The #1 Military Surplus Item You Need But Don't Have

Walk into a military surplus store and your head can spin with the variety of gear available. But there is one item that stands above many others that is tested and proven to be a force multiplier in the field.
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[@Hook_88]

by 1:22 in I kind of expect to be seeing something other than a walking simulator

[@STOKERMATIC]

I’m just here to crush expectations. 👊

[@zacharysedillo5340]

I don't think this precious snowflake is built for this kinda life

[@phillipfaile3122]

I watch EVERY KZbin video in 2x speed. Every damn one

[@echohunter4199]

Retired Army 11H/11B here (1983-2009 all active duty time). In the 6 years I spent in the 101st, you learn some good Light Infantry skills to make things easy so I’d like to add a couple things that I did (as did others) that made life easy. First thing to be concerned with is tics and chiggers, those things will make your week miserable, not to mention the diseases they can carry. In the summer we’d use our inflatable air mattress and make a simple rain cover with our poncho. Instead of using 550 chord, we’d use a couple of long, skinny bungee chords clothing sales sold and they worked great for erecting the shelter. Then we’d use our poncho liner to cover up with. We’d always bring a few years of OD green 550 chord but don’t cut it unless you must, we’d often remove the guts from the chord to make dummy chords with or to make pull loops for our magazines by running a gutted loop of 550 chord under the mag floor plate, make sure the square knot is on the outside so it won’t hinder the spring movement. When we’re done with the shelter, we’d store the bungee chords on the frame of our rucksack so we knew where they were all the time. Same for the machete, secure it between the ruck frame and ruck main carrier. And be cautious with strong flashlights, they can draw unwanted attention, always use a low power red lens light for setting up camp if you need a light, we usually just did it in the dark which is one reason why the bungee chords were preferred. Be sure to seal up any food or empty food containers after eating because it will attract critters and some raccoons can be huge! And raccoons can’t see red light so you have an edge. We always carry a multi tool and short folding knife, I liked the Leatherman Wave and the Gerber LST, we used the knife to cut dunnage after we,slung load our vehicles, you have to clear the LZ quickly and it’d take quite a while without a knife. And dummy chord that Leatherman to your belt, don’t ever loan it to someone out of your sight, it’s not that they’re trying to steal it, we get so busy that both of us might forget. And keep the machete away from all idiots in your group because they will cut themselves like PFC Conner did….twice. Field gear has gotten so heavy these days, in Vietnam they made field gear very lightweight but strong, the ALICE pack is still preferred in some units but it’s rare now. If you have the option, go with the lighter weight accessories and gear. Place the heaviest items like additional ammunition closest to your back and as high up as possible so the weight is bearing on your shoulders and not your lower back. Bring extra quality zip lock baggies for critical gear and always have redundant gear for critical things like land nav or communications.

[@roberthamm9304]

Air mattresses???? Are you sure you were an 11B???? I’m a former Ranger. If we even thought about an air mattress, we got laughed at and got called a lightweight princess. On patrols, all we had was a poncho and woobie. That was our tent and bivy. If you learned those things in the 101st, then that explains a lot.

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

I don’t let anyone use my leatherman. Spent 23 yrs in the army - had it my last ten or so years in addition to my Uncle Henry knife. Got my son in law one and he uses it for everything. As a Vietnam combat vet I use my poncho liner everywhere I go. My entire family has one ( I don’t have to share mine), glad I can still get US made liners

[@echohunter4199]

@@roberthamm9304 that’s right, air mattress. Ft. Campbell CIF issued the Gen 2 air mattress that had an insulting pad built in so you could still use it if it wouldn’t hold air. I got to the 2/502 in Jan 86 and that’s what I got. They also issued us 2 sets of actual “field uniforms” which were the Vietnam era OD green, slant pockets jungle uniform and a pair of jungle boots. They had a surplus supply of these items so they issued them to use either for FTX’s or when we did force on force to better identify who was OPFOR. They quit issuing these around 1989 and gave us that POS foam pad that was miserable. As an 11H we usually slept in or on the HMMWV. And each squad was issued one USGI machete and NCO’s were issued a wrist watch from supply (I still have mine, lol). When I first arrived in the unit we had M-151A2 MUTT’s (the last Jeep) and in April of 87 we got the new HMMWV’s which was like being given a limousine. Was a lot easier to camo an M-151 though.

