Kifaru Slick Bag

If those are your requirements, then it is not bad for the weight. I can't help but think that you could go much lighter, but then you want the more durable material as well. That's your tradeoff.

If you're looking for something more "tactical" I'm pretty sure down would be a bad choice. The Slick bags look good but thats expensive, for the the price you could get one of Tim Marshell's custom quilts and save some weight (and probably some money too). I'd image he could make a military style quilt if you asked. I noticie Kifaru talks about how tough the shell of their bags are but I don't see that as being worth the extra price. A few tears in a synthetic bag will not compromise its effectiveness.

the Revelation X looks pretty nice. Im curious if i could mimic the same thing with a product i already own.

https://kifaru.net/woobie.html

Ive heard of people putting zippers on woobie from the army. I have never heard of Kifaru stating what their woobies can handle temp wise though. i may end up calling them soon to ask these questions. they are pretty light too, mine being 20.8oz. Any thoughts there Luke?

If I recall the insulation used in the Woobie is about what you'd use to make a 40-50 degree sleeping bag or quilt.

Here is an idea if you need something warmer. How about a wearable quilt? Some people have made quilts that close around the legs with vecro or ties and open up like a blanket. You can also add a head hole near the center and wear it. I wouldn't do that with a down bag a least not for military use because any rip in a down bag is a major problem. However you could easily make a sub 2 pound synthetic wearable quilt even if you used more rugged shell materials. My not wearble synthetic quilt weighs 23 oz and would be good to about 20 degrees.

I have the 0* Slick bag and it is very well made. I'm a cold sleeper and at 20* with two sleeping pads I was still a bit chilly in the 0* bag. If I understand correctly Kifaru adds one layer of Climashield Combat per 20* that goes down from 40. In other words, your Woobie is 1 layer and so is the 40* Slick bag. The Doobie (which I just ordered one of) is 2 layers, or the same as the 20* Slick bag. The 0* Slick bag uses 3 layers, and so on. I'm far from an expert, but I've heard more than once that Kifaru is optomistic about their temperature ratings. My own experience is in line with this. But as long as you take that into account, I wouldn't sleep in anything else given the option. Synthetic + tough shell material…and at a respectable weight? Nice.

There are many areas where I'm willing to lose a little comfort in favor of lighter weight. Blankets or sleeping bags are not one of them, as I view them more as a survival item. I'm a die-hard synthetic fan for sleeping gear. I think it would be a very poor move to use down in a tactical situation. Down is unbeatable in the best conditions. But when was the last time you had the best conditions in a tactical environment? =/= Ultralight backpacking.

Just my .02 cents. And thanks for your service!

Doug, nice to hear from another Kifaru user. 0* huh? wow. well i guess IF i did get it in 20*, i could add the woobie for some extra warmth if needed. i wouldnt say im a cold sleeper, however, my feet have a hard time staying warm even wearing thick wool socks (which keeps me awake). I would agree on your statement of not going too extreme with your sleep gear, i feel pretty similar. Ive been looking at Tim Marshall's quilts, and they definitely have me curious, however, i would feel like a was wasting a woobie i already own if i bought something that seems to be the same thing just with zippers (how it appears to me). I am sure it is a quality product, and Tim, if you read this im sorry if this sounds bad. I may see if i can get a sewing shop around here to sew a zipper on my woobie and see how that goes.

If you go that route (zipper on the Woobie), let me know how you like it. I bought my new Doobie with the intent of using it to replace a sleeping bag for summer use. I might consider making the same mod to mine.

Whisker I would agree that a quilt would be pretty redudant compared to the Woobie. Mostly I was thinking of ideas if you need something warmer. A custom quilt from Tim Marshell could be price competative with the Doobie and you could get one with even warmer insulation for little if any weight penalty.

I don't think adding a zipper would be that hard. If for some really weird reason you can't find one Wal Mart sells glue on velcro tabs.

will do. i may try this this coming week. the hard part will be finding a shop that isnt bogged down with orders. i like to have fast turn around times. maybe i can craigslist this project out to a good seamstress. i am however thinking of going full zipper. i like Tim's shockcord usage, I just feel i would like one long zipper better.

man, i dont know why i didnt think of that. VELCRO! any idea if velcro is lighter than zipper? i have a ton of adhesive velcro i use on my mil gear already. if it is comparable to the weight of a zipper i think i would like that idea, ive had a ton of zippers bust on me, especially in sleeping bags. ive never seen zipper sold anywhere, so i have no idea what it weighs.

I don't know what it weighs but I don't imagine it would be radically different from a zipper.

I was thinking velcro because its easy and because you could bust out of a velcro bag in a tactical situation if you had too. One thing to keep in mind is that velcro collects things. I made a pack with a velcro closure at the top and its got a lot of fuzzy on it now.

My understanding is that zippers often fail because the teeth wear out or they get clogged with sand or grit. A bigger (and heavier) zipper would probably resist this better.

Edit – Some Wal Mart sell in the crafts area but I'm not sure they are long enough. Joan's Fabrics is a chain of stores that sells sewing supplies. They would be a good place to find zippers or stuff like that. They usually are staffed with pretty knowledgable people.

lol, ya. velcro, unfortunately is something i am too familiar with collecting "things". we have it all over our uniforms and it has to be one of the most annoying aspects of todays uniforms. talk about noisy and collective.

Oh yeah I just remembered the velcro on all the uniforms… On the bright side the new boots look more comfortable.

Hope your project works out. Will you be looking for a warmer bag or do you think the Woobie will work for now?

what new boots? i guess i havent seen them. i wear my own purchased boots from 5.11, the HRTs. well, i think i may end up doing both. it is still pretty cold around where i will be hiking. i dont trust my USGI patrol bag to stand up to the cold. i got away with it last time because i was wearing three layers of clothing, top and bottom. id like to just be in my silkies on my bottom, and silkies and possibly my down jacket on top if needed. so, i may try out the woobie idea with extra clothes first while i wait for my bag to be delivered. then i will try just the bag, then towards the end of the year (fall) i will try both together if needed. i will definitely post up my finished product with the woobie when i get it finished.

Maybe "new" is a relative term. I tried an old pair of Desert Storm era boots and did not like them at all. I was told the newer versions have a more comfortable sole but then maybe "more comfortable" is relative too.

I'll be interested to see how your project turns out.

I have a Woobie, I find it to be pretty warm when paired with a high R value pad, and really warm with a pad and a John West bivy. The bivy is very light, and helps with tarp camping.