REQ: opinions on US modular sleep system (black & green bags)

[Britboy]

Heyho

Am looking out for a new sleeping bag (my Softy is getting on and is alright for summer but NOT for winter - probably my fault for running it thru the washing machine tho :oops:) and have been given the opportunity to acquire a US modular sleeping bag set - the black sleep bag (patrol?), the green one (intermediate?) and the bivvy bag and stuffsack for them all to fit into.

What I'm wondering is if this is worth getting.

The whole lightweight bag/midweight bag/both together to make an uber-warm bag concept sounds a good one but I've never used one. The same people who make Softys make a 'bag in a bag' set too but I will probably not buy theirs, and just stick to their jackets. It is pricey too. This one comes with a bivvy bag as well, so thats cool, esp if they all join together with the poppers.

So, insofar as you can have an opinion on a dossbag, what do you reckon, Americans? Worth getting the black and green set, or not? Good kit? Duff kit? Good for winter? How bulky/heavy?

Cheers
BB

[dangerdan87]

My black sleeping bag has kept me more than warm and comfortable even when it was balls ass cold and snowing in Iraq and in Hawaii

[Lt. James Anderson]

It's allright I guess for extreme conditions when you combine them.
Black bag is pretty good (but we were never allowed to cary them because of weight and bulk), green is light to carry but you're cold as **** in cold places (it works when combined with bivvy bag, it will get you through). I wouldn't mind having it, but I'm sure there are better deals out there.

Why not get another Softy? They make good gear (as far as my experience goes).

[simple jumper]

Canadian issued ones aren't bad. With the outter and inner shell they're good to about -40 Celsius, add a liner or Ranger blanket and you're good to go. half the time during summer I'd sleep on top of one and use my Ranger blanket and it was the bee's knees.

[Dragonscript]

Only get the military issue one if you really want it, but if you just want a sleeping bag then look at the lightweight civilian models. They are just as good, if not better, and you can get them cheaper. I have nothing against the military bag, but the civilian market tends to lead in this regard.

[James]

I had the same system about 10-12 years ago in the USMC after we got rid of our 1950s era sleeping bags. The new one was cozy warm. I liked it.

[Albatross]

Its a great year round system. Used to just take the gore-tex liner in the summer, they designed that system pretty well.

[RangemasterP226]

Abso-freakin-lutly love it. The bivvy bag is great and you won't find a cheaper gortex one on the market. I use the green bag and the bivvy all the time without a tent.

[bersaglieri]

I was looking at one of these as well but was wondering if anyone here who has one is the same sort of height as me - 6'5'' - as it can be a real bitch to get a bag that fits both for length and across the shoulders. Are they still roomy enough when all bags clip together?

[KEEPER0311]

The sleeping system is one of the best I've ever had. Well worth what ever you going to pay for it.

[SickBick]

Frickin excellent is what it is. Wish I could have "acquired" one while I was in service.

Like LT. Anderson said, the green one doesn't have much in the way of insulation, but buy yourself a woobie or two and you should be OK...somewhat.

[LineDoggie]

Ahhhh Yes, the "Black Mamba" so Named because Joe gets in and is knocked out like he was snakebit.

The New, New version has the Cover in ACU and the Heavy Bag in Foliage.


Get it, you'll like it

[Movieman]

Goretex bivvy sack is awesome, keeps you warm and dry. We didn't even unroll iso mats during field week, bivvy/sleeping system was good enough.

[wildcat]

all I have left is the woodland gortex bivy, I use it with my other sleeping bags, I never used a tent since leaving the Army.

[Gunge]

i think i saw one(set) new for 299.00
i was unsure so i passed
\dammit

[RangemasterP226]

i think i saw one(set) new for 299.00
i was unsure so i passed
\dammit


I've seen'em on new Ebay for 100-120 and they are a steal for that price. Make sure you get a USGI, not a knock off.

[Apogee]

Its a good piece of kit. Its bulky as stated but also warm. We used them up in Alaska at truely arctic temps. Kept us warm. Its also issued in an ACU pattern now. Its the same system, just different colors.

[Britboy]

Cheers everyone, sounds like its a good bit of kit well liked by the lads, so think I will go for one. Someone mentioned civvy kit, and I'm sure there are great civvy bags out there (down?), but not for that sort of price.

The only thing that I'm thinking of now is just how bulky and heavy this thing can be? Obviously that changes depending on what you're taking with you and the temp, but is it generally a bugger to get it all in your bergen or does it generally work out well?

Cheers
BB

[Lt. James Anderson]

The only thing that I'm thinking of now is just how bulky and heavy this thing can be? Obviously that changes depending on what you're taking with you and the temp, but is it generally a bugger to get it all in your bergen or does it generally work out well?

Are you talking military or civilian use? For civilian use it's fine but for military it's a bit bulky and heavy (hell, anything is since you alrady have so much other crap to carry ... ounces make pounds). That's why we never took the whole system with us to the places where the whole system was really needed.

But no matter what any combination will get you through. If you wanna go light take green bag and bivy. If you wanna be comfortable take the black bag instead of green. If you don't care about weight take the whole system ...

[Britboy]

It will be for both mil and civvy use JA. If you have vehicles I suppose the whole ser is the way forwards but if on foot, as our lot are, then I'm guessing that even if you took less than you needed, you'd be able to make up the difference with your warm kit/softy/buffalo etc worn in your dossbag if it was properly gibberingly cold...

[Black Dog]

Bought mine on Ebay. Great set for 4 season use. Don't want anything else.