bags

The US Military Modular Goretex Sleeping Bag System is one of the finest sleeping systems and you can get one for $100 on ebay.

Genuine US military issue Modular Sleep System (MSS). National Stock Number 8465-014456274. This patented state of the art system has been tested and proven effective by the military for bivouacking in all types of inclement weather. The unique snap closure system allows integration of each sleeping bag to the waterproof Bivy, each bag to the other and both bags mated to the Bivy for the Extreme Cold Weather configuration. Patrol & Intermediate Bag weigh no more than 7 pounds according to the Military Specification. Specification temperature zones: Completely integrated the system is rated to -30°F  when used in conjunction with expedition weight polypropylene shirt, drawers and issue cushion sole woolen socks. To obtain lower temperature ratings, additional layers of Extreme Cold Weather Clothing articles must be added to the user's clothing ensemble inside the sleeping bag.

COMPLETE SYSTEM CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING 4 COMPONENTS: 

GORE-TEX® BIVY BAG: GORE-TEX®  Fabric PTFE 3 Layer Laminate
Mummy design bag cover for integration with the Modular Sleep System (MSS) for cold – wet conditions. The snap closure system allows each bag to snap to the Bivy. Fabric: Waterproof and Moisture Vapor Permeable plain weave Taslite nylon. Color: Woodland Camouflage Pattern on the top, Camo Green ground shade on the bottom. Cloth weight: 6.0 ounces/Sq. Yd. maximum. Dimensions: Length 85’’ maximum; Width at feet 28’’ minimum, at shoulders, 35’’ maximum. [2lb]

PATROL SLEEPING BAG: Mummy design for temperate climates of 30 to 50 Degrees F as a single bag. Snaps to the Bivy for use in slightly colder-wet zones. Insert the Intermediate Bag inside for colder extremes. Fabric for the shell and lining: 1.9oz ripstop nylon with water resistant finish. Insulation Fill: Polargard® HV, hollow continuous filament resin bonded polyester. Features an adjustable hood, nylon zipper closure. Dimensions: 90’’ – 92’’ long; 36’’ – 37’’ wide. Color: Green. [3lb]

INTERMEDIATE COLD WEATHER SLEEPING BAG:
Mummy design for colder weather climates of 30 to Minus 10 Degrees F as a single bag. Snaps to the Bivy for use in colder-wet zones. Insert inside the Patrol Bag for extreme cold environments. Fabric for the shell and lining: 1.9oz ripstop nylon with water resistant finish. Insulation Fill: Polargard® HV, hollow continuous filament resin bonded polyester. Features an adjustable hood. Dimensions: 85’’ – 87’’long; 34.5’’ - 35.5’’ wide. Color: Black. [4lb]

COMPRESSION STUFF SACK:
Cylinder shape, measuring 28’’ to 30’’ long X 12’’ to 14’’ diameter. Cinching straps with ladder lock buckles tighten and compress the system to one cubic foot to fit inside the bag compartment of the Internal Frame Large Combat Field Pack. Nylon draw cord closure with barrel lock. Plain weave nylon, urethane coated for water resistance. Color: Solid Black.

When new, this modular system cost $389.95 each.  This is a previously issued system.

Cost: $100-150 Ebay Search

Reviews

I have spent the better part of the last three years sleeping in this new modular sleeping bag system. I really like the new system for many reasons. The old sleeping bags were very susceptible to water and took up too much room in or on your ruck (back-pack). If your sleeping bag ever got wet, you were in for a miserable night. This new Gortex® sleeping bag system is waterproof. I have not got wet at anytime since I started using this sleeping bag. I have used it all over the world. As anyone one can tell you who has ever been in a wet sleeping bag, it is something you will not soon forget!

The sleeping bag is an all weather bag and in my opinion one of the best on the market today. Over the last few years technology has made it possible for manufactures to create lighter sleeping bags that take up less and less room. This makes life a whole lot easier for the soldiers as well as hikers, adventurers and campers. This sleeping bag comes with three parts and a compression bag. The outer shell is a Gortex® bivy bag. This waterproof bivy bag is awesome. It keeps you dry in nearly any climate. Dew will not penetrate this bivy. It also acts as a windbreaker and dust or dirt barrier. Furthermore it’s the first layer that keeps the cold and wet out, and your body heat in.

The next layer is the patrol sleeping bag. This inserts into the Gortex® shell and snaps in place. It’s made with rip stop nylon with a water resistant finish, Polargard®. This insert has an adjustable hood and zipper. This with the shell is designed to keep a soldier warm in climates down to 30 degrees. Finally you have the intermediate cold weather bag. This bag inserts into the patrol bag. This sleeping bag is also made with rip stop nylon and Polargard®. This bag is good to -10 degrees when used without the patrol bag. It is extremely warm. It is made of Polargard ® HV, hollow continuous filament resin bonded polyester.

The last part of this modular system is the Compression stuff sack. This stuff sack has a cylinder shape and is also water resistant with a urethane coating. This compression sack is really neat. I had never used one before, so I found the new goodie particularly handy and neat! Once your sleeping bag is all put together, you just grab the bottom of the bags, including the Gortex® shell and simply stuff it in to this sack. Once the bags are in the sack you draw the closure shut and lock it sing the barrel lock. Then you start cinching down the side straps using the ladder lock buckles. I would generally cinch the U.S. Military Modular Gortex® Sleeping Bag System
down to the size of a football.
• Polargard Intermediate Cold Weather bag
• Polargard Patrol Sleeping Bag
• Gortex Bivy Bag
• Compression Stuff Sack
• 9 LBS
• 87" LONG
• 35" WIDE

Final Thoughts
I really like the U.S. Military Modular Gortex® Sleeping Bag System. It is a very welcome addition to the military gear of the U.S. soldier. The soldier is set up for all four seasons with this new bag. I have spent a Winter in the high desert of Utah and a Summer in Iraq with this bag. The temperatures ranged from -30 degrees to +117 degrees. I have purchased my own U.S. Military Modular Gortex® Sleeping Bag System to use in the civilian world. This is a great all a round sleeping bag. When you use both sleeping inserts inside the Gortex® bivy, you can keep warm is some very cold climates. I do not think you can beat this bag for the price. Unless you are going to do some very serious mountaineering / climbing or go to one of the Arctic regions, this sleeping bag will work for you. This sleeping system retails for around $250.00 to $399.00, you can shop around and find some the better prices.I give this excellent sleeping bag five of five stars.

Thanks for the read,
~Mac  ©2004 Joe McMaster

The worlds best sleeping bag for the worlds best Army!
by sachbvn
I remember when I was first "down range" in Basic Training at Fort Benning. As we were issued our equipment, we were given these god awful looking sleeping bags. I instantly thought "how the hell are you supposed to sleep outside with this thing without a tent - further more - how is this (the bag) going to fit into this (the rucksack)!!! Before our first opportunity to stay outside all night we were issued these new "fart sacks". The Gortex sleeping system. Two inner shells with an all weather outter shell. The first night out was a "night fire" and I was in the squad in charge of cleaning up the range afterwords - it poured rain all night. We were all soaking wet before it was time to get some sleep - needless to say I went to bed cold and wet and woke up.... warm and not so wet. Great sleeping bag, I now think about camping and think "I don't need a tent, just a Gortex bag and I'm good to go! Not to mention you can get a compression bag that makes the whoe system about the size of a womans basketball... NICE!

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