Winter Camping, My Sleep Gear Part One M.S.S. 

Could you leave a link or some in the comments to that awesome rain jacket hoodie thing you have on in this video I love it

Man, this dude has tips and tricks for everything! And he's still so humble. I freakin' love this guy.

David, there's one thing you don't have to worry about: your videos are never boring. Thanks for sharing this with us.

I appreciate your time doing these videos. Not only do you pass along some great tips but you get people to think and develop the confidence to try out their own ideas. Cheers!

Again I am astounded by how creative and how much forethought that you put in to all the gear that you put together.👍👍👍

Wow, simply amazing - even at 0145 hours, after a fifteen hour workday at age 66, this was the best part of my day. I enjoyed all 49 minutes and fifteen seconds. Thank you so very much.

thanks Dave I don't think there is another vedio That one can learn more about camping than yours. All your tips you have tested and found to work. None better. Thanks. Well done! You are the master .

"I ain't got a clue what this stuff is but it works so I use it"....I like this guy, he's all about function over style.

Your videos are like camping with a happy friend, one who is a pleasure to be with. Thanks again. Wes

Good video for the newbies and nice to see you enjoying yourself, have a great 2017:) Tip#1 always take a dump before getting in for the night, because there's nothing worse in the morning when your all warm and cosy wondering if you just passed some really bad gas or a change of underwear is rapidly needed. Tip#2 don't put your hand down there to check!

I'm glad this video came up, I am in the process of building a sleep roll. I love the way you go into detail of the material. The hard part is getting out in the morning when your oh so warm and cozy..

David, don't let the people who always have something to say about the way you do things. You are my favorite camping guru. That's what you are a guru. Anybody can buy a 600-1000 dollar tent or hammock, shake it while it sets itself up and have imagination. You are actually showing people how to use anything to make it in the wild. Instead of them criticizing they could think, hey that's a good idea. They may not always have their expensive equipment. Heck, you can't even buy a green pad like you have. I bet if you added a little Velcro to seal the top where you stuff your coats and stuff you could sell those by the hundreds. Keep on keeping on and I'll keep on watching. I live in SC. Jim

And you remind me of my grandfather. The nicest guy. Could do anything. He turned an old Divco chicken truck which looks kinda like a bread truck into a motor home. We would pull into campgrounds and people would actually want to buy it. It have a bed, a shower, sink, refrigerator, stove, sitting area cabinets, ect. It had it all. Keep on. Jim

Great video man! I've used the MSS in some of the worst environments. Many people don't realize that most of us (soldiers) are also sleeping in thick thermal clothes and all. Many times I would change into my uniform for the next day, which was dry, but also so I didn't have to change in the morning while freezing. Also, that clean uniform just added one extra layer.

Another great video... I'll admit that when you were completely in your system wiggling around, I was waiting for you to pop out and announce "I'm a beautiful butterfly !!!" Other than that, some good common sense tips there... Thanks for sharing !

Dave you make a great point about drying out your bag the next morning. Layers will never fail you. Great lesson. Thanks again Dave.

Great video, per usual, David. You said a couple things that I rarely hear anyone say, but are really on point: 1. Air out your clothes in the morning. Its great for you and your comfort, and is good for the clothes. 2. Thermal shock - If it isn't an emergency situation, then exposing your self briefly to the cold while changing clothes really does increase circulation and ups your metabolism; making you warmer in the long run. I really like the vinyl mat you made. Half the reason I watch your videos (other than your great attitude) is the fact that you aren't afraid to make items, test them, and show us your successes and failures. Oh, and my last bit of input, the cordless mic really does sound better. However, your normal set up work well.

Thank you so much By far THE MOST HELPFUL winter camping video Thank you thank you

Dave, thanks for sharing all the details. i love your practical knowledge based on real experiences. Doug from Houston

First time bivouacking with the military, i thought i would be smart and use one of those mylar emergency style blankets to stay warm at night. Nice hand warmers near my feet. I was all set. Huge mistake. I woke up completely soaked from the moisture of my body all night. It was like a rain forest under that mylar blanket. Getting out of the rack in the morning was disturbingly cold and clammy. I had no dry long underwear for the day or uniform because we would roll our pants and blouse to put in the bottom of the sleeping bag to keep the spiders and other unsavory creatures out of our clothing. Lesson learned: Mylar blankets do not breath and defeat the entire purpose of a sleep system. Love your vids Dave!

