let us get the government involved

ON LABOR DAY MY LABORS ARE ENJOYED BY OTHERS

Hi Jerry!

15 years ago I froze my ass off on a Thanksgiving backpacking trip in the Utah desert with a new, expensive big name sleeping bag that was more hype than actual design and testing. After I got home and thawed out, a friend recommended yours, i bought it and it still performs exactly as advertised. You wouldn't know its 15 years old and gets regular use.

A friend just told me today she needed a new sleeping bag and I referred her to your company. I suspect you'll have a new customer-for-life like me.

Friends don't let friends buy inferior products, and hype doesn't work very well at keeping you warm. I will say however that the dog really enjoys having the most expensive doggie bed ever made from that old big-name bag. But he has his own well-designed, built-in fur coat insulation and moisture-removal technology.

Me, I'll stick with Wiggy’s.

Dan

I am forever appreciative when a satisfied customer tells me that they have referred someone to me.

Hey Jerry.

I just ordered some Lamilite boots from you, and I’m excited for them to arrive.

I read each of your newsletters, and I bought the boots because of your consistent message against Gore-Tex and promotion of your Lamilite.

My go-to boots for the last couple years have been Asolo Fugitive GTX boots. The reason I purchased them was because I read several blog reviews from special forces soldiers coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq who had good things to say about them.

In my experience:

Pros:

• They fit perfect out of the box, no break-in needed. I also use Superfeet Green insoles since I have flat feet.
• very comfortable to walk around in
• they look great

Cons:

• the comfort ends once the sweat from my feet builds up to the point of having cold feet, and I’ve had very cold feet in these boots, both in the bush or just sitting in my office
• I wish the profile was a bit higher to give more ankle support

Have you contacted any boot manufacturers who make “sporty” hiking boots to find out if they would be willing to work with you to create a new boot with your insulation?

-Anthony

Reading Anthony’s comments about the reviews by some military men probably refers to the fit but I must believe they too had cold feet once the cold set in in Afghanistan.

Note that he says his feet were cold not only out in the bush but also while in his office. It always boils down to the same reason, moisture trapped in the boots. Never forget that moisture in any form IS the most efficient material on earth at absorbing heat. Therefore, when the perspiration from your feet is retained within your footwear that moisture WILL absorb the heat that your feet are producing! The end result is cold feet. What I have discovered as have many of my boot customers is that the moisture from your feet will migrate through wool or cotton socks when used in mild conditions and then through the Lamilite boot lining and ultimately through the leather. In cold conditions you would wear the Lamilite socks which does retain the heat and does not retain any of the moisture so your feet will be comfortable to about zero degrees. Lower than that the over boots would be necessary.

As for his request for a “sporty” hiking boot, it is in the works. I have been wearing a pair of what I refer to as “chukker” boots; 8 inchs high. If all goes well I am planning to have them available after the first of the year. They will for all intents and purposes be a shorter version of the boot I currently offer.

I heard on the news today that the FDA is “banning as useless possibly dangerous antibacterial soap ingredients. Whether this is true remains to be seen since the soap companies have been given one year to provide proof of the chemicals performance that it does as claimed without affecting the people using the soap.

I think that the FDA should investigate the companies that market materials represented as “waterproof and breathable” as well as the companies that make products such as footwear that incorporate said materials. The reason the FDA should investigate these materials is because they have demonstrated without question to initiate foot health problems and that puts the product in the jurisdiction of the FDA.

The FDA could give them one year as they have the soap companies to prove (the unprovable in my opinion) that they market a product that does what they claim. Of course we already know that people have suffered foot problems as a direct result of wearing boots lined with said materials because moisture is trapped in the footwear, not “possibly” like the FDA says about ingredients in the soaps.

Then there is the truth in advertising rules or laws that have been ignored by these companies. That government agency dealing with truth in advertising should also go to these companies and request proof of their advertised claims.

It is obvious to me and I doubt that I am alone in my observation that OUR government has a very solid case against these companies that could when you think about the fines get OUR government a wind fall of funds.

When you are caught with your hand in the cookie jar you have to pay the piper.