I don't have a Wiggys personally but have known quite a few people who did. Every person I have known that had one truly loved it, and swore they would never buy a different brand.
They are known as being super durable but still light...which is about the biggest compliment that can made towards sleeping gear

 

They are over-rated. Mine got all lumped up even tho I washed it in a tumble washer, the zipper would always snag the outer material, not as warm as similarly rated high end bags, and not as light either. Wiggy's is a scam, their mukluks aren't any good either. Take this as fact from someone who used to camp out for months at a time and lived in the Alaskan bush for many years. Their mittens are very decent tho.

 

I love my Overbag for the FTRSS, it's warm and it compacts down pretty well. They are a bit overpriced, but worth it in my opinion.

 

On backpacking sites no one talks about Wiggy sleeping bags in a good way. Backpacker's carry and use their equipment. If Wiggy's were that good you would see them the trail. Two areas not to go cheap on are Boots and sleeping systems. I'd go to Backpacker.com and check for one of their reviews of Wiggy's.

 

Yeah, I heard that no one reviews wiggy's because they all hate the guy and judging from a couple of his articles, I can understand why. I've only been able to find a couple of reviews on the net so far so that's why I'm asking over here.

For weight and compression, I'm not too concerned with as I'm not one of those ultralight hikers and I don't have much money to blow on a sleeping bag. Its size and weight for the Overbag seems reasonable (2-3 lbs) although I got to agree that the weight of the other bags are ridiculous.

Temp wise, it almost never goes below 5 deg C in my area, and I'm planning on getting a sleeping bag liner which should help if it gets colder than that, although I sleep pretty cold. I'm just looking for a bag in the 35+ deg F range.

That being said, are there any good alternatives that are within my budget ($180)?

 

We had Wiggy's in my wilderness program when I was younger and they were great. Warm and comfy, but definately not the lightest or most compact.

 

North Face makes great bags, and I actually like the Cabela's bags since I can't sleep in a mummy bag, but none of them are perfect. you might try that Army sleep system, you can get them on ebay for under 200 with the cover.

Wiggy's bags do accomplish one thing, they don't hold in any condensation, but unless you are in the high Arctic with no chance of ever getting warm, that isn't that great of a concern. I personally don't like overbags for a variety of reasons, but it won't take long for you to decide if you do or not. good luck

 

Check out Campmor.com they have good prices on their special deals sleeping bags. If you see one you like then check for reviews. I've dealt with them and never had a problem.

 

I have a Wiggys bag and love it. Im 6'4 and 350 #s so Im not your average sleeping bag consumer or backpacker for that matter. With his sale, I was able to get a custom made bag for a little less than retail on a standard size. That and it was to my door 4 days after I ordered it with a lifetime warranty and best of all, it is made in the USA. Yes it is a bit bulkier and heavier than others, but so am I. Since seeing mine, 6 friends of mine have ordered bags of their own. So far I have no problems at all with mine, but I know that if I do, I can send it back http://wiggys.com/about.cfm As far as temperature goes, you should be fine with the 40* bag. Ive had my 20* to 20 and was toasty warm with no other insulation other than cotton skivvies.

Edit: I just noticed that you are from Australia, so the "Made in the US" part may not matter to you...

 

I have a Super Light and I love it, I am looking forward to sending it in and getting the insulation re-done for free. I could care less if the owner is an *******, he stands behind his product 100%.

 

Alright, finally took the plunge and ordered one. Can't wait to receive it!

 

I have the ultima thule ftrss haven't had the chance to get into really cold weather so can't tell about that but this version is HEAVY

 

I have a custom made wiggys ftrss and I love it.i's too bulky and heavy to backpack but it will keep me warm anywhere!

 

Personally I have a Wiggy's Antarctica bag but I have hardly ever used it. It is way too bulky to backpack with. I bought it from a friend who wanted to get rid of it and didn't want it. I got it for $200.

 

Alright, my overbag arrived several days ago and I've tried it out already. Seems pretty solid, although I wish I had gotten the regular/wide instead of regular/regular, but otherwise no complaints. Pillow is comfy and the compression sack is way too big, smallest I could get it down to was the size of a weirdly shaped rugby ball so packing might be an issue. Its loft is nice and thick, and I'd say it is comparable to my quilt, perhaps warmer even.

