Some of the Alone contestants used this and vouch for this bag, but because the CEO basically called you to a liar I won’t shop with Wiggy’s. Service is more important than the product for me because I can buy a quality sleeping bag from another company that offers 5 star customer service. I’m glad you did this video to expose their bad customer service because I was close to buying one of these.
Ironically, Tater thought I should omit that portion of this review…but I chose to keep it in there because it’s the kind of thing I’d have wanted to know before making the purchase. Thanks for watching!
"Service is more important than the product for me" You won't find a better return or repair service than Wiggy's. "because I can buy a quality sleeping bag from another company that offers 5 star customer service. " ...made in Asia out of chopped staple insulation. Unlike multi-national companies that design their gear in the US and have it made in Asia, Wiggy's only has a few people working the phones, with one being the 80+ year old owner.
There are many old forum reviews of Wiggy's bags, that rave about the bags, but disliked or had a bad experience with the CEO. However, you will not find a better made bag for deep cold conditions. Lighter, yes, better no. I've made 4 or 5 purchases from Wiggys and never had to deal with the CEO. I've done extensive cold weather car camping with both a 20 degree and -20 degree bag. Great products that have been extensively used by others in cold climates. I also like that they are chemical free.
I have to agree with you. Everything I’ve bought from him has exceeded my expectations. Although customer service is important to me, given that the outdoor market is saturated with overpriced Chinese junk, I’m willing to over look a few reported bad experiences with the owner. Personally, I’ve never had any quality issues, so Ive never needed to send anything back under warranty, but from what I’ve seen and been told, Wiggy honors his warranty. Most of the negative comments about Wiggy’s have to do with the personality of Wiggy himself. I’ve had to contact him a few times with questions, and he was always pleasant to me. I can understand someone not buying gear from wiggy if they are dissatisfied with the customer service, but when you consider the alternative options, there really aren’t any other bags that compare. The important thing is that the bags perform and the warranty is honored, both of which seem to be the case. I wouldn’t stop purchasing a great product simply because of a personality conflict, especially when the market isn’t flooded with similar quality gear from alternate companies.
I've been buying from Wiggy's for about 10 years. Never had any problems with the products. Sometimes the owner can be frosty, but he's been in the business for many years and has seen it all. I've come to accept the attitude because I've found the product to be arguably the best in the industry. In a life threatening situation I'd trust my Wiggy's over anything else.
Jerry can be a crotchety old man at times but he knows his stuff. I've purchased his sleeping bags for myself and my family with never a problem. Everything that Wiggy's sells is top quality stuff and he stands behind everything he sells. There's not another sleeping bag company on earth where if you have any issue, you can call the owner of the company and get your issue rectified. Supporting an American company who uses entirely American made materials and stands behind their products for life is a breath of fresh air.
Good review, thanx. I believe I understood that you did NOT get a mummy bag because you find them restrictive. I feel the same way but I could not find this Antarctic at Wiggy's in a non-mummy configuration. Can you help me understand if you did or did not get a mummy style?
I'm always pretty skeptical of reviews on websites, especially when they're all positive. I always try and look for additional reviews, especially if the item costs more than about $20.
For sure! I checked out other sites & reviews also. I think the performance is there for this product, though I’ve only had a chance to test it at zero-ish temps.
No warranty issues but on my very first order I returned a Freedom Shelter because it was way to bulky for my needs. No problem with return. Nothing but positive experiences with Wiggy’s. Sure… Jerry is old and can be cranky but his stuff is top notch. I was out west last year on vacation and made a point to stop in and visit him. He gave me a tour of the factory. The bags are heavier and bulkier than some but they are top quality and last.
I've made several purchases from wiggy. Everything was always well made. I have numerous sleeping bags from various vendors that use synthetics with most being military bags including Carinthia which I consider the absolute gold standard but I reach for my Wiggy's bag just as often as I reach for my carinthia bags. Vertex also sells a really nice bag similar to Carinthia. From my dealings I believe wiggy's sleeping pads are the most under rated products he sells. I absolutely love my pad. It is the toughest most reliable piece of gear in my sleep system.
Nice. I just took a chance and ordered the sleeping pad before watching this video. I’m really looking forward to trying it. He sells two. I got the thicker one I think it’s called the luxurious pad. Is that the one you have?
