubled with the Arctic bag the temperature rating is
more like -80F, which I'm sure would keep me comfortably warm in the coldest
temperatures I may encounter. All for only $144 Retail!
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Resources
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The -60 degree Antarctic bag retails for $320.
You can add an outer bag that adds another 20 degrees of warmth for
$144. Wiggy makes bags from -60 to +40, all are great for damp
conditions. He also makes some impressive small tents and
shelters, and aircraft covers. All of Wiggy's products are available
from Wiggy's and are available their website. |
|
www.wiggys.com |
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