What would you put in your Bug out Bag?

[Treesuit]

Does anybody use a sleeping bag in their BOB or pack? I'd like to get some discussion as to whether a sleeping bag is useful in putting into a BOB. I like having a three season bag myself but sometimes it isn't practical. Sometimes having a lighter patrol bag or poncho liner would suffice. Plus has anybody had any experience with silicon impregnated nylon tarps vs. 1 person tents or poncho lean to's? I've heard of them but I cannot seem to find any material where I can see firsthand or make a comparison about.

[dirtbag]

I don't have a BoB per se, but I keep a light mummy bag in my work car, along with stove, water and a couple of MRE's.

I keep a couple of winter bags in my pick-up, as I use that when I go up north to Oregon.
If you ever actually had to use your BoB, I think you'de appreciate a sleeping bag, versus one of those mylar bags...

Actually, thats a good idea, to really use the stuff in your BoB, to see what works and what doesn't, and what you may need extra.

[sodjer]

as ive said i also dont have a bob,but i am always ready to head off and i always have a sleeping bag in my kit.i think there is nothing more dangerous in any sit than lack of sleep(both for moral and to add the thought and problem solving process)i ve always used a uk gs sleeping bag,but in winter i ll add an op herrick desert bag.us multi bag unit are getting more available here and i ve looked at use one of them.

[Treesuit]

Actually, thats a good idea, to really use the stuff in your BoB, to see what works and what doesn't, and what you may need extra.

Dirtbag, yeah the guys running a similar discussion over at AR15.com have voiced the same thing. Althought most of them say to go out just about every other weekend and work out the kinks in your BOB and pare down what your absolutely need and don't need. Realistically, I can't do that since I have full time work and school but I do have some idea what I do need to get by.

Davy, do you have a picture of that UK genneral sleeping bag. I keep thinking the Brits have a generous contract with SUNGPACK sleeping bags. I have one myself and I don't use it much. It's good in the summer and early fall but a little too narrow in the feet end and claustrophobic. Also what are you refering too when you say US multi unit bag? Do you mean the three piece modular bag that the US uses now? I'd say that its quite bulky to lug around but very warm.

[sodjer]

hi treesuit i have never been a fan of snugpak sleep systems their remitt is to make them as small and light as possible,that doesnt work for me.besides the the uk system is good and spacious(im 5ft 9in and i can easily bring my knees to my chin in one).the only time i have had problems with the brit bag is on clear spring nights ,i used it get cold .then i discovered i was lossing heat through radiation,i started carrying a space blanket/pouch and never had that problem again.the reason i mentioned the us system(modular)is because a usaf friend has promised me one and the concept is sound.i am intending changing out my entire camping idea in the next month,my son got me one of the new british multi-cam patrol bergans(30 l)and santa left me a jetboil .im not one to jump into it so i am off on contact till late jan so that will give me a chance to think it out.

[Treesuit]

Sodjer,

Yes, the US MSS is rather sound and will keep you really warm on those spring or winter nights. If you can get ahold of one with the GORTEX outer liner, keep it and don't let it go. Picking up the first generation ones here in the states are relatively cheap now. If your USAF freind doesn't come through PM me and we can work something out.

If Santa brought you a Jetboil, you in luck. That system is soundproof and very easy to deal with. I have an orignal and I put it through the rigors last New Years on MT Rainer in 10 degree F weather and full snow drifts. Came through like a champ. Started looking at the SOL over Christmas break. Plus, I found a MSR dragonfly stove with all the kit at a yard sale for $20.00. It's banged up and beaten but looks like it will still fire up after a few pumps.

What kind of stove do you have in your kit?

[sodjer]

I have been using a Coleman feather422 for the last 20 odd years and it be e n great I got a brew going in the cold when everybody else's gas kits were spluttering.it wee square pots are battered and dented.its getting tired now(so am I)so I am going lighter.i ve also got a love/hate thing with hex amine I get it for nothing and have worked on better systems to use it

[housil]

hi treesuit i have never been a fan of snugpak sleep systems

I own one snugpak summer bag I use at work. I like they have a "collar" inside to prevent cold air getting in by the face opening. I don´t like that too small zipper. It does not seems sturdy to me for rough outdoor use. But I like it´s pretty comfy to me
Once I used my real German Army tropical bag at 42F (6°C) and froze my b**t off all night long...

So I used for the next night the German "GP II", that´s the current one they also use in Afghanistan. That bag is bulky enough you can turn around inside also have your arms over your head etc.

the US MSS is rather sound and will keep you really warm on those spring or winter nights

YES
I really *like* the US MSS and can higly recommand it!
I used it here:

Note: The snow didn´t melt due to my body heat!


I slept outside in a winterstrom over here without any tent!

But the US MSS is nothing to carry around in a bag. Too bulky and heavy.
Too me, all this "emergency bags", "... blankets", etc. are all crap. They may are small and light weight BUT just prevent you from freezing to death (serious), but don´t give you a warm and comfy sleep and rest.

I also tested that German Army GPII out there with bivy bag, but not with the tropical inside (same system than US MSS):


This was "OK", to cold to really sleep, but "OK"...

Usually I use an US selfinflatable matress with it, but my newest gadget is this:

A real military field cot matress

This is all nothing for a BOB, but I´m doing mechanized "hikes"

[Treesuit]

Housil,

Do those German sleeping bags compress nicely? Or are they too bulky? Does the German GP II come with a standard issue GORTEX outer bag or is that something you buy separate? I agree some sleep systems are too bulky to carry long distances but in more colder climates the added weight might offset the fact of a person getting hypothermia. I live in a state where the outside temperature can vary in elevation even after 10km.

I have the standard MSS with GORTEX shell and a older US cold weather sleeping (cotton canvas) bag mummy style. The MSS can compress down very well but I don't like the 'bowling ball" shape that it compresses too and it doesn't fit well in most of my packs. The older mummy bag can compress into a "sausage roll" but its not as bulky and it can fit nicely into my large ALICE pack.

Are these the only packs you have, or do you have more? I'm curious....

[housil]

Housil,

Do those German sleeping bags compress nicely? Or are they too bulky? Does the German GP II come with a standard issue GORTEX outer bag or is that something you buy separate?

Yes, you can compress it very nicely with its bag

The left one, non compressed compared to the Canadian dawn one.

There are two different Goretex bags available, the older Flecktarn one and the newer OD one:

Buying the sleeping bag privat, you need to buy that Goretex bag seperatly.

I agree some sleep systems are too bulky to carry long distances but in more colder climates the added weight might offset the fact of a person getting hypothermia. I live in a state where the outside temperature can vary in elevation even after 10km.

I carried the US Intermediate Cold sleeping bag with me in a Rucksack as the heaviest one during a winter exercise. I enjoyed having it with me, but lost most of my space for other stuff.

I have the standard MSS with GORTEX shell and a older US cold weather sleeping (cotton canvas) bag mummy style. The MSS can compress down very well but I don't like the 'bowling ball" shape that it compresses too and it doesn't fit well in most of my packs. The older mummy bag can compress into a "sausage roll" but its not as bulky and it can fit nicely into my large ALICE pack.

I have all three fo them:

Are these the only packs you have, or do you have more? I'm curious....

I have German GP, GP II, tropical, KSK (Canadian one), US MSS, intermedia and extreme cold.