- Joined
- Jan 28, 2006
- Messages
- 7,035
Both.
I've used it alone -- usually in warmer months -- by running a tumpline (made from an old rifle sling with a pad for over my shoulder) through it, and attaching the line to my pistol belt to keep it from sliding around.
I will attach it to the frame and bottom of my ALICE pack for cold months, or carry it in a Duluth Pack for canoe (John boat) camping.
Not really. In warmer months, I just use the bedroll itself, no blankets.
The sizes listed seem a bit overblown. Just the bedroll, I tend to get it wrapped to 8" x 14" (I have the long one). Maybe I just roll it tighter than most.
Thoughts?
Cons:
Weight, obviously. But if you're an ultralighter, you need to go stand in front of the mirror and punch yourself in the face for even looking at something made of canvas and leather.
Bulk. It's a bit bulky, but it's not just a tube made from a 7 oz drop cloth. The canvas has to be 15oz, if not 18 oz. Very, very sturdy. It's also got a lot of it, between the pocket for the sleeping pad, pocket for a makeshift pillow, and the top sheet, plus the zippers -- it's not going to be small.
Waterproofing. More importantly, lack thereof. This isn't something that will keep you dry in a downpour. You could wax it to get that effect, but then you'll add another 2 pounds to it, and you'll then be sleeping and sweating in a baggie. The canvas breaths very well.
Pros:
It's a shelter system in itself. I like to take my stuff out when the weather is cold and windy (yeah, I know, what the hell am I doing in Florida). So long as the wind isn't blowing in the open end, it will keep the wind off of you. Last winter I took it out a few times when a front was coming in and we'd get 35+ MPH winds, and temps would drop into the low 30s. I couldn't pile leaves in that kind of wind, so I brought my Thermarest Ridgerest pad. I shoved that in the pocket, put two wool blankets in the main area. I slipped between the blankets (so I had one blanket and the RidgeRest beneath me, and one blanket and the top canvas piece over me. I puit my M65 field coat under the top as a pillow (the jacket is too big for the pillow pocket), and zipped the thing over my head, with my feet pointed into the prevailing wind. I was nice and warm, and the wind didn't make it through. I had no tarp or tent set up.
Water resistant. Although not water proof as stated above, by the virtue of its tight weave, and the natural tendency of canvas fibers to swell when wet, it will keep you dry in misting (and probably snow flurries) rain.
Breathable. Canvas lets water vapor pass, so you don't wake up in a puddle of your own funk.
Roomy. Even being a big guy, I had no problems stretching out. No claustrophobia like in a too small mummy bag.
Where it's at its worst:
Through hiking/backpacking, where making mileage is your goal. Go elsewhere, this isn't what you want.
Where it's OK:
If you want to go "bushcrafting" with a knife, tomahawk, possibles bag, and your bedroll with a blanket and maybe spare clothes rolled up on a tumpline sluing over a shoulder.
Where it's at its best:
Camping.
If you going to go out, either on foot, in a boat or a car, and you want to set up a camp and LIVE in the woods for a few days to a couple of weeks, you can't beat the comfort of this bedroll and a couple of blankets.
I think it's well known that I don't care much for seeing how fast and far I can walk, and getting to a nice spot and camping is much more of what I do, so i don't think it'll surprise anyone that I love this thing.