[@roberthamm9304]

@@echohunter4199 ahhhhh, the good old jungle boots. Those were the best. Why they were never standard issue, is beyond me. Those would have been better than the pieces of crap that you could never run for shit in. At least the jungle boots were like sneakers on steroids. The boots that are issued now, are top notch schizzle.

[@BeardedChieftain]

Word!

[@douglascox9996]

Add to the bivy sack a waterproof bag to enclose your muddy or wet booted feet to keep the inside of the bivy clean and dry before getting into the bivy/sleeping bag. Under frigid/cold weather conditions, that precaution may also save your feet.

[@RedDevil5081]

Thats what I use to do back in the day. Still do. 👍🏻

[@Gundyadventures]

Good idea. That sounds like a game changer. Going to have to try that.

[@gjnezat]

It was our platoon sop to each carry two sandbags in our ruck to do the same. Plus the original purpose, they could become camo or hoods for POW'S

[@roberthamm9304]

It’s called, building a debris shelter, so you can insulate and waterproof it, and have a small fire in it to stay warm and dry in. The bivy bag just adds an additional layer of warmth and waterproofing for those small air and water leaks, plus it helps to prevent the ground from sucking body heat away from your body, causing hypothermia or even worse pneumonia.

[@WOLVERINE95899]

Great video ! This is a critical piece of equipment for surviving outdoors. Damn good pep talk for people too. There so much evil going on and its important for good people to support each other.

[@loulito9795]

No matter how different each of us may be, we each feel and share one thing,,,, Pain, Lets all try to remember this, and help each other a little more, Thanks for video, Top!

[@abauto5408]

I can't agree more. I have one in multicam. It's the whole set with the patrol bag and all. It is good down to -30. Keep up the great work!

[@m118lr]

..the MC would be THE choice. MINE anyway..

[@captainsaffa4673]

Your inspirational message at the end made this video a 1000x's beter! Great video,very informative. Ive been dealing with some stuff lately and your message just gave me the comfort and strenght to,as you said,take it a step at a time one foot infront of the other. Thank you so much you will never know what your message has accomplished today❤

[@Ryanboy2020]

One Hundred Percent!!! Top, I have used a bivey sack my entire 23 year career in the Army and have seen its benefits first hand under the harsh conditions of Reforger in Germany with below freezing temps to the blistering heat and freezing nights in Iraq and Afghanistan. Definitely a must for survival and for any outdoor experience. I had two of them in my inventory in the Army. One for the field and one for inspections. Some how the one I used for inspections followed me home when I retired. Another great video Top!! Keep em comin. Stay stoked and stay motivated!🤙 DOC - 1st INF DIV, 3rd BGD, 2nd of the 16th INF Battalion. FOB Restrepo 2/2009.

[@jackassery73]

Great video as usual. I crawled out of mine this morning camping as usual here in Alaska in the summer. It's been raining here non stop all summer. My Alaskan Ranger Roll is the bivy, woobie, and Italian wool blanket. Yeah the wool blanket adds weight but so worth it.

[@timrogers2638]

As a Marine, I experienced both the old sleeping bag and the Modular Sleeping System (which includes the bivvy sack). The old sleeping bag was actually a good piece of gear, but it was bulky. The MSS was a great improvement as it allowed a soldier or Marine to scale what he carried based on the expected weather. I ALWAYS had the bivvy sack because not having it would summon the rain.

[@oldschooltakingyaback]

Facebook Marketplace has these ALL the time. I picked up a complete one for $80 & another complete for $90. Deals are out there, just be patient. Just the bivy cover is a FANTASTIC piece of kit.

[@joker747A]

A bivy + a woobie = bliss (on a cold, wet, windy night) 😎👍🏼

[@michaelwhorf4316]

I have had my Woodland sleep system for years and love it! Not the lightest, but bomb proof. Thank you for the time and effort making great videos!

[@lordgiblets7585]

3:08 Already got one, in Flecktarn. It's compatible with the NATO modular sleep system, too. You are also 100% correct that folks should have one in their kit, along with a poncho liner.

[@dennisseverns4014]

All packed up for a two week trip that starts tomorrow morning. Top of my pile of gear right now, is a complete MSS with the Gortex woodland bivy, plus a woodland poncho and two woodland poncho liners stuffed in the bag with it. Great video! Thank you for the motivation at the end!

[@dennisseverns4014]

Have a second one of these bivy bags that got destroyed by a pack rat that decided to make a nest in it, when I had left it in a survival cache that got compromised. Been looking for a Gortex repair kit big enough to patch the holes in it.

