Oh, and along the pillow case vein, I made a super thick fleece cover for my air pillow and have snap closures. If I'm in my biv, I got my boots on. Thanks for the video. I like the smiles from you guys on the video. It makes it.
A small battery powered fan is a neat idea, Ralph. If small enough I might could hang one on the pool noodle...this will need more research and testing!
For me, getting my boots as dry as possible overnight, is a high priority. A hack I've been using since my mid-1980's Army days: I always keep an extra mosquito head net rolled up in my cargo pocket. At night, I place my boots in it and cinch it tight. This allows the boots to fully ventilate overnight, and keeps all the critters out. That said, I like your thinking. Spitballing here, I'm wondering if a length of the old school foam USGI sleeping pad might do the same thing. When we loaded our duffle bags, the first thing we would put in it is our foam sleeping pad roll, and then we would untie it inside. It would unfurl and retain the cylinder shape and expand to the diameter of the duffel, serving as a stiffener to keep it open as we placed everything else inside. Now, imagine that concept turned on its side, with the foam mat replacing your pool noodle. If I cut a shortened length of pad so that it expands to the diameter of my ALICE pack, it would act as a stiffener like it did for our duffel bags and also contribute to flotation. It would also make a handy ground mat for sitting and kneeling. Then at night, curl it into a cylinder, lay it on its side, stuff it in the bivy, and use it like you used your pool noodle. You wouldn't need the boots to hold it in place, because your torso would do that. That would free your boots to be placed in the mosquito net and ventilate overnight, and you wouldn't have to deal with the smell and dirt right by your head. And because the sleeping mat is only 1/2 inch thick, it would intrude less into your space. Love the creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, thanks for the inspiration!
@robertsbushcraft Since color doesn't seem to matter here, just pop on down to Wally World and get a blue mat. Dimensions and performance is identical to G.I. Or get a yoga mat, they come in gray or black.
You guys are awesome. Great hack to get a little breathing room in the bivvy! I love how excited you get when you come up with ideas like the pillow case! Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work, don't change a thing! Jerry
Jerry, when I first cut the old jacket liner up I felt like I was sinning. It hurt, lol. On a whim, I sewed it together only using eyeballed measurements. And it turns out that it fits the Klymit Drift like a dream.
@@robertsbushcraft Lol! I know what you mean! 😂 My wife has a purse that was made out of USGI shelter half canvas. That just ain't right! BTW, I dropped you an email on your website about a new Stanley kit I thought you and Gabriel would enjoy. Turns out, it's kind of hard to find though.
I think it can be solved in a different way. You need 3-6 straps of Goretex tape (cheap, use with iron) and just make loops on the top layer. Then put foam there.
Try the British bivy. They weigh less and are more simple. They just have a big drawstring hood. No zipper to break or leak. I traded for one when I was in the army my unit spent a month in England. We didn't have the sleep system. Mostly we survived with poncho, and liner. When I got that gortex everyone in my unit was jealous. I would hear a thunderstorm coming in and giggle. Everyone else would be cussing and swearing putting up poncho hooches. I would roll over and go back to sleep not a care in the world.
I got a extra large uk gortex bivi for 25pounds it fits a daypack and sleeping bag and i don't wakeup with any damp spots if i leave a small opening to breath out of.
This is great for camping expeditions, however in modern times, many who utilize these bivy's can't afford the risk of taking their boots off. Otherwise, great idea
I can advise you if you are going to use this dollar store hack to buy a pair of sandals, moccasins, barefoot shoes, or water shoes in your pack. Obviously, you are sacrificing your boots and pool noodle as an improvised tent frame. But this is a neat trick for a bivvy sack.
Love the pool noodle idea. The pillow? I use my stuff sack for my sleeping bag to stuff my jacket inside of and that becomes a pillow with no extra to carry around. I bet of you stretched a head net over the boots and pool noodle you'd have a way to keep skeeters from nipping ya
Suggestion-at expense of boots becoming clammy overnight, but dry-protected from elements and critters like ticks, while still using the pool noodle trick, try the following: 1. place boots in contractor bag and tie-off contractor bag. 2. Place contractor bag outside of MMSS. 3. Either glue (not recommended but is a potential solution path) or sew and then seam grip (sewing w/ seam grip would be a better solution than gluing) a pocket inside the MMSS on each side of the MMSS at the floor level (or close to floor level) at locations that make the most sense to you. The extreme top-end corners of the MMSS would be one set logical locations, but another set of logical locations could be where that cross seam at the top of the cover meets the floor level. These pockets would contain the two ends of the pool noodle, much like the boots in your video. 4. Either glue (again, not recommended) or sew and seam grip (again a better solution than gluing) a hook-and-loop (i.e., Velcro®) strip on the inside ceiling of the MMSS where that cross seam mentioned earlier runs. 5. Insert ends of pool noodle into the respective pockets and then use the Velcro® strap to anchor the middle of the pool noodle in place. The closer the two pockets are to the floor, the better this solution would function, I think. You would not want much flop with this solution-Keeping it taut would minimize the amount of head-to-foot shifting of the bivy cover's material. The above solution should permit quick and easy repeated installations and removals of the noodle. As the character of Spock asked near the end of the motion picture feature film, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan:" "What do you think of my solution?" As with all of your videos, I really liked your video. Best wishes to you. KMM.