No issues with my bag so far after 2 winters, but like you for $280 USD I would expect a double pull zipper, even a $40 dollar Amazon one has that. That really pissed me off, and now I will change the slider myself to a double pull.
Jerry can be an old crab. He’s got a lot of physical maladies and so on, so that likely makes him snappy. My thoughts on the glue like residue is that it was likely on the inside of the box, and when the bag went in and shut, got on the bag. In that case he would not have known. I have the double Antarctic bag setup, Antarctic bag with zip on over bag, and it is an inferno. I got the ‘mummy’ with boat foot area. The bag is basically for big expeditions where you or your dogs are pulling a sled or similar, not backpacking as you stated. I send Jerry commentary often, but never seen my emails mentioned in his newsletters. It doesn’t bother me though I am super happy with the bag, and I got some lamilite socks to slip over my wool socks to wear in my MukLuks. I did a bunch of videos recently on keeping warm on my channel if interested. 🎄
It’s huge & heavy…not the best choice for backpacking. I don’t think it could be crammed into a backpack, honestly. Let me measure the whole roll & I can post those dimensions for you. Hopefully that will help…
There are lots of good products out there wanting us to spend our hard earn dollars with them but poor service and passing the blame and not assuming responsibility will have me heading for the door… no matter how good the product is! Thanks for the honest review.
I live in the UK and imported 2 bags ,1 of the core and 1 overbag which you can join them up and it can take you down to supposedly-30. They are a fantastic bag and a cheaper option than the likes of western mountaineering/pajak etc . Also the laminate in the bag actually drys you off whilst inside if you get in the bag wet or damp by the morning.
@PopplePeople, thank you for the video. I hope you enjoyed it for a long time. I hear they are amazing, but I now live in Northern Colorado, and I do a ton of backpacking, so they are too big for my taste. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the review. I'm in Colorado and considering a new bag. I positively will not buy from a manufacturer who deletes honest reviews of their product, period. The lack of an inside zipper tab indicates corner-cutting and raises a red flag to me. Two comments for those who read them. I've done a lot of winter camping in the CO mountains. Years ago I had a 4.5 pound high-grade goose down, triangle baffled expedition bag, and found that it was intolerable if the temperature was any warmer than about 15 or 20 degrees F. No matter how I opened the zippers, (head and feet,) it was brutally warm, very uncomfortable. Above 30 degrees I had to sleep on top of it. So such a bag should only be considered useful for winter camping in the snow, expedition, or survival use and not for even cool weather camping. Second, I didn't see any insulating pad beneath you. A good one is mandatory unless you can guarantee something will always be beneath you that can insulate you in bitter cold. A person's weight squishes the bag flat where it is supported and renders the bags insulation ineffective. When it was below zero F I found that the bag kept me warm everywhere but where my weight was pressing the insulation flat, so I had to keep rolling over all night long before I bought a very good sleeping pad to go with the bag. I think if I were making and selling survival bags I would include the pad in the design of the product itself.
I’ve had the same experience. Years ago I bought a very good down bag rated for -40°. I tried sleeping in it in 25° weather and it was unbearably warm. I ended up having to sleep on top of it with my clothes on. Fortunately, I took it car camping to test it, so I had a wool blanket in the car that I was able to use, but it was certainly a lesson for me. I’m glad I have it for camping in very cold temps, , but I ended up having to spend more money on a bag for warmer weather .
For such a premium product I would have expected them to at least offer a replacement if you had wished for it due to the white residue being on it. It's not like you were trying to ask for a discount or refund... you just literally asked a basic question...
I had a problem with a bag and it was taken care of with no issues. I have owned these bags for many years. I have tried many bags over the years. These bags have outperformed anything else yes they are Bulky and heavy compared to some of the others. Now if I was ever treated like you were with the Sticky stuff that would be it for me. I would never do business with them again and I surly post up some vids on that. In fact I’m not sure I can recommend this company now.
Most important data point you mention is they filter negative reviews. Knowing that, I would never trust my life to a product made by such a company. Also, the bag appears to be made for a comfortable night car camping but absolutely NOT for extreme conditions of the sort it advertises with -60. But then, we already know Wiggy has no credibility.
