military sleeping bags?

L

lreed

Joined
Dec 7, 2001
Messages
538
I am planning to buy a sleeping bag for camping. Does anyone have experience with US military sleeping bags? Any comments?
And, can someone suggest me some sleeping bags withing $60, I live in north carolina, thanks!
 
I bought a used GI bag about 15 years ago, and it's still in use today. I've packed that thing all over the place. The only drawback is they're heavy, about 10lbs. Mine is the lighter weight mountain bag. I bout it for about $20, and spent an extra $10 on a heavy duty cover that the bag slips into. That way, you only have to wash the cover, plus it adds a little warmth.
 
i slept in one for a while, good for the cold ( had one of the heavier duty ones) but very heavy in the pack, i would still be using it today but i decided to get a nice thinsulate bag that works wonders. for the money i would say yes, but be sure you can actually see them before you buy them sometimes the can be torn up/ nasty etc. since they are surplus.

billyp
 
I would look into getting a snugpak bag. They are more than 60.00 but worth it. They compress into the size of a football and would be ideal for N. Carolina because they have a great comfort range down to 5 degrees centigrade.
 
I have a US GI issue Intermediate sleeping bag. Picked it up used for $40. I am leaving to go camping in 1 hour, i will let you know how it is when i return. I did try it out in the summer and it is warm, its also heavy though.
 
The military bags are too heavy. I used them in the Corps alot but I was lucky to have a Sgt Maj. that let us use high quality commercial equipment at tiems. I've got a Slumberjack that I can't seem to kill. Go commercial. SPend a little more and you'll get alot more.

I use the issue stuff for camping.
 
I've slept in my Ajungilak Kompakt in a number of climates and conditions. The primary reason for getting it was that I was told it was the longest (215cm) light-weightest / compactest bag within my budget. I'm 6ft5" so I needed the longest one I could find.

I'd certainly suggest a comercial bag. Military bags may be cheaper, but when I'm out in the "wilds", I want to be in bright orange so I can be located by helicopters etc. If you need a tough abuse-resistant bug, get a cover (I've just checked mine; it's a Grevling 2000, and a liner. I got a pretty good deal by getting all three items at the same time.

When I wake up snug and warm in my bag and my mates are cold in their l'cheapo bags, I think that it was a great value investment.
Another thing is a groundmat such as a thermarest. I've a 3/4 length version to save on weight and bulk.

Al
 
Definitely go commercial. The intermediate bag works, and it's comfortable. It's also heavy, bulky, and the zippers break constantly on them.
A Polarguard insulated bag like my TNF Cat's Meow 3D will keep you just as warm at half the weight, and less than half the size (packed). Alot of down bags are smaller and lighter still.
They're going to cost more, but a good sleeping bag is money well spent.

Like Al said, get a good pad. I've got a 3/4 length Thermarest, too. It packs up small, and works pretty good, but needs a more textured surface, cause it's too slippery.
 
how cold are you getting? my dad gave me a sleeping bag and its from the cdn military, its rated to -88 i dont know what scale, im supposing its farenheit, its really big and heavy, but its never too warm, and when i first got it, it had a really strong musty smell and i had to was it,,,,,, i think 5 times
 
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