[@j.r.zavala]

Used them for years while in the 82nd Airborne. A life saver quality piece of equipment. I also used (mission depending) a poncho/poncho liner setup, better known as the "Ranger sleeping bag". Either way, both are must have items, in my experience. Airborne!

[@ripcordjr5696]

I don't recall ever having that piece of gear while stationed at Ft. Bragg. It reminds me of a sleeping bag cover/shell that kept your sleeping bag dry during rain or snow, and that wasn't gore-tex either.

[@j.r.zavala]

@@ripcordjr5696 Yeah, exactly, it was a cover of the sort, made of gortex or some light and breathable inner material. I was assigned to the 1/82 Atk Hel Bn. I did 12 years parachute service at Ft. Bragg and issued this piece of gear as an add-on to the sleeping bag.

[@ripcordjr5696]

​Tx for clearing that up. 1/505...3rd Brigade. 11B/2H Tow. 78/82

[@jamesc9001]

Good word there at the end pal, good video. Thanks.

[@stuartniven2401]

Thank you, Sir!! I do need one of these! We all need to build a tribe. I appreciate you!

[@tomcreekdevil5967]

Although I don't have experience with the bivvy sack I'm sold on its properties and quality including the fact that it's gortex. For 200.00 that seems like a good return on investment! And Riggs approves! The message at the end of this video is spot on! 1000%

[@STOKERMATIC]

Hope all is well Tom!

[@tomcreekdevil5967]

@@STOKERMATIC Doing great! Thanks for asking!

[@travelinman482]

​@STOKERMATIC You: I hate OCP camo. Also you: Has an poncho in OCP. Me: I think that you are mistaken the OCP camo for the old UCP.

[@travelinman482]

​​@STOKERMATIC UCP= Universal Camo Pattern OCP= Occupational Camo Pattern Multicam= Used only for OEF mission. BDU= Battle Dress Uniform. The BDUs only came in the Woodland Green Camo Pattern. Uncommonly known as M81 (ERDL) pattern. This M81 camo pattern is also known as the Camouflage Utility Uniform (CUU), formerly worn by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy.

[@travelinman482]

​​@@STOKERMATICBTW, I have a Woobie in UCP because my Supply SGT wouldn't let us quitters (retirees) claim 'field loss' on our Woobie blankets and Gortex jackets. 😁 I bought my Woobie from an Army Surplus Store in the big city.

[@DF4Trap]

Right on, it is one of my favorite pieces of gear. Little bulky, with a little of a weight penalty, but worth it. Thanks for sharing.

[@martinhafner2201]

Found mine at the local surplus at about $50 but in digicam. Got the rest of the sleep system for about $120 to cover a very wide range of temperatures. Full kits in woodland camo were about $200. Be careful to check the size. Some are short which won't work if you're over about 5'8". It is important that the lengths match. The light patrol bag comes in the old style or the new style with better insulation.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

YES, absolutely yes. Bivy Bags are essential, especially in my AO personally when there's Snow on the ground easily half the year if not more. Cheers brother!

[@lewie5745]

I use the same one for bike packing..it is awesome. I keep my pad and sleeping bag rolled up in it

[@jaypadulchick1355]

I love mine! Used it several tes especially in winter conditions. Picked 2 of them up years ago by accident in a surplus store.

[@mbarr1029]

Hell Yah, they are great. The army one has more shoulder room, so you can load inside a ground pad or air mattress. The marine one is a bit tight but does have the screen mesh to breath out of. I have both and they are the best. You can sleep dry under a sprinkler , they are that good.

[@cwo8771]

The whole sleep system is the only piece of kit I kept and paid for when I re-deployed from Iraq in 2004. The Army does not always get gear right, but the sleep system, including the bivy, was a winner.

[@STOKERMATIC]

🫡

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Just found your channel and subbed instantly. Semper Fi my fellow Warrior. I just got cleared from my 2nd bout of cancer. Thanks Marine Corps. I need to get back out there. Great talk.

[@jelkel25]

Fine speech Stoker! Never had a surplus Bivvy only civilian ones and they are great pieces of kit. I would add the surplus tarps or Basha's in our terminology are damn fine pieces of kit, I actually saved up my paper round money a gazillion years ago to get my first one of those. They may be heavier than the civilian ones but they will not let you down and with the two items you're not enclosed like in a tent and it can make you feel a little more a part of your surroundings, just watching nature do it's thing.

