A Legacy That Lives On...

It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of our founder, and my business partner and dear friend, Jerry Wigutow, known to all as Wiggy.

While we knew he had dealt with several health issues during the past five years, including prostate cancer, his death took us somewhat by surprise. He was a vigorous 84-year-old who led our business and worked with us until a few days before his death. Our employees were his family, and they share in our loss. He will be greatly missed.

As you, his loyal customers and readers, already know, he loved what he did for a living, and he took great pride in the quality, workmanship, and service that we provide. Especially important to Wiggy was that we continue his legacy of making the best sleeping bags in the world, and we’re prepared to do that.

Born and raised in New York City, Jerry Wigutow built his reputation for quality and service through his manufacturing business, Wiggy's. During his early career in the outerwear business, he observed others using inferior fiber as insulation, and he learned that continuous filament fiber was superior to all other insulation.

But he was also a true individualist and adventurer. As a young man, he left the business world and lived aboard his boat with his girlfriend, sailing from New York to the Caribbean.

He was also a student of Ayn Rand's writing and philosophy, Objectivism, which guided him in business and in life.

Settling back into the manufacturing business in the southeastern U.S., Wiggy designed and produced his first sleeping bags. Eventually, he moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where he developed his unique method of laminating fabric to his continuous filament fiber, thereby eliminating the deficiencies caused by the quilting method of other manufacturers.

Wiggy's greatest accomplishments were the unsolicited testimonials he received continuously throughout the next 30 years. He took great pride in knowing that he made the best sleeping bags in the world.

As the new owner of Wiggy’s, I am committed to carrying forward Wiggy’s legacy and ensuring we continue to serve our customers with the same dedication to quality and craftsmanship you have come to expect. We hope that you’ll continue to favor us with your business, and we expect to continue to earn your loyalty (and the testimonials he loved) by carrying on Wiggy’s tradition.

– Kok