Okay, I can see where your going with this hack. But you didn't have to spend the dollar. You could accomplish the same goal with a flexible tree limb. The way I see it, the pool noodle is just one more thing taking up room in your pack and isn't really needed. Just my thought.
Another suggestion-this one is a variation of the tree limb solution mentioned in the video and in at least one of the comments below: This solution would require 3 'poles', each of which could be fabricated onsite from available wood or reeds, as well as sewing and seam gripping. 1. At home, sew and seam grip on the OUTSIDE of the bivy cover, on or near the aforementioned cross seam, somewhere in the middle, topmost, a Velcro® strap. 2. Create two Y-poles, each about 2 feet in length. 3. Drive each Y-pole deeply into the ground, one on each side of the bivy cover, along that aforementioned cross seam at the top side of the bivy cover, near the head end of the cover. 3. Run either a third pole (not a Y-pole, merely a regular pole) across both Y-poles, much like a spit over a fire with two Y-poles on each side of that fire. 4. Anchor the external Velcro® strap that you previously sewed and seam gripped to the pole. Alternatively, one could dispense with Y-poles and merely run a guyline from either two poles or two trees, running the guyline across the MMSS, left-to-right, and Anchor the external Velcro® strap to the guyline. Now that I think about it, the guyline solution would be the lightest and easiest solution of all-no boots, no noodle, no poles.
@@robertsbushcraft I love mine its great for stealth camping, I hear that there are problems with the zipper but that it is easily replaced. of course it has problems weight is one it weighs about twice that of the USMC improved bivvi
And that's where I think I've always sort of turned my nose up at it: the weight. I've always reasoned out that I'd add a few extra pounds and take the heavier TCOP tent. That said, extra pounds are extra pounds and I'm beginning to appreciate less weight being carried these days.
Now that’s a pillow! First my man Dave Pearson (Reallybigmonkey1) showed off his sewing skills now my man Curry does as well! Just proves to me real men can sew! Great hack for the bivy guys. It’s something I’ve been contemplating since I too don’t like the material in my face. I may have missed the origin of that ground sheet in previous videos but is it a cut down MARPAT tarp? Thanks again for sharing guys. It’s a privilege to go hiking with you!
I was thinking the same thing, looks like a cut down, marpat field tarp. Learning to sew opens up so many possibilities, definitely a skill I need for the toolbox.
@@joeyjones9041 That’s for sure. I have quite few ideas for field gear that sewing would make happen. My dad could sew on the ancient Singer machine we had. I remember several gun socks he made out of old jeans legs.
Real men CAN sew, Steve! You'd be surprised at how easy it is to make small pouches, repair clothing and gear, even make the BEST CAMP PILLOW CASE ON THE PLANET, with a sewing machine. The material beneath the bivy was purchased on Ebay a few years ago and I believe it to be the exact same material the USMC field tarp is made of. I wish that I had bought the whole of what the seller had.
@@steveturner3999 Hi Steve, I started sewing to break the boredom of the pandemic. I found an ancient Singer on Craigs list and it can't be beat. Started making cordura day back packs and dog boots. It seems to be a great hobby.
@@robertsbushcraft Thanks Curry. I have a few purchase regrets. Not that I bought something (well a few of those) but that I didn’t buy or buy enough of something. I’m really considering getting my sister-in-law to teach me to sew. I have ideas for items and some that need repair. Sewing could make that happen. Who knows? Maybe a Bushcraft Sewing Circle is on the horizon!
I like the idea but just a question not intended negatively. Given that is fairly bulky if you are going to the trouble of carrying that why not just get a low profile one man tent?
We have tents just like that: ua-cam.com/video/8HIjdapuj6s/v-deo.html The bivy is superior is being low profile but nowhere near as roomy. Here you can see that the bivy is easily hidden ua-cam.com/video/XAvKqvX6zMM/v-deo.html
Learned the greenwood stick trick in scouts (50 years ago!) But it can't be pine, too muxh sticky sap will get on your gear. We used willow, strong and flexible. Like the pool noodle idea though.
That's pretty freakin' incredible guys! Very clever! Easy to see how this might save some weight as opposed to a tent.The pillow mod is an especially nice touch. Rock on, fellas!
@@robertsbushcraft I like it because I can swing the pack around and access all my pouches as needed, it's also a godsend for shucking off and putting it back on 👍
Extra long plasic cuffs would spring back to hold position without the need to reposition wire every time and less likely to make a hole the bivvy bag if used to hold the hood in position. Where's the hot woman and cold beers? Just wondering.
@@robertsbushcraft awesome, thanks man. We generally just call them floats on England, that mixed with the accent confused me. Great idea, I'm going to try this when I can because I have a Dutch Army non hooped bivvy.
Hello you guys are always coming up with great stuff on your channel. I really like that ground sheet under the bivy and pillow/climate drift..how can I get them and where ??
