British Army Sleeping Bag Review - Bombproof For $60?

Can You Really Get A Bombproof Sleeping Bag For $60? Adam reviews the British Army Modular Sleeping Bag.
According to Varusteleka, "The British army just could not make a sleeping bag deal with the Teutonic devil, which is Carinthia. So they did the next best thing and copied the Tropical bag and Defense 4 bag, which is this one, and called it the Modular Sleeping Bag System."
I bought this bag for $60. The build quality is excellent. It arrived 4-5 days after I ordered it and I would consider it to be in "good" but not "very good" condition. IE, "Good enough". I could have easily paid $120 for this military surplus sleeping bag and still would have been happy with my purchase.

[@tnetroP]

As a Brit I'm shocked we actually made somethign useful. Nice to hear though. Great review and I am considering one. Thank you.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

In the EU a "shameless copy" would bring massive fines and a cease production order. This is a licensed copy made in Spain, by a company that makes these for more than a few countries.

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thank you for your comment.

[@mat8111]

Its not a shameless copy it just looks the same, they are different, Carinthia has no affiliation with Fesca (who makes them in spain) they are just both NATO suppliers/contractors, save your money and pay the extra for the Carinthia

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@mat8111 too many other sources say it is licensed to agree with you. That said, I prefer the British version without the waterproof coating of most of the others. In a cold environment they don't seem to condense nearly as bad!

[@mat8111]

@@turtlewolfpack6061 not sure what (other sources) are relevant? As they are not the same, so its not in Any way a re production of the Carinthia, the Uk Mod did not want to pay Carinthia for a issue bag due to costs (some other country`s did) maybe that`s why you have the confusion? different materials used, meant a significant cut in cost

[@russhay422]

@@mat8111 also heavier due to not using a proprietary filling.

[@JonesFitnessOutdoor]

It is a great sleepingbag. Used it in -10C with no issues, and in -25C with a carinthia Tropen. Nice video!

[@flatmoon6359]

The large is huge, I'm 6 foot and large build.When cold my dog gets in as well.Really good bag.Fits well if wearing boots as any military bag should.Pockets inside on both sides for phone or socks.

[@OverlandPNW]

Great product review video! I agree about having the zipper in the middle of the bag is the best set up. Great channel. I'm in to see what you do in 2021. I clicked everything !

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thanks so much!! Greatly appreciated!!

[@tabushcamp]

Really enjoyed this video. Have just been handed one of these amazing sleeping bags from my father in law, ( ex army ). I havnt had the chance to test it out on a wild camp yet and it does take up a bit more space in my rucksa....however.... immediately upon opening it I was stunned with the quality. Great educational video, thanks for sharing.

[@hemw1989]

Super informative video!

[@TAVAAR7]

New sub, good info. Been looking at the Corinthia Defense 4/surplus version or the Recon 4/5

[@soggz4246]

Hi bought a brand new one of these. They are made by a company in Spain called Fesco. I bought it from a outlet called Strikeforce UK. Fantastic bags. They also sell the tropical bag. For the money,you won’t beat these. All the best 👍🏾🇬🇧🏕

[@Sauron191]

Come to the U.K., go to an Army Surplus shop and you'll find the current Artic sleeping bag WITH a good quality compression sack with it for around £35.00-£40 (around $42-$48 ) ... Amazon RIP the USA off with British A Surplus stuff ....... I have the most up to date version of these, absolutely flawless, compression sack is 100% tip top (apart from it's issued users name written on it black marker pen) cost me £32.00 ... BEST £32.00 I have ever spent!!

[@oddsandbods]

Great Review, Recently bought British army Arctic sleeping bag even compressed its huge, had to send back 50 Lt rucksack it was just too small to fit in.

[@eddieallen6401]

Great bags. My brother has one and swears by it. I have the Dutch M90 which is a step up in terms of warmth and of course, bulk and weight. It shares the crash zip and centre zip features with this, as well as the oversized mummy shape. It also has a bespoke liner and bivvy system which poppers onto it, as well as a specific roll mat that slides into straps under the bivvy. The whole combo is, imo, the best winter sleep system out there, if you can live with the bulk.

[@dudedovahkiin3825]

Carinthia bag higher quality materials zip is better the outer material slightly more robust and insulation is of a higher quality but then it cost a lot more. The issue bag is slightly heavier I think my like 50 grams. but not much in it just as warm to me it's just the build quality in corinthia is higher.

[@residentoutdoors2303]

Brilliant video mate, I have 2 of these bags, the British army modular and the dutch army modular which again is an exact copy of the carinthia. Brilliant bits of kit, can't go wrong with the price of these bags. I cant compare it to the US modular as I have no experience with that sleep system but i can imagine they're pretty similar. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 👍

[@hardcorecampinggear]

The US bag is a good bag. It's cut a bit more generously and (in my opinion) has too many draw strings. But it's a solid investment too. I feel like the Brit/Carinthia bags are made better though. Both bags are winners as long as you're okay with the mummy-bag style. I've since switched to a square bag. Thanks for your comment. Be sure to subscribe so that you'll be the first to know when we come out with new content.

