What is a good Civilian sleeping bag that approximates or is better than what Army issues?

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 20 May 2022 20:21:27 -0400

Hey what is the best civilian brand of sleeping bag that closely resembles what the Army issues? Like the old OD green, goose down, mummy style sleeping bag CIF used to issue? I believe that bag was rated down to 0 degrees Farenheit (if you know otherwise let me know). Any advice on 4 person tents also appreciated.

Response by CWO4 Terrence Clark made May 20 at 2022 9:18 PM

CWO4 Terrence Clark — Fri, 20 May 2022 21:18:22 -0400

Really depends on how you intend to camp. Hike in? Horse in? 4x4? RV "glamping"? We've never been disappointed in LLBean products. Or follow on service. Bought our first tent and 30° bags from them in 1974.
We used that 7x7, nylon wall, waxed cotton floor and roof tent all over Europe and the U.S. for 40 years until we wimped out and bought a diesel pusher when we retired. Bean has a number of 0° mummy bags.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made May 20 at 2022 9:43 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Fri, 20 May 2022 21:43:38 -0400

I always took my West German sleeping bag to the field and left my army sleeping bag in the locker. It was just as good for warmth BUT it had arms sown onto the bag, which helped a lot + it was coated in heavy duty waterproofing. Having gotten my US Army sleeping bag soaked a couple of times, I put out the extra cash for it and I still use it today.
Here's an link but I don't know if this civilian model is waterproofed :
https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Gear-Sportsmans-Sleeping-Green/dp/B08DKSTTLJ/ref=asc_df_B08DKSTTLJ/?

Guide Gear Sportsman's Sleeping Bag with Arms, Green : Sports & Outdoors

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made May 20 at 2022 10:35 PM

CPL Douglas Chrysler — Fri, 20 May 2022 22:35:44 -0400

Those were horrible unless you like breathing in feathers all night.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2022 12:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 May 2022 12:24:52 -0400

The Army sleeping system was pretty top of the line when it replaced the fart sack about 20 years ago. Now, any sleep system by a reputable company with a rating down to 0 degrees will work great. Spend money on a good mat, the earth is where all your heat goes, especially when you're inside a tent. In fact, I'd say splurge on the best self inflating mat, maybe put a reflective space blanket below that, get a decent sleeping bag, and a three or four season tent, depending on the weather you're expecting. If you're off the ground enough not to lose heat from it, you will be pretty comfortable in any tent, especially one with a small heat source

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made May 23 at 2022 9:22 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 23 May 2022 09:22:43 -0400

There are a lot of top quality and high end down mummies. How are you going to use them? Is weight and space an issue?
Western Mountaineering, Marmot, Kelty and Big Agnes all make top quality bags that would fit the 0 degree requirement. Big Agnes Bags are designed to use an insulated sleeping pad on the bottom, so they tend to be lighter.
Real bad weather tents? Marmot, Big Agnes, North Face and the upper end Eureka's all would fit the bill. Lots of choices, depending on your camping style. If you camp a lot in bad/or cold weather, drop the extra money and get one meant for mountaineering. Expect those to start around $300.00

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made May 23 at 2022 11:37 AM

SGT Cody Skinner — Mon, 23 May 2022 11:37:23 -0400

That is a tough one to answer because the civilian market has so much more variety or way better products. The Army sleeping system is rated to -15 with all the layers put together. I would look at REI for camping equipment. That is where I have had the most success in getting quality gear that has lasted so far.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made May 24 at 2022 11:07 AM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Tue, 24 May 2022 11:07:49 -0400

My extreme cold weather bag (down filled) rolled down to about 6 inches in diameter. It was old & worn out. I knew it as soon as CIF issued it to me & I had to take what they handed to me. Trying to use in the field required 2 poncho liners & a space blanket to survive the night. Who knows how cold it got up on the OP with no way of putting any form of shelter. It was all rock & no soil. Our TOC said it was only 6 above down in the valley. After that I went to the camping store & bought my own, black sleeping bag rated to -20F. Never had an issue after that.

Response by CPT Eireanne Russ made Jun 3 at 2022 6:43 PM

CPT Eireanne Russ — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:43:59 -0400

Check out "Outdoor gear Review" and GruntProof on youtube. They both go into depth about civilian and military gear...lots of it, and all kinds, from tents to food to packs to underwear and everything in between an d near by. Alternative is to go to places like REI and any locally owned backpacking stores. "homemade Wanderlust" is also a good source, but she does mostly backpacking and long trail gear rather than family

Response by SGT Lonnie Woods made Jun 3 at 2022 9:24 PM

SGT Lonnie Woods — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 21:24:19 -0400

Man those sleeping bags were awesome when I deployed to Bosnia. Now the newer bags are even a lower temp that the other ones. I you strip down I the bag in my opinion it seems warmer.

Response by SN William Culotta made Jun 21 at 2022 4:57 AM

SN William Culotta — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 04:57:32 -0400

I have done a lot of hiking and camping in the White Mountains and the answer is simple. Just open almost any retailer who sells camping and hiking supplies. Almost any quality bag will be better than a Military bags unless they have gotten markedly better.

Response by 1SG Alan Boggs made Jan 6 at 2023 7:27 PM

1SG Alan Boggs — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 19:27:24 -0500

The current military issue is a modular design with a light 3 season bag that goes inside a heavy winter bag and finally a gortex bivy cover.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 22 at 2023 8:05 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 08:05:51 -0400

I still have a couple. Haven’t used them since my retirement. I was one of this that purchased new TA-50 for attending PNCOC and BNCOC. Crazy but they left me alone during inspections.