M 65 FIELDJACKET AS A SLEEP SYSTEM 

The M65 got me through a night where I underestimated how cold it was going to get down to and only brought a wool blanket. Lifesaver

It’s pretty cool how knowledge gets passed down from guys who had experience in the field. They feel obligated to keep it alive. Like you just did. Thanks

Advanced common sense with experience pure genius love it

Great respect for old fellers sharing their wisdom for us young folks. Too many boys grow up without solid male role models to impart this sort of thing to them.

I'm a huge fan of the M65. I gave my O.D. M65 to a homeless kid in the rain cuz I had other stuff I could wear and he didn't. Anyway, I just recently bought an extra woodland camo one and a tiger stripe M65. I was able to put your advice to use in my first woodland camo M65 in Seattle in November I had a t-shirt, polo shirt ,and Levi Trucker jacket under that M65 and the layering kept me relatively warm. With the way the world is going this info you are sharing is more important than ever. Thank you!!!!!!

Excellent advice. You have mentioned before about the "slickness" of the liner being a bonus and I absolutely agree. I usually always roll with a multi-layer sleeping bag system (cotton liner, bag, goretex bivvie) If you get in with cotton clothes its really easy to end up bunched in a knot as you wriggle around. Sleeping in slick/slidy layers really helps you sleep comfortably, and helps avoid that feeling of being in a five-layer straight jacket.

One of my Drill Instructor’s trick to staying warm was to wear long underwear, put the field jacket liner on, fold it over itself, tuck it into the long underwear, then put your cammies on. This got me thru the long winter in the field, and rifle range in February.

The M-65 jacket is an indispensable piece of gear,get one!

Hello Blackie, thanks for the memories...the M-65 was always one of favorite pieces of gear in the Army. Spent many a cold nights with this jacket, liner, poncho liner and poncho and slept comfortably.

In my opinion, the "Hoodie" is one of the most under rated pieces of survival gear in history. I always choose a heavier synthetic fleece hoodie with a fur liner. What I always did, was to use that as a second liner for my M-65 field coat. Put the hoodie's hood over your head, and the M-65 hood over that. The combination of the two is really, really hard to beat.

I’ve always loved the M-65 jacket. It’s a great system. 👍👍

What a great video. I use a surplus South African Defence Force bush jacket with a M65 for the cold weather down here and it is really a versatile piece of kit.

Blackie : if you can find them the Army used to issue a Fur trimmed Hood for the Parka which buttons into the M65 or they had a insulated Cap you could wear with Velcro Flaps to hold it down and pull out the Hood of the M65 and pull it over the cap. We used both options when I was in Germany before the Berlin Wall came down.

Hi again Blackie, I mentioned my uncle's m65 in another post before. He served in VN, so I was mistaken. I just checked the first time in many years. The patent and contract dates are 1955, 56 respectively. I suppose it's an M 51 with the upgraded minor changes. One thing I love about it over my more recent field jacket is the pocket liner. The improvement in usefulness is X10. My hands are toasty warm in this jacket without gloves. The nyco alone isn't made for that. However, you can remedy the issue by sewing in a wool liner from a neck warmer, merino socks, or scarf that you might not mind sacrificing. The tag says 80% wool and 20% cotton. It is not scratchy like the issue gloves. It feels like merino. I've worn it in the cold rain and consider it essential. It's the softest warmest hand pocket which is very surprising. This is truly something you'll like to do as an upgrade to personalize your custom M65. PS: To your health and long life sir. 🪖🙂👍

Good solid advice that carries forward info so it can be properly shared and not lost to history. I've not worn my M65 in decades but it is as versatile and useful as you've shown. I've also my dad's great coat that's from the 50-60's that also can work as a sleep system, no hood on it, but my liner fits it fine.

I bought one of these from propper and it did really well in the Ozarks during the hard freeze that came through. I ended up taking the jacket liner out and lining my m81 gortex top when it started to rain and sleet. Good piece of gear.

Thank you . That jacket was and is a lifesaver , it can be a carry along home in a cold cruel world

M65 is a great coat. The shell is great for brisk weather and the liner is WARM. Plus the hood in the collar is out of the way. Awesome.

Thanks for the wisdom. Grunt Proof did a video singing the praises of this same jacket, may need to look into one

Went through this 45 years ago in Germany, have no idea what happened to the hood liner .good stuff

I always liked my M 65 back in '70 but had no idea all of the things you could do with it. Thanks for the info.