Brilliant philosophy mate. I think that 90% of camping is your sleep system and your water supply. Everything else is details. The fact you pack a shemagh is even more kudos. I ALWAYS camp with a shemagh. Its basically 50 tools in one. Its a bandage, a hat, a sunscreen, a face mask, a towel, and as I recently found... its the thing you use to mop out condensation in your tent. There is a reason why special forces adopted the shemagh scarf after working in the middle east. Its basically a tool that has endured for thousands of years.

Thank you for the great tips. This really helped. I'm still learning. Great video as usual.

I really enjoy your videos because of your down to earth, common as an ole shoe demeanor and sincerity. You'd be welcome in my camp anytime, because you are you. Keep 'em coming "RU-vid" belongs to people like you..

Dave, I feel I am listening to Jeff Foxworthy when I listen. You laugh is contagious. Thank you for all your video's! We ladies young and old (I am the latter) love you laugh, your grin is winning. Take care and God Bless you. I love as you put it 'cheap' guys my husband has the market on that. But he has taken such good care of our family.

This looks like a great system. The shemagh to catch the exhaled moisture is genius.

Thanks for taking the time to make and share this video. I find it very informative and will likely utilize some of the modifications you recommend. The MSS is a very affordable sleep system that allows us the ability to enjoy being outdoors in any type of weather and I'm always looking for ways to push the envelop for this system.

Another great video. Thank you so much Dave.It does get so much colder here where I live in Ontario, Canada.

Thanks, I really enjoyed David's 10-Layer Burrito. Looks super warm. Great timing also. NC covered in snow while watching video. LOL

I used this kind of material making Semi-truck weather fronts for the radiators and I got it where u buy sails for sailboats and ship upholstery. Love that stuff. I did sew it on my Kenmore sewing machine (30 years ago) I sprayed the thread spool & bobbin with w-d 40 and lossened the bobbin so it moved freely.

The specification for the vinyl mat (especially mil thickness) would be appreciated, as well as suggestions where to buy it. I agree with all your logic. In fact, the "ultralight" people have already concluded that a down blanket is more weight/heat-efficient than a sleeping bag (a blanket contributes no excessive weight that only gets to be smushed into a state of ineffectiveness).

So clever! Ingenious. I am so glad I watched this video.

Thank you Dave. The knowledge you share is priceless.

Great analysis! Thanks for your information! Stay safe and keep having fun out there!

Great looking sleep system. My partner and I have been contemplating doing some winter camping. Now we know a better way of doing it. Thanks

Good Video...I get warmed up spending 20 minutes trying get all my zippers zipped up on my Military Sleep System LOL THanks for sharing your sleep setup!!

Thanks for sharing another great video Dave. I'll swear that if necessity is the mother of invention, your its daddy.

It feels like I'm right there with you whenever I watch your videos. You're not even remotely old.

almost as many tips there as giggles. a real feel good video. thank you from England, tim

Thanks brother! we are getting snow now in NC!! Some great ideas in this video, take care!

All the single ladies....finally got you in the sack! LOL...Thanks for this...it makes sense and lets everyone realize the importance of being prepared ahead of time. Surviving or camping without leaving a trace is an important factor of not being found, also. No smoke makes one harder to track. Just as an aside, I mean. It is snowing in South Carolina today. First snow I've seen in 10 years. Son, can't wait for follow up video and do keep the bloopers in there. Going out with you makes it all seem so natural. Thanks for a really good video, son. Momma GG...

love your videos , I grew up in Paulding Co Transplanted to Tn 24 years ago... You make me miss GA. Keep up the great videos, You are really helpful for real life camping for poor girls.

People wanting a heavy duty vinyl to make one of these mats could check out their local garden centre for a pond liner. I used to make ponds for people in their back gardens here in the UK and the vinyl used is incredibly strong and UV protected.