I was developing back pain at the age of 28. I was about to undergo a radical life change (break up, new job, move across the country, live out of my truck for several years) and I decided to try sleeping in a hammock. The first night was a challenge but by the second night my back felt better than it had in a while. I slept in that hammock every night for 3 years including the winters and loved it.
I left a review on why their warmest selling mittens needed improvements and wiggys didn't post my review either. The guy that runs the company can't handle any criticism. I just ordered the heater body suit and hopefully it keeps me warm. I also have the iron tuff jacket, bibs and coveralls and a complete outfit from fortress clothing and the whole outfit is extremely lightweight and easily compresses into a sleeping bag compression sack.
Some of the Alone contestants used this and vouch for this bag, but because the CEO basically called you to a liar I won’t shop with Wiggy’s. Service is more important than the product for me because I can buy a quality sleeping bag from another company that offers 5 star customer service. I’m glad you did this video to expose their bad customer service because I was close to buying one of these.
Ironically, Tater thought I should omit that portion of this review…but I chose to keep it in there because it’s the kind of thing I’d have wanted to know before making the purchase. Thanks for watching!
"Service is more important than the product for me"
You won't find a better return or repair service than Wiggy's.
"because I can buy a quality sleeping bag from another company that offers 5 star customer service. "
...made in Asia out of chopped staple insulation. Unlike multi-national companies that design their gear in the US and have it made in Asia, Wiggy's only has a few people working the phones, with one being the 80+ year old owner.
@@PopplePeopleI've learned to deal with him. The hundreds of times I get to use the gear offsets the three times I've needed to talk with him.
There are many old forum reviews of Wiggy's bags, that rave about the bags, but disliked or had a bad experience with the CEO.
However, you will not find a better made bag for deep cold conditions. Lighter, yes, better no. I've made 4 or 5 purchases from Wiggys and never had to deal with the CEO. I've done extensive cold weather car camping with both a 20 degree and -20 degree bag. Great products that have been extensively used by others in cold climates. I also like that they are chemical free.
I have to agree with you. Everything I’ve bought from him has exceeded my expectations. Although customer service is important to me, given that the outdoor market is saturated with overpriced Chinese junk, I’m willing to over look a few reported bad experiences with the owner. Personally, I’ve never had any quality issues, so Ive never needed to send anything back under warranty, but from what I’ve seen and been told, Wiggy honors his warranty. Most of the negative comments about Wiggy’s have to do with the personality of Wiggy himself. I’ve had to contact him a few times with questions, and he was always pleasant to me. I can understand someone not buying gear from wiggy if they are dissatisfied with the customer service, but when you consider the alternative options, there really aren’t any other bags that compare. The important thing is that the bags perform and the warranty is honored, both of which seem to be the case. I wouldn’t stop purchasing a great product simply because of a personality conflict, especially when the market isn’t flooded with similar quality gear from alternate companies.
I've been buying from Wiggy's for about 10 years. Never had any problems with the products. Sometimes the owner can be frosty, but he's been in the business for many years and has seen it all. I've come to accept the attitude because I've found the product to be arguably the best in the industry. In a life threatening situation I'd trust my Wiggy's over anything else.
Thanks for sharing!
Jerry can be a crotchety old man at times but he knows his stuff. I've purchased his sleeping bags for myself and my family with never a problem. Everything that Wiggy's sells is top quality stuff and he stands behind everything he sells. There's not another sleeping bag company on earth where if you have any issue, you can call the owner of the company and get your issue rectified. Supporting an American company who uses entirely American made materials and stands behind their products for life is a breath of fresh air.
I love wiggys stuff
Good review, thanx. I believe I understood that you did NOT get a mummy bag because you find them restrictive. I feel the same way but I could not find this Antarctic at Wiggy's in a non-mummy configuration. Can you help me understand if you did or did not get a mummy style?
Correct, I bought the rectangular (non-mummy). Thanks for checking!
www.wiggys.com/specials/hunter-antarctic-rectangular-sleeping-bag/
@@PopplePeople Thank You :-)
Excellent Video, the best that I've seen in fully explaining a "Bushcraft Knife". Thanks for Sharing. New subscriber as well.
I'm always pretty skeptical of reviews on websites, especially when they're all positive. I always try and look for additional reviews, especially if the item costs more than about $20.
For sure! I checked out other sites & reviews also. I think the performance is there for this product, though I’ve only had a chance to test it at zero-ish temps.