[@JamesWilliam70]

This bag has 4 parts to it. In order from inside to out you have the medium weight 3rd bag. 1st is a liner, second a tropical bag with built in mosquito net and the 4th is the goretex bivvy outer

[@hardtailharry6812]

Got a British army artic sleeping bad for the British winters hasn't let me down yet

[@garethdwatkins]

Hi there I have this bag and the lighter version...plus a French army bivvy bag. Great system, affordable and so far I cannot fault it... All items have preformed flawlessly for a year in all sorts of conditions... The gear is in fact made in Spain as has been said by FECSA not Fesca.. "Fabrica Espagñola de Confecciones SA".. just to be precise.. Everyone seems to quote the wrong name ..The French bivvy bag is a great item too, made by the same company..

[@stealthandysteath1069]

Great kit mi friend. I used my mates for a camp. It was - 5 in the morning. But I can tell you I didn't feel it until I got out of it lol. An the pockets. I put my socks in one an phone, the other my top so they we're warm for the morning. I have a basecamp snugpak sleeping bag an your so right about the zips lol. Tc Andy 👍😁🇬🇧

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thanks for your feedback. I really like the bag.

[@stealthandysteath1069]

I've sub ya mate. Tc Andy

[@hardcorecampinggear]

@@stealthandysteath1069 Thanks so much. Greatly appreciated!

[@dudedovahkiin3825]

Compression bag you don't need 1 just get a dry bag compression sacks just add weight your kit and generally not waterproof. Use dry bag squeeze it down roll it up and clip up same effect compression sacks no good, just more weight and more admin.

[@benbryns2839]

brought one .Very good in cold weather Mine come with stuff pack £50 for both. I bought a liner for £15 . Thank you for information about quick opening . It's good to know I also purchased a gortex Bibi bag for £16

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thanks for your comment. You scored an excellent deal!! What country are you in? My gut feeling is that if you're in the EU, you can probably pick this stuff up for half the price we can here in the states.

[@benbryns2839]

@@hardcorecampinggear uk

[@mrbeeoutdoors3213]

@@hardcorecampinggear yup, with it being British forces stuff you can pick up surplus gear that was never assigned. I think I got mine (which was the larger bag), brand new for about £30ish maybe 40? But I guess you guys will have the same stuff in reverse with US gear.

[@kenmorrison1725]

I have this bag and it is amazing, not the lightest thing I have but an excellent bag for the money

[@hardcorecampinggear]

It didn't end up being as warm as I thought it would be-- but for the money, it's an excellent bag and the quality is apparent.

[@mrbeeoutdoors3213]

@@hardcorecampinggear if you have the full sleep system it will be toasty. Just the bag itself was plenty toasty for me on a few occasions when I combined it with thermal sleepwear/base layers... in fact one night was sub zero, snowing, ice forming etc and I had to take off my socks and thermal trousers and hat as I got too damn hot in it.. *(teach granny to suck eggs)* you have to make sure it's stored loosely to stop the down losing its loft...

[@dudedovahkiin3825]

The corinthia d4 does not have pockets well my one has not. the pockets British army bag are for drying socks 🧦 no joke, well that's what I use them for.

[@peesua]

The pouches were designed for soldiers to dry their socks in.

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thanks for that. Be sure to subscribe so that you'll be the first to know when we come out with new content.

[@TheWtfnonamez]

.... dry their "pornos" (dont judge me. I heard that from a soldier)

[@atleandersen1924]

Carinthia and especially their defence products are produced under contract in a number of European countries. The British and Dutch sleeping bags are produced in Spain by Fesca. If I am not mistaken, Fesca is also a Carinthia contractor. The major difference is the G-loft hollow fibers, that are exclusively used in the Carinthia bags. Rumour has is, that the British and Dutch variants are very slightly inferior in regards to isolation, and drying time.

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thanks for your comment. Do you have the Carinthia bag? Pretty happy with it? Is it worth the extra investment in your opinion? Don't forget to subscribe so you'll be the first to know when we come out with more reviews.

[@atleandersen1924]

@@hardcorecampinggear I have recently purchased a couple of Austrian surplus Carinthia bags. They appear to be "defence 4" in every detail, but are not specifically labelled as such. The european surplus stores generally offer very little information about this specific model. I suspect that it is because they are also Carinthia retailers, and do not want to make it too obvious, that they are offering a low cost alternative to a new "Defence 4" The Australian surplus version is selling at 45-65$ depending on condition.

[@hardcorecampinggear]

@@atleandersen1924 Thanks for your comment. What country are you in?

[@atleandersen1924]

@@hardcorecampinggear I'm in Denmark, but I do most of my surplus shopping in Poland. armyworld.pl is definitely worth checking out. Thanks for your great content btw. Much appreciated :-)

[@TAVAAR7]

@@atleandersen1924 you mentioned both an Austrian and an Australian version, do either appear to have the "g-loft" insulation like commercial Corinthia bags (also checking to make sure its not a typo and both were meant to be the same country)? Thanks for the info on surplus sourcing, Ill have to check it out.

