Uncle Sam finally got it, gear review

“Well Uncle Sam is onto to something. For years army gear was brutally uncomfortable and cookie cutter. Soldier comfort or usability seemed to be last in the list of priorities. Thank God this is changing.

Sleep system: Gone is the giant bulky poor quality sleeping bag. We now have a 3 part system. A heavy outer bag, a light inner bag (around 45degrees) and a lightweight goretex bivy. Combined you can get to around zero. I spent a few nights with the light bag and bivy in 50+ MPH winds on a the edge of a mountain (one night in the rain)and stayed very warm and dry. The bags have draft tubes giant double zippers and are light enough that they compress down to a very small package.

hydration: canteens are about obsolete, water store only. Camelbaks are the standard, we even have insulated drink tubes.

uniforms: the digital pattern ACU (anti-camoflage uniform) is a a mixed bag. They are by far the most comfortable uniform I have worn, but durability is an issue, for some reason the crotches always blow out (its does make for good ventilation on the giblets however). Lots of pockets are a plus but the pattern sucks a fat one in most environs.

rucksacks: the ALICE pack was a device designed to maximize the misery of the soldier. Rigid metal frame with a large pack that when full roughly resembled a giant tumor on ones back. The new MOLLE system is slick, heavy impact resistant frame (can be parachuted when loaded with 100lbs with breaking) and heavy cordura pack cloth construction. The top lid is a mess map pocket, the main bag has top access with a zipper to seperate the sleeping bag compartment which also has a lower zipper. The outside has two large sustainment pouches that can be moved anywhere on the pack (its covered with rows of heavy stitched webbing). You can add any MOLLE or PALS system pouches to the outside as the need arises. The frame is also adjustable for most torso lengths. The hipbelt is thick and padded as are the shoulder straps ( the load lifter straps and a sternum strap help a ton)

rain gear: big changes here. We have new ultralight goretex tops and bottoms, lots of ventilation, very compressable.

cold weather gear: the ECWCS (extreme cold weather combat system) is MONEY!!Its a 14pc top setup that can be used in temps below zero. All of the long underwear is new synthetic stuff, ultralight midweight and polartec fleece. Very well desgned and made.

Its nice to see the changes, now I just need a sherpa.”

“Thats great, now get out and enjoy the views. :)”

“Glad all that money is at least going towards modernizing the gear.

I can vouch for agony of the ALICE as that was what I used when I started backpacking again in college (got it for free off an old Nat. Guard guy). It did many miles but jeeze, that thing sucked.”

“seems like i read somewhere that the gov't got Kelty to help with the new pack design, but i could be making that up....

glad to hear its gotten way better!”

“The 10th Mountain Infantry had some Lowe packs about twenty years ago that were a distinct improvement over the A.L.I.C.E.

There was also a mesh vest system to go with the Lowe pack that replaced the ancient Load Carrying Equipment set up. The L.C.E. was an up-dated version of the old cotton web strap pistol belt and suspenders rig with the only up-date being that it was made of nylon

Some complained that the internal frame pack against their back made them sweat more.”

“Well I thought thats why Joy is comming out! Shepa? Yo bear!”

“I will stick with my "Gomer Pyle's" shelter half, poncho, poncho liner and C-rats.”

“glad to hear of this Birch!”

“...but the most important question, is it available to us sissy civilians?”

“If it belongs to the solder, it will show up in an Army/Navy surplus store soon, thrify.”

“Birch...how are the boots working out? I had an old pair of the leather/canvas boots from the 70's and loved them. Thinking about getting the new desert boot to hike in.”

“XL, try the belleville 390 Des, they are lightweight hot weather boots (I had vent holes added for $7.50) the danner goretx boots are nice , they are called temperate weather. I have two if them but I sweat like a whore in church with goretex boots. I also have some altama brand hot weather that are my garrison boots. They are okay, havent used em in the field. I added superfeet insoled to them all. I have heard really good stuff about 5.11 boots too.

The rucks and boots are available on the civilian market as is the sleep system. The ECWCS system is just starting to be issued to non-arctic oriented units so it'd be costly if found. Gov price is just over $800 for the 14 pieces.”