That particular sheet is a piece of material that was purchased from ebay a few years ago. It's been really hard to find since then, but, it is the same material used to make the USMC field tarp amzn.to/3Wy3Mlf or you can find them on ebay: ebay.us/MM9zfr
Maybe you can take heavy-duty aluminum foil or use one of those aluminum containers that you cook your turkey in during Thanksgiving. Fold up the aluminum foil into long strips or cut the aluminum containers into strips 1" wide x 12" long. Get masking tape, Gorilla tape, or that blue tape that's sold in Home Depot, and join them together; so that you get it to be 60" long. Then, you bend the long aluminum strip into a circle and stuff it in the MMSS bivy! :D You can use tape to hold the circle in place.
Why not just put your backpack in it to keep it up right? It keeps it dry and keeps it off your face, that's what I did on deployments. If you ruck doesn't fit use a 1 day backpack in the ruck when you stop at your ORP's or Patrol Bases. Put a coat or it to keep it standing or clothes and don't have to carry anything extra. Or 550 cord and a patch can create an attachment point to tie a point off at the head area.
@@robertsbushcraft It was a Yote bag by Eagle Industries. I would put a coat or field striped MRE's in main pouch. I would role up a T-shirt or two for the small pouch and use that as the pillow. Between the Hydration bad and a couple of item in main pouch it works great as a mini frame.
haha great idea got flecktarn mms on way and just happen t have a bit pipe lagging foam about rt size left over from my hammock hack.. sweet got poles from a phoxx1v2 might help too n more packable nice one
I used the shoes technique with pet bottles and it worked well thank you even though its better to stay with opened bivy for better breathing and carry some tarp to put over your head and you good to go
@@robertsbushcraft yes thanks interesting idea, but I had to scan through the video and increase the playback. So it was a strange experience. But then I don't know your motivations overall.
Good idea but not for me. With the conditions here in the UK, I would have to pack a shovel to get the mud off my boots 1st. 😂👍 I sleep on my side so the bivy is not on my face anyway. Regards JB.
Stinky boot in the face.... don't step in scat just before bedding down... :) :) :) Pool noodle consumes quite a bit of volume in pack. Dump the pool noodle, find couple flexible branches or roll a jacket/coat into an elongated roll to bridge between boots.
Me? I'd slit the noodle in half and skip the boots altogether. There are a hundred ways to deal with the footwear that do not include that close proximity to my face. The half noodle going in with me, do up the zipper then place it in place (round side out) .. tada!
You're welcome! If you need reinforcement, you can cut to length a small branch (fresh cut is best due to flexibility), and insert that into the noodle.
Why carry the flotation stick? Just use a green bough or two with a pc of paracord... Or green branches with a couple short stubs of 2 to 3 inch log to fill the gaps
That was stick method was mentioned in the video, the float noodle doesn't have any rough edges or splinters that might puncture the bivy. Don't get me wrong, the stick works, just prefer the float.
How often does it really happen that you close your bivy completely? I made a patch out of Velcro and hung the face piece with a rubber cord on a branch ... it is clear that the bivy remains open on the head! Next I'll try to do something with tarp clips. Atb from Germania Jürgen Ps: I like the idea with the pool noodle
Hello J. Juergen! I always slept with this closed during colder months. The head does not seal shut and ventilation can be increased by opening the zipper for more air flow. Since getting the IBC a couple years ago I've pretty much shelved the MMSS bivy by placing it in the go bag. The IBC is a superior bivy in my opinion. Atb!
You sound and act like Bill Clinton! Ha! I recently tried the OR Advanced Bivy and I'm thinking of copying the design on my GI bivy however I will need to add 4" of fabric along the side to make it the same size which is handy for changing your clothes inside. I'm going to use small branches for poles which I prepare at the campsite.
@@robertsbushcraft After inspecting it more closely I think it will be harder than I thought. I might be better off just using it as is or getting a different model.
I like the noodle but not the boots inside. Maybe a couple of Velcro straps, stitched or glued inside, to hold the noodle. I really like your thinking though.
The boots inside the bivy seems to be controversial! Clean boots (ours thankfully don't stink) in the bivy are good to go in our opinion. Keeps them warm and dry.
What why don’t you have a girl just so a curved wire into the thing. You can just fold it down when you fold it up. Think …car visors that fold into themselves
That's an option too! An issue with that for us is that we're not always hunkered down near trees or any other structure that could provide any real lift.
I got one but I’m thinking of cutting off the pole holes off a tent and poxy glue them inside the bevy and putting 4 stake loops on the outside of the bevy , then you can stake down your bevy and just use a small stick on the inside to fit in the pole holes and have a piece of Velcro to Velcro the stick to the top inside bevy so it don’t move around and come undone , that goes for staking the bevy down so it doesn’t move around on you when you move also helping the stick stay in place...of coarse always use a green stick...which is in abundance in the wilderness
That plan could work, too. We tried a several different ways that just never seemed to work out well on a consistent basis for us. The USMC Improved Bivy Cover (IBC) came along and that pretty much ended the trial and error attempts on the MMSS bivy.
Get rid of the boots, cut off one of your old flexible tent poles the length of the Noodle and slide it inside the Noodle. The Noodle will fit wedged tight inside the head area leaving more room to roll around. I found a heavy duty tent pole that has the bungee and connection tube barrel so it folds in half when not in use.