Great video brother ! Very informative ! It got the wheel in my mind spinning for sure :) Thanks for sharing and have a nice day ! Nick

Little thing is a cord lock. It sends " cold shivers" up my spine when I watch your great videos. Tx so much.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.....YOU DESERVE A LOT MORE RECOGNITION FOR YOUR VIDEOS....

Winter is here and it is 11 fahrenheit here now, with the wind chill it is 0 F right now. Going to cast this to my tv with my bacon and eggs soon. Your mat at the top where it is double can be stuffed with dry leaves for a pillow. I see you had a better plan with it after I typed it. I usually type as I go along with the video. Wow that looks super comfortable. Super smart idea on the (blue) partial mat to keep up the bivy. You just made your own bivy tent doing that. This was a super fun, educational video to watch. You know when you watch something and you want MORE? Well this was too short. I can't wait for part 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7......lol. I wonder if you would have enough battery life for 2-3 days recording without the sleeping time of course lol to keep recording. I meant without recording sleeping time. But that would be nice too! Oh I guess I'm expecting too much lolol. Live feed that is what it would be called. Camping video's are so addicting. Though you make it more fun with your humor, facial expressions, patients, communicative, funny personality. Your a hoot to watch and listen to. You could make a killing on audio books. Thanks for being on here and giving us all on here such enjoyment.

Hi, Dave... It was about 13 Degrees during the night here in Southern Oregon and cold enough inside our abode to chatter teeth and for an old Texan ( I was just being discharged from Viet Nam about the time you were taking your first steps) that's more cold than I ever want! I have my MS System, but I would'nt be out in this weather by choice for anything in the world. It's not a question of weight, cause I still carry a 40 to 45 lb. pack (need a few comforts) and used to run 18 miles with full 782 gear on before they would let us have breakfast (Boy, I'm glad those days are over with...) I'm just not prepared these days to even do more than short hike in this amount of cold and snow, plus, Virginia hardly goes outside during conditions like this. I'm impressed at your modifications (outside my modest ability to purchase or make.) Once again you're my hero of invention!!! Thanks for sharing, Clark

David, Thanks for the video. I have been playing with several sleep systems lately. This was good information. LOL. I am over 50 now also and I like being warm and comfortable too.

Your a great teacher and awesome dad.keep making them videos please.I learn so much from you

You always make the most enjoyable videos. Can't wait for part 2.

you are a kind hearted southern gent. If your kind was all that survived the "big one"...why then I know I would feel safe and welcome

Looks like a very comfy sleeping arrangement. Enjoyed watching.

great video brother . fire can be your best friend or your worst enemy . there's a lot of benefits to fire but depending on your situation it can give you away and everyone for miles will know your exact position . that being said a good shelter is mandatory gear .

Wow that's brilliant! I want that set up on my bed!...... but as much as I respect you, and love your videos doing that in the night and when it's pissing down (as usual here in the uk) would be challenging at least! IMO the golden rule here is always insulate your self from the ground! Priority number one! Then on is a case of layers and layers! For a survival situation anyway! Brilliant video as always and thank you! Very best wishes to you mate

ah man that's some sleep system .. I think if you use a Snorkel it would cure any condensation problem ....kol... :) another great video Dave...

I gratefully appreciate the detail you put into this! So many videos show but don't explain what and why..Thank you!!!

Top dollar. Never boring. As always some great ideas. I do love a bivvi bag. Still use my old Issued bag from my Army days

Living in NW Wis all my life except 3 yrs on the west cost I can honestly say the polyester fabrics suck... Its basicly plastic that traps heat and moisture as where cotton wicks it away. Rule of thumb I tell anyone im out with is that if your sweating in cold weather slow down or you will freeze. I froze my feet as a kid so now I never tighten my boots up I keep them loose to create a warm air pocket persey.

My gf loves your voice,she gets all silly when you come on !

Nice to see at least one of us is getting some dirt time. Good to see you out Dave.