[@paul7754]

Bought a very good used MSS set 5 years ago. During an elk scouting trip we encountered an unexpected storm that brought hail and high winds. We had only our trucks and trailers for our quads. We constructed a cover over a flatbed trailer out of a large equipment tarp that was well used and leaked a bit. Used pvc pipe for supports. I broke out my bivy cover and stayed dry all night. Great piece of gear and I'm going to get another bivy only when I find one for pack use. Just add a woobie!

[@brnrecluse2946]

Yup! I use mine during the winter months here in the south. Stay Stoked!

[@TwitchRadio]

Last time I use one of those was at Fort lost in the woods ( LeonardWood)... after doing a 25k in one of the most awful winter storms I've ever seen, we all ended up using this plus the full sleep system and I think some of the guys even slept in their Chem gear too😂... but for me it seemed to keep me pretty warm but almost to the point to where it didn't work as well but keep in mind that was below 15 degrees at night

[@nvpics150]

That looks bad ass paired with the sagman roll. A lot of camo patterns look monochrome under night vision, but the black in that woodland pattern keeps working in infrared. Space magic for its time!

[@thomasbrandon5111]

The inspiration at the end was spot on. I have, a full issued system along with a couple extra woobies that make for good set ups.

[@hagman1077]

Greetings- Your old school Alice pack looks great with those pouches on them. Yes- you are 110% correct of the usefulness of this bivy sack. I can attest to the MMS sleep system, as my unit I was with at Ft Drum back in early 90's was one of the units that field tested the MMS system in extreme conditions. Anyone who knows anything about Ft Drum, it that it gets pretty fricking cold there. I remember sleeping out on the snow with them and it was at least negative 7 degrees out or colder, and they held up very well. An absolute must have in a cold environment and windy. I have a couple of these around that I have put either a poncho liner in them or a very lightweight thin sleeping bag in them, and they work great. The reason why some of the old school stuff is getting more expensive is because people are finally realizing how durable it is. Im glad I acquired a few items before I retired- Thanks for the video- Be safe out there-

[@vincegonzales6196]

Old 11Bravo here..yes my brother you are right on track with the Bivi bag..they also add a few more degrees to your sleep system 😴...your a good man. Also love your dog Shepards and kit always go together..Vince g 11B infantry

[@Doc-Holliday1776]

I have the whole sleep system, makes good for winter camping here in Michigan. I got mine under 200 bucks years ago, well worth the money.

[@garygraham4571]

Yes they do keep you dry and warm I use them in Wisconsin and they was cold up there but I was dry

[@fluffyrider9467]

Would love a deep dive into your Alice pack set up. Pouches used and such.

[@STOKERMATIC]

I’ll get to it asap

[@michaelmyers3892]

I have an old flat green army mummy bag and it has the outer shell for cold weather for the past 20 plus years it is still been my go-to out of all my camping equipment

[@marclucier2533]

Love mine with both liners for cold weather in a compression sack

[@rw0341]

The bivvy sack shown here is great. The newer style Marine Corps one is better though. It has a mesh face cover so you don't breathe too march carbon dioxide as well as a flexible frame so you can raise it off of your face. Having used both all over the world in every type of environment except Antarctica either bivvysack is an excellent addition to any outdoor loadout.

[@casper3130]

Add a screen to the Army Woodland Bivy and it can be a better seasonal set up than the USMC Improved Bivy. The USMC Improved Bivy is too warm for me starting early spring time. Adding a screen with Velcro to the Army Woodland Bivy you can tie the top off to whatever height you want pending weather keeping no-see-ems out. If you're not over 6" there's plenty of room for your Ruck Sack as a head rest or pillow, your boots in a bag at your feet and your rifle by your side. If you're in the USMC 3 Season bag you can rip that zipper open and have your sidearm in your hand in seconds if you don't still sleep with it in your hand hahaha

[@pop401k]

Great stuff... especially your closing remarks!! Thank you.

[@frankgray6014]

Just picked up two from Sportsman's and they were kind enough to give me two new pillows! Never used one before and plan on adding one to my truck kit and the other to my Hurricane Bag. It will probably not be until the winter before I fully test one out as we are now in the season of triple digit temps with triple digit humidity, and that is without rain!

