Military gortex bivy bags

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Apr 14, 2008
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Found a guy on craigs list selling a new military bivy bag. Called him and he actually had two, one slightly used. I bought them both for 80.00. Thought my son could use one. Does anyone here use them? Pros and cons. Tricks of the trade? I tried to price some biby bags and they seemed pricey. Might be great in a hammock. I did have a body bag that I picked up at a military surplus that I was going to try out with a sleeping bag. Might get too wet inside.
 
Great deal ,I saw a nice used canadian model go for 150$ but the seller was a crook.
great bag though. The only thing is they make me feel like a bear burrito.
 
If these are gore-tex bivies, you got a great deal. I've mainly used these in the desert and what little rain we got it kept it out.
 
Is this the three piece sleep system? If it is, I have a couple and have used it in 6 degree(F) temps and been just fine :) Yes they are a bit heavier than most bags but with the Gore Tex bivy you really don't need to bring a tent too so it all evens out for me :) Only waaah I have ever had with mine was during that 6 degree night, I had some condensation freeze up inside the bivy hood and when I would roll in my sleep it would touch my face. I figured if I was going out that cold again I would add a small branch to sort of dome the hood area so I wouldn't contact it again.
 
Bill Siegle said:
Is this the three piece sleep system? If it is, I have a couple and have used it in 6 degree(F) temps and been just fine :) Yes they are a bit heavier than most bags but with the Gore Tex bivy you really don't need to bring a tent too so it all evens out for me :) Only waaah I have ever had with mine was during that 6 degree night, I had some condensation freeze up inside the bivy hood and when I would roll in my sleep it would touch my face. I figured if I was going out that cold again I would add a small branch to sort of dome the hood area so I wouldn't contact it again.
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I believe it is part of the 3 piece system, Only the bivy bag was available so I can use it with one of my own sleeping bags. I suppose one could carry a small flexible tent pole or flexible willow stick and hoop it inside the hood to keep it off the face, maybe even leave it open and throw some mosquito netting over it in warmer weather. It does seem rather heavy but durable.
 
I got my shell off fleabay for 40$. I really enjoy it for 3 season use.
If you can avoid it don't pass gas in it ;).
I have been meaning to mod it with a 1/8" fiberglass hoop and peg loops on the outside.
 
I got mine in 98 ( from the supply warehouse for 10th Marine Regiment) and I still use it and have no complaints. The hood used to make me closterphobic until I started putting a stick in it just like has been suggested. I woke up with 3 inches of snow on me one morning and didn't even know it had been snowing.

They do require some maintenance though, when I was still on active duty we would take them and spray with a water hose, let dry and waterproof with the spray can stuff you use on tents about twice a year.

For the money, I haven't been able to find a better sleeping system although the stuff sack is kind of annoying.

David
 
Yep, I use the MSS.
I use the bivy alone when temps are 70 and above. One of my favorite bits of gear.

$80 for two of them is a great deal, provided they aren't torn. I paid $60 for one (and it's been worth every cent).
 
ArmyGear.net has the Gore-Tex bivvy shells on sale for $34.95.

http://www.armygear.net/ag/store/00217.html

I ordered one and it arrived last week. Mine doesn't look like it was every used. Yes, it is heavier and packs bigger than my REI minimalist bivvy, but it was half the price +, and it is 3-layer Gore-Tex. I have a 2-layer Gore-Tex double bivvy (OR Advanced model), and that thing is awesome. I can imagine the 3-layer single will be as awesome, and more durable.
 
Team that up with a poncho tarp overhead and you have a nice system. The tarp will allow you to get in and out of the bivy in the rain and you can sleep with it open if you like.

Some bivies have a loop near the head that you can tie a line to and run that to a stick or branch to hold it away from your face.

Check out "technical" washes and treatments to keep the waterproofing on the Gore Tex in good condition --- the "DWR" is what makes Gore Tex work. If the water isn't beading up, it needs to be treated.
 
I have this complete set, I dont care how cold it is outside, this bad boy keeps me warm. I love this set up, it is a tad bit heavy, but it is built like a tank, can reduce it for warm weather, and I never freeze my arse off no matter what.
One of my favorite piece's of gear.:thumbup:
 
I've used mine in the desert, jungle, mountains, and winter mountain environment -- it always took care of me.
 
On the E by the bay they have damaged surplus bivys (small holes/tears, broken zippers, etc.) that you can you get real cheap. I bought 6 for $30 that I plan to use to patch my good one and I'm going to use 2 to make a camping mat/bed for my dog.
 
All i've ever used when in the woods is a bivie/tarp for cover then my sleeping bag in a bivy bag. I do sleep on a roll mat though. I found out that just relying on a bivy bag to keep you dry is a mistake. If the rain doesn't soak your bag then the condensation, that will form on it over night, will soak it.

Sure I have to carry a little more weight but i'm dry and have the capabilities to deal with a few situations rather than plan for only one and struggle if things change.
 
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