BEST Sleeping Bag to Add to Your System Multi-Functionality is the Key with Dave Canterbury
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- BEST Sleeping Bag to Add to Your System Multi-Functionality is the Key to Success
Best Sleeping Bag
Camping
Hunting
Fishing
Outdoor
Wiggy’s
Freedom Shelter
Ecotat
Dave Canterbury
www.wiggys.com...
the absolute best info in the self reliance community
This video is a perfect example of why I trust you and your company so much. I have followed you for well over ten plus years now. I own a lot of your pathfinder gear. (Even some that's been discontinued) Everything has been put through the ringer on adventures with me all over Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Canada. None of your gear has ever failed me. I know you won't sell anything that you haven't tested yourself and approved. You even support other gear companies that are solid, well made and bullet proof. This shows that you truly care about your customers. From one woodsman to another, I shake your hand sir and say thank you. We all greatly appreciate all you do for us. Best wishes my friend.
I have been using Wiggy's equipment since 1994 when I was stationed in Alaska. Jerry is a great guy who knows the business. My cold weather gear is all Wiggy's.
I’ve been using Wiggy’s’s bags for decades they are excellent
Wiggy's is the best! Everything I have got from Jerry so far has been great.
I have the -60* as well. They're also meant to be washed in ordinary machines as well. Washing improves the insulation performance. Side zips on both inner and outer bags.
Love the Wiggy's products. Class act.
Hey Dave! Plus one on the Wiggy's bags. I've had my Wiggy's ultralight for well over twenty years, and it still looks and performs like new. When they start to lose their loft, just throw 'em in the wash machine, and tumble dry gentle cycle. They come right back. Thanks for sharing!
Years ago when I called to order my bags, Jerry took my order personally. Great product, never been disappointed
I have slept in a Wiggy's bag every night for nearly two years straight. I guess I've been trying to wear it out but not having any luck. I've had the bag for 16ish years. Nothing is bombproof but Wiggy's bags are close. 100% recommend. Plus, Wiggy himself is a character and as legit as they get.
Dave, many of us have been waiting for you to make a video on Wiggy's bags. I've been using his sleeping bags, ground pads, and jackets for years. I even purchased his K-9 jackets for my short haired dogs who are not designed for snow county, and it allows us to enjoy outdoor activities for hours without getting chilled! Wiggy's products are truly superior to ANY other insulation on the market today.
I use Wiggy's Freedom Shelter Bag wrapped around under the hammock and over me. Been using Wiggy's for years including his fishnet underwear. Appreciate Dave's endorsement of great products.
My favorite sleeping bag of all time is the old military ECW bag. Goes to -10 comfortably and with a canvas outer layer it is repairable and water resistant.
Agreed. Been using a Wiggy's Ultralight for 10 years. Last summer bought the overbag to complete my Flexible temp rating sleep system(FTRSS). 35 degree outer, 20 inner, zip together for zero. Huge zipper baffle, large hood, and canoe shaped foot box. Educate yourself at his website. Whatever you need in a sleep system you can find at Wiggy"s. Made in USA, machine washable, nothing better in any outdoor store anywhere.
Wiggy bags are great
The pillow is slippery and slides around and out from the bottom of the bag.
One particular winter camp out, that pillow was flying around the tent like “flubber”
I decided to stuff the pillow around my head from ear to ear,.. and then pulled the draw strings tight around my head.
That way… when you get it right,.. you can roll around the tent,.. and your pillow stays wrapped around your head… no matter what side you sleep on.
Jerry Wigatow (Wiggy's) took over production for Ecotat and updated the Shelter design (the bags are all good) and until about 2019 he produced the Shelter, but has stopped now - the bags are still available. I have two Shelters in ACU camo - the real unicorn would be two of Wiggy's Shelters in Multicam - but dyed ACU works well. Two together form a 3 person tent - if you want this, then the zippers must match - coil zippers for early Ecotat Shelters and #10 toothed zippers for Jerry's update.
When I ordered my 40 degree Freedom Shelter bag, I asked Jerry to cover the outside in Multicam, and for my 20 degree bag, in Coyote tan. If you call him and are polite, he will respond in turn.
I checked out the link you provided and was amazed at the affordability of these products. Not saying they are by any means cheap but for the temp ratings and the quality you are sharing these are a fantastic buy in my opinion. I plan to buy at least a sleeping bag and most likely more of their gear. I enjoy winter camping and their gear appears fit the bill. Thanks for the great video Dave
Bought a used German military sleeping bag. Not sure who made it, but what I love about it, you can sleep in it, then zip up the middle, and the bottom becomes legs. Then can either fold down top part or wear it like a coat. It's pretty amazing. But it has to be pretty cold to wear it. I think it would stand up to at least -40.
