Dutch modular sleep system (pic heavy)

[spandit]

As mentioned in this thread (http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87698), I recently bought one of the Dutch army modular sleep systems from fu-kit.com (no affiliation)

After an agonising wait of 5 days, it arrived. The 3 parts (inner bag, outer bag and stuffsack) were packed separately.

I put everything into the stuffsack to see how compact it would get:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/ffe53888.jpg

The compressed package is 28x36cm, so not terribly large. It weighs about 4.5kg (although my fishing scales said 8lbs) - not a featherweight system but then it's not really designed to be. The stuffsack is a nylon bag with very rugged end caps (we called it a donkey's bra in the Scouts!) and thick webbing with big loops so you can get plenty of tension on it. The webbing goes all the way around so although it's a bit fiddly getting started, it's not going to come apart in a hurry.

First up, we have the inner bag:
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/3c9041c5.jpg

This is essentially the same as a Carinthia Tropen - it's a lightweight summer/jungle bag. This one is made by Fecsa, a Spanish defence contractor and I've no doubt it's the same standard. The zip is down the left hand side and the bag is pretty roomy. I'm 6'3" and can pull it over my head. That said, it's not as long as my Lidl bag, which isn't actually a bad piece of kit:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/3e66e550.jpg

Washing instructions are in Dutch but say not to dry-clean and to only use low temperature/spin:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/365a8b95.jpg

A nice feature, however, is the built in mosquito net. This is behind a small flap, held down with metal poppers:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/826ac4f5.jpg

I'd imagine in the cold, these might cause problems but as mentioned, it's not a cold weather bag.
The mosquito net works by zipping it up - this zip is a nightmare, catches everything - and finishes with a Velcro tab to keep everything snug:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/2351b8e1.jpg

Due to the size of the bag, it doesn't feel claustrophobic

Next up, we have the outer bag, again a Fecsa made Carinthia Defence 4 copy:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/0b33ccef.jpg

This is a mummy bag and is heavier but much more restrictive. It's long enough, but only just - I can't really snuggle down inside it, especially when I'm inside the other bag as well. When done up, there is only a small breathing hole - it's not a bag you can have open at the top. My Lidl bag has the same problem but not to the same extent

It has a centre zip, with a flap to keep out the cold:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/97bb85b5.jpg

As can be expected from surplus kit, it's often surplus for a reason. This one had been repaired but it's been neatly done and I'm sure it will hold up fine:

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/eaf320df.jpg

The bags have various loops, I presume for holding them together, although by what means I'm not sure - probably some sort of ribbon would be best so you don't get lumps.

Although in a hammock this bag will be great, being narrow with the centre zip, trying to get into both of them inside an Alpkit Hunka XL bivi-bag, with a Thermarest already inflated inside, was a bit of a challenge. Taking a photo was even more difficult!

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk76/richardspandit/Eco/Slaapzak/8f5fbc7c.jpg

Planning on sleeping out tonight under the stars - the only place in my garden that isn't covered in dog poo is next to the pond so I'll need the mosquito net! If I survive, I'll report back tomorrow!

[Twodogs]

Nice one
Fecsa do the Dutch DPM bivis that are the same as the Carinthia as well .
Twodogs

[Shewie]

Nice review, great looking setup

I'm tempted but I have too much kit already

[Elines]

How do you think it compares with the US army modular system - including price. The US army ones were around £100 but a quick search didn't find any on ebay

[drliamski]

Who are fesca?
I have one of the carinthia sleeping bags and would like the bivi to match

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

[Twodogs]

Does anyone know anything about this Dutch Army Arctic Carinthia?

http://www.marwiarmystore.nl/webshop.asp?cat=27846&scat=&product=739616

Twodogs

[Twodogs]

Sorry to highjack the post ,
Heres the Bivi ,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dutch-Army-Goretex-Bivi-Bag-aluminium-Poles-/120875709820?pt=UK_Collectable s_Militaria_LE&hash=item1c24c0f57c

[Greek1983]

Nice review, I hope they perform the same as the original ones from Carinthia.

The loops on the "Defence 4" are attaching points for the polycotton liner.

http://www.military-sleeping-bags.com/linerpolycotton.html

@Twodogs: I guess this is the Dutch Army's Carinthia Brenta made by FEC SA

http://www.military-sleeping-bags.com/brenta.html

See closely on the first picture from Marwi's and you'll see a pocket for storing various stuff.

