I was thinking of buying a USGI sleep system, but I did not want to deal with the weight and bulk. I just came across this USMC system that has a bivy, bag and stuff sack that is supposed to be comfort-rated to 20 deg F. It seems to pack down a lot better than the USGI, but it is more expensive.
I am 6’-2" and I see they have a “long” version of this system, but I could not find a size chart. Does anybody know the size recommended limits for the normal bag?
yea, you need the long. the short is good to only 5’ 11" 6’0"+ is large
I suggest skipping on this system, I had the previous three piece system that had multiple bags(green black tan and bivy) and was alot better then the new one. I am constantly freezing with this new system because its designed to be worn with long johns and other crap if your not out in the cold climates of lejeune then maybe you will be good with it. in the low 60’s I was comfortable, after that its just junk IMO.
yea, you need the long. the short is good to only 5’ 11" 6’0"+ is large
I suggest skipping on this system, I had the previous three piece system that had multiple bags(green black tan and bivy) and was alot better then the new one. I am constantly freezing with this new system because its designed to be worn with long johns and other crap if your not out in the cold climates of lejeune then maybe you will be good with it. in the low 60’s I was comfortable, after that its just junk IMO.
I’d look else where. I have never used the new issued one. The old three piece is warm but like you said bulky and heavy. Unless you have a good sized pack the old system damn near fills the pack up. Unless you just want a bag on the cheap for just incase scenarios, I’d look for a bag on the civilian market.
KC are the new ones really that shitty? Who makes them?
Honestly, I always shoved the old ones in my water proofing bag and got them down pretty small. but since we have I don’t always watch the weight, I’ll have to check who makes them in a little and i’ll post back.
I watched a youtube review on one and they claimed it was propper.
That is too bad you guys did not like yours. I had high hopes for this system. Glad I asked before I spent money on it.
Do some research before you decide. some people like it, I personally hate it.
just a quick list of pro’s and cons.
Pros~
*inside the bivvy, its literally waterproof, I laid outside ontop of a vehicle in a tropical storm and not a drop of water got in, multiple people woke up in puddles dry also.
*light
*compressed its the size of a football
*has a small pillow built in
*easy to get into and out of quickly due to the zipper design
Cons
*it’s so thin I can feel whatever I am laying on
*i have a hard time keeping warm in lower temps (even though its rated to way colder)
*mine has actually ripped in a couple places just by pulling my cammies out in the morning (I stuff them in the bottom to keep my feet warm)
*it retains odors and even with washing is still there slightly.
to me, the two first cons outweigh the pros, I would prefer the old style. if you want some photos of it i’ll pull it out and take some for you.
I appriciate the offer, but ive seen a few pictures already and dont want to bother you with that. It sounds like the bivy might be worth it if i can get it for a good deal. Then pair the bivy with any sleep bag i like.
Do you think this bivy out-performs the usgi bivy?
honestly I would say yes, I would prefer the new geen bivy over the old style. the new style has the zippers covers on he outside and inside so condensation doesn’t get to it and freeze trapping you in your sleeping system (its happened before haah) also, in the extreme cold it tends to not freeze like the usgi one. I think it may be due to the fiber like stuff woven into the material. I’m not super sure, I just R grunt. :rolleyes:
It is not that warm of a system; it was really fielded because guys at Lejeune were going out Extreme Outfitters and buying Snugpack light weight sleeping systems so the Marine Corps decided to issue one like it to them
Ironically, I am looking into this to replace a snugpack. It is an ionosphere and setting it up sucks. I would rather go with a bivy than deal with that tent anymore. Their bivy’s look nice, but I question the durability of my ionosphere so I am reluctant to buy more snugpack products. I would assume the USMC bivy would me “Marine-proof”. Is that a valid assumption?
Don’t know if this will be off any help - but I rolled with a Wiggy Super Lite with an old mountain bag cover and a liner for extreme cold weather (didn’t see the liner on the page) I used it at Fort McCoy each year for winter training and REFORGER (in the field humping). I was a PFDR so I needed less bulk than the GI bags - usually jumped with a PRC-77 (yes I’m an old fart) in the ruck so I needed the room - additionally all ‘camping out’ was sans shelter - patrol bases with security out and toes touching in a wagon wheel to sleep.
I havent ****ed it up yet so…I would say it’s a valid assumption.