I used a Wiggy's bag on all my back country patrols as a back country ranger for the national park service. Great bag. Washable durable and longer light for a synthetic bag. It was not a military bag it was the civilian bag. Same quality i believe.
MSS for going on 10 years now 👍🏻
i've never heard of Wiggy's bags before. i've now got 2 on my wish list. along with a second MSS.
Ya, I have the Wiggy Korean military bag that's center zip. I also have lots of other bags including multiple Carinthia and Vertex Outdoor bags and I love them all but just like you I seem to gravitate towards the Wiggy bag. It's the one I grab when I'm in a hurry. One thing you didn't mention is that the materials he uses in making his bags are not treated with any chemicals that could be detrimental to you. Lots or most outdoor wearable gear is treated with various concoctions to waterproof them and for other reasons. It's a big plus.
Hell yes. Wiggys is the best.
I have both a Wiggy's made surplus Ecotat bag and a more current Freedom Shelter version by Wiggy's using their "Lamilite" insulation. They are simply amazing! I know I will be warm no matter the temps. The newer versions have a larger toothed zipper compared to the original military Ecotat bags, which have smaller teeth that match the original Ecotat shelter. I also have two of your Forester Quilts, which clearly were inspired by the Ecotat bags. I take these items with me camping and in my car all the time, varying which ones based on expected temperatures. Great video, Dave.
I have the Ecotat freedom shelter in woodland camo. That thing is awesome, I think the fill is lamilite?. Still in very good shape except for elastic cords. Good to see someone else had heard of it. Thanks.
Love my Wiggy's gear! The 13" Lamilite socks are game changers in your boots on a cold day.
Here in Europe, I am a fan of Carinthia sleeping bags!
I have a Wiggy’s bag and a few coats jackets mittens and even a dog coat and bed. Great stuff made in 🇺🇸.
Just checked the price point for the Wiggy's Hunter bag you talked about. I'll admit if it is only good to just 10 below zero it is worth it. I paid $200USD which was the average price for a new MMSS and that was 8-10 years ago. I love the MMSS it has served me well. I will admit the MMSS is best used when conveyance is available.
Dave is the king
Always appreciate your honest opinions. Old school respect. Thanks Dave
Waiting for the SRO version of this bag with wool inside and oil cloth on the outside 👍
Great information, thanks for sharing. I took a snug-pak jungle bag, and customized it to encapsulate my eno sub 7. It makes a nice small ground or hammock summer setup. I usually carry it on my Dual-Sport with a set of poncho poles and poncho.
[wiggy's bags are the best. Vapor leaves the bag. Sleeping dry and waking up dry is a very noticeable thing. Never felt that until wiggy's. Now I am making my own jackets using the same insulation he does. Very warm and durable.]
The pillow is the best advice I personally can recommend! It literally makes the difference between a good sleep and being on watch duty for me!
I have two blue nylon 20° Wiggy's mummy bags, a left and a right that zip together. Mine is larger than my wife's. I've had them since about 1990 and washed them several times to clean them and restore the loft. The insulation is laminite synthetic down. They have a footbox and zip all the way open. No head slit, but I love them. You can't go wrong with Wiggy's.
I would draw lines from the sleep on component to the insulation and loft column also, it needs both too.
Thanks Dave
Great basic breakdown. Thanks, Dave.
I have the woodland GORTEX bivy and green lightweight bag from MSS USGI set and the cover carrying molle bag.
I like olive green or woodland camo sleeping bag systems only!
I really like these bags and i grew up in hampton roads va.
If bulk and weight isn’t an issue the dutch m90 military m90 is a great choice too! And it’s still available at reasonable prices! Best wishes all
That’s a nice sleeping bag system. I’m in the Army, so I’m only familiar with the traditional modular military sleeping bag. I hate the cold lol, but there’s nothing like being warm, under shelter, out in the field, with minimal electronics. Life is sweet.
I have a compressable memory foam pillow I love... bought on Amazon with a memory foam mattress I bought for my son and his tent
Thanks Dave the wiggys open foot is something I’m looking for
I also have the USGI vintage intermediate cold weather sleeping bag. Its olive green synthetic filled with thick outer fabric kinda like Cordura Nylon.
Awesome stuff, I’ve been looking for a good sleeping bag. Thanks for another great lesson brother!
Good timing - here we go
I have an Ecotat bag by Wiggy's but there's no head slot to wear as a poncho. That said, one of my favorite bags bar none.