[@mervmartin2112]

You said the magic word, "Goretex". I don't have experience with this bivy sack, but have used them, and love them. My first "sleeping bag" was a sheet folded lengthwise, sewn across the bottom and 2/3 up the side. Then a blanket sewn the same way, and finally a tarp sewn the same. Sheet stuffed in blanket stuffed in tarp. As many layers as you need. Later I learned terms like bivy sack. This bivy sack and a woobie would be pure gold. BTW my first guess on seeing the title was a P38.

[@vohawk]

I've had mine for more than 20 years now. If you are smart and set up your camp right, you can even use it in winter with a summer sack and still be warm. Most guys I've camped with just don't have a clue how to do that, but I stay warm while they shiver all night.

[@Yodie208]

I was an infantryman, in the warmer months, I carried a poncho, poncho liner, and a 12'x12' heavy- duty space blanket. Between the 3 , I was always warm and dry in any weather condition.

[@paulskalla6845]

Seconded. I bought one the first time I backpacked. Kept me completely dry in an epic thunderstorm at 10,000 feet. Nowadays I still rock that ivy cover with my home brewed silnylon/alpaca wool/spun silk pack blanket. It squishes down pretty small in a Sea Line bag.

[@gwpattrick]

I bought one. I don't think the store knew what they had. i only paid 50 bucks for it. And i did throw it over my head to look for holes. It was perfect, didn't smell either. Great find. I use that and the swagman roll, or a wool blanket. Or just a fleece blanket. And your right. This is something you have to look at. And when you see one, grab it. By the way it had written on it Renegades on it. That marine corps or army. It was the same as the one you got.

[@mikhailkalashnikov4599]

You new guys got all the good gear. We got a regular old sleeping bag w/willie pete bag, and isoporo mat. That bivy sack looks like a good deal. I'm too old for all of that runnin' and gunnin'. I'll be back at the HQ (w/ the Gunny) on radio watch. 😄

[@STOKERMATIC]

🫡🦅🌎⚓️

[@shooter31m]

Great piece of kit, used it many times and continue to take it with me on my excursions.

[@pjmnash]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT! I own one! Bought it low cost at surplus with just two tiny hole but bought goretex patches for it. Got a genuine U.S. Army surplus one! Yeah, looks tough to me. Won't leave home, bugging out w/o it!

[@LancerMyMan]

The first piece of surplus I bought after I left service. I bought all the sleep system components new. The system is the best sleeping system I have used. I’ve slept in field with no shelter and was warm in 30 degrees with light snow falling. No issues. It cleaned up fine in the washing machine and was a real lifesaver. By the way, I had 20 years of outdoors experience before i joined the military.

[@1oldarmyguy]

Got 3 of them, and one is in the ACU Camo.. but I agree... awesome piece of kit.

[@mtnride4930]

Just found one at a surplus store in Idaho. Going to grab on ad it to my poncho with liner and old wool army blanket. THANKS

[@billrivenbark8983]

I’ve got two complete sleep systems. Love em!

[@peterbehringer63]

Amén! The encouraging words at the end this video were appreciated 👍. Low-profile gringo expat salutes from Venezuela.

[@secretsquirrel9313]

The only thing would add is. Military patch kit. Once applied properly it holds. Bivy and poncho combo rocks along with the knowlegde of how to use them. Are the perfect no but weight is what one is trying to keep at a minimum. Also a pine brow bed to lay on helps retain your body heat. Keep on keepen on.

[@DegenGaming]

The bivy cover is pretty awesome. Everyone should have one. Get new if you can afford it.

[@davidanderson3875]

I found one at a yard sale a couple of years ago for $10! It wasn’t even on my list of things I needed, but I remembered how amazing they were and couldn’t pass it up. Glad I found it

[@concernedcitizen2898]

The USGI bivy is great, but the patrol bag that goes in it is awesome.

[@thundercock6599]

poncho liner + woobie = life

[@cayuttscheid]

I'm from Germany and I have the sleeping system, including the bivouac, it's awesome. I like what you are doing keep it up In Germany you are not allowed to sleep or make a fire in the forest.

[@STOKERMATIC]

Not allowed to get caught 🤣 Appreciate ya!

[@cayuttscheid]

🤫

[@stamm2366]

The speach on the end of the Video was really good, thank you. I feel in best company if I see your channel or Gruntproof and the rest of your Gang. I also train the stuff I could learn from you guys, so every time I take my compas the Strokermatic is with me ; )

[@davidlee8551]

I agree, it is excellent gear! If you get stuck somewhere & you have some extra dry Clothes the Bivy can block the wind & a lot of the cold. A good thermal pad under neath would help & protect Your valuable Bivy from damage! Thanks.

