Dollar store hack for military bivy sack 

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!

Ok, at the beginning of the vid, who else was thinking this looks like a live action "Johnny Quest" episode? Respect!

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!

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.

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!

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

this is the first of your videos I have come across, have subscribed now, I enjoyed it.

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

Great ideas as usual. Can tell you guys always have a blast out there playing with gear. 🤙🏽

Ingenious hack, thanks for sharing. Love y'all's countryside.

A good idea. Flexible plastic molding used along walls in homes would do the same and be less bulky.

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.

Great mods nice sewing job on pillow cover. Thanks for sharing.

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

Fun hack. Love the solutioning. I like Stan's idea and many others below too.

I always listen to these two guy's....Cause , there usually right and always coming up with better ideals...pretty smart guy's...Thanks

Great advice I have several of these mil spec bivys

Great hack Curry! I have the MSS. Like your pillow case too! Thanks guys, take care. 👍👌

Clever trick -great work

Great hack. Thanks for video guys. Now i have to try it

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.

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 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

Great video, guys, loved the hacks.

I like this idea it looks like it would be very comfortable to sleep with also if you need to do so with the improved version you can also use the noodle to help with reinforcement of the hood to keep it more elevated from your face also the pillow looks great. I am wondering can it be made thicker thoe because of my neck I need two pillows or one really thick one for support? Also you can use this system with either a air mattress or inflatable sleepin mat.

Thanks guys, very helpful idea, I've been looking for a workable option to raise it off my face ❤

Very creative, I combine my bivy with a Atwater Carey bivy screen. Great video.

Brilliant 👍 I'm going to look at getting me one of them IBC Bivi bags. Thanks guys atb Taff 🤠

I impressed. Good idea. Thanks.

Great jacket liner pillow case idea it really is nice .

I really like that second one.

Mega-awesome hack! While I guessed where y'all were going, it wasn't until 8:25 that I realized the beauty of your elegant solution. And better yet, a tad earlier you pointed out how the hack has a second important benefit (flotation) and I'm sure there are others like in a pinch cutting off a slice to solve other problems... Well done guys, you definitely scored a new Sub here! Peace out. 😎

thanks for sharing this hack, subed!

Smart! I use the dutch bivvi its great!

Your a brave man.

Fantastic 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.

cool idea! i really liked this vid! thanks for sharing!

Great DIY hacks video guys. Myself I'm making that pillow bag.

Genius! Thank you! I will never again have to sleep with gortex against my face.

looks like a full circular version of that with one end under your neck would work great as well

Good job guys, thanks for the idea

I always carry a roll or 2 of dental floss. Sometimes I use it to lash a small stick frame headspace.

Frickin’ brilliant

I would be proud of those mods too. I think it is better than the My pillow sleep system.

That’s a really cool trick

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 ??

What was the type of tarp you were laying the bivy on top of?

Adapt and over come.

4 words.. Dutch - Army - Hooped - Bivi nuff said

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. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼

I like your videos you guys rock

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.

What a great idea

Nice vid brother, you look like Johnny Quest Dad.

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!

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

Thanks for sharing.

A strangely brilliant idea.

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?

Great idea Semper Fi

Good idea, guys. 👍

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.

This is awesome!! Do you know if there‘s a pole out there that has similar dimensions to do this?:)

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.

Great idea! Thanks a lot! ATB Sam Adler

is there a pillow case video? curious, did you use a sleeve or just cut a panel out of the back?

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 😂

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.

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

You could sew in bits if paracord to tie around the pool noodle on the inside of the bivvy

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

How long did you guys make the pool noodle?

Couldn't you do the same thing with a bendy stick? Good idea though man, really appreciate you sharing knowledge

Otima ideia mister Robert.

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.

whats your defense piece there never know when those 2 legged insane rabbits will come around

Good idea ill remember that

Cool!

Geil GEIL GEIL👍👍👍 hoffe es werden mehrere Staffeln💪💪

Are you using a jungle cord on your grab handle for your pack hanging? I thought I was alone on that haha 👍

A stick with tape on the ends, like the sticks behind u! Perfect!

Once I went Bivy, I never looked back. I use the entire MSS Modular Sleep System, depending on the weather, and yes it's bulky and heavy, but it's bombproof, and even if I used a different sleeping bag, I'd stick with the Goretex Bivy. There's really no comparison, it smokes the SOL bivys. I have played around with lashing two limbs with bankline into an X fashion. The Jacket liner pillow cover is absolute genius. I'm still on the hunt for the best pillow myself, but my resources have been spent on other areas of my preparedness. I just got a couple of Holosun Green Dots and Magpul MS1 slings with QD hardware. I also got a Mora Carbon Garberg to try out. One day, I'd like to get a custom bushcraft knife, time will tell tho. My next purchase will be weopons lights for the AR15s, been looking at the Olight Odin and some Surefires. I also need ambidextrous charging handles since I'm a lefty. Just a handful of items to go and my wife's and my own Long Term Bug Out Bags will be finished, still have a couple of things to get for the kids, but for two years of serious trial and error, research, time, and money, I finally see the light at the end of the bug out tunnel lol. After that, I just need to put together a battle belt for my Glock 19X and my wife's CZ75 P09, then put together a couple of plate carriers and call it good. Maybe a couple of little things for the Medical bag(5.11 Rush 72).It will be nice to just focus on bug in/homestead preparedness.

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

Now if we can find camo pool noodles...🤔 lolol great idea guy's keep it coming stay strong&healthy safe&happy!!(=✌💚

$0... Branchs, string and little round stone or wood piece and my bivy is of my face...

Very cool 🤠

What is the marpat thing you laid down on the ground?

Wire coat hanger would work pretty good i think.

Genius

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.

That’s inventive I must say. If u move around a lot in your sleep, one should probably not be in a Bivy to start with. 👍👍😁🇺🇸

What boots are you wearing?

I've given up on boots entirely tbh, gone with barefoot shoes. Haven't rolled an ankle since and they dry fast. Not suited to anything below 5 degrees C tho, also not good for ic you're carrying very heavy loads. Gotta build up leg strength for that

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.

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.

clever!

What packs are you both carrying?

green tree branch if you don't want to carry a 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