I live in a warmer climate down here in the lowcountry and would love to see a video on warm weather sleep systems
Dave, I was playing your video while filling out an order for a sleeping bag on another computer screen-crazy. Needless to say, I have a "wiggy" on the way. Thanx for what you do.
Wiggy's also makes a great slumber bag (+50F) made for summer or indoor use. I use it as bedding in the winter inside because it is warmer than a heavy quilt or comforter on my bed. I've washed it maybe twenty time and each time the loft comes right back. I also have the FTRSS Antarctic bag (-60F) and the over bag (+35) for winter camping (I hate being cold when I sleep.). I've never used the heavy bag that I haven't had to unzip it even in very cold conditions. I use an Exped Mega Mat under it.
Great vid and info on the Freedom Bag. Thanks. Take Care and Stay Safe.
The reason that it took me so long to pull the trigger on a Wiggy's sleeping bag and ground pad system was the bulk and the weight. I finally decided that if I was going to return to camping out at 70 years of age, then I was damn well going to be as comfortable as possible, and not sleep cold. As a result, I finally told myself to stop pretending that I was 25 years old and just put up with whatever constraints that the bulk and weight of a Wiggy's, 0°F/-40°F (FTRSS) Superlight Boatfoot FTRSS sleeping bag, +35°F, Boatfoot Overbag, and the Luxurious Ground Pad were going to impose upon me and just deal with it. Once that decision was made after a year of dithering, it was easy to order the sleeping bag, with the other two to quickly follow in March and April.
Always great, glad your base is in SE Ohio
Everyone i can think of that has won alone has used a wiggy's bag!!
Dutch army modular sleep systeem. All day any day. It also has a zippered liner, for a few degrees added warmth.
I've been looking at Wiggy's bags for over a year and just received my Superlight 0°F/-40°F (FTRSS), boatfoot, regular/wide with the right-hand, 108", full-length zipper in dark gray, with compression stuff sack, for $145.00, a great Sale Price. Next up is a Wiggy's Luxurious Ground Pad, and then the following month, a Wiggy's FTRSS Boatfoot Overbag. The combination of the three should provide me with a legitimate -40° Fahrenheit sleeping bag system, especially inside of a good tent. *THANKS for all you do!*
I need that gortex ground bivvy so bad hehe that would be PERFECT for my upcoming trip
David, in the future, please include in your videos' descriptions the applicable National Stock Number (NSN) for any surplus item that you recommend. The official nomenclature would also help, but NSN alone works quite well for those of us who like to search auction listings and other online sources for such gear. Even a closeup shot of the tag, such as you did in this video for the USMC bivi helps, though holding the shot a little longer would make it easier for us to capture the information. 😁
Love my wiggys.
The three layer military sleep system is really good, it worked good when I was stationed up north in Alaska in very cold temperatures.
I’ve had a swagman for several years. It’s kept me warm down to about 50° for overnighters. Anything lower I also take an extra fake down quilt 🎉
I looked at the websight. They are not thay expensive. They have a great sale going on right now.
His inflatable mattress is great !
I love Wiggies
Dave if you see this…get you some Wiggys waders. They are awesome.
Synthetic will last much longer than down, but not good to keep compressed for long periods of time either. Had a sofie merlin 3 id had and been using since 2008... all the way up to the year before lasts hunting trip. We used my brother inlaw's camper that year and i shouldve never gotten cold they way i did in there in that bag..... replaced it with the 1st run of your forester quilt.
Edit: man, i still miss that bag. 😂 mostly because the time i did with it. I dont think id pay the $200+ for it now (sure didnt cost that when i bought it) but i can say this: that merlin 3, with my poncho liner if necessary, did the heavy lifting so much better than that green bag for the mss i was issued ever did.
My favirite sleeping bag is the Wiggies one that is rigged to be used as a poncho as well as a sleeping bag. The shelter system he spoke of. Like all Wiggies if it & you got wet from just it's ability to retain your body heat it will dry. Several utubers have tested this & it is true. They had the military contract for a long time. Wiggies has good sales if you get in email list.
Being 6'4" severely limits the bags that work for me , usually just go with the Cabela's X-large outfitters cold weather .
Call Jerry at Wiggy’s
Went to the Wiggy's site expecting insane prices but they are quite reasonable if you see something that suits your needs. In reading about the history and intent it seems very similar to the Jerven Fjellduken. I have the Hunter Extreme version and damn I love that thing so far.
Even seeing that jacket you’re wearing, I gotta have one. Where can I get one?