No warranty issues but on my very first order I returned a Freedom Shelter because it was way to bulky for my needs. No problem with return. Nothing but positive experiences with Wiggy’s. Sure… Jerry is old and can be cranky but his stuff is top notch. I was out west last year on vacation and made a point to stop in and visit him. He gave me a tour of the factory. The bags are heavier and bulkier than some but they are top quality and last.
I've made several purchases from wiggy. Everything was always well made. I have numerous sleeping bags from various vendors that use synthetics with most being military bags including Carinthia which I consider the absolute gold standard but I reach for my Wiggy's bag just as often as I reach for my carinthia bags. Vertex also sells a really nice bag similar to Carinthia. From my dealings I believe wiggy's sleeping pads are the most under rated products he sells. I absolutely love my pad. It is the toughest most reliable piece of gear in my sleep system.
Good to know, thanks!
Nice. I just took a chance and ordered the sleeping pad before watching this video. I’m really looking forward to trying it. He sells two. I got the thicker one I think it’s called the luxurious pad. Is that the one you have?
No issues with my bag so far after 2 winters, but like you for $280 USD I would expect a double pull zipper, even a $40 dollar Amazon one has that. That really pissed me off, and now I will change the slider myself to a double pull.
Why would a bag rated for -60 have a vent
Very nice video! Wish i woulda thought about getting something like this on my last camping trip 😂
I have the -60f bag and the lux mat that i haul around with me on my trapline here in Alaska. Have not been cold yet
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Great review. I am a bit perturbed by their Factory response. Especially considering they knew exactly how to fix it. 😕
Right?! Thanks for watching!
@@PopplePeople for sure, they knew damn well it came from the factory like that. Censoring your review is cheap too.
Thank you for the review.
Thanks for watching! We appreciate it!
Jerry can be an old crab. He’s got a lot of physical maladies and so on, so that likely makes him snappy. My thoughts on the glue like residue is that it was likely on the inside of the box, and when the bag went in and shut, got on the bag. In that case he would not have known. I have the double Antarctic bag setup, Antarctic bag with zip on over bag, and it is an inferno. I got the ‘mummy’ with boat foot area. The bag is basically for big expeditions where you or your dogs are pulling a sled or similar, not backpacking as you stated. I send Jerry commentary often, but never seen my emails mentioned in his newsletters. It doesn’t bother me though I am super happy with the bag, and I got some lamilite socks to slip over my wool socks to wear in my MukLuks. I did a bunch of videos recently on keeping warm on my channel if interested. 🎄
Thanks for sharing! We will check out your videos!
You’re welcome, if you have any questions always feel free to drop me a line. 😎🎄
I was wanting to get this for backpacking what litre backpack would you recommend.?
Can you drop the link.?
It’s huge & heavy…not the best choice for backpacking. I don’t think it could be crammed into a backpack, honestly. Let me measure the whole roll & I can post those dimensions for you. Hopefully that will help…
@Kadreik 14”x14”x34” (that’s the smallest I could get it packed down…)
www.wiggys.com/specials/hunter-antarctic-rectangular-sleeping-bag/
@@PopplePeople Thank you soooo much
There are lots of good products out there wanting us to spend our hard earn dollars with them but poor service and passing the blame and not assuming responsibility will have me heading for the door… no matter how good the product is! Thanks for the honest review.
Your hard earned dollars can't buy a -60 bag for half that price anywhere else.
I live in the UK and imported 2 bags ,1 of the core and 1 overbag which you can join them up and it can take you down to supposedly-30. They are a fantastic bag and a cheaper option than the likes of western mountaineering/pajak etc . Also the laminate in the bag actually drys you off whilst inside if you get in the bag wet or damp by the morning.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing!
I just picked up the inner and outer bag. He has a few colors of the SuperLight on sale for half price right now, so I go a sweet deal
@@1mataleo1oh yeah!! Half price is a great deal!!
I used to live in Grand Junction Colorado not very far from where they are made I myself have never used one but was cool to see a video on WIGGYS.
Cool! Thanks for watching!
@PopplePeople, thank you for the video. I hope you enjoyed it for a long time. I hear they are amazing, but I now live in Northern Colorado, and I do a ton of backpacking, so they are too big for my taste. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the review. I'm in Colorado and considering a new bag. I positively will not buy from a manufacturer who deletes honest reviews of their product, period. The lack of an inside zipper tab indicates corner-cutting and raises a red flag to me.
