Lamilite Insulation: Simply the Best!

I was going through the 1989 Wiggy's catalog and thought I would publish this.

All insulations, regardless of composition (syn­thetic fiber, down, wool, cotton) function exactly the same way. The thicker they are the better. As Gerry Cunningham once wrote "a ¼ inch jacket is only ¼ as warm as a 1-inch jacket.”

There are several factors that account for one insulator being better than another.

A. Loft for Weight - Since the mid 1960's, when camping became enormously popular, down has held the reputation for being the lightest weight insulator with the greatest amount of loft, for its weight. Con­sidering what was available, it justified the #1 rating. In October of 1986, that changed. I developed the technology to use a synthetic fiber which had been used for 22 years as a pillow stuffing; an unbonded, silicone treated, continuous filament fiberfill. Ounce for ounce, it is approximately 25% loftier than all other synthetics, and—when used as insulation in sleeping bags—there is virtually no difference in loft or weight for each temperature range versus a down bag, when they are of equal size.

B. Compatibility - When comparing LAMILITE to down, the compactability factor is equal. No other synthetic insulator even comes close.

C. Effects from Moisture - Moisture and down are very compatible. Down absorbs moisture like a sponge. Using the so-called waterproof, breathable fabrics for the exterior will prevent water from getting to the down, but the real problem comes from the moisture the body emits. Once body moisture changes from vapor to liquid, it is absorbed by the down. Unless there is lots of sunshine to dry your sleeping bag, the lofting ability is decreased by the damp down. LAMILITE fiber not only doesn’t absorb moisture but allows the moisture, while in a vapor state, to pass through it easily and quickly. This is because of the silicone treatment which acts like a lubricant. Therefore, water in a vapor or liquid form does not affect the LAMILITE. It will always maintain its original loft.

D & E. Longevity to Perform/Ease of Care - I group these two subjects together since the care of each of the insulators is vital to its overall perform­ance. Down must be stored a certain way, laundered a certain way and, since it is a natural product, will deteriorate over a period of time. The care given to down will determine its longevity.
LAMILITE, on the other hand, is an easy care pro­duct. A LAMILITE sleeping bag (WIGGY'S BAG) is launderable in warm to cool water and dried at a low temperature setting in standard machines. A good practice is to launder a LAMILITE bag whenever it gets dirty (generally after every use). LAMILITE is so resilient, it can be stuffed in its stuff sack for storage. Considering the loft is long-lasting, it will always perform.

You may have noticed I have not mentioned any other form of synthetic insulation still used for sleep­ing bags. My reason is simple. None of the other syn­thetics have been comparable to down, and LAMILITE surpasses it.