Enlightened Equipment Convert Sleeping Bag

[@GruntProof]

Please comment and tell me how right I am

[@genehanna3977]

To be fair I can neither confirm or deny that I may have a buzz but the closed caption in the first 2 seconds says welcome to drunk proof! Sorry this was enough to make me chuckle through the liquor brother! Great video and glad to see you doing good in Germany brother! I love when you visit man.

[@nicolapasquale8115]

If you camp in freezing winter in snowy conditions and you are absolutely sure that it is not going to get wet then, that’s the only case when I would recommend goose down sleeping bags. It’ll keep you warmer, it weights half a synthetic sleeping bag and it packs smaller. However, we are talking about temperatures constantly below (and never above) minus 20° F (-7°C). If there is any chance or rain, mud, sand, or whatever can dump your sleeping bag or make it dirty, synthetic is the better choice. Also, don’t forget that when goose down gets wet, it loses all its insulation properties. Synthetic lofts will keep you warm even if wet. But again, for artic or sub artic expedition only, goose is more convenient.

[@wisenber]

EE does make some good gear. They also make a bit bulkier Climashield quilts that manage damp conditions better. I use a synthetic EE quilt in my hammock 40 degree synthetic down to about 45 F or so. I use a down quilt from 45-15 F. Below 15 F, I use down on the bottom with the same EE synthetic on top. Climashield doesn't care of the frost point is inside. From a Grunt Proof perspective, there's no zipper to fail if you get the less expensive plain quilt version. Climashield is made in Tennessee.

[@GruntProof]

thanks I'll have to try some

[@MsRotorwings]

Plain version quilt with no zipper? I have both the 20 degree down EE quilt and the 40 degree synthetic quilt. If I didn’t zipper up and snap the foot box I wouldn’t be able to keep them on me in bed because the fabric is so slippery. I use them in my van, not on a sleeping pad. Good product, but it’s made to be lightweight so the fabric is fragile.

[@wisenber]

@@MsRotorwings I use mine in a hammock, not a pad. The snaps or ties tend to be plenty.

[@jreese46]

LOL. The youtube CC turned "Grunt Proof" into "drunk proof" in the captions.

[@blurglide]

Got mine almost 10 years ago! They were just getting started, and it was only $220 back then. Incredible value. Great idea for using it as an underquilt!

[@GruntProof]

definitely

[@Meditech509]

You finally caught up. For two years now I have been running an Outdoor Vitals 20 degree bag inside the GI Bivy. Have now been down to 2 degrees and kept dry and warm.

[@GruntProof]

Yea I've been using mine in the bivy as well

[@billb9806]

I am a hammock camper as well! I ordered a custom hammock from the little shop of hammocks in Canada. James made me an entire setup (tarp, hammock, top and bottom quilts) in Multicam. I specifically requested James use Climashield synthetic insulation for its ability to work while wet. My system is legit, and I love to hang in the winter. Problem is nobody to hang with cause everyone I know are pansies.

[@robertkelly3186]

I love the "Made in America" tear you're on. I highly recommend checking out Kifaru. They're made in America and make all sorts of great stuff. Specifically, they make sleeping bags, and upgraded Woobie/Doobie blankets.

[@wisenber]

Kifaru makes good stuff, but they like to charge "Berry compliant" prices. Enlightened Equipment makes their gear in the US without the GSA mark up.

[@robertkelly3186]

@@wisenber Yeaaaa.....No. If you compare the EE sleeping quilt and the Kifaru Doobie, which use the same type of insulation, and have the same temperature rating (20 F) - They are the SAME price (230-235$). The higher prices are on items that EE doesn't have peers for.

[@robertkelly3186]

Here are the cleaning instructions for the Kifaru Doobie btw -Cleaning: machine wash warm or cold with mild detergent. front load machine only. no bleach. Tumble dry warm not to exceed 120°F store unstuffed.

