NATO Stock Numbers:

Purpose

This Sleeping Bag set consists of:

A military Sleeping Bag with an insulating filling of hollow polyester fibre. This sleeping bag can be laundered in the normal manner and will perform more efficiently than bags with natural fillings in wet conditions.

A Compression Sack to reduce the volume of the rolled bag for carriage.

A Sleeping Bag Cover or bivvy bag made from Goretex fabric.

The set was designed to replace sleeping bags which incorporated natural down and feather fillings, and may be used in temperate and arctic conditions. Not all items are essential to the set, and each can be purchased separately.

Description

The main Sleeping Bag consists of two layers of quilted holofill fibre filling, with the quilt lines offset between layers to reduce 'cold spots', covered with a fabric casing. The quilting patternis designed to reduce movement of the filling, thus ensuring even distribution of insulation. The two layers are joined together by a length of fabric along both sides of the sleeping bag to prevent differential twisting of the layers. The bag has an integral quilted hood with a drawstring so that it can be drawn in close to the user's face. It has a big foot, to accept the soldier in comfort, even if he is wearing boots, and there is a central zip running half the length of the bag to permit quick entry and exit. The zip is covered by a protective quilted flap.

Two pockets are located inside the bag so that the soldier can store clothing and equipment safely and in a dry place. Each pocket is 30cms square.

Generally synthetic fibres are relatively high volume, and it is neccessary to reduce the volume of the rolled sleeping bag so it can be carried effectively by the operational soldier. This is done by means of a compression sack. This consists essentially of a small bag into which the sleeping bag is rolled, with a fabric lid, which is connected to the carrying bag by four straps and buckles. By pulling on each strap in turn the packed bag is reduced to a suitable volume.

The outer cover, or bivvy bag, consists of a tapered bag, with a shallow hood. The drawstring through the hood passes through the front top edge of the bivvy bag, so that the whole can be drawntightly together to give the best possible weather protection. All seams are tape-sealed using a hot air process.

As optional extras a zip and fly can be incorporated into the design, and a separate carrying bag can be provided in which to store the cover.

The final component of the set is the sleeping mat. The soldier, on operations or training is likely to be sleeping in open, perhaps rough ground. Much of the heat loss will be through the underside of the sleeping bag, and it is then neccessary to use a sleeping mat for extra insulation. This gives additional comfort against uneven ground or small stones.

Materials

Sleeping Bag
The filling is 6.33 decitex, blend of 4 & 7 hole polyester fibre, with a silicone finish, with the main covering fabric made from nylon taffeta.

Compression Sack
The two main fabrics used are nylon coated with polurethane or nylon coated with silicone elastomer.

Bivvy Bag
This is made from moisture vapour permeable fabric (Gortex fabric currentlyused).

Colours

The colouring throughout is Olive Drab.

Dimensions

Sleeping Bag
Total Legth - Including Hood 2.2m (hood length is 360mm)
Width at shoulder - 850mm
Width at foot - 500mm

Compression Sack
Flat length - 640mm
Radius - 140mm

Bivvy Bag
Length at shoulder - 2.2m
Wdith at shoulder - 890mm

Weight

Sleeping Bag - 3kg.
Compression Sack - 200gm
Bivvy Bag - 790gm.

Status & Associated Items

The set carries the following NATO Stock Numbers::

Sleeping Bag 8465-99-978-9194
Compression Sack Reduced Shape 8465-99-517-2656
Cover Special Forces (Bivvy Bag) 8465-99-769-7040