three subjects

USERS OF CLIMASHIELD

A few people who receive my commentary have advised me of two companies in Europe and five companies in the USA that use the Climashield. It was very gratifying to learn this.

The people who own these companies have learned in some cases from me that continuous filament fiber is the unquestioned best synthetic you can use for insulation in sleeping products and clothing if they make clothing.

Most of the companies make what are accessory insulated products used with hammocks. I have chosen not to make these types of products but rather a sleeping bag that is made to be used in hammocks. But there are people who chose not to replace their sleeping bag but use these accessories. If they use down bags they should consider changing to Lamilite insulated bags. That way they will have only continuous filament fiber sleeping system.

What I think is great is that all of these companies use Climashield. Therefore the customer is getting a product that cannot be beat and if someone decided to use a chopped staple product they would fail. At some point in time any company that also chooses to make these products will have no choice but to use Climashield and that will be good.

Now the question I ask will these small companies who choose to use only Climashield possibly influence the companies that get their products made in Asia to start thinking about shipping Climashield to Asia? Probably the answer is no. That will be good for these small companies because they may very well grow and if so that will end the Asian production of poor quality sleeping bags.

I hope all of these companies succeed. They are welcome to use what I have to say about continuous filament fiber Climashield since they use it.

Also, the more exposure that goes to the public about Climashield the better, after all it is the best insulation for sleeping bags and outerwear that exists.

FIRE RETARDANT CHEMICSALS APPLIED TO SLEEPING BAG

I have been called or written too about the use of fire retardant chemicals applied to the materials I use to make my sleeping bags. The answer is an unequivocal no!!! The calls have been at least for two years. This past week a woman called with the question and I told her that it has been going on for a long time. I then said do you belong to a women’s association as a joke. Her response was “how did you know that”. She was serious and had a list of questions about chemicals in general that the association gave her to ask, I told her that my materials do not have any chemicals applied to them because there was no reason and as far as fire retardants are concerned polyester sleeping bags when lying flat as when being used are self-extinguishing.

I told her that I did not know of any company that sold FR treated sleeping bags. I also told her that I called REI who sell bags from almost all companies and they were very matter of fact that they do not sell such bags. She then told me that she has had much conversation with REI, how high up I do not know and was told all of their bags were “sprayed” with FR chemicals. She was adamant about this. “IF” this is true I think it is unfortunate because chemicals are unhealthy to begin with. I enjoy selling my sleeping bags to many of the people who are chemically sensitive since my bags do not have an adverse effect on them. I have to assume that FR chemicals will have a negative effect on people. As for REI I do not know if what I was told directly is true or what this woman was told is true. Without proof too the opposite I am inclined to accept what I was told.

NEW PRODUCT SORT OF

About two weeks ago I received a call from Marc of Alaska Wiggy’s in Anchorage asking about the insulated poncho liner with hood made with a front opening for a nursing home so they could put it over their patients when they had to take them to a doctor that would fit around them easily. So I made the insulated poncho liner with the hood with a front that closes with three snaps. It still has the side snaps and the hood without the draw cord. On Thursday they ordered 25. One never knows when they will be presented with a good idea that works.

I am including it with the other ponchos this week on the web site. The cost will be the same as the original insulated rain poncho liner; $80.00 and will be available in the same colors as shown on the web site. I am going to call it “insulated poncho liner with snaps”, how is that for originality. Or I could call it the “nursing home special”. I think it has lots of uses, like sitting at a football game or in a car with a person who chooses not to use the heater or even in your house or in a hammock. The nice thing about it is the fact that you do not have to pull it over your head. Call if you want to order before it is available to order on the web site. I think it is a great product.