[@wisenber]

@@robertkelly3186 "No. If you compare the EE sleeping quilt and the Kifaru Doobie" You would be comparing two dissimilar items. Plus Kifaru doesn't have a tenp rating for their Doobie. And the Kirfaru still comes out more expensive. The Kifaru backcountry bag is rated at 25F and costs $365. The 20 F EE quilt is $239. Both prices are there for anyone to compare. The same type of insulation does not equal the same type of equipment. I can get a Climashield thong, but I'm not going to replace a top quilt with it or pretend it's the same.

[@WisconsinEric]

@@wisenber Kifaru uses 30d High Tenacity Nylon. EE's nylon seems to be the standard stuff and the heaviest offered in their quilts is 20d. I have a 5+yr old Kifaru Woobie and a 3yr old EE Climashield quilt. Both are great gear, but my Kifaru has far more substantial stitching and it is clear far more time is required sewing the edges of the Kifaru. Again I like them both, and will I order more from each brand in the future.

[@georgeclark7208]

If you really want to hammock camp in cold weather, check out Superior Gear Insulated hammock systems. It will not be grunt proof either, but unless you are a super cold sleeper it will work to its rated temperature. Also made in Merica.

[@GruntProof]

cool thanks

[@ScottyD0578]

They offer a synthetic option. Apex I think. Great down bags though.

[@elric68]

Great review Troop!!! I got mine a couple of years back, the Wife stole it from me…loves the warmth and versatility. Like you said, not Grunt Proof, but with a little attention to detail on handling it’s a great item, especially for its weight to warmth ratio! Keep up the Fire!

[@GruntProof]

thanks! I've used mine for about a year and will continue until it's destroyed.

[@paulzimmerman3895]

Interesting...Thx

[@dp3420]

It’s the down vs moisture issue that’s kept me from buying a down sleeping bag. I’m thinking about it, but I really like my Eberlestock Reveille bag. I haven’t bought in to the ‘every ounce counts’ cult so I don’t mind the weight. Next winter, I may have to give that quilt/sleeping bag a try. I really like the fact that it can close up all the way around when it’s zipped up. A lot of quilts have a slit in the back that only has a few Velcro tabs. Great review, as always.

[@GruntProof]

thanks! I've found that down is horrendous in very humid environments

[@hiramhaji7813]

Great information

[@GruntProof]

thanks!

[@STOKERMATIC]

Good stuff

[@colectiv77]

Nice product. Great review. Honest opinion.

[@GruntProof]

thanks!

[@curmudgeonlydwarf1113]

Mine has apex synthetic insulation. Works great

[@davesskillet9235]

A10 Warthog is the scariest plane flying. Thanks for sharing Bro I'm still using my military sleep system.

[@themothaflippin]

I needed that freedom break, thank you.

[@MsRotorwings]

If you sleep cold consider getting extra down in the foot box. I wish I had purchased the zero degree bag, not the 20 degree bag.

[@billdicioccio3485]

Love the brutal honesty of your input on products 😆👍

[@mikec.8556]

You say made in America which is great but where were the ducks made ???? Ah hah …🤔 lol

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Look at you...trying some actual UL gear. Great video! I think you're discovering that there is some good reasons to look at newer civilian technology. 😉 It'll never be Grunt Proof, but if you can sacrifice some durability in exchange for comfort and functionality it's worth it. I'm new to the Quilt world myself. Picked up one from Hammock Gear last year and it helped shave some weight for my long trip. Still, my pack weighed in at 49lbs for the 8 day trip which I wish was lighter, but it was great for early fall in the Sierras.

[@GruntProof]

I have an UL tent too. Dan Becker would be proud

[@ColemanOutdoors]

@@GruntProof 🤣 Look out, he's going to show-up in your DM's reaching out for a collab!

[@knicksfan46]

EE is the best!! great review!

[@billb5732]

Excellent example of a fine American outdoor gear company that is definitely not Grunt Proof. But they do make excellent stuff. In general, it's best to not get down stuff dirty, because washing it will degrade it, no matter how careful you are. Enlightened Equipment does make excellent synthetic gear as well.