[@nightshadefern162]

I picked up an older OD green canvas one from the surplus guy at a flea market. It was not a ton of $, under 30 bucks. When I was hiking a section of the AT during (hot) July, I kept regretting bringing a sleeping bag. It was heavy, hot and unnecessary. I did need to cover up with it to keep the skeeters off some nights. A bedsheet sewn or buttoned to make an envelope would have been better. The bivvy bag is heavier than a sheet, but is weather resistant, opening more possibilities. Definitely a good piece of gear to have. For summer, a bivvy bag plus a poncho liner is a nice setup.

[@BBQDad463]

Thank you for this video. Clearly, I need to get one of those.

[@redactedcanceledcensored6890]

8:44 Wow, I think this is the first military-themed channel that I have seen discussing such psychological warfare survival tactics.

[@nys-buckstalker607]

The bivy is new version of the old sleeping bag cover that was used back in the late 60’s -early 70’s to cover up the sleeping bag and keep it dry. Only difference is that the bivy is side opening with the new sleeping system where the old system is opened down the center and the sleeping bag straps were ran out to end so they could be used to tie up the sleeping bag with the cover still attached to it. I have both systems and I like the new system a little bit more than the old system. I have added a compression bag to the old system just so I don’t have to roll up the whole thing.

[@goodredman]

Agree, great item to have. Packs small and light enough for what it is. Rugged and breathable. If you don’t mind ACU $45 BIVY in new condition on SG good price been seeing it for about two months now. Stay stoked.

[@dn88s]

Being issued those bivvy is what sold me on them. My personal bivvy is much smaller and lighter but I frequently use a bivvy. Perfect complement to a small tarp.

[@dwaynestewart411]

I have 5 of them in acu and coyote brown and I love them

[@mlsknnr]

I have been using the Bivy sac since I was first issued one and I have been out for a couple of decades. It goes on every outing in all seasons, highly recommended.

[@MichaelR58]

Good piece of kit , thanks for sharing, God bless !

[@zacsmith6736]

Awesome info that is often overlooked

[@Joe_Goofball]

I've had that sleep system for many years--it's GREAT winter/summer...

[@paulfisher4293]

Good video about sensible gear, down to earth. Your words at the end were 100% 👍. Big thanks and new subscriber from uk

[@BlazeYourOwnPath]

Just picked mine up not to long ago. Genuine Tenny with the patrol bag. Even in a tent (probably worse because of) after a while at or below freezing temps the top of my Big Agness 20° (down) bag will eventually soak up any ambient moisture and condensation from breathing, flatten out losing basically all insulating value and gives new meaning to embracing the suck so am totally Stoked (no pun intended) to give this new rig a whirl. AKA FBA (Frosty Balls Association.) 😁

[@clyde1406]

Yes sir. Great vid! Good Intel. Thank you.

[@Brent0331]

YES! 100% agree, great piece of gear. 👊🦅🌎⚓

[@Flash1857]

That backpack kit rocks, thanks

[@davidtaylor195]

Alice pack, canteen with case and cup, woobie, poncho, lawn & Leaf bag. Watch cap, boonie hat, gloves, Swiss Army knife, fixed blade knife, fleece jacket or hoodie. Spare socks, MREs.

[@casper3130]

In my experience I first bought the Army Woodland Camo Bivy then the USMC Improved Bivy because of the screen window at which the USMC Improved Bivy didn't turn out to be all I thought it would be. It was great in late Fall, winter and real early Spring but afterwards even without a sleeping bag and the screened window open it was too warm for me a lot of times. So, I decided to modify the Army Woodland Camo with a screen. I laid it out flat unzipped it and folded the top back as to prepare to get into the bivy, then I laid out black screen that could be attached to both sides and the tops and cut it out about a inch more than where I wanted it to meet the Bivy along the sides and tops, then I sewed strips of Velcro around the sides and tops of the Bivy, then folded the edges of the screen sewing the other strips of Velcro to the screen. I also added a para cord loop to the top head corner. Now during summer I lay out the Woodland Bivy between trees and run my line tree to tree, tie my top head corner up to hold the top of the bivy up to whatever height I want pull the ground Velcro apart enter, reseal the Velcro fluff my pillow curl up with my Woobie and watch the fire to sleep. It keeps the no-see-ems out and you don't have to worry about a snake crawling in there with you while you sleep. If it gets too cool during the night you can lower the bivy on you.