This wasy favorite jacket. I use to get drunk on Germany and find a corner hidden to sleep it off. I used this jacket to sleep.

Great video. I also like to use the liner for the pants, makes for a nice pair of pj’s.

Back in the mid 60's when I started hunting I had no hunting clothes. I was freezing and another guy had an extra M65 that was the warmest jacket I have ever worn.

That neck closure is so often overlooked. It is your temperature regulation system. Close it when cold, open it when warming up. Good jacket.

Great presentation. It strikes me that, given how useful and popular this item still is after being discontinued, that it’s due for an update, making it even better for an exclusively civilian market. Some savvy “clothing engineer”needs to create a newer (maybe less military-looking) version of this practical garment, in even more modern materials and colors, and then make it for regular people like us.

When I bought mine it fit perfect for warm layers under, now, several years later, it's a bit snugger. Not tight, but not as roomy as it was. Guess it shrunk! Yea, that's it! 🤣

Hello Blackie- Really good points you spoke of regarding the best jacket ever made. While serving; I had heard of the jacket pillow, but never seen it made until now. I use my field jacket liners to lounge around in on cool nights. Ive got about 5 of them hanging around and have thought of sewing on front pockets made from the same material. Old school jacket liners are indispensable and a must have for anyone. Thanks again- You and Mrs Blackie be good-

Hands down by far the M65 is my personal favorite..!! Again another great video blackie..!! Thanks again sir

My friends go out and spend thousands on camo gear , I always every year tag out and all I wear are my m65 woodland camo pants,coat,and boonie cap, I tinned everything "waxed" and I'm pretty much bulletproof all of the hunting season and I'm from the North East Adirondacks. Love my m65. The only thing I don't wear are my m65 jungle boots 1968 era big lug. Just not warm enough were I go.

Great advice Blackie, didn't know about that. I'll have to get a large M-65, all mine are medium (that's my regular size). Thanks for the video.👍

Basic training in Georgia was COLD, and they did not give us liners. The field jacket by itself is not very warm at all. All we had were BDU pants, T shirt long shirt and jacket. I never did find a liner, but once at my unit we did have the army issue brown sweater, and that made all the difference. The problem with army activities is that if dressed warm enough to hang out in the cold, we would sweat to death while road marching! Then when we stop, its right back to that old problem of the sweat making us too cold again! Otherwise, I'd say the M65 is ideally suited for the freedom of civilian life and the ability to add/subtract layers at will, which was not an option in my unit.

Sir been at basic at Fort Knox and believe me with this tips in basic things were been improved a lot of r us but it's a art of the sop Thanks a bunch Keep the good advices A soldier no matter what opening is it's always a soldier until we hit the permanent dirt nap Have a nice from Sgt Serrano sep

M-65 for “work wear” and a Navy Peacoat for “dress wear” were my go to for many many years!

Once i threw my (a copy not an original one) m65 in the trash because I didn't like a cotton jacket outdoor because it's not waterproof and the jacket was to big for me. But the liner hold me so warm in wintertime that I kept it . I still like it very much

Great timing. I found one at a thrift store for $7 just last week, one size larger than I usually wear (xl) in woodland camo. No visible wear, with the liner but no hood. I wear a hat with a brim similar to yours and a wild rag so I wasn't concerned with the hood. Now I want a hood, heehee. Great tip, keep them coming.

as usual, I enjoyed your video, now, that M-65 Field jacket is also one of my favorite coats, I use when camping and hunting, and also rolled my field jacket up like that to make it fit into my rucksack when on active duty. You can also use that field jacket liner inside of a utility / BDU shirt, which you probably already know how to do that. Kep on with keeping on with your videos Blackie, teach the ones who watch and want to learn those things which it seems you have mastered....." S.F!"

Insert the jacket you have to work with. The lesson here is, large. You can always make a large jacket/coat smaller. Not the reverse. Layers and loose is key. Someone said hood, yes. Make all your clothes do double and triple duty. Wind breaking ability is a must. Even a light, constant breeze can chill you. Also, minimize contact with cold ground. Cardboard is a functional insulator for this. Mittens vs gloves. Mittens keep the fingers touching for warmth. A bandana or two can act as a faux turtleneck and be taken off when too warm. Old(clean) socks, cut off at the ankle used as wrist gaiters. Also removed when warm. Wow, that's a lot. Thanks Blackie.