You are correct about wearing minimal nighttime underclothes and allowing your body to chill down just before crawling into your shelter. It does somehow gets your system ready for the cold. I have worn just a heavy cotton tee shirt and cotton briefs w/ socks and slept in below freezing temps w/ an inch of snow covering me overnight up in the Idaho panhandle, with only a Korean War era surplus down mummy bag on leaves and pine straw and raked up moss Problem was, some fishermen upwind from us were grilling some lake trout they caught. The odor of that delicious fish was driving us crazy. Have a good 2017.

Awesome system Dave. I have tried similar set ups but you thru in a few zingers for me to give a go 😀 Here in Maine its tuff to camp without a good cold weather system. Most normal people stay in where its warm! haha Great looking anorak as well. Happy New Year. Hope you guys have health and happiness! take care -Chris

Again a very good video and highly appreciated. Learning so much every time i watch. Thanks my friend and a greeting from WW2HistoryHunter.

Hi Dave, I've been going back and watching older videos, and this was another fun one. after I saw it, I stared looking for a Foil Backed Survival blanket with a full zipper, and found one. The only thing you could have done on this video for me was started YELLING for Nick at the very end. Thanks again for you time, and trouble.

Your vids are always fun and I always, *always* learn something new from them. Thanks for sharing.

"Why, do you think you can do something better than the military does it? " *me without a second's hesiatation:"I know for a fact you can do it better"

I love these long videos ...

Hey Dave, you talk about getting old.... The one thing I've learned is it ain't for sissies! (LOL) Like you, 35 years ago I could run with the best of them, now I just sit on the porch and watch them run by! (LOL) Thanks for the vids and all the great info!

Head cover: plus. Shemagh: absolute plus everywhere. Worthwhile instructions. Thanks.

after you got all zipped up,i thought you was going to say , shoot i got to pee. lol great video,thanks captjohn.

I love watching your bushcraft videos, but this "real world" system was very useful. Thanks!

FANTASTIC! i have had the mss for some time and never used it yet, hey great tip with the blue pad curved there to hold up ivy off face, and good tip on the shemag stopping the moisture from breath filling up the bag, now to the hammock camp vid thanks Dave

Once I get in and get all comfy... I have to pee.

I can take it off if I have it with me, but I can't put it on if it's at home.

You don’t know how much this has helped me! Thank you!

hey dave, thanx for sharing your ideas, I like your entertaining, long, informative Videos about all that good stuff we love doing in the woods ☺ go for more 👍 Viele Grüße aus Deutschland Torsten

for direct ground sleeping, i would always use my foampad with a tin foil reflective side and a good thick bed of pine branches. maybe just a bed of small treees if theres no pine treees.

I'm getting ready to go winter camping this coming season and this was a great video, thank you so much 🤗🤗🤗

Thanks for the tips if u want to save a little use the patrol bag as a duvet over you I often do that with my sleeping bags

another nice video, Dave. I think the most important point you made is change to dry clothes before u get into your sleep system. it makes a huge difference in comfort. I've used the shemagh trick too. works great. take care & stay warm.

Watching this again before I shop for my bed. I bought the Mountain Hardware Optic 3.5 tent & footprint for it. I'm getting ready to go with my daughter camping, once winter is over. They have their own large family tent. I bought 3.5 size for 2 to be comfortable in case one of my grand children want to join me, or they want to borrow it for backyard outdoor pj party. I think I am going to go bivy with warm clothes and a blanket lined in it. My daughter will make a camp fire, but I'm going to bring my 2 alcohol stoves and tiny wood stove, Dietz lanterns, and bring my 4 charged & crank, camping gear, camping compact pots and pans, led lights so the kids and I can have fun showing them how they work and help me cook. lolol My daugher last night took a picture of my Condor Elite Titan pack with two side bags (one is first aid kit. She was laughing saying she is going to show her friends and post on facebook. Mom's all ready for camping lol. You can tell I've not been for 25 years lol. Here's to hoping we don't go to a paid park where you park car on a tiny lot. lolol

Im glad to see you made a new video! We very much look forwar to watching you and learning from you so thanks for the upload!