Two comments for those who read them. I've done a lot of winter camping in the CO mountains. Years ago I had a 4.5 pound high-grade goose down, triangle baffled expedition bag, and found that it was intolerable if the temperature was any warmer than about 15 or 20 degrees F. No matter how I opened the zippers, (head and feet,) it was brutally warm, very uncomfortable. Above 30 degrees I had to sleep on top of it. So such a bag should only be considered useful for winter camping in the snow, expedition, or survival use and not for even cool weather camping. Second, I didn't see any insulating pad beneath you. A good one is mandatory unless you can guarantee something will always be beneath you that can insulate you in bitter cold. A person's weight squishes the bag flat where it is supported and renders the bags insulation ineffective. When it was below zero F I found that the bag kept me warm everywhere but where my weight was pressing the insulation flat, so I had to keep rolling over all night long before I bought a very good sleeping pad to go with the bag. I think if I were making and selling survival bags I would include the pad in the design of the product itself.
Thanks for sharing! I had an underquilt on my hammock & between that and this -60 rated bag, it was fine. Thanks for watching!
I’ve had the same experience. Years ago I bought a very good down bag rated for -40°. I tried sleeping in it in 25° weather and it was unbearably warm. I ended up having to sleep on top of it with my clothes on. Fortunately, I took it car camping to test it, so I had a wool blanket in the car that I was able to use, but it was certainly a lesson for me. I’m glad I have it for camping in very cold temps, , but I ended up having to spend more money on a bag for warmer weather .
For such a premium product I would have expected them to at least offer a replacement if you had wished for it due to the white residue being on it. It's not like you were trying to ask for a discount or refund... you just literally asked a basic question...
Agreed…I asked a simple question & got a snippy reply. Thanks for watching!
"For such a premium product..."
You might want to price some bags that work under minus 20 F. Wiggy's is a premium bag at half the price.
I had a problem with a bag and it was taken care of with no issues. I have owned these bags for many years. I have tried many bags over the years. These bags have outperformed anything else yes they are Bulky and heavy compared to some of the others. Now if I was ever treated like you were with the Sticky stuff that would be it for me. I would never do business with them again and I surly post up some vids on that. In fact I’m not sure I can recommend this company now.
Thanks for sharing! That’s good to know! Appreciate it!
8.5lbs, your car or house will never notice the weight.
😝Truth!
Even my horse doesn't care....
@@jwdundonagreed…but there are hikers who count down to the ounce! 😂 Thanks for watching!
@@PopplePeople agreed, same hikers that don't eat meat. Or kill elk....
Good sleeping bag,crappy customer service.I also own the very same bag in this review,it is very warm bag!!
Hmmm
Most important data point you mention is they filter negative reviews. Knowing that, I would never trust my life to a product made by such a company. Also, the bag appears to be made for a comfortable night car camping but absolutely NOT for extreme conditions of the sort it advertises with -60. But then, we already know Wiggy has no credibility.
Nice bag I like your reference you will not feel like a stuffed sausage😂😂
LOL!
@@PopplePeople unfortunately I can't afford something like that
Yeah, it’s an investment for sure.
@@PopplePeople unfortunately I don't have that kind of money.. my idea of a sleeping bag is Walmart special
We’ve got about 6 of those too! Found a nice 1 last year for $5 clearanced. It was a steal!
How can anyone sleep in a hammock? My body would be screaming in pain.
Lol! You get used to it! Thanks for watching!
I was developing back pain at the age of 28. I was about to undergo a radical life change (break up, new job, move across the country, live out of my truck for several years) and I decided to try sleeping in a hammock. The first night was a challenge but by the second night my back felt better than it had in a while. I slept in that hammock every night for 3 years including the winters and loved it.
CEO gaslighted you. I cant stand it
Sure seemed like it, right?!
I left a review on why their warmest selling mittens needed improvements and wiggys didn't post my review either. The guy that runs the company can't handle any criticism. I just ordered the heater body suit and hopefully it keeps me warm. I also have the iron tuff jacket, bibs and coveralls and a complete outfit from fortress clothing and the whole outfit is extremely lightweight and easily compresses into a sleeping bag compression sack.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing!