Military Extreme Cold Weather Gear: ECWCS happy suit, cold weather sleeping bag, poncho liner

[@gud2go50]

I retired from the Marine Corps in 2002. While I was a Marine in the early 90s, I was in a unit called S.O.T.G.(Camp Lejuene) and we were testing the ECWAC system for the Marine Corps. I made 4 trips to Greenland as well as Wisconsin and Norway and several other cold places on the planet. I am so happy the Marine Corps invested in awesome cold-weather gear. Back then we had the Gortex Jacket and pants, Poly Pro, the Buffalo coat, and the Micky mouse boots that were issued to the Marines we trained. As instructors, we were lucky to be testing Merrell boots and Gortex Gators. It all worked well. Thank you for showing the latest iteration of the cold weather gear the Marine Corps is using now. Good stuff! Semper Fi to you and your son.

[@walkerone9833]

At 7:50 I could never sleep in that narrow mummy bag. Side sleepers beware. Old school mss is heavier for sure but has the room I like. Another great vid fellas!!!

[@robertsbushcraft]

Good to hear from you W!

[@marcdavis4509]

A sleeping pad is an essential part of a winter sleep system. Could you tell us more about that?

[@cagneybillingsley2165]

too much space. just bring some contractor bags and make browse beds from it

[@xusmico187]

Use closed cell foam those inflating pad are like the old rubber bitchs always leak

[@ulbushcrafting6592]

Awesome job , very detailed. Thanks for taking the time to explain it all.

[@robertsbushcraft]

Hey thanks for watching it, @ulbushcrafting6592!

[@PreparedAirman]

Great video! Nice to see all layers put into a perspective.

[@robertsbushcraft]

It's coyote brown heaven :D Watching your last vid I have to admit that I normally don't carry flex cuffs, but that's something that'll get fixed pretty quick.

[@joeyjones9041]

Spring is almost upon us, the weather has been getting better and better.

[@robertsbushcraft]

Amen to that, Joey!

[@robertsbushcraft]

This past weekend here in eastern NC was COLD. Snow, rain, ice, sunshine, all in one day.

[@joeyjones9041]

@@robertsbushcraft lol same here in east Tennessee, 70 degrees Friday, then 15 degrees Saturday with almost a foot of snow. Now it's back to 70 degrees

[@warlike3934]

Becaause of the silks moisture wicking its better off as the base layer with a tshirt and shorts or your uniform pants on top of any layers that way we could just pop out and go to work at any time

[@freedomdove]

Good video, guys. You two make a great team. 👍

[@robertsbushcraft]

Hey thanks, freedom dove! We happen to agree :D

[@Rustyshackleford85]

One of the coolest gear videos.

[@robertsbushcraft]

You know, we agree 100%!

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

The only issue with USMC surplus is that once it gets north of the 49th it is almost always bagged out.

[@odgreenoutdoors20]

Love military gear , haven’t bought the improved bivy like y’all got yet because it looks so narrow, I have lost 50 pounds so I might go down to the surplus store and see how I fit in one ….I still love my woodland camo one though, in the spring fall and summer I use a wise owl hammock net and string it up and put my bag in it to keep the bugs at bay, you can also just use a trekking pole and string it from it to the ground and works really well , I like that happy suit also y’all got also ……how’s the cabin coming along ?

[@robertsbushcraft]

Now that wrestling season is over (lost out in second round at states), we can get back to a little more normal build schedule. We're almost finished with the mesh and should start chinking soon.

[@artp1735]

Thank you for the tips/info.

[@robertsbushcraft]

You're certainly welcome, Art!

[@ericwitt4586]

Hey buddy I’m told the black bag goes into the green or patrol bag I don’t I like the intermediate over the patrol bag I don’t think it makes a difference I know the green bag is a little larger I’m told but damn all together it is a warm ass bag set in my opinion lol

[@robertsbushcraft]

That is true for the older MMSS. This is the newer improved system specifically issued to the USMC. This set is designed so that the lighter coyote color bag goes inside of the heavier black bag. I greatly prefer this system over the older one. I never liked the green bag going on the outside of the MMSS black bag. It's like wearing your sweater over your coat.

[@Canadian_Craftsman]

Excellent pointers as always guys love the gear my usmc bivy is amongst my favorite for summer but man the woodland is AWESOME in winter extra room!!😁✌️💚

[@robertsbushcraft]

The woodland bivy will always have a place, but, that IBC is where it's at 😀

[@brnrecluse2946]

Great content guys! I love military surplus.

[@robertsbushcraft]

Military surplus is in our DNA :D

[@konradk5306]

Love your videos guys ! Brilliant gear btw.