Awesome Video, Thank You !!!

Those liners are gold in cold weather. Layers work. I wore jogging pants under my BDU bottoms. I would also wear a Hoodie over my bdu jacket thenthe m65 . I was never cold

My M65 was stolen years ago. Now I use a British SAS windproof smock. Same tricks work with it.

2:14 yup learned that tip quick in Wisconsin my cloths may be a little baggy in Sumer but fall winter I was warm.

Hi Blackie, greeting from Australia 🇦🇺, thankyou for your time to make these videos, muchly appreciated Thankyou.

I have an M65 and during a particularly cold snap here in the UK recently I wore the jacket, a scrim net scarf with a thin tactical snood underneath, and a British army woolly hat (what the Yanks call a watch cap), and my god I was warm! (I wore the snood because if it gets so cold it hurts your throat when you breathe I can pull the snood up to cover my mouth & nose.)

I combine my 90s era M65 with a garment of my own design based on a 17th century German mountain Cloak. It is nearly a full circle of cloth made up of 5 segments….. a wide and long back segments…. Two front segments that each hang down halfway between belt and and knee but can be folded up and secured to make a pocket on the inside or outside. These two panels also loop and toggle together into a vest like front. In between the front and back segments are two narrower strips that can be secured around the arms to act as sleeves left loose so that the arms can come out but be sheltered under them, or laced to either or both the front and back to form an almost teepee shaped poncho. The back is gathered into several overlapping folds such that if completely undone and relaced it can got around the feet and back up to the front panels into a sleeping bag or pegged out into a plow point shelter. The front two panels thread through the epaulets of the M65 or there are two straps that run at right angles to the epaulet to wear the cloak more loosely

i have had mine for a decade. best garment i own. ive used it as a tarp for piles off torn off shingles full of nails. not a single thread out of place. this jacket is tough as hell

The USGI wool field shirt wears great under the m65. The 50's examples are supposed to be better, but I've been very happy with the 70's examples you can find readily available online unissued for about $30. I haven't tried the pants yet, but I might eventually

Love my 'smoking jacket' still wear it under my regular uniform when it's cold.

You can still find these brand new with liner for under $100 delivered today in 2024. For almost 50 years these have been the best bang for your buck in cold weather gear in the USA that I have ever seen.

As a Recon Marine often all we carried in the field for sleeping was a poncho and liner which was cold as shit so we had to do similar techniques to get any sleep shivering at night lol

I used mine as my sleep system last week at the Louisiana annual bushcraft gathering.

The vests from the 70' ski vest an hunters vest craze I'll bet we're spawned by the liner

Great tips! :) I wish I could get my hands on one unused jacket in good condition.

Was lucky to get a new, never issued woodland camo M65 and two liners a couple years ago. I had one from my early teens till my 30s and finally destroyed it. Glad I found another as they are becoming rare, if not extinct.

👍👍👍. Sizing. Outdoor Gear .. agreed, get a size or two larger. Being in the Bush is not a 'fashion statement'. Function (and adaptability) takes preference over Form. I have a surplus German BW 'Nato' Field Jacket with cold weather fleece liner. Got it back in the 80's, used but in good nick. Still in use, am going to be wearing it this morning while walking the pooch. Currently a couple of degrees below freezing out there. Having buttons on the liner is a good idea. I'm going to put some on the BW Liner so I can wear it apart from the jacket. A good share .. thanks. Take care ..

I just found yah and I can already tell by that hat,beard and voice that imma need to subscribe

Love ur vids, love ur style! 👍 regards from Germany where things are bit different..... 😉

Those straps on top of shoulders to hold towel etc for pillow is fantastic. Living out of a RAV4 couple yrs, I never get comfortable leaning back in seat due to pillow sliding down between seat and door.

Blackie, Great Video and Outstanding Information. I've used my M-65 as a sleep system. Thanks Again for sharing your time and knowledge and wisdom. Tim L. Old Boy Scout ,U.S. Army Vet and Brother of The Woods .