We want those boots inside and out of the elements. We never did get good repeatable results using a tent pole, but we didn't try it exactly like you mention. Might just give that a go!
@@robertsbushcraft I used the noodle that wasn't cut down the side end to end. It fit snug but I forgot I also later sewed strips of canvas strings at the footings of both sides and one at the top long enough to tie off the noodle for extra securement which made it perfect in my opinion.
I'm gonna tell you right now, out front; my boots are not getting that close to my nose in an enclosed area like that!
Oh, and along the pillow case vein, I made a super thick fleece cover for my air pillow and have snap closures. If I'm in my biv, I got my boots on. Thanks for the video. I like the smiles from you guys on the video. It makes it.
Maybe a little rechargeable battery powered fan in the pack.
One of two things is going for us...either our feet don't stink to the point of it being unpleasant OR we just don't smell them anymore :D
A small battery powered fan is a neat idea, Ralph. If small enough I might could hang one on the pool noodle...this will need more research and testing!
You're welcome and we appreciate your interaction with us, Ralph.
Ok, at the beginning of the vid, who else was thinking this looks like a live action "Johnny Quest" episode? Respect!
William, this could very well be my favorite comment ever on this channel!
Where’s Haji?
@@angryshrub1 Hopefully he has eyes on Bandit!
no doubt, two very cool looking gentlemen
For me, getting my boots as dry as possible overnight, is a high priority. A hack I've been using since my mid-1980's Army days: I always keep an extra mosquito head net rolled up in my cargo pocket. At night, I place my boots in it and cinch it tight. This allows the boots to fully ventilate overnight, and keeps all the critters out.
That said, I like your thinking. Spitballing here, I'm wondering if a length of the old school foam USGI sleeping pad might do the same thing. When we loaded our duffle bags, the first thing we would put in it is our foam sleeping pad roll, and then we would untie it inside. It would unfurl and retain the cylinder shape and expand to the diameter of the duffel, serving as a stiffener to keep it open as we placed everything else inside. Now, imagine that concept turned on its side, with the foam mat replacing your pool noodle. If I cut a shortened length of pad so that it expands to the diameter of my ALICE pack, it would act as a stiffener like it did for our duffel bags and also contribute to flotation. It would also make a handy ground mat for sitting and kneeling. Then at night, curl it into a cylinder, lay it on its side, stuff it in the bivy, and use it like you used your pool noodle. You wouldn't need the boots to hold it in place, because your torso would do that. That would free your boots to be placed in the mosquito net and ventilate overnight, and you wouldn't have to deal with the smell and dirt right by your head. And because the sleeping mat is only 1/2 inch thick, it would intrude less into your space.
Love the creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, thanks for the inspiration!
If I can get a piece of the iso mat (I think that's what you're describing) we may just try that out! Thank you for the idea on that, Stan!
cheers
@robertsbushcraft Since color doesn't seem to matter here, just pop on down to Wally World and get a blue mat. Dimensions and performance is identical to G.I. Or get a yoga mat, they come in gray or black.
You guys are awesome. Great hack to get a little breathing room in the bivvy! I love how excited you get when you come up with ideas like the pillow case! Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work, don't change a thing!
Jerry
Jerry, when I first cut the old jacket liner up I felt like I was sinning. It hurt, lol. On a whim, I sewed it together only using eyeballed measurements. And it turns out that it fits the Klymit Drift like a dream.
@@robertsbushcraft Lol! I know what you mean! 😂 My wife has a purse that was made out of USGI shelter half canvas. That just ain't right! BTW, I dropped you an email on your website about a new Stanley kit I thought you and Gabriel would enjoy. Turns out, it's kind of hard to find though.
I think it can be solved in a different way. You need 3-6 straps of Goretex tape (cheap, use with iron) and just make loops on the top layer. Then put foam there.
A good idea. Flexible plastic molding used along walls in homes would do the same and be less bulky.
Excellent suggestion, Michael!
Try the British bivy. They weigh less and are more simple. They just have a big drawstring hood. No zipper to break or leak. I traded for one when I was in the army my unit spent a month in England. We didn't have the sleep system. Mostly we survived with poncho, and liner. When I got that gortex everyone in my unit was jealous. I would hear a thunderstorm coming in and giggle. Everyone else would be cussing and swearing putting up poncho hooches. I would roll over and go back to sleep not a care in the world.
I got a extra large uk gortex bivi for 25pounds it fits a daypack and sleeping bag and i don't wakeup with any damp spots if i leave a small opening to breath out of.
The newer USMC IBC (coyote brown improved bivy cover in the video) is our definite go-to.
This is great for camping expeditions, however in modern times, many who utilize these bivy's can't afford the risk of taking their boots off. Otherwise, great idea
$0... Branchs, string and little round stone or wood piece and my bivy is of my face...
That works too!
Genius! Thank you! I will never again have to sleep with gortex against my face.
Right on, John!
I would be proud of those mods too. I think it is better than the My pillow sleep system.
I agree 100%, Earl!
I can advise you if you are going to use this dollar store hack to buy a pair of sandals, moccasins, barefoot shoes, or water shoes in your pack. Obviously, you are sacrificing your boots and pool noodle as an improvised tent frame. But this is a neat trick for a bivvy sack.