Around here its about 70F at night, so the overbag was way too hot when I tried it out. I actually drenched myself till I was dripping wet in cotton clothes before I got into the sleeping bag, and I dried out fairly well by morning. Still damp but then I was wearing cotton which didn't want to let go of the water... Found my sleeping mat under me with some water on it where my bag was, and when I removed the mat there was a small puddle of water below it. An hour or so in the sun and the bag was mostly dry. Wish the weather would turn colder so I can try it out for real, but summer is about here already

Overall I'm very happy with it for the price I paid, although I wished they had shipped it packed as I had to pay about 70 bucks more for shipping to Aus.

 

I have mentioned my Coleman Max a few times before and stand by my good reviews. It's a 0 deg.F mummy bag. It weighs about 3 lbs and packs down to around 8" diameter. I paid less than $60 for it at wally world. I know Coleman hasn't been making the best gear lately, but their Max line shows that they are stepping it up a notch. I'll buy another if I ruin this one somehow.

 

First rate bags folks, and their cold weather gear has been used on the North Slope for years. Military and many civilian organizations are using them and even all of our boy scout troops are loving them. Take advantage of the discounted prices now. You can get a bivy sack and a Military bag for less than $300. Excellent one-time purchase.

 

I ordered a Superlight last night, 140.00

 

Me too. I couldn't justify spending $300 on a down bag. I've read mostly positive reviews on them with the exception of weight and bulk being too much.But I aint no long distance backpacker either. Can't wait to try it out!

 

I have a Wiggys from the late 80's. My wife(girlfriend at the time), her brother and their cousin worked at Wiggys here in SC at that time. Her brother made one for himself before he passed away. Fairly lightweight BUT every time I have used it it is just too hot. I don't know if he made it extra insulated but at 30-40 F* I have to leave it open. He made it for camping in the lower Appalachians during the winter. They have been in business for quite sometime so that should say something about them.

 

I love the 2 bag system

Buy it and cry once, because you will have a rack full of bags and finally try a wiggys , then you will have a bunch you don't use

 

I've been looking for some good mummy sleeping bags that are compressible and lightweight. I already carry a lightweight wool blanket, fleece sleeping bag (packs so small) and two other blankets that roll up nicely and fit on my external frame, but am looking for a really good sleeping bag. Any suggestions are welcome.

 

If compression and weight are your main goals then go with a down bag. Synthetics don't compare well in that area. I just received my wiggys and my initial impression is WOW. Very heavy duty bag.Quality is top notch.Heavy and bulky, better suited for vehicle, animal transport, or short hikes.

 

Well, I have to argue that

Wiggy has a lifetime warranty on the bags he vacuum seals because the insulation can be compressed indefinitely opposed to down which cannot

Compared to most bags the wiggy bags are lighter for rating

 

I doubt anyone stores a down bag in a compression sack, so Wiggys got them beat there. Lifetime warranty is a good point, but when Wiggy dies, will the company still exist to honor that warranty? I got the superlight in regular/ wide, rated for zero. It weighs 4.5 lbs. Excellent quality for the price. I can fit a synthetic Kelty /regular size rated for 20 inside of it. It's frickn huge!

 

To each their own, my kits have wiggys

I know they work, and I know I can dry them if they get wet.

I know I can squeeze them into the smallest dry bag I have and they will be fine

The warranty? The best warranty is one for something built so well its never needed

Unlike some companies which have awesome customer service, I d rather have things that work so well the company doesn't need it
i.e. ruger VS Colt

 

And that's where it tends to go wrong. I don't have personal experience with the guy, but have read several accounts where someone tries to get something repaired under "lifetime" warrantie, just to get yelled at when they do get through to get support.

 

i'm a fan of rei, trust their reviews and here is what i found:

http://www.rei.com/product/880097/mountain-hardwear-lamina-z-flame-sleeping-bag

think a 3 layer system, bivvy, bag and liner, plus base layer on person...

good luck...

 

ps....

these guys have some good kit to: http://www.klymit.com/

i like the us military sleep system...

i use the green patrol bag, goretex bivvy, my base layer, watch cap/balaclava, good pad and sleep like a baby in below freezing weather...

i also have the Amazon.com : US Military Modular Sleep System Component: -10f Intermediate Sleeping Bag : Cold Weather Sleeping Bag : Sports & Outdoors for colder weather too...

 

ps....

i like the us military sleep system...

i use the green patrol bag, goretex bivvy, my base layer, watch cap/balaclava, good pad and sleep like a baby in below freezing weather...

.

US military MSS gortex bivvy, with the green patrol bag in it, down bag inside the green patrol bag, base sleep clothing layer, down booties, watch cap, balaclava & good ground pad is the standard 4 season sleep kit I put together for most of our 20 member BOL group.

In my opinion, about the best bang for the buck durable reliable 4 season sleep system out there.
If you are a patient frugal shopper.