Posted: 3/20/2013 7:59:18 PM EDT
| Was thinking about getting one. Tell me all about them. |
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I've been issued both the woodland and ACU version.
I will start off by saying they are a good deal for the cost, both bags, compression sack and the bivvy cover. That said I do not like them. It is very large and heavy, does not compress to a very packable size, and at 6"2' I stick out slightly. I've spent a lot of time outdoors directly on the ground with them and hey never really kept me warm when the temp got down into the teens and below, even with the full system. I can't keep a bag that big in my ruck so I went with a snug pack system that is warmer and a lot more compact. |
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Quoted: I've been issued both the woodland and ACU version. I will start off by saying they are a good deal for the cost, both bags, compression sack and the bivvy cover. That said I do not like them. It is very large and heavy, does not compress to a very packable size, and at 6"2' I stick out slightly. I've spent a lot of time outdoors directly on the ground with them and hey never really kept me warm when the temp got down into the teens and below, even with the full system. I can't keep a bag that big in my ruck so I went with a snug pack system that is warmer and a lot more compact. |
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Quoted:
Was thinking about getting one. Tell me all about them. I could think of a lot more crap that I could carry instead of a 13lbs of sleeping bag system. Yes In know it's cheap, and yes I know you don't have to carry it all, but goodness gracious that's some heavy bags. My TNF bag is 4lbs, rated to 0 degrees (so it's good to 10-15 maybe) and my tent weighs 5 lbs. (heavy by ounce counting standards). However, I'm still four pounds lighter than the MSS and I get a tent too. I could carry two zero degree bags and a tent and equal the same weight as the MSS. I think the only appeal they have is the price. For around $125 you get two bags and a Gore-tex bivy. Buy just the bivy for cheap on e-bay and spend your money on a better fitting bag for your body shape and/or climate. |
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I've been issued both the woodland and ACU version. I will start off by saying they are a good deal for the cost, both bags, compression sack and the bivvy cover. That said I do not like them. It is very large and heavy, does not compress to a very packable size, and at 6"2' I stick out slightly. I've spent a lot of time outdoors directly on the ground with them and hey never really kept me warm when the temp got down into the teens and below, even with the full system. I can't keep a bag that big in my ruck so I went with a snug pack system that is warmer and a lot more compact. Which model do you have exactly? |
| The Surplus store outside Ft. Knox had them for $65, so I bought one for me and one for my son. For general camping they are fine. I've used an issue set that was fine above freezing, never used one when it was sub-30F and never had to hump more than the patrol bag and liner. |
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After further investigation and recommendations above, I purchased a SnugPak Sleeper Lite 2-season bag
that is rated to 32 deg. comfort and 18 deg. minimum. Now, my next question is if I use the MSS goretex bivy with this bag how low a temperature would I be able to go to? |
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Well, this thread is certainly proof that no two people are alike.
I am 6'1" 225#. I find the fit of this bag no different than my other mummy bags. Tight enough to avoid excess air space, roomy enough to be comfortable. I have slept in temperatures from the 50s down to 9 degrees and have remained comfortable. I normally sleep on a cot with a cheap sleep pad and I wear light long johns. When it is real cold I do throw a hand warmer by my feet. In my opinion these are great bags and my go to for camping and hunting. That being said, there is no way in hell I'm going to backpack with this thing. It is way too heavy. |
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I spent a few nights in both bags without bivy while camping in an old converted school bus with no heaters during a hunting trip this past year. Did fine down to low 20s. Can't compare sleeping bag performance until you use the same pads for the comparison. I'd be willing to bet most cold sleeping bags could be 'fixed' with a decent ground pad. YMMV
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I think they are rated to 30 below??? That's a joke, unless you did a Jeremiah on them and put hot rocks/fire under them. I use them as a tent base camp bag. I have a truck to haul them around. Rated to -30 below is reaaaaaaly optimistic. At least that was my expire using the entire system snapped together. It's more like a really heavy 10 degree sleep system. They are old technology. They have had 3 generations of this sleep system so try to find a newer ACU colored bags otherwise you could be getting a potentially 20 year bag that's been stored compressed (destroys loft which decreases it ability to insulate). They are built tough, they are roomy ( which can be a catch 22..the more dead air space you have inside a bag the more you body works to try to warm it) , and they are fairly economical. If you plan on car camping or just starting off they work well. If you really get into back packing you'll find out they are heavy cold bags but for most people they work ok. |
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Quoted:
After further investigation and recommendations above, I purchased a SnugPak Sleeper Lite 2-season bag that is rated to 32 deg. comfort and 18 deg. minimum. Now, my next question is if I use the MSS goretex bivy with this bag how low a temperature would I be able to go to? Maybe 5 to 10 degrees maybe. The bivy is non insulated so don't expect it to add warmth on it's own, but it will help block the wind which can be huge. |