Nice vid brother, you look like Johnny Quest Dad.
Hah! That's an awesome comment!
Love the pool noodle idea. The pillow? I use my stuff sack for my sleeping bag to stuff my jacket inside of and that becomes a pillow with no extra to carry around. I bet of you stretched a head net over the boots and pool noodle you'd have a way to keep skeeters from nipping ya
Neat idea, Lorie!
Suggestion-at expense of boots becoming clammy overnight, but dry-protected from elements and critters like ticks, while still using the pool noodle trick, try the following: 1. place boots in contractor bag and tie-off contractor bag. 2. Place contractor bag outside of MMSS. 3. Either glue (not recommended but is a potential solution path) or sew and then seam grip (sewing w/ seam grip would be a better solution than gluing) a pocket inside the MMSS on each side of the MMSS at the floor level (or close to floor level) at locations that make the most sense to you. The extreme top-end corners of the MMSS would be one set logical locations, but another set of logical locations could be where that cross seam at the top of the cover meets the floor level. These pockets would contain the two ends of the pool noodle, much like the boots in your video. 4. Either glue (again, not recommended) or sew and seam grip (again a better solution than gluing) a hook-and-loop (i.e., Velcro®) strip on the inside ceiling of the MMSS where that cross seam mentioned earlier runs. 5. Insert ends of pool noodle into the respective pockets and then use the Velcro® strap to anchor the middle of the pool noodle in place. The closer the two pockets are to the floor, the better this solution would function, I think. You would not want much flop with this solution-Keeping it taut would minimize the amount of head-to-foot shifting of the bivy cover's material. The above solution should permit quick and easy repeated installations and removals of the noodle. As the character of Spock asked near the end of the motion picture feature film, "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan:" "What do you think of my solution?" As with all of your videos, I really liked your video. Best wishes to you. KMM.
I always carry a roll or 2 of dental floss. Sometimes I use it to lash a small stick frame headspace.
One pack in ifak, another in a tool roll 👍
Okay, I can see where your going with this hack. But you didn't have to spend the dollar. You could accomplish the same goal with a flexible tree limb. The way I see it, the pool noodle is just one more thing taking up room in your pack and isn't really needed. Just my thought.
We mentioned the green limb in the video and feel that it is a great option!
Another suggestion-this one is a variation of the tree limb solution mentioned in the video and in at least one of the comments below: This solution would require 3 'poles', each of which could be fabricated onsite from available wood or reeds, as well as sewing and seam gripping. 1. At home, sew and seam grip on the OUTSIDE of the bivy cover, on or near the aforementioned cross seam, somewhere in the middle, topmost, a Velcro® strap. 2. Create two Y-poles, each about 2 feet in length. 3. Drive each Y-pole deeply into the ground, one on each side of the bivy cover, along that aforementioned cross seam at the top side of the bivy cover, near the head end of the cover. 3. Run either a third pole (not a Y-pole, merely a regular pole) across both Y-poles, much like a spit over a fire with two Y-poles on each side of that fire. 4. Anchor the external Velcro® strap that you previously sewed and seam gripped to the pole. Alternatively, one could dispense with Y-poles and merely run a guyline from either two poles or two trees, running the guyline across the MMSS, left-to-right, and Anchor the external Velcro® strap to the guyline. Now that I think about it, the guyline solution would be the lightest and easiest solution of all-no boots, no noodle, no poles.
The Disney music is the killer touch
The chef's kiss!
Adapt and over come.
Right on!
4 words.. Dutch - Army - Hooped - Bivi nuff said
We might end up trying to get a couple of those, they seem quite popular!
@@robertsbushcraft I love mine its great for stealth camping, I hear that there are problems with the zipper but that it is easily replaced. of course it has problems weight is one it weighs about twice that of the USMC improved bivvi
And that's where I think I've always sort of turned my nose up at it: the weight. I've always reasoned out that I'd add a few extra pounds and take the heavier TCOP tent. That said, extra pounds are extra pounds and I'm beginning to appreciate less weight being carried these days.
Yeah, tried to find one, chicken teeth are easier to pick up!
Brilliant 👍 I'm going to look at getting me one of them IBC Bivi bags.
Thanks guys atb Taff 🤠
As far as these US military bivi bags are concerned the IBC is the way to go in our opinion. We love them, Taff!
Now that’s a pillow! First my man Dave Pearson (Reallybigmonkey1) showed off his sewing skills now my man Curry does as well! Just proves to me real men can sew! Great hack for the bivy guys. It’s something I’ve been contemplating since I too don’t like the material in my face. I may have missed the origin of that ground sheet in previous videos but is it a cut down MARPAT tarp? Thanks again for sharing guys. It’s a privilege to go hiking with you!
I was thinking the same thing, looks like a cut down, marpat field tarp. Learning to sew opens up so many possibilities, definitely a skill I need for the toolbox.
@@joeyjones9041 That’s for sure. I have quite few ideas for field gear that sewing would make happen. My dad could sew on the ancient Singer machine we had. I remember several gun socks he made out of old jeans legs.