There is no way possible I could ever be bored watching one of your videos you are too comical also the M.S.S is good down to -45 with the green bag & the green bag & bevy with proper clothing another great video

Hey great video! Thanks for taking the time! I have used the field bag and a poncho liner on the inside. Love the poncho liner also in the hammock.

In northern Ontario @ -35C it is cold, finding subzero, light sleeping bag is hard and expensive, not to mention the sleeping pad / tent, and everything multiply x 2 because there are two of us. I have been building my bug out bags for ever now trying to find good deals. It is also more expensive in Canada. But we have some of the best that nature has to offer. Great channel, thank you.

Great advice. When I was in the service I had an extreme cold sleeping bag that was water proof outer shell. Sleep in snow and rain with nothing but the bag and always woke up dry but the bag was wet on the outside. Sad to say it was stolen.

just wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos and appreciate all the time you sacrifice so others can be educated and enjoy our hobby. keep up the good work.... and thanks.

good info on something that could kill you cold...layers layers layers! Have spent very cold nights out doors and dry layers are the way to go!

Fresh dry socks. Sounds like the military....and oh yeah, the sleep system. :) I use the mss and love it. My wife and I use it with our hammock sleep system. Always warm. We fill the green bag with leaves or pine ferns and use it for an under quilt. Love your videos. Patrol bags are very good for camping in pretty much any weather. Unless you live in Alaska. LOL.

An other good video. Always be prepared. I live in Canada so if it gets too cold one can always build a big bon fire nearby. Love the layering approach.

Dave a clear mattress bag is the best thing you can carry. Water proof, rolls up small, insulates, keeps you dry, and in a pinch you can string it up and crawl inside to stay dry. It can also be used as a fire heat trap on the front of a shelter to heat up the inside of a shelter. A must have!

Thanks for sharing another camping ⛺️ video full of great tips my friend👍

I love that area folded at the end for stuffing gear ..awesome. my pillow and stuff constantly slip out from underneath me during the night. great vid buddy .

Thank you for showing us your perfect sleeping system. I dont sleep in the wood, but I carry always some big PVC trash-bags with me. In a emergency situation I build with them a primitive "sleeping system" ;). I filll them with leafs to build a big "mattress" with insulation function and two sticking together bags as a "sleeping bag" or as a rain shelter. I learned from your video, that moisture from breathing inside the Bag is a big problem and how I can minimize it. Thank you much, Dave! ATB Tony

excellent vid, Never thought about using the extra piece of foam as a "FORM" to keep the bivy off my face!

I find sleeping without pants keeps me warmer, my body heats the inside of the bag easier...A sergeant in Fairbanks told me that 44 years ago, it seems to work for me and it's more comfortable...A t-shirt is good for your shoulders and the balaclava is a great idea. Condensation is not a problem because I don't breathe inside the bag...No matter how cold it is, I do not completely cover my face...Rain or snow, be under some kind of cover. My 3 piece sleep systems are already snapped, zipped together and rolled up loosely in a compression sack not compressed or on my pack, so it is ready to unroll and crawl in. A great idea for people who might have to vacate fast...I just got a 5x8 cargo trailer for my truck that holds all my gear so I can get out of Dodge as soon as I walk out the door...I made a 5x11 pvc frame shelter which most of it is already assembled and stored in the trailer...I can just pull it out, put the rest of it together and secure a large tarp over the top of the frame and trailer...That can be a mud room, cooking area and a spot for a military heat stove at the other end...The trailer is a sleeping area with a large cot. I got a hard plastic sled to transport my gear in the snow off road, I guess I need a horse for the summer...I am thinking more and more that a horse would be a very valuable asset in an shtf emergency.

Another great video. They always give me food for thought. Thanks! Keep'em comin.

Lots of good ideas. Thanks dave.

Excellent job Dave. Very well explained and demonstrated. Thank you for taking the time to break this down in such detail. Definitely using this guide to build my own winter sleep system.

Hay old man I am a older man and I do understand. I live and camp slightly north of Houston, Texas and it stays warmer so my sleep system is much lighter. Good video.