Yes, those are really good, glad you still have yours.
2020-06-30 14:21:03 +0000 UTC
Hi Mike
I still have my issue sleeping bag and gore-tex bivi bag , I wouldn’t be without it no need for a tent , also have my issue tarp / basha / poncho for the added bit of shelter
2020-06-30 07:39:16 +0000 UTC
Good points. I second that you can get good sleeping bags at thrift stores, we have found them before.
2020-06-29 14:44:34 +0000 UTC
I've spent a lot of time in the woods and except for the dead of summer, I won't go anywhere without the complete military sleep system. I've been caught in too many freak storms to risk being miles from anywhere without a good sleep system.
I have gotten away from tents for man portable systems. I'd rather have a better sleeping bag and ground mat, then spend the weight and bulk on a tent. Vehicle camping is another story. Anymore these days it's just a mmss, a waterproof shooting mat, and a poncho. I might carry a closed cell or inflatable pad in the winter. A lined shooting mat is wider than a typical roll up sleeping pad and makes camp life easier because you have more working area to set stuff. You can always shove a bunch of brush underneath if you need the insolation. Or just put your extra clothes under your back and prop your feet on your pack. There's more than one way to skin a cat.
You can often get decent sleeping bags from the thrift stores. People buy nice equipment, use it once or twice and get rid of it. Unfortunately that stuff is getting scarce because so many people are becoming homeless that people are not donating as much or there is a line to get it.
If You can't afford a expensive sleeping bag, you can shove a cheap mummy bag into a cheap box bag to increase it's warmth rating. As long as the outer bag is bigger than the inner bag, this works very well.