Real men CAN sew, Steve! You'd be surprised at how easy it is to make small pouches, repair clothing and gear, even make the BEST CAMP PILLOW CASE ON THE PLANET, with a sewing machine. The material beneath the bivy was purchased on Ebay a few years ago and I believe it to be the exact same material the USMC field tarp is made of. I wish that I had bought the whole of what the seller had.
@@steveturner3999 Hi Steve, I started sewing to break the boredom of the pandemic. I found an ancient Singer on Craigs list and it can't be beat. Started making cordura day back packs and dog boots. It seems to be a great hobby.
@@robertsbushcraft Thanks Curry. I have a few purchase regrets. Not that I bought something (well a few of those) but that I didn’t buy or buy enough of something. I’m really considering getting my sister-in-law to teach me to sew. I have ideas for items and some that need repair. Sewing could make that happen. Who knows? Maybe a Bushcraft Sewing Circle is on the horizon!
Good hack. Don't know if I wanna smell my boots, and I'm gonna sell my MMSS, but I'll try it in my other bivy.
What other bivy are you using?
@@robertsbushcraft Snugpack Stratosphere
Frickin’ brilliant
Hm lets see. Bivvy pack and a body bag. Always seemed to carry a resemblance to each other.
Eerie, ain't it? (bad grammar for emphasis)
I thought it would be a good way to carry your dead after they went.
Too right, and boots on the ground end up as holes in the ground.
Great hack. 👍👍
But have you ever tried The Dutch military bivi bag ? it is all in one.
Hope to see that vlog when You use it. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼
Never tried the Dutch bivy, maybe we'll get one sometime in the future.
Good idea, guys. 👍
That pillow case is what put's this over the edge.
I like the idea but just a question not intended negatively. Given that is fairly bulky if you are going to the trouble of carrying that why not just get a low profile one man tent?
We have tents just like that: ua-cam.com/video/8HIjdapuj6s/v-deo.html The bivy is superior is being low profile but nowhere near as roomy. Here you can see that the bivy is easily hidden ua-cam.com/video/XAvKqvX6zMM/v-deo.html
Learned the greenwood stick trick in scouts (50 years ago!) But it can't be pine, too muxh sticky sap will get on your gear. We used willow, strong and flexible.
Like the pool noodle idea though.
No pine indeed! Thanks for watching, sdnlawrence!
That's pretty freakin' incredible guys! Very clever! Easy to see how this might save some weight as opposed to a tent.The pillow mod is an especially nice touch. Rock on, fellas!
Hey thanks for the encouragement, Brn Recluse!
green tree branch if you don't want to carry a noodle
We mentioned that in the video as well! Great idea!
What was the type of tarp you were laying the bivy on top of?
What a great idea
Hey thanks, MrYoliss!
How long did you guys make the pool noodle?
It's about three feet or so.
GREAT HACK CURRY A LITTLE BIT OF TWEAKING AND I THINK IT WILL BE SQUARED AWAY HAVE A BLESSED DAY TO YOU ALL ✌
Thank you kindly, Dean! Have blessed day too, good sir!
This is a awesome idea but with the way my boots smell I’m not sure if I’m making it a night with this method 😂
Hey give it a try, David!
Are you using a jungle cord on your grab handle for your pack hanging?
I thought I was alone on that haha 👍
Yes it is! That's a handy-dandy idea! We'll be hanging a few packs up in the loft when we get it done: ua-cam.com/video/4xSfak35yvk/v-deo.html
@@robertsbushcraft I like it because I can swing the pack around and access all my pouches as needed, it's also a godsend for shucking off and putting it back on 👍
Extra long plasic cuffs would spring back to hold position without the need to reposition wire every time and less likely to make a hole the bivvy bag if used to hold the hood in position. Where's the hot woman and cold beers? Just wondering.
Ingenious hack, thanks for sharing.
Love y'all's countryside.
And I'm proud of those buttons for you, lol.
It's a beautiful place we have here. And those buttons are a work of art (at least for this old country boy).
I watched for seven minutes just to find out how to take up a bunch of space in my pack. Way to not get to the point.
But, hopefully, the point was taken?
Now if we can find camo pool noodles...🤔 lolol great idea guy's keep it coming stay strong&healthy safe&happy!!(=✌💚
Wrap it up in that high-speed low drag 100 mph tape and your golden!
Sorry, what is that thing?
It's a pool noodle. It's a piece of foam that a person can hold onto in order to help them float in water.
@@robertsbushcraft awesome, thanks man. We generally just call them floats on England, that mixed with the accent confused me. Great idea, I'm going to try this when I can because I have a Dutch Army non hooped bivvy.
Otima ideia mister Robert.
You wear your boots on inside the bivy in case you have to get up and pee, fight, flee, or move out in the middle of the night.
Hello you guys are always coming up with great stuff on your channel. I really like that ground sheet under the bivy and pillow/climate drift..how can I get them and where ??
That particular sheet is a piece of material that was purchased from ebay a few years ago. It's been really hard to find since then, but, it is the same material used to make the USMC field tarp amzn.to/3Wy3Mlf or you can find them on ebay: ebay.us/MM9zfr
@@robertsbushcraft thanks for responding I have a piece of tyvek I am planning to paint it cammo
this is the first of your videos I have come across, have subscribed now, I enjoyed it.
