U.S. MIlitary Sleeping Bags - Various Conditions

Not to piss on this system but maybe some word of caution. I used the early model when I was in the military and I own two fairly new sets (one for me, one for my son) for general camping. In my real world experience when used as a set they are not realistically rated to -35F. To achieve that comfort level you really have to incorporate the clothing component as well.

http://www.tennierindustries.com/products/modular-sleep-system-4-part/#toggle-id-2

My son and I tried the MSS in -15 last year while camping and after 1/2 night we bailed on them and whipped out our down Marmot and NF bags. No way they would achieve any level of comfort at -35 without serious ECWS clothing.

We're selling the bags and keeping the Gore-Tex covers and sticking to our down bags for winter. And we camp in some cold ass temps. They are great for car camping, but I wouldn't rely on them in serious cold temps unless you prepare accordingly..

 

I have used a number of sleep systems over the years (Military, Civilian, ETC.). Like any thing that was designed to keep you warm, layering, layering, layering...that means to get the most out of your cloths and sleeping bags, they need to be dry and you need to layer. The bad news with down sleeping bags is they don't perform worth a sh*t if they are wet (From Personal Experience)...The military stuff still provides some warmth when they are damp or slightly wet (From personal experience). The other important fact is you cannot get a high quality down sleeping bag for these prices (https://marmot.com/products/equipment/sleeping-bags/down-sleeping-bags)...

Just a though...I would not try to backpack with the military sleep sets because they are just too heavy..., but as a truck/emergency/tent/Off-Roading camping sleeping bag these are the cats meow...

 

Indeed down is worthless when wet. That's why we're keeping the Gore-Tex bivy's, lol.

I've hiked and camped extensively for over 40 years- You get your down bag wet once and you learn quickly how to make your camp 'dry'. Nothing beats down for warmth and weight. My North Face Inferno with that Gore-Tex cover makes a nice bomb-proof combo.

That being said- my MSS is at best (for me) a +20 bag/system. That's sleeping in skivvies and a t-shirt. And they are durable. Just toss them in the truck and go. I throw them in my truck every fall during hunting season.

 

Wow, sounds like your MSS sleep set might not be "uncompressing" properly (try giving it a nice washing by hand and let it drip dry) giving you the loft its capable of. I have just recently used my Intermediate Bag (The back bag) without the bivy and patrol bag sitting here in a tree stand almost all night (In Northern Virginia - close to the West Virginia Border) at 11 degrees and I had to unzip it, as I was sweating...If you send me your e-mail address I can send you our recommended care and cleaning information, which I have found really helps give you the best performance from the sleep set. They loose loft quickly if they are not kept clean and an occasional fluff dry in a large dryer with no heat for 10 to 15 minutes helps loft the bag. I do the same with my down bag (which is over 40 years old - used for a number of ice climbing and rock climbing trips throughout the Sierra's in the 70's and 80's) and I get great loft out of the bag this way and it ensures you do not damage the chevron baffles in the bag.

 

That's okay- I follow the manufacturers recommendations and was all my bags after a good seasons use. Always have..

I have a Marmot -30 down bag that I bought new 30 years ago. It was a $600 bag back then- still going strong. A few stitches and pieces of sail tape here and there, but still ticking. My son is taking that bag with him when he goes to school in Bozeman MT next fall. He's an avid mountaineering guy..

 

Sounds like the GW natl forest. I used to live in Martinsburg WV.

I bought that Marmot bag and a 4 season North Face tent at the same time at REI in College Park MD.





We do a lot of winter backpacking / snowshoeing here in MT. Also teach cold weather camping for our Scouts. That tent has seen a lot of wind and snow, lol

 

I live 200 yards from the GW forest...I have 20 acres there and a nice house...We hunt in our backyard and do a number orienteering treks from our back yard into the GW forest over night and then back to the house. I have taught my 12 year old to follow a map and a compass and survive off the land for a few days at a time here...He has gotten very good at it...Nice gear...At 59 years old I have no interest sleeping on the ground any more...that is for young men...

 

Ha ha I hear ya! I'm still a glutton for punishment though..

Just bought a pair of level 7 gen 3 pants for ice fishing and cold weather duck hunting. Try laying in a ground blind when it's -36degrees!

 

I don't do - anything...that's what Tacoma's are for and homes with a wood burning stove...

 

@Overkill07

 

Bump to the top...I have a good inventory of sleeping bags, which are great for off-road truck sleeping...and survival if you get stuck somewhere and can't get home or to safety.

 

Its that season again ladies and gentlemen.....

 

It will keep your bananas, the peels and the tree all warm...I have used these down to -18 a number of times and I stay dry and warm...

 

Just let us know...

 

Subb'd for a future purchase.

My FIL gave me one of these a while back, and it was WAY too short. He's 5' 6" and I'm 6'. Would one of yours work for me, or do I need to search for the unicorn XL bag size? I didn't know they came in different sizes; thought they were universal.

 

X2

 

As far as I know....and based on the manufacturers website there are only two (2) sizes. Standard and XL. The XL as you have noted is impossible to find. I have found the specs are not really accurate though. When you are ready to purchase please ensure I know your height and shoulder measurement...I have some standard models that are way out of spec and will fit people that are up to 6'3" - 275 lbs. I will be happy to ensure they fit you...

Bob

 

Awesome, you're the man!

 

Mine just shipped thanks

 

Your very welcome...