I have a 4 Wiggy's sleeping bags from the slumber (50 degree) to the -60 bag. I used the 50 degree slumber bag on a rainy and cold camping trip where it never got above 38. At 38 degrees the bag was perfect, at 34 it was pushing the limit of the bag and I was a bit cool but comfortable enough to sleep.
I also have 3 of his Antarctic parkas, a couple of jacket liners, a sweater, a no longer available Ducksback jacket, mittens, boot liners, socks.
I regularly use his jacket liner under a lightweight "winter" jacket that's really only good to wbout freezing, with the jacket liner I'm good to about -10. Beyond that I swap the liner out for the sweater and that's been good to -20 with a 20+ mph wind. The jacket liner and Ducksback jacket was also good to -20 with a hellish 30+ mph wind.
It anything the Wiggy's temperature rating is conservative. The Lamilite insulation works when wet.
On his website he links to an air force test they did in his gear for ejection seats. The air force was aiming for -20 but ended up far below that. Wiggy's gear is standard survival gear in air force ejection seats and it is compressed.
You can read testimonials on the Wiggy's site and search TH-cam for video reviews.
Wiggy's bags are the best and I really don't find them that expensive. I have three of them. They might be pricier than the cheap Chinese made crap you can buy at Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, etc but remember Wiggy's bags are made in the US and he often runs sales.
Thanks for the info, Dave. I've heard of the Wiggy's bags, but didn't know they still made them. 👍🏻
Mr. Canterbury, I viewed your video with considerable interest. Let me begin by saying I have absolute faith in your honesty and have no doubt whatsoever that your review is unbiased. Having went to the Wiggy online store, I also have no doubt these are extremely well made products. I do however have serious reservations about the bag's temperature rating. Speaking plainly, I'm not buying that an eight and a half pound bag will keep you warm at -60. No slight intended - I'm not sure such a bag exists. While a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, I had the opportunity of serving Canada's arctic. I experienced a few days of -60 C weather. I don't think many people not living in arctic regions have experienced that temperature. I admit to being a gear guy and am fortunate to have one of the last Woods Arctic Five Star bags. It weighs ton - I'd guess around 25+ lbs. Heavy canvas exterior, two down quilts and a woolen blanket liner. I can attest that this bag on a cot, with a good R rating pad will not keep you warm at such temperatures. Even with a small down mummy bag inside of it. I can tell you and your subscribers that -60 is damn cold. I'm not calling you out - not saying you said it was warm at -60, I'm just saying that at 8.5 lbs I just don't think it's possible. Down is generally held to be the best insulator - certainly more efficient than the vast majority of synthetics - if not all of them. My five star was new when I tried this test so long term compression was not an issue (as you quite correctly point out it can be - however again down is held to be the best long term insulation). I'm getting long in the tooth now and I'm not ignorant to the fact that some of the synthetics have greatly improved but to my knowledge they have yet to surpass down. In fairness, I have to say I have not tried the Wiggy bag in extreme temperatures. Given the $160 shipping fee to Canada, it is unlikely that I ever will but if I get south of the border I'll bring one back with me and if I'm wrong and it is warm at even -40 (I'm no longer in the arctic but live in Northern Alberta) I will tender you an apology and I will post my experience on the Wiggy website. Please know I enjoy your videos and appreciate your common sense approach to bushcraft. Nice to see someone who walks the talk.
I ordered one of those bivys. I couldn’t find that sleeping bag.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a complete Pathfinder sleep system from SRO.
At least a three season set up.
Thanks for the info😃
Can a discussion also be had about overquilts?
Cool video
I also recommend checking out Carinthia if you’re looking for a sleeping/bivy bag. Wiggys looks great though!
Some people like silk against their face, others like fleece, while others like cotton. It’s a totally personal preference.
Dave…is your -60deg bag a center zip?
wiggys is the best
Hey Dave, great video/knowledge as always! Quick Question (might be a stupid question, lol):
Does the color of the outside of the sleep system matter? Meaning, is black better than tan for heat retention? I'm thinking along the lines of black cars getting hotter inside them than white cars. Does this apply to sleep/poncho liner gear?
Thanks in advance for your knowledge and hopefully you see this
They went to north pole with schocky from Minnesota
James Gibson is an incredibly talented Master bushcrafter, knife maker, Ninjitsu practitioner,carpenter and probably knows 100 ways to kill you with a beautiful hand crafted knife that he made himself just for the purpose of killing you. Chuck Norris level of respect for James.
Dave, when are your forester blankets going to be available again.
I use a Wiggy’s sleeping bag. Period.
Courtesy of Half Vast Flying
I get that you have your reasons. But, in this one we think differently. For that bulk and features why not a Jerven bag king size? Also I find them too bulky for being synthetic. Even the Carinthia sleeping bags do the same and are less bulky
Dave are going bring back the camo dry bag?