This is awesome!! Do you know if there‘s a pole out there that has similar dimensions to do this?:)
We're always looking for something new to use as poles. The new USMC bivy uses heavy gauged wire: ua-cam.com/video/XAvKqvX6zMM/v-deo.html
@@robertsbushcraft sweet thx!
Ahhh no thanks. 2 Bent Wire close hangers work better. And you won't have to smell your shoes all night
Boots in the bivy is good to go for us! Keeps them warm and dry! And thankfully ours don't stink :D
@@robertsbushcraft I live on a tropical island. Keeping my boots warm is not something I even thought of! Good point!
Maybe you can take heavy-duty aluminum foil or use one of those aluminum containers that you cook your turkey in during Thanksgiving. Fold up the aluminum foil into long strips or cut the aluminum containers into strips 1" wide x 12" long. Get masking tape, Gorilla tape, or that blue tape that's sold in Home Depot, and join them together; so that you get it to be 60" long. Then, you bend the long aluminum strip into a circle and stuff it in the MMSS bivy! :D You can use tape to hold the circle in place.
Why not just put your backpack in it to keep it up right? It keeps it dry and keeps it off your face, that's what I did on deployments. If you ruck doesn't fit use a 1 day backpack in the ruck when you stop at your ORP's or Patrol Bases. Put a coat or it to keep it standing or clothes and don't have to carry anything extra. Or 550 cord and a patch can create an attachment point to tie a point off at the head area.
What pack did you use and how did you get it to stand up?
@@robertsbushcraft It was a Yote bag by Eagle Industries. I would put a coat or field striped MRE's in main pouch. I would role up a T-shirt or two for the small pouch and use that as the pillow. Between the Hydration bad and a couple of item in main pouch it works great as a mini frame.
I've got one, I'm going to have to try that out!
@@robertsbushcraft Let me know how that works out for you or if you find a better solution.
Hey a new idea for Mr. Pillow, just sayin'
Hey now that's a great idea!
Great idea! Thanks a lot! ATB Sam Adler
Thanks, Sam! It's a super simple and cheap hack, anybody can do this!
haha great idea got flecktarn mms on way and just happen t have a bit pipe lagging foam about rt size left over from my hammock hack.. sweet got poles from a phoxx1v2 might help too n more packable
nice one
I used the shoes technique with pet bottles and it worked well thank you even though its better to stay with opened bivy for better breathing and carry some tarp to put over your head and you good to go
That's using your noodle!
Yes indeed it is, Sam!
I wish the video was 5 minutes long, would have been enough
It's hard to find the happy medium between longer videos and shorter ones. Hopefully, this at least gave an idea that can help with this bivy.
@@robertsbushcraft yes thanks interesting idea, but I had to scan through the video and increase the playback. So it was a strange experience. But then I don't know your motivations overall.
I like your videos you guys rock
Hey thanks, Tank Craft!
just use the dutch army bivy
I prefer US gear :)
Great mods nice sewing job on pillow cover. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Thaddeus! That pillow case is the bomb.
Never once have I or any of my Marines ever complained oh only if the bag keeping me dry touched my head a little bit.
Just purchased the us bivy
Going to give it a go and compare it to my British army
I’m liking the zipper design for warmer nights
Make sure to let us know what you think! We love our MMSS Bivy and USMC IBC!
Good idea but not for me. With the conditions here in the UK, I would have to pack a shovel to get the mud off my boots 1st. 😂👍 I sleep on my side so the bivy is not on my face anyway. Regards JB.
Sometimes we have to put plastic bags over the boots in order for them to go in the bivy.
Stinky boot in the face.... don't step in scat just before bedding down... :) :) :) Pool noodle consumes quite a bit of volume in pack. Dump the pool noodle, find couple flexible branches or roll a jacket/coat into an elongated roll to bridge between boots.
whats your defense piece there never know when those 2 legged insane rabbits will come around
Great hack. Thanks for video guys. Now i have to try it
It's an easy enough one to do on a consistent basis without having to sew or glue.
Me? I'd slit the noodle in half and skip the boots altogether. There are a hundred ways to deal with the footwear that do not include that close proximity to my face. The half noodle going in with me, do up the zipper then place it in place (round side out) .. tada!
I might just try that myself, @MoonbeameSmith.
Thanks guys, very helpful idea, I've been looking for a workable option to raise it off my face ❤
You're welcome! If you need reinforcement, you can cut to length a small branch (fresh cut is best due to flexibility), and insert that into the noodle.
Couldn't you do the same thing with a bendy stick? Good idea though man, really appreciate you sharing knowledge
You absolutely can! I've found that the sticks that are about half of the width of my wrist do the best.
Great hack. I’m not a bivy fan. Rather sleep under a long poncho or small tarp with a plow point configuration.
Solid setup, the plow point is tried and true!
Why carry the flotation stick? Just use a green bough or two with a pc of paracord... Or green branches with a couple short stubs of 2 to 3 inch log to fill the gaps
That was stick method was mentioned in the video, the float noodle doesn't have any rough edges or splinters that might puncture the bivy. Don't get me wrong, the stick works, just prefer the float.