[@samshep70]

Defence 4 in Marino thermals is only comfortable at +5c. It is nowhere close to its stated -8.8. I think you would have to wear full winter clothes for -8.8. This is using a sleep pad with an R value of 5.7.

[@Leima1]

I bought my original compression sack from varusteleka and it is like new.

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Same here. The sleeping bags themselves arrived brand new with the desiccant still inside! I really won the lottery this time.

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

7:35 Just to correct you the UK government has outsourced their production to the Spanish FECSA firm who make the bag, and they are a potential enemy already, being that they claim Gibraltar from us and are being more and more militant about it, and as for the bag itself it is not a patch on the Carinthia.

[@mat8111]

have to agree, not sure why people think they are the same just because they look the same, im not putting the guys video down at all, but its cheap for a very good reason and to me a bag that degrades after every wash and is deemed useless after 20 washes is quite frankly insulting, ive quite extensively used the older Arctic bag and its a much better option over this, the build quality and can be washed without worrying about it loosing its Loft, but ive got a Carinthia that ive used everywhere/weather and its night and day over this this bag

[@williherberich5483]

Hello, how good are the used Grad1 sleeping bags? Thanks

[@hardcorecampinggear]

I think that's what mine was. It's a good bag as long as you're okay sleeping in a tight mummy bag. I've since switched to square bags. Really like the Kodiak Canvas Z Top, but now that we're in North-Central Florida I've got a couple of Kelty 30 degree bags.

[@jimmymc10021]

Is this the standard UK Military sleeping bag or the Arctic version?

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Thanks for your comment. This is the standard one. Don't forget to subscribe so you'll be the first to know when we come out with new content.

[@viahney7200]

Close to 300 dollars?!! Check the online carinthia store it cost 210 dollars with delivery, and it use to be cheaper with retailers

[@hardcorecampinggear]

Prices go up and down depending on inventory and covid, etc... But the Brit copy is close enough... and only costs $60.

[@leonperry123]

$210 is still expensive compared to this bag. Stop splitting hairs

[@viahney7200]

If saving 90$ on 300 is splitting hairs I'd like to have your hairs 🤣 Carinthia is expensive yes, as Kuiu, Eberlestock and others in this category, it is basically not made for hikers and bushkrafters. One thing to consider is the longevity of their product, there are also plenty of manufacturers with much more expensive products that don't last the half time of those from these brands.

[@mat8111]

sorry but they are NOT the same despite looking the same, also these only wash 20 times and degrade with every wash, so unless new your not going to know how many washes it has had and if it is actually worth using

[@crazyhorse471]

The quick zip is so us brit soldiers can get out quickly under fire.

[@RichardDePas]

Has anyone used the liner in these sleeping bags? Is it worth getting the liner? Is it awkward moving inside the bag with a liner?

[@tinsoldier671]

The liner is only used to keep your bag clean in a military context ie maybe grabbing a few hours in a high risk environment where it’s best to leave boots on or dirty kit (not the best practice). I assume the layer would add a few degrees to the minus temp just like the Bivi bag. So not really worth it if using it for camping and can sleep minus dirty kit/boots. If you refer to the summer sleeping bag that you put inside the standard bag (winter bag) in the video then it’s a must for colder temperatures. The liner in military terms is the the thing you use to keep bag clean not the summer bag that you can insert to increase warmth rating. The liner also reduces the laundry charges as you just wash the liner and not the whole system. Hope this helps.

[@tinsoldier671]

Just a thought, the liner can be fixed but still gets tangled if wearing boots. If you refer to the liner as the summer bag, then this is seamless and moves around ok and not too awkward.

[@RichardDePas]

@@tinsoldier671 thanks for the input. I did purchase the British Defense 4 and the Tropen bag but not the liner. I'll use the two together for really cold nights but I think the Defense 4 will be great for general camping.

[@soggz4246]

The firm that made these bags are a firm called Fesca. They are based in Spain. In the UK,we can get these bags brand new for around £40.00. The zipper is called a ‘Crash’ zip,as you crash out of it in a hurry.🇬🇧 The compression sacks for these are £10.00. Regards.

[@Legionnaire7777]

Yes, use the liner it keeps you sleeping bag cleaner and can be washed regularly so everything is kept fresh.

[@A.J.P.S.]

After 20 washes the sleeping bag should not be used??? Why?

[@nibcrib]

Because the insulation will be destroyed after that many washes, the fibers break and lose their insulation ability

[@A.J.P.S.]

@@nibcrib Thank you

[@mat8111]

because unlike the Carinthia, the bags are made of cheap materials, i think its quite disgraceful a military bag, that breaks down the insulation every wash and is deemed useless/throw away after 20 washes, Uk Mod at its finest, cheap knock off gear