What is the tent in the thumbnail? Anyone know?
Back woods Bungalow
What’s that hat you’re wearing? It looks down or insulated
Why do I feel like I carry too much...? I carry 2 packs, one in front with my water, food, and first aid. And fire kit. It's probably alot when your 5ft5 and 160lbs. But I manage...😂
I never sleep on the ground. Not in Arizona anyway...
I remember that video. lol
Probably totally off topic of this video. Do you sell any books I've already looked and ordered the basic primitive navigation but I don't know how to read a map with a compass to save my life when I was in the military even though I was in the infantry we went over it for like 5 minutes and that was it well probably longer than that but anyway do you have videos or other books that would be able to explain it to a child because I'm also wanting to teach my kids because I can't afford to pay for your school Believe me if I had it I definitely would.
When you look at sleeping pads, they never list the R value. 😢
I'm very surprised to hear you say that synthetic fibers are more durable than down. Goose (or duck) down is more durable in terms of loft than synthetic fibers. Over time and with use, synthetic fibers tend to pack down and lose their elasticity, reducing their ability to trap air and thus their insulating power.
Down, on the other hand, can retain its loft for decades if properly cared for (stored uncompressed, cleaned properly, etc.). It regains its volume more efficiently after compression and offers a better warmth-to-weight ratio over the long term.
On the other hand, in humid environments, down quickly loses its insulating properties if it gets wet, while synthetic fibers retain some of their thermal capacity. That's why some mountaineers or hikers in humid climates still prefer synthetic bags, despite their lesser durability.
So if we're talking purely about the durability of insulation over time, down is superior to synthetic fibers, as long as it's well cared for.
On the other hand, the synthetic fibers used by Wiggy's have a reputation of being more durable than other synthetics.
Wiggy isn’t the best.
They’re very good. No doubt. Some of the best… but not THE best.
If you want the best (following your criteria of course because when it comes to down the best will be very different) is Carinthia and it’s not even a conversation Dave, it’s a fact.
Carithia uses better materials, has several patents on them, contrary to common belief it does not sell the same quality to other brands (for instance, their G-loft is better than what they sell to Fjällräven), it uses actual goretex gas and not the junk membrane 99% of other brands use so you actually get 100% waterproofness as well as 0% condensation. There is quite literally no other brand or equipment in the world that has these specs… literally none.
It can still be used as part of a system so for instance the Defence 1 can be used with the Defence 4 or the Survival One. The Survival One has better features because it has actual sleeves coming out of the sleeping bag and can be folded and clipped to produce a coat while at the same time won’t allow the lose of heat in the feet due to being fully open. You can favour whatever you want but I do think it’s better. They even have better ponchos that are too part of a multi layered system. Etc, etc, etc.
Wiggy are fantastic but they don’t come even close to Carinthia.
Do your research Dave… read about it… you’ll see… Carinthia isn’t just better level, they are literally next level altogether.
Now, when it comes to down:
PHD Design, Feathered Friends, Western Mountaineering, and even Valandre and Rock Front are better.
I can agree with you that Wiggy is in the top 10 but it certainly isn’t number 1.
Wiggy's sleeping bags excell because they are differentially insulated. It is *IMPOSSIBLE* to build a sleeping bag rated for -60°Fahrenheit to -80°Fahrenheit, as Wiggy's Antarctic bag is rated, without a lot of insulation sewn into the top and sides of the sleeping bag and with substantially less insulation sewn into the bottom of the bag where the head, shoulders, back, hips, and heels will *ALWAYS* compress even a thick layer of baffled insulation into a very thin, non-effective mat with little R-value. That's why a thick, well-insulated, synthetic fill, ground pad measuring 2"-3" thick will always out insulate the fanciest, highest technology air mattresses with all kinds of reflective materials.
Wiggy's temperature ratings are with his ground pads which the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force have all individually tested in both ultra-low temperature freezers as well as Artic, Greenland, and Antarctic environments. Wiggy's bags and ground pads work as advertised because they are properly insulated for the temperature ratings stated and that means that *THEY ARE NOT LIGHTWEIGHT, NOR ARE THEY SVELTE. THEY ARE BULKY AS HELL, ESPECIALLY THE SLEEPING PADS.*
To be honest, in cases I have a sleeping bag I want a sleeping bag not multifunctional item.
And it doesn't even have to be this guy if you happen to come across this comment please reply or hit me back I'll check it for the next couple of days that has a place that teaches land nav. In a fairly straightforward way