[@projecttwentytwentyfiveisgreat]

I added a army cot squre mosquito net to my kit. Fits in a zip lock sandwick bag. I pull a vacuum on the bag with muh mouth. Worth the extra effort in Summer.

[@josephbrown-ut9ty]

Ive got the Bivy already and the shelter itself. I also have the Malice pack , and i see your pack has some TT componets , but id like to see more of that pack.

[@gusesteves2042]

Great video! Thank you for all of the great tips and advice and information! Stay safe!

[@pisom4314]

i have 2 bivy bags!! i have a complete bag system in my vehicle & the other is attached to my backpack!! its a great piece of kit!!

[@viewsandreviews180]

I’ve got the whole kit. The only issue I have with the bivy is that it lays on my face. I eventually added a section of pool noodle to create a hoop.

[@roberthamm9304]

The wife and I have the complete sleeping systems. I’ve always wanted one of those for myself after I PCS’d from the 75th RGT. It wasn’t until 3 years ago when I saw them at one of my favorite surplus stores. When I told her how warm they keep you, she said “you can stop twisting my arm now”. So I grabbed 2 of them off of the shelf, and then I grabbed 2 MOLLE rucks. I’m still picking up gear here and there. Now that we’re just 20 minutes away from Clarksville, I’ll be able to get better quality gear and rotate out some of the old gear that’s wearing out from years of use, both while I was still in the Army, and after I got out in 2000, when I needed some quiet me time away from society.

[@Yodie208]

Rangers Lead The Way! ... former 1/75

[@roberthamm9304]

@@Yodie208 me too!!!! I still miss it and the brotherhood. RLTW brother. HOOAH!!!!

[@mikepreslar8686]

I use the Army Bivy with the poncho liner and a decent base layer, with an insulated Klymit air mattress in temperatures down to well below freezing here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

[@caryboozer9814]

Excellent video and advice, good enough so I subscribed, thank you my friend !!!

[@renegadearms]

It’s great equipment used it for 0ver 20 years in and specifically in Alaska for seven years and we used to have to do recertification once a year where we sleep over night on the ground in the winter and they are awesome, also so each at the end spot on.

[@JessMorton11]

I still have and use my three tier sleep system. Love it, never lets me down

[@garyjohnson4608]

Years ago, I had my period of darkness and yes I got thru it. However, I still bear the scars from it and the experience forever changed me in ways that I am still figuring out. The old saying " Know Thyself " is where I think I will spend the rest of my days. Figuring out what really happened and what I am not sure happened is the puzzle I have been trying to piece together for a very long time now.

[@davidlee9299]

I hope you find yourself again!!! Stay strong

[@andrewgagner2927]

Ha... we were never allowed to take them into the field, they would show up for inspection and back into supply they went ; mid 90s, Ranger roll was king. Thanks for the video.

[@jerryfarmer5989]

I got mine from decades ago. It has not seen daylight since last century. I still love my 20 cup coffee perculator nothing replaces it.

[@user-neo71665]

I picked up 3 brand new ones in woodland in a thrift store last year for $15. They thought they were tents that were missing the poles. At first when I asked I thought it was $15 apeice and was only gonna get one. Gave one to my son, kept one, sold the last one on fleabay for $80.

[@StrategicSelfRelianceDefense]

We run them here regularly all weather sir. Solid kit standalone.

[@CanadaFree-ce9jn]

Even the Marines said the poncho is too small, so they came out with a real tarp. Your set up looks fine in that green dry summer field, but not in heavy rain or winter. I have slept under a poncho in the summer and a tarp in the winter, give me a tarp all year long.

[@BoomerChimichanga]

which Marines? Not this one. Poncho is multi-use, so it stays with me even when running light. A tarp/tent is for when I am using a larger ruck.

[@reysanchez5578]

Great bag, I always have it with me on my winter adventures

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

I have at least two of these, maybe three, two Canadian Army bivy, the Belgian hooped bivy made by Carinthia and a lot more! The bivy is a great chunk of kit.

[@youwebz]

Any chance you can make Turdeau disappear in one for a long while?

[@turtlewolfpack6061]

@@youwebz sadly no! Also, there won't be any improvement once the slick back bloodsucker alternative gets into power!

[@youwebz]

@@turtlewolfpack6061 anything / anyone is better than that prick. Evil