A quick review of the USGI Sleeping bag

[Mal]

I hadn't shopped for a sleeping bag in years so I didn't know what a bivy bag was or that bags were temperature rated. I just knew that I needed one.

After searching locally and on online I finally decided on the USGI system. The system comes with a base black bag which is rated for 30+ degrees. If the tempatures turn cooler then you can slide the black bag inside the second bag which I believe is rated for below freezing. If it starts to rain add the final outer camo bag which I believe is gotex and you are snug and dry.

Some quick obervations; the zippers and the zipper tracks are solid with access both inside and out for all three bags. The bags attach together with snap buttons on both the bottom and top. The system comes with a storage bag with tension straps around the bag to pull it in tight. The sleeping bag itself is a mummy style with a draw string for both the black and green bags while the outer camo bag goes over the head. The feet area has added insulation to keep your feet warm.

I have not field tested these bags yet but I did try it last night and it was comfortable - so comfortable that I dozed off for about an hour. My children seem to like them which is a plus considering I bought one for each of them. The bags shallow then now but it is my hope that the bags will last long enough for them to use into adulthood.

[Indiana]

I have two of these systems, and although not cheap they work. I slept outside on the deck last year during a snow storm (to my wifes dissapproval lol) in 20 degree tempatures. The most important thing in getting the best results with this bag is to wear the right clothing. I wore poly pro long underwear, heavy socks, and a hat, worked like a charm !

[Mal]

Good point, thanks Indiana.

[TANSTAF1]

I just got one and have not tried it yet. My wife does not like the camo look of the Gore-tex bivvy sack.

Does anyone know if you can die Goretex, or does it:

1) not take the color,
2) harm the waterproofing characteristics. or
3) harm the breath-ability characteristics?

[Macumazahn]

I really doubt you can dye Gortex.

[TANSTAF1]

Well the camo colors got into/on it somehow. It's not woven with threads of different color. I wonder what coloring process was used. It's not paint or stain.

[cheftothestars]

She wants a pink USGI ? lol

[m954]

used this system in alaska.. ft.richardson. it gets to -20 on occasion around ft.rich , however in ft.wainright where it gets much colder they use the same and i have never heard anyone complain.. im not saying it is warm at -20 but it is managable. the trick for us was to strip down.. wrap our feet with thermal gear and place our boots into the sleeping bag along w/tommorows bdu's.. at that temperature we did not wear the next days bdus as the perspiration from our body;s would make them damp. damp clothes and alaska are terrible combonations. like i said in cold weather..
strip down
wrap your feet
put tommorows clothes in the bag w/you.

get dressed before you get out..

insulate the sleep system from the ground using pine boughs , leaves... etc.

[TANSTAF1]

No she likes black! LOL. (That is one of the colors and would at least subdue the rest.)

I guess I can experiment as to whether the dyer would take on a piece. I just don't want to destroy the waterproofing or breathability.

[urban]

Originally Posted by TANSTAF1

No she likes black! LOL. (That is one of the colors and would at least subdue the rest.)

I guess I can experiment as to whether the dyer would take on a piece. I just don't want to destroy the waterproofing or breathability.

They have them in Jasper. Maybe she likes ACU?

http://www.armysurplusworld.com/prod...roductID=45030

[TANSTAF1]

I admit she might like me to have the digital better than the woodland camo, but I already have the woodland camo. Actually I have two bivvys, but only one set of bags and a sack.

I got the complete 4 piece set for $120 off eBay. It is used but unused as it was said to be for an ROTC department that never used them. It seems unused.

I am hoping someone will know if I can safe dye it, but if not I will experiment on one of them to see if I can subdue the camo pattern.

[mikeblaw]

Originally Posted by m954

used this system in alaska.. ft.richardson. it gets to -20 on occasion around ft.rich , however in ft.wainright where it gets much colder they use the same and i have never heard anyone complain.. im not saying it is warm at -20 but it is managable. the trick for us was to strip down.. wrap our feet with thermal gear and place our boots into the sleeping bag along w/tommorows bdu's.. at that temperature we did not wear the next days bdus as the perspiration from our body;s would make them damp. damp clothes and alaska are terrible combonations. like i said in cold weather..
strip down
wrap your feet
put tommorows clothes in the bag w/you.

get dressed before you get out..

insulate the sleep system from the ground using pine boughs , leaves... etc.

When it is that cold it is VERY important to keep your boots from freezing. Place them in your stuff sack inside your bag. (Frozen boots are a fork in the toaster experience -- you only do that once!)

[EdD270]

Originally Posted by TANSTAF1

Well the camo colors got into/on it somehow. It's not woven with threads of different color. I wonder what coloring process was used. It's not paint or stain.

Actually the gore-tex is not camo. The gore-tex is a membrane layer between two layers of fabric. While the gore-tex will nnot take dye, the fabric might. IIRC most military fabric is made to take dye pretty well.

[TANSTAF1]

EdD: Thanks. It did not seem to be in layers, but I did not look closely. Now my only concern is whether the dye would harm the Goretex breathability, but I think not as dye is probably microscopic.

Anyway, I do not see how one can change into the next days clothes while still inside the sleeping bag but I guess if it's cold enough one can be motivated to do anything.

[invalid-IP]

I have been using one for several years camping and hunting. I have never gotten cold, even in a tent in the snow. granted it wasnt -20 but it was cold enough with bouts of sleet and fog and wind at times. My only con is the bulk it takes in a pack. but how ya gonna condense that much warmth? If the forecast is warmer I will leav 1 or 2 of the bags home and just take the black or olive

[hobomatic]

I use these exclusively. They pack HUGE, and are heavy as ****, but there is no room for compromise in a sleep system. The bivy is bulletproof, and would last 5 years if you slept in it on concrete every night. The only piece of standard TA-50 that I use by choice :P

[Dad]

Good discussion!

I've used the Canadian 3 layer down sleeping bag system for about 20years now and only recently switched to the US 3 layer system. It's not too heavy...depending upon what level of inconvenience you're willing to put up with to stay warm.

I've found this system doesn't keep me warm in the deep cold of the boreal forest in winter. Not by itself, but if I use it on a raised pole & bough bed to keep off the snow or ground and use 2 black bags (instead of the black & green bags) it helps a bit more.

This change to the system might pose a problem for larger folks, but for me (5/7" and 175lbs) it works just fine!

HTH!

Kurt.

[hedley]

Originally Posted by hobomatic

I use these exclusively. They pack HUGE, and are heavy as ****, but there is no room for compromise in a sleep system. The bivy is bulletproof, and would last 5 years if you slept in it on concrete every night. The only piece of standard TA-50 that I use by choice :P

How much do they weigh?. As much as a tent?

[urban]

Originally Posted by hedley

How much do they weigh?. As much as a tent?

Yes they weigh as much as a tent but i've slept the night on the top of an Afghanistan mountain in the winter time in one and i can tell you its worth the weight.