[Greek1983]

Who are fesca?
I have one of the carinthia sleeping bags and would like the bivi to match

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

This is their website.

http://www.fecsa.net/en/

What type of bivi bag you have?

[Twodogs]

Nice one Greek
Cheers
Twodogs

[spandit]

Forgot to say, it was about £70 delivered - to buy a new Defence 4 and Tropen would cost roughly 4 times that, from Heinnie-Haynes. I'd say it was a fair bargain, assuming they're made to the same spec (and I have no reason to believe they're not)

[Twodogs]

yep thats a cracking buy

[Man of Tanith]

I'm tempted but I have too much kit already

Shewie wash your keyboard out for even thinking such a thing!
nice review how much space does the bag take up in a pack?

[spandit]

I'll let you know tomorrow if I have a chance!

[spandit]

Slept out in it last night:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88033

[The Lord Poncho]

The outer bag looks identical in every subtle way to my Carinthia made Defence 4. Does the material appear to be waterproof (i.e. it billows about a bit when stuffing into the stuff sack?). The stuff sack is different to that supplied with the Defence 4, and looks almost identical to that supplied with the British Army arctic bag- i find them pretty good actually.

True bargain!

[spandit]

It does billow a bit, yes. Glad I took the gamble now!

[Greek1983]

Something I forgot to ask: Did you have any issues with the mosquito net's metal poppers of the "Tropen" while you were sleeping?

[spandit]

Something I forgot to ask: Did you have any issues with the mosquito net's metal poppers of the "Tropen" while you were sleeping?

In a word, no. What did cause slight issues is that each bag has 2 cord-locks for adjusting the hoods - that's 6 in total. They're quite uncomfortable to lie on. I did wake up to find the "Tropen-a-like" had turned round as I rolled in the night but I was still warm

I had a full size domestic pillow in the hood of the bivi bag - next time I might move it inside the sleeping bags as quite like having my arms underneath it

[Greek1983]

In the jungle bag you won't a problem placing the pillow. Unfortunately with the "Defence" models you either have to place it underneath the sleeping bag or on top of the breathing hole, thus having your head exposed to the elements.

If you really want it inside the bag you'll have to unzip the top a bit 'cos the breathing hole is really small. I have the "Defence 1" and took me quite a while to get used sleeping in it with a pillow and especially in the same position I usually sleep (prone, arms underneath the pillow).

[spandit]

It's one thing my old Cotswold Camping bag doesn't suffer from - the hood is huge & opens right out. It's the main annoyance on my Lidl Rocktrail & the Defence 4

Must use a smaller pillow - I normally use a dry bag stuffed with clothes in the hammock - can't fall to the ground as it's clipped around the hammock. I've got an old airline pillow somewhere I could use

[Greek1983]

Yep, a compact pillow is more suitable for this design.

[shogun]

hi elines here is a link to ebay where i found the us modular sleep system for 90 quid delivered and if you scroll down all the pics and ifo is there about it..atb shogun

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/US-ARMY-GORETEX-BIVY-BAG-AND-PATROL-BAG-MODULAR-SLEEP-SYSTEM-/370561167012?pt=UK_Collectable s_Militaria_LE&hash=item56472aaea4

[widu13]

A sleeping bag is missing from that auction, there are cheaper new genuine complete systems out there.

[Andy BB]

It's missing both the thicker sleeping bag and the stuff-sac. And its used........

[Elines]

I bought the US modular system - all four parts - last summer some time and have been generally happy with it (I had one cold night in ?January but putting a coat over my legs sorted that).

Last summer there were loads available on ebay and they generally went for about £90 or less. I deliberately decided to pay a bit more to get one from a reputable supplier (got his last one) as there were apparently a lot of fakes around at the time

[spandit]

I'd considered the US system but couldn't be sure of not getting a fake & seeing as I already had a bivi bag, this system seemed sensible (plus the centre zip will help for hammocking). I'm sure they're comparable systems, just wish I'd bought mine last year!

[spandit]

nice review how much space does the bag take up in a pack?

Just packed it into my BFO PLCE Bergen. With both sleeping bags (no compression bag), underquilt, DD XL tarp, hammock & Alpkit Hunka XL bivi bag it's rammed pretty full.

I'll have to be a bit creative with the rest of my packing as I prefer to be able to carry everything in one go. Cast iron frying pan might weigh things down a tad, mind! It's the underquilt that seems bulkiest, oddly enough