Camping, hiking and hunting are extremely popular pastimes in America, as in the rest of the world. People love to hearken back to our hunting and gathering days, when small bands of people roamed the land, in search of food, shelter, and fun. When we get out into the wilderness, away from the stress of cities and civilization, something more primal is awoken within us. Yet, most of us don’t leave civilization behind completely; the savvier among us do make sure we have what it takes to eat and be warm – food, tents, a way to start a fire and a good Army sleeping bag.

There is something very primal about getting out into nature, and just being there. Hunters, explorers and researchers whose work takes them outdoors on extended field operations know this to be the case; to a large extent, what Jack London termed “the call of the wild” still calls to all of us. Simply going to a campground, setting up tent, and preparing food in fresh air over an open fire relaxes us, and makes us feel closer to each other as well as to the world.

In the years shortly following the 2nd world war, camping enjoyed an explosion in popularity, rapidly becoming one of the favorite pastimes of most Americans. Cars were affordable, and so was gas. It was a natural choice, to head for the lake, woods and mountains when time was available to do so, and millions did just that. To serve these eager campers, companies such as Coleman began making camping gear, and old soldiers could be found in the woods with other campers, along with their army sleeping bags.

As is the case with much military technology turned to civilian use, the Army sleeping bag has become very popular, and for good reason. This modular sleeping system, as it is known (MSS for short) is a real revolution in camping technology. Designed to keep soldiers warm and dry no matter what the weather, army sleeping bags are really the best sleeping bang for the buck you will find for camping gear anywhere.

The basic elements of Army sleeping bags are an inner sleeping bag, an outer sleeping bag, a shell that goes around both of them, and a stuff sack, or bivy, to roll it all up in when the camping adventure is over. Together, they work together to provide the soldier (or camper) with the ability to remain warm up to 30 degrees below zero.

The most important module is of course the inner sleeping bag, and is the one designed to allow the soldier or camper to rest safe and warm when the weather outside is cold and miserable. Filled with a high-tech version of feather down, the heat retention capabilities of the inner bag are tremendous.

The outer, larger sleeping bag is more along the lines of standard sleeping bags, and thinner than the inner bag, as it is meant to be used in ordinary weather conditions. Black on the inside, and olive in color on the outside, this bag is designed to firmly snap the inner bag in place for when weather is extreme, as well as to be used on its own, when it’s not too cold out.

The army sleeping bag is rendered complete with the use of the bevy sack. The bevy sack snaps to the outer bag, and is designed to make the entire system impervious to both cold and wet conditions. It is made from waterproof nylon, is extremely durable, and is typically found in camouflage color patterns. Very popular with hunters and campers as well as soldiers, the bevy sack serves as the outermost layer in a three component sleeping system.

No army sleeping bag is complete without the stuff sack, by means of which the hunter, camper or solider can haul the other three components of the modular sleeping system with him. This allows the user to fit the sleeping system into a backpack with ease, and is one of the many reasons that army sleeping bags are so popular. Durable, usable in all weather conditions, these army sleeping bag systems will give campers of all ages comfort and enjoyment while camping for years to come.

If you ready to purchase a sleeping bag take a look atdown sleeping bags.