Sleeping system for BOB/INCH

[ProtoPatriot]

Ok, I am out looking around trying to find an all year, all weather sleeping system.

I'm not a big fan of the old Military 4-piece system, it weighs 10 pounds and doesn't even include a pad (not 100% needed, but damn nice to have for several reasons)... which is simply too heavy/bulky for when you have to carry everything you will need for extended treks. Every ounce and every square-millimeter counts.

So, I have come down to creating my own system.

Now I have 2 trains of thought and both are based on tactical evasion, leave little to no trace.

First setup I have is what I am calling the HamSys (Hammock System):
Hammock - http://www.junglehammock.com/product/nx-150-jungle-hammock/ - in forest camo (including the extra insulation if I choose to take it, add 1/4 pound) - weight: 4.9 pounds
Sleeping bag - http://www.shoplafuma.com/product/37085 - currently have a Lafuma LightWay +35F (looking into getting a new one in a more concealable color) - weight: 1.91 pounds
Sleeping bag liner - http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/90 (0.87 pounds) - Good for summer by itself and will increase the sleeping bag efficiency by 25 degrees (so +35F bag becomes +10F bag)

total weight = 7.61 pounds to 7.86 pounds (2.39-2.14 pounds or more savings)

The hammock acts as the bivy/tent in this system. I actually did test it out through this last winter; it kept me warm even without the increased insulation and it's great for summer as well since all you have to is unzip the panel to reveal the screen (wouldn't even need a sleeping bag during summer).

Pros to the HamSys:
Practically No footprint - since you are sleeping off the ground, you are leaving no trace...the footprint that is left is much easier to conceal
No losing warmth to the ground - getting off the ground is important, especially in the winter to maintaining body heat and also no need for a pad
Location -  able to set up camp in some of the most difficult areas as you are no longer having to deal with finding level ground
Animals - not subject to many of natures little creatures crawling into bed with you.
Fewer components -  less to carry, reasonable weight, no need for a pad as you are floating
Speed - easy to setup, takes less than 5 minutes to completely setup
Comfort - very comfortable, I sleep very well in this hammock and the better you sleep, the more refreshed you are, the more/farther you can do/go

Cons to the HamSys:
Speed of setup - doesn't take terribly long but not ideal if being chased
Speed/ease of entry/exit of hammock - being you are suspended off the ground you have to more careful getting in or out of the hammock which slows you down
Speed - slower reaction times


The second system I am calling the TradSys (Traditional System):
Ultralight Bivy - have not purchased yet, but current looking at:
                    http://www.rei.com/product/794292/rei-minimalist-bivy-sack-regular (1 pound)
                    http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/accessories/bivy-sacks/advanced-bivy.html (2.25 pounds)
Pad - have not purchased this yet, but looking at:
                    https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/Detail/Pad/DualCore (2 pounds)
                    http://www.amazon.com/Thermarest-Neo-Air-Xtherm-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B009IJGSBO (1.1 pounds)
                    http://www.amazon.com/Exped-DownMat-Sleeping-Black-Long/dp/B002WXS852/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375224870&sr=8-3&keywords=exped+synmat+9 (1.5 pounds)
                    http://store.eurekatent.com/singlis (1.5 pounds)
Sleeping bag - http://www.shoplafuma.com/product/37085 - currently have a Lafuma LightWay +35F (looking into getting a new one in a more concealable color, mine is currently bright red and grey) - weight: 1.91 pounds
Sleeping bag liner - http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/90 (0.87 pounds) - Good for summer by itself and will increase the sleeping bag efficiency by 25 degrees (so +35F bag becomes +10F bag)

Total weight = 4.89 pounds to 7.12 pounds (5.11-2.88 pounds or more savings)

Pros to the TradSys:
No losing warmth to the ground - getting off the ground is important, especially in the winter to maintaining body heat, the pad takes care of this
Speed - easy to setup, under 5 minutes as well
Comfort - would be very comfortable with the pad, winter the liner with the sleeping bag and bivy will keep perfectly warm in practically all climates/weather
Entering and exiting: much easier than the HamSys as you are already on the ground
Speed - faster reaction times

Cons to the TradSys:
Footprint - will be sleeping on the ground, so there will be a footprint which will be larger and harder to conceal
Animals - animals may find a way in to your bivy/sleeping bag, either by chewing a hole or a slightly open zipper (think snakes and such...they sneaky)
More components - more things to keep track of, more space taken though less weight
Location - restricted in location, could prove difficult in very hilly or watery areas



Hope this may help someone...and if anyone has suggestions on alternative products or ideas that would be great.

[ProtoPatriot]

No comments? Damn, would have liked to refine these for hunting season and winter to be able to do some tests.

Anyone have a suggestion on a bivy system? Prefer one with poles to keep it off the face as well a screen so one could have airflow during nicer times of the year, all while keeping bugs out.

Also, a sleeping bag under 2 lbs with a +35 degree or better rating in darker colors (forest/OD green, camo, black...just bright colors), if anyone has some suggestions. I've done search after search and can't seem to find a bag to meet this.

And has anyone any experience with the Thermorest X-Therm I linked above or any of the others?

[jon_schram]

A pretty decent hammock can be constructed from a 8x10' tarp if you don't have a fancy set up in your bag ahead of time.  Going to have to have at least a 5.0mil tarp and fold it over twice unless you want to end up sleeping on the ground lol. 

This is a really good point you made about getting off the ground, especially if its cold.  Tarp does a pretty good job of conserving your body heat, but isn't exactly quiet.  I'm going to have to look into that jungle hammock you linked to.

[ProtoPatriot]

I'm going to have to look into that jungle hammock you linked to.

yeah, The Jungle Hammock is very comfy. Haven't had any problems and if you get the rain fly, you can make  pretty decent covered area if you string it up to trees instead of staking it. I also switched out the nylon ropes it comes with for climbing webbing in order to make it more versatile and much stronger (not to mention the hundreds of other uses the webbing could be used for...starting to find that webbing is 100 times better than rope for just about anything).