[@robertsbushcraft]

Hey thanks, Konrad! 👍

[@ryaniam22]

Pretty cool system. But it'd be a lot easier to get a down bag that's lighter, probably warmer, but might not be as flexible of a system. Really good review guys. Thanks

[@robertsbushcraft]

You hit the nail on the head with the flexibility aspect, ryaniam22. We really like this system!

[@knicksfan46]

great stuff!

[@robertsbushcraft]

Hey thanks, KNICKS FAN!

[@goatman3828]

What are the boots you have on? Look like they should feel like slippers. Also, USMC has booties that go with the sleep system. Down if I remember. Super pricey too!

[@adamb7426]

Great explanation 👍

[@robertsbushcraft]

Hey thanks, Adam!

[@JakeJakerson2]

What about just the black mummy bag and bivy cover? I was not able to aquire the 3 season sleeping bag yet. I also have the tan stuff sack and hope those 2 items fit in that one 😅

[@robertsbushcraft]

The black bag with layers 2 (FROG silkweight underwear, socks and fleece cap) and layers 3 (FROG midweight underwear (grid fleece or waffle top/bottom) and glove liners will get down into the mid teens 15F.

[@JakeJakerson2]

@robertsbushcraft Awesome, thank you! Cause of you, I got the TCOP to tie it all together. I'm just waiting for rain to test the seam grip.

[@Rustyshackleford85]

Does the patrol bag have female buttons on the top side. I'm wondering if I could use two intermediate cold bags. But they don't have female buttons on the top side. Your info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@robertsbushcraft]

There aren't any buttons on this system except the plastic ones that close the storm collar. I see no reason why you couldn't use two patrol bags.

[@pmbjngls]

Need to keep the intro music rolling. Gives it that "Almost Heroes" vibe. BTW, you guys get this at an army surplus or something?

[@robertsbushcraft]

Right on, Cade! Some of it we purchased local and some on Ebay. All bags were purchased local. The 3S bag, ECW bag, and IBC (improved bivy cover) were picked up local for 20 each. They all had a little damage but certainly not beyond repair. Happy suit and gloves and other layers were a mix of local and Ebay.

[@marcdavis4509]

Which sleeping pad do you use?

[@robertsbushcraft]

We use the self-inflating military Therm-a-rest model: ebay.us/xClYx9 We're not 100% certain of the r-value, some sources say 3.4 and some say 4.8. So far they've fit the bill for us.

[@Thee-_-Outlier]

Good video I was/am thinking of buying this system. I found the icw and ecw together for a great price and would just need the bivvy. Thanks for the detailed look. Originally I was gonna go ol reliable mmss but recently I've been more convinced to get the USMC version. Originally it was the bug netting, but now I'm convinced it's just a better overall system. Could you clarify something perhaps tho. You and others call it the three season system yet the combo icw and ecw bags plus a bivvy I see claim way colder. The icw is 10+ the ecw is -20. So what is the 3 season? Is it the bivvy and the icw? Or something else entirely. I don't have the nsn numbers off hand of the 2pcs as they have not arrived yet. My goal is to get a few ecwcs levels under a flight suit for motorcycle riding in winter and this bivvy and sleep system as the accompanying winter camping set up.

[@robertsbushcraft]

You're welcome, Daniel! We've got both systems and we prefer the newer USMC system over the older MMSS. The real difference? The bivy. Here's a look at in the ECW waterproof bag: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHfGh5mPqdOFrac

[@Thee-_-Outlier]

@@robertsbushcraft wow, thanks man!!!! Perfect. I've watched allot of content you guys get to the brass tacks. I appreciate it

[@concretecowboy8174]

👍and a comment

[@robertsbushcraft]

Right on, Concrete Cowboy!

[@xusmico187]

As a Marine, I can tell you you only have to say United States Marine Corps ONCE....

[@robertsbushcraft]

Semper Fi!

[@robertburgess749]

This channel not only provides applicable info but is a white pill

[@xusmico187]

you will regret the inflatable mat. heavy, easy to puncture. NO SHORTES & TEE SHIRT. silk weight on skin.

[@robertsbushcraft]

Surprisingly, that mat has held up well over the years.

[@xusmico187]

Gomer Plye relatives

[@robertsbushcraft]

Did you ever see the episode where he gained weight (everyone else nearly starved) during survival training? Gomer is a boss!

[@Rule-of-Threes-Survival]

This looks like a real mess inn a combat situation or escape and evade, you would never be able to carry that much gear. it would never wear practically under Utilities which how you would be sleeping .

[@7jperk]

Don't wear cotton underneath, boot.

[@robertsbushcraft]

I don't believe that I demonstrated cotton in those layers.