BA Encampment vs Wiggys' Ultra Light?

[desertcj]

I know it's kind of an opinion thing, but I'm looking to upgrade my Cabela's Trekker 5 for something lighter. I like that camo pattern on the Wiggy's as I like to stay low key at all times even at camp. That said, I don't think it's a huge issue. The Wiggy's is 3lbs 4oz and the Encampment is 2lbs 15oz as I can get away with the small version. I know the BA needs to be used with an insulated air mattress. Neo air Xtherm is already on the list either way. What do you think?

 

[2rocky]

I am a big fan of the BA line. I'm happy with my Storm King, and the next Sleeping bag I consider will have a BA bag option.

I own a Trekker bag as well and the BA line has been a big improvement.

No Wiggy's experience, but I never considered them before...

 

[desertcj]

Not much feed back on this. FWIW, I think the Wiggy's would be a better all around bag. For what I'm trying to (Less weight for backpacking), I'm going to go with the Big Agnes Encampment and a Neo Air Xtherm. That's 3lbs 14oz which I feel is pretty good for my budget! Especially coming from a bag/pad combo that is 8.5lbs...

 

[DaveC]

They're both sub-par bags at best. Way too much weight for what you get. Unless you're doing extended trips in temperate rainforests, synthetic insulation is not necessary. If cost is an issue, something in down like the REI Sub-Kilo series is worth a look.

 

[desertcj]

They're both sub-par bags at best. Way too much weight for what you get. Unless you're doing extended trips in temperate rainforests, synthetic insulation is not necessary. If cost is an issue, something in down like the REI Sub-Kilo series is worth a look.

Thanks, I'll take a look at the REI bag you suggested. I didn't know that 2lbs 15oz for a 15 degree bag was sub-par? Especially for $105. I will never use down. I've been wet and warm in my synthetic's and I'm going to stick with them.

 

[CtP]

the wiggys offer a nice bag as well, and they are on sale. ultra light 20* is 115$ @ 3 lbs and the super light is 0* , 130$ and 4 lbs.

I'm trying to decide between a 0* quilt/bivy combo or a wiggys ultra light.

I wouldn't say either is sub par.

 

[Colby Jack]

Many happy wiggy owners in Alaska. Yes they are bulky. But that's it. The performance is proven up here. They are also pretty true on their temp rating. They are generously cut as well. Can be a problem for a skinny guy like me. I'm looking at the MH ultra lamina 15* next. That's another synthetic bag you may consider.

 

[luke moffat]

I have a 15 and 0 degree Wiggy's and my wife has a 0 degree wiggy's. They are nice bags, not the lightest or the most compact, but I find them true to weight and ideal for me when wet coastal hunts. I only spend around 20 nights a year in that type of environment thus I spend a lot more on my down bags than my synthetic ones. For wet hunts or hunts that I don't have to carry my bag but rather used a motorized means to get to camp then they are a great inexpensive option.

 

[bcimport]

I have a 0 and 20 degree wiggys bag and I backpack with them too. I have found them to be a good reliable bag. They are a little bulkly and heavier than the other options out there but the big zipper that actually zips rather than snags and a durable material have been big positives for me. They are also made in the USA, with american materials and they are CHEAP! Tough combo to beat for me.

 

[ChadS]

The pad sleeve option would be a lot nicer if it made the BA a lot lighter than the Wiggy's. But it doesnt, so the top half of the Encampment weighs almost as much as the entire Wiggys. Anybody have any experience soaking a BA synthetic bag then having to use it? I think I would go with Wiggy's if I cant find a reason the Encampment is a lot better. The only one I see is that it might be quite a bit bigger/roomy, while still being lighter. The specs on the BA website says the Encampment weighs in at 3lbs 7oz

 

[bcimport]

Nothing wrong with the Wiggys, I have had and still have synthetic bags from some of the other manufacturers. My take on it is this, the wiggy is well made and very durable. Some of that durability comes in the form of burlier fabrics and zippers that add a little weight. I have found my Wiggys bags to perform close to the advertised rating (and I sleep pretty cold). The wiggys bag and lamilite/climbashield is not anything magic but does seem to hold its loft better than my other synthetic bags. Perhaps the biggest factor for me is that the wiggys is made in the USA with American made materials.

I do backpack with mine and once its in a Kifaru 5 string stuff sack I don't find the size to be much different than a comparable bag that keeps me warm at the same temps.

 

[TEmbry]

I have a 15 and 0 degree Wiggy's and my wife has a 0 degree wiggy's. They are nice bags, not the lightest or the most compact, but I find them true to weight and ideal for me when wet coastal hunts. I only spend around 20 nights a year in that type of environment thus I spend a lot more on my down bags than my synthetic ones. For wet hunts or hunts that I don't have to carry my bag but rather used a motorized means to get to camp then they are a great inexpensive option.

I just bought a Zero degree Wiggys while it was on sale today after reading yalls reviews on here. $130 for a 0* bag that will work no matter the moisture levels will be perfect for truck camping in the fall in the lower 48, and fly in, boat, or float trips up in AK. That coupled with my 30* EE Revx quilt for summer/archery season and I about have every basis covered. I could really use a light down option for colder temps for backpacking, but I can wait til 2015 to bite that bullet. All my colder trips this fall will be truck camping on weekend trips and a float trip in AK where a lb or two on the sleeping bag won't matter.

 

[desertcj]

The pad sleeve option would be a lot nicer if it made the BA a lot lighter than the Wiggy's. But it doesnt, so the top half of the Encampment weighs almost as much as the entire Wiggys. Anybody have any experience soaking a BA synthetic bag then having to use it? I think I would go with Wiggy's if I cant find a reason the Encampment is a lot better. The only one I see is that it might be quite a bit bigger/roomy, while still being lighter. The specs on the BA website says the Encampment weighs in at 3lbs 7oz

Except that with me being 5'8" I can use the "Small" encampent. It's claimed weight is 2lbs 15oz. Along with a Big Agness Insulated Air Core pad, the total weight is 4.25lbs for a 3.25" thick pad and a 15 degree bag. I was very close to going with a 20 degree Wiggy's, but at 3.25lbs, I would have had to go with something like a Neo Air Xtherm to match the weight at 4.25lbs. No biggy, but an Xtherm is over 2x the price of an Insulated Air Core so it was going to be more $$$.

 

[a3dhunter]

The pad sleeve option would be a lot nicer if it made the BA a lot lighter than the Wiggy's. But it doesnt, so the top half of the Encampment weighs almost as much as the entire Wiggys. Anybody have any experience soaking a BA synthetic bag then having to use it? I think I would go with Wiggy's if I cant find a reason the Encampment is a lot better. The only one I see is that it might be quite a bit bigger/roomy, while still being lighter. The specs on the BA website says the Encampment weighs in at 3lbs 7oz

I won't say my bag was soaked, but using the BA encampment last year I had a rain storm pass over and the bivy I was using allowed my bag to get wet. I didn't know it until morning since I slept through the storm, woke up while it was raining and just rolled over and went back to sleep. The BA encampment did just fine for me. I've used the bag for 3 years now and the only complaint is the weight. For a big guy needing the extra room, for the price the BA encampment can't be beat IMO.