Backpacker Magazine Revisited

When I first started producing my Lamilite insulated sleeping bags I was for all intents and purposes shunned by the Backpacker “testers (?)”. They and the sleeping bag marketers whether they were the makers or the retailers were very negative with regards to my laminated insulation because the appearance of my synthetic bags did not resemble the appearance of a down bag. As has happened the synthetic bag has become the dominant bag sold. Wiggy’s of course has grown to become the largest in the industry today. Why (?) because my laminated insulation Lamilite simply out performs literally every form of synthetic or quality of down in existence; actually Lamilite makes all other forms of insulation obsolete.

Recently I attended the Outdoor Retailer trade show and perchance picked up a copy of the Backpacker magazine Gear Guide edition. Many ask each year why I am not listed in it; I told them years ago I did not want to have anything to do with them and to leave me out, which they have done. I have found they publish erroneous information which in my opinion is very misleading to the consumers who endeavor to read their publication.

In any event I reviewed the sleeping bag section and noted that they have chosen as the “best synthetic” a bag made by Mountain Hardwear called the “ultralamina 15.” The number 15 refers to the temperature rating. The weight of this bag is 2 pounds and 15 ounces. Here is what they have said about it; “one reason she (female tester) stayed so toasty is the sack’s laminated (emphasis added) construction, which avoids baffle seams-and the accompanying cold spots-by gluing the Thermic Micro (a chopped staple polyester fiberfill with their fancy name applied to it) synthetic insulation directly to the shell and liner.” Imagine that the Backpacker writer of the article is actually stating what I have said for 40 years. They are obviously slow learners. I recognize that being copied is flattery taken to the extreme. However, the only copying they have done is the method of construction, not the basic insulating material. The chopped staple fiber has a multitude of problems; if it did not we would all in the manufacturing of sleeping bags business be using it. First off it will not stay together when used in a non-quilted manner, it will deteriorate via collapsing from stuffing and un-stuffing; i.e. loosing its loft, can not be laundered without breaking apart, and I do not believe for one second the user of this bag ever used it when the temperature was even remotely close to +15 degrees. My +20 degree bag the Ultra light in a regular length (80 inches long) and regular width (31 inches wide) weighs 3 pounds and 4 ounces. It is factually impossible for any sleeping bag regardless of insulating material, Lamilite included to actually perform as they have stated.

The point here is a simple one. Mountain Hardwear (MH) has made a second attempt at copying me, they originally tried using the continuous filament fiber and it was a total failure, now they are trying with a chopped fiber and will have the same end result. However, the geniuses at Backpacker magazine whom have never made a sleeping bag in their life applaud the MH product not knowing a thing about it. So one more time the geniuses at Backpacker are presenting erroneous information about a product and it is potentially dangerous. Imagine being told that a bag will perform at +15 degrees which is a freezing temperature and it does not perform, you can be in a potential hypothermic situation. The second point I wish to make is how misleading those in the employ of Backpacker magazine are in what they publish.

For those who chose to not accept what I have said here all I can say is buy one of these bags so you can find out for yourself if I am right or wrong.