Good point to mention using natural insulation to insulate more

I don't have this jacket but I watched the whole video and learnt some things

Appreciate the video Blackie, the pillows cool, but I thought maybe you were going to use the top jacket to wrap around legs & feet since no sleeping bag available but once cold weather hits break out ye old mummy bag👍 That reminds me of the time me and a couple of buddies spent the night in a Mexican jail & we used a rock for a pillow, oh yeah it had a luxurious concert trouff for the restroom👍

I really need one of those jackets!

Oooorah! Dropping some good know. My dad was a Vietnam veteran but never been taught any skills or anything like that. I'm a modern Era marine corps veteran so this type of stuff wasn't taught to us either. Thanks for sharing 😏👍

Enjoyed the video Blackie, thanks... I have an M65-a good modern jacket-but have liked the look of the M43. To me, the collar/lapel area of the M43 is very handsome....I know, practicality trumps handsome.... .I do have it fitted with an M65 liner...

Good useful information

M-65 I discovered when I was 15 . . . Had then on, shockcord, waterproof hood {never wet at Loews} and lg french pocket inside

65 is my Favourite 🧙❣️

I've never thought of it as a sleep system, but I've spent hundreds of nights sleeping in them! Good vid, Blackie

Awesome video. Thanks 👍

I wore them for decades before I retired to the Philippines. If I go back to the U.S. for a visit in the winter Id have one with the liner waiting on me.

Thank you much more to think about,useful ,I use a modern m65 replica jacket and find it wonderful .

thanks for watching th m-65 is my all time favorite filed coat for hunting and camping

It's good practical information, but in a way some of these things are little history tidbits that don't usually get told in the more dramatic stories.

Good ideas Blackie, thank you.

Get yourself the old wool 5 button sweater to wear under the field jacket. Then add field pants with liner, cold weather parka and it’s liner, the long johns of course, the black leather gloves with wool liners, a cold weather hat with ear flaps, Mickey Mouse boots and 2 weeks in Grafenwoehr Germany 🇩🇪 Great times

Jacket is awesome but that hat is killer, love to purchase one

Interesting 😊. Thanks 🙏 Blackie. ❤️🇬🇧

Always great tips!

Hi from Syracuse NY brother and outstanding advice

They taught me to pack 18° temp change clothing, difference. It's true even in winter. You do make alot of unthought untaught sence when you explain.

👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Lots of folks resemble you hereabouts.

not a bad video, you missed one of the features that help when just curling up in a fox hole, or tucked in a corner. the sleeves of the M65 have a flap in them that you can pull out from the Velcro holding it that covers the back of your hand, or can be pulled in to help hold the warm air and body heat in at the wrist. also my liner has a small pocket on the inside, that can hold glasses, or something small. I used it to hold my flashlight so I could find it quick, and the batteries would be warm, so they worked better in cold weather.

Minnesotan here, haven't worn a coat in decades. I just layer up to four hoodies over my top.

I just bought a M 65 field jacket about a month ago from tactical gear. It's from Men's Propper 3x large. Dam nice, I can't find a used one anywhere. And if there is one, it will be small.

Good video Blackie , thanks for sharing , God bless !

Very good!

not forgetting the snood or headover a tube of fabric bikers use stretchy breathable ones mountaineers and the like have thicker insulation versions many years ago I had a surplus Bundeswher device it was a double layered 100% baumwolle (cotton) tube roughly 3 feet long about 2 feet of it was split and hemmed to sit down your front and rear torso the last section filled the gap from throat upwards and could be drawn up over the face, I wonder if anything similar is made today ? unless of course you are friends with a seamstress with a good sewing machine and access to thermal fabrics

Your battle buddy is going to stand watch while you're awake? I love the M-65 but it's just two layers of cloth. I'd like it a whole lot better if it had insulation between the layers. And had actual hand pockets. Multiple interior pockets would be nice.

Thank you for the advice

Outstanding!

Good luck finding a 2x M65 I'm still looking.

I knew that I was getting a M-65 jacket two years ago for some reason!

Dang Blackie, you Always have great useful information. You offer more to us out here than any other channel.. Where do I get the M-65 Jacket? Army used clothing store? Are there different models of it?

I still have my m65 i was issued. but its in ACU patter 🤢. Wish it was green like yours. Also the jacket liner was by far my favorite jacket. We called it the smokers jacket. we would put it under our ACU tops and it really worked well.

Got one! Came from n handy at a very cold football game!

Yup I'm going to try and remember how we use to make a sleep ing bag out of them

Good stuff Blackie!

Great video

Cool!