OK I'm gonna be THAT guy: a NEON GREEN pool noodle isn't very tactical.
To be fair, it does get covered by a camo bivy....
Not good if your boots are wet.
That can 100% be an issue!
How often does it really happen that you close your bivy completely?
I made a patch out of Velcro and hung the face piece with a rubber cord on a branch ... it is clear that the bivy remains open on the head!
Next I'll try to do something with tarp clips.
Atb from Germania
Jürgen
Ps: I like the idea with the pool noodle
Hello J. Juergen! I always slept with this closed during colder months. The head does not seal shut and ventilation can be increased by opening the zipper for more air flow. Since getting the IBC a couple years ago I've pretty much shelved the MMSS bivy by placing it in the go bag. The IBC is a superior bivy in my opinion. Atb!
That little flap most boots have behind. Put some vicks on it and will keep the mosquitoes away
I'll have to give that a try! Thanks for the tip, Toby!
You sound and act like Bill Clinton! Ha! I recently tried the OR Advanced Bivy and I'm thinking of copying the design on my GI bivy however I will need to add 4" of fabric along the side to make it the same size which is handy for changing your clothes inside. I'm going to use small branches for poles which I prepare at the campsite.
Hmm. We'll have to change that. How will you add the fabric?
@@robertsbushcraft After inspecting it more closely I think it will be harder than I thought. I might be better off just using it as is or getting a different model.
I like the noodle but not the boots inside. Maybe a couple of Velcro straps, stitched or glued inside, to hold the noodle. I really like your thinking though.
The boots inside the bivy seems to be controversial! Clean boots (ours thankfully don't stink) in the bivy are good to go in our opinion. Keeps them warm and dry.
Huh I just used a metal clothes hanger. Nothing new. And no I'm not putting my boots in that bivy, not even in the bottom.
Never could find a clothes hanger strong enough for us.
What why don’t you have a girl just so a curved wire into the thing. You can just fold it down when you fold it up.
Think …car visors that fold into themselves
The second bivy in the video has that option. I didn't want to put extra holes in my woodland bivy and have them leak.
Smart! I use the dutch bivvi its great!
We prefer the USMC IBC over the older woodland bivy but felt the idea was worth sharing because the MMSS bivy is a popular one.
Why not just glue on a piece of material to run paracord through
That's an option too! An issue with that for us is that we're not always hunkered down near trees or any other structure that could provide any real lift.
Get some shoe covers from Amazon to prevent dirt transferring to the bivvy and sleeping.
That's a great idea!
looks like a full circular version of that with one end under your neck would work great as well
Hey it just might, @bubba7626!
Great idea, with unworn boots THAT DAY. TAKE CARE..
Keeping them inside of the bivy keeps them warm and dry :D
Fun hack. Love the solutioning. I like Stan's idea and many others below too.
Hey thanks, texasroots!
I got one but I’m thinking of cutting off the pole holes off a tent and poxy glue them inside the bevy and putting 4 stake loops on the outside of the bevy , then you can stake down your bevy and just use a small stick on the inside to fit in the pole holes and have a piece of Velcro to Velcro the stick to the top inside bevy so it don’t move around and come undone , that goes for staking the bevy down so it doesn’t move around on you when you move also helping the stick stay in place...of coarse always use a green stick...which is in abundance in the wilderness
That plan could work, too. We tried a several different ways that just never seemed to work out well on a consistent basis for us. The USMC Improved Bivy Cover (IBC) came along and that pretty much ended the trial and error attempts on the MMSS bivy.
Hllo from Germania,
maybe you try it first with a couple of Tarp Clamps.
Clever trick -great work
Get rid of the boots, cut off one of your old flexible tent poles the length of the Noodle and slide it inside the Noodle. The Noodle will fit wedged tight inside the head area leaving more room to roll around. I found a heavy duty tent pole that has the bungee and connection tube barrel so it folds in half when not in use.
We want those boots inside and out of the elements. We never did get good repeatable results using a tent pole, but we didn't try it exactly like you mention. Might just give that a go!
@@robertsbushcraft I used the noodle that wasn't cut down the side end to end. It fit snug but I forgot I also later sewed strips of canvas strings at the footings of both sides and one at the top long enough to tie off the noodle for extra securement which made it perfect in my opinion.
Thanks for sharing.
Our pleasure, Jimmie!
Not recommended after you step in dog poop.
That's for sure!
A stick with tape on the ends, like the sticks behind u! Perfect!
That could work!
Very creative, I combine my bivy with a Atwater Carey bivy screen. Great video.
I've never seen one of the Atwater Carey bivy screens, do you like it?
thanks for sharing this hack, subed!
You're welcome and we sure appreciate that!
Fantastic Idea.
Great advice I have several of these mil spec bivys
Hey thanks, Steven!
A 2 qrt is the perfect pillow, and it holds water
You know, those are just about perfect!
Nothing like a bit of foot stank next to my face.
Keeps the sinuses clear :D
I use a wire hanger and shower caps in joy
That's an option we hadn't thought of!
Great video, guys, loved the hacks.
Hey thanks, globyois!
Otima ideia mister Robert.