In with the New out with the Old

Well I have returned both Eureka sleeping bags that I'd bought in the past. This past outing just goes to show me that for somethings there is no substitute for quality. I had remembered seeing a Wiggy's sleeping bag in the bargin cave. I was looking for bags, backpacks, stoves and tents. I passed it over cause it was bland(all black) and pretty nondescript. After freezing by glutamus maximus off this last weekend, I started looking at options to replace the now large hole in my backpacking equipment. I mean with out a sleeping bag your pretty much stuck at home. I've never liked down. The idea of freezing to death inside of goose feathers has never appealed to me. I looked thru the catalog a bit, t I started reading about the wiggy's bag system. They have a system that they developed for the Marines and Navy Seals. It's a two part system. The first part is a bag that's rated for zero degree temps. The next is a outer bag that's rated at 30 degree temps. Both together are rated at -40. It uses a insulation called lamilite. I didn't know much about them However the price was right and so was the weight. So I picked it up.

I just got done looking at Wiggy's web site . There "about" page is awesome. I then clicked over to there Newsletter. Ohhh my, I am one proud owner. I mean I haven't even spent a night in the sleeping bag yet and I love this sleeping bag. I think the newsletter alone added 10 degree's of warmth to the sleeping bag.
I encourage everyone to check out there news letter if not for the info on the product then do it for the info on our sometimes backwards government. I'll even make it really easy...Newsletter
Don't think just click and read. I can't say how much I'm looking forward to trying this bag out.

More to come soon!

XPG Ultralight Pack :

My first impressions: I picked up this pack this weekend . I was going to get a Kelty but I went with this because well, I work for Cabela's so I should give our product a try. I got my stuff home and started to pack things in it. Just to fill it a bit and see how the zippers hold. I've heard that some Cabela packs don't handle being packed tight well. The bottom compartment held my sleeping pad and bag just fine. The zipper lay out was interesting. I'm not sure if I like it or not yet. I'll know more after my first hike. Everything fit and I was happy with that. Pack feels pretty heavy, but I'm sure it's actually pretty light compared to what I use to carry.



Update : May 30th 2007

Walked around the hills on the soccer field with a full load today to see if I couldn't get the straps adjusted. After a little fiddling I think I have i to where I'd like it. The adjustment to raise and lower the hip belt was very easy. There were also some load adjustment straps that pulled the pack closer to me which I felt was or might have been a problem. I'm very happy with all the adjustments on this pack. I also wanted to see how it would be getting things out mid hike. Just like I was going to stop and have lunch. So I stopped and pulled out the stove, pots and pans, and fuel. I don't like the fact that a pair of compression straps run over the zipper. I also didn't like the fact that they attach together behind a set of pouches that hang on the sides. Also the pockets are apposed. So if your getting something out of the small back pocket it's odd reaching in to the other larger pocket cause your spilling out what wouldn't spill out if the zippers were on the same side. Make sense? Over all I'm still happy with it. No ripping seams or bursting zippers yet.

Update : June 3rd 2007

Took a little test hike with the pack. My load is about what I'd carry for a two day outting. It's even got a few extra things. Even with these extra's it's still not full. I also removed the outer pockets. This even didn't fill the pack. I'm starting to think that a 5000ci pack is a bit too much. It carries very well. My problem with the pack is how the top fasten's. It's limp. It wont tighten up. The pocket system is also odd. After my little outing this pack is going back. The pack just isn't for me. For one it's too large. Second the limp top really bothers me. Other then that it is a great pack. It's just not for me. In time I may try the smaller pack and see if it would meet my needs.

Limp top