[@memathews]

Good review. Not Grunt Proof, but useful in so many other situations. Your MSS bivy will help keep the bag dry when the weather is wet. My first down bag lasted 30+ years, sometimes it got wet and lost warmth, but it always bounced back. Unfortunately, the nylon eventually frayed apart. My current synthetic bag is not as comfortable and fluffy, and it's heavier, but it's warm and works well in our PNW wet.

[@GruntProof]

good to know, thanks

[@tc1uscg65]

Seeing that "Dri Down" is starting to show up in bags (or being more widely marketed), that's a good thing. I have a couple of jackets with DD (not to be confused with double D's ;-)) and love them in damp to light rain weather. But I still always will take my ECWS bag system when I know it's going to be crappy out. You Army types have the best camping gear. Puddle pirate sends.. ;-)

[@GruntProof]

cool thanks!

[@tmurray12]

Well timed freedom break. Nice review. I like the concept and it would probably work well for me most times of the year here in middle/North Georgia.

[@GruntProof]

I think down is the worst in humidity

[@tmurray12]

@@GruntProof I don't disagree. As a camp blanket in winter, maybe. I liked the under quilt idea quite a bit actually, as it won't actually touch me. Sleeping bag definitely not. No. Should have clarified.

[@old-man463]

very informative

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Those zippers definitely seem like a big problem apart from the whole Down thing, but they're super nice and hellyeah USA made. Cheers bro! 🍻

[@Kampfwageneer]

Glad I went ahead and bought MSS merely off your video, I remember during the height of the pandemic I was buying survival gear and watching KZbin videos and I’ve basically bought a tent and a sleeping bag off of your videos and I knew I was squared away on that aspect so thanks brother and Sic Semper Tyrannis * may I correct myself plandemic and before the comment commandos come in I have hiked mt Washington with it winter camped checks out

[@ikemouser2580]

None of the ultralight stuff is duty grade

[@GruntProof]

I believe not

[@markusschaffer9712]

Great piece of equipment,but the zipper and the down fill could be problems. That zipper wouldn’t last a year with us and down while light and compressible,might end up soaked and useless on a rainy or snowy trip.

[@GruntProof]

I hate all but emergency, military-grade zippers

[@markusschaffer9712]

@@GruntProof if it wasn’t so expensive,I’d replace all sleeping bag zippers with military zippers. Might find an MSS and sell my backpacking bags.

[@AccidentalHiker1]

20° is my 3 season bag. I'm layering a quilt to extend it.

[@Aoiichi]

have you done a video on paracord ? So far i have found only 2 companies that say * made in USA * on their websites . And if i go to a store ... well 90% of almost any store it's gonna say made in china.

[@GruntProof]

have not. Who is American made?

[@asmith7876]

Made in America, awesome. Not soldier proof? To be honest, MOST things aren’t. Lock a soldier in a room with a hammer and an anvil he’ll break the anvil and lose the hammer. At 60 years old my pack keeps shedding weight where possible.

[@benbanham6455]

Drop a deuce. Love it

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

Made in America doesn't mean (never has) that all the parts come from US sources. It simply means assembled in the USA.

[@GruntProof]

true

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@GruntProof it is really sad and I don't even live in the USA! I didn't mean my comment to be overly negative, I really respect what you do and seem to stand for, just to be a sad statement of fact.

[@fiendeng]

Down might not be gruntproof ..but it's Canadian grunt proof. Stay dry. Use a liner. Dryclean twice a year .

[@GruntProof]

there is no staying dry as a grunt 🤣

[@alramlebsi549]

👍👍

[@RangerJay904]

My trick for washing down gear is I just never wash it

[@blarsen8]

Yeah, down sucks.

[@MiddleOutdoorsman]

"Anyone want to buy something, gotta get rid of stuff". I've got so much crap, you just might be amazed. Unless there's more off camera, I might have you beat in the too much crap department.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Can't keep a good grunt...down.

[@GruntProof]

🍻

[@TheTEXMIKE]

another gear sales men.

[@GruntProof]

you should watch my other tests. I fail most products