why you want an insulated rain jacket

AN INSULATED RAIN COAT

I was walking Cookie around the farm Saturday while it was just drizzling. The ambient air temperature was between 70 and 80 degrees. I was not weasring a shirt. As the rain water hit my skin surface it was cold. Not cold enough to bother me because of how light the drizzle was. Had it been a heavier rain fall it probably would have. Keep in mind that I live at 4600 feet so being higher up in the mountains the air temperature would have been lower so the necessity of some insulation would have been necessary.

This started me thinking about all of the companies that market unlined garments made with the fake, bogus waterproof breathable fabrics and why I believe people wearing them during heavier rain conditions than I was experiencing and why they get cold.

If the person is wearing just a light shirt which I suspect is knitted so it tends to be form fitting they will most certainly get cold. The rain garment may very well be pressed against you.Your perspiration will initially be stifled by the shirt from getting away from your skin. It does condense very quickly and now you will experience a chill. This will happen even if you are wearing an unlined jacket made from nylon that has not been laminated to a film.

The way to solve the problem best is to wear a fishnet first layer and a second layer that is a woven shirt or my second layer mesh garment. the reason I suggest the woven fabric garment is because it will not cling to you like a knitted garment. I also do not believe any fleece garment is any good. The fleece is knitted and will cling and also it is a significant barrier that will definitely not let the moisture get away from your skin surface. You may also experience what the outdoor industry termed “wetting out”. It is true that all of the companies that provide the fake, bogus waterproof breathable materials also apply to the surface of the material a durable water repellent treatment (dwr). This dwr treatment breaks down very quickly because it is not very durable and when it does the rain water seeps into the fabric and that is termed “wetting out”. With all of the negatives surrounding the fabrics termed “waterproof and breathable” I continue to wonder why people waste their money on these garments.

When I started making the Ducksback zippered jacket I did not realize that it is the most efficient rain garment available. Aside from the fact that the Ducksback material is extremely water resistant the insulation layer that is in the garment will allow perspiration to stay as a vapor until it moves through the insulation as is normal with Lamilite. In this manner the moisture does not condense on your skin surface providing you with a chill. I have received a number of testimonials referencing this occurring to several customers. I have published these responses in the past.

Anyone hiking in a mountainous area can attest to the fact that they do get cold when they encounter rain even if the ambient air temperature is 70 degrees or so.

One more time I can say that the Lamilite has exhibited performance that cannot be duplicated by ANY other material referred to as insulation.

ONE INCREDIBLE TESTIMONIAL

What you are about to read is something I would or could never think of doing except in an emergency given a no choice situation. Brent is a tough man. He titled his email to me “Impromptu Summer Bootie test”. Needless to say I was very pleased to read about the results of his test.

Hi Mr. Wigutow,

Recently I bought two pairs of the summer booties. I walk around in socks when I’m in the house and they haven’t got much use yet. It seems like Wiggy’s products last forever, so I thought I’d find out how durable the non-skid bottoms really were. I thought if I wrecked one pair I would still have one good pair remaining.

I walked a little over 1.5 miles on an asphalt and gravel road wearing the booties, no socks or other shoes. Needless to report, the gravel wasn’t all that great an experience. As the booties weren’t molded to my feet, I’m sure that part of the time I was walking on the soft sides. When I got home I washed them off and examined the booties carefully. They are immaculate. There isn’t a cut, spot, loose stitch, or frayed area anywhere. They look the same as they were when I first took the pair out of the bag.

I’m not going to be using them on any more roads, but this was so amazing to me that I wanted to let you know. Thank You. Wiggy’s is a remarkable company with an inspiring owner.

Brent Evans

FOLLOWUP TO SLEEPING BAG SOLICITATION

Some of the bidders have questions that were sent to the office that published the solicitation and as such the solicitation will be extended for 30 days I am told.

As for my system the bivi bag will be manufactured with the same fire retardant treated multicam material I already use in the manufacture of the vacuum packed survival kits for the U.S. Air Force. I believe the price for this bivi bag will be posted on the web site at $150.00 each.