The Last Tent You'll Ever Buy | Army Improved Combat Shelter (ICS)
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- čas přidán 4. 12. 2020
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Extra info: It's 6.5 lbs and does just fine in heavy snow. I did another video setting it up in high winds: czcams.com/video/z7AjiQEH74c/video.html
Good job there Army! I am a Navy veteran and of course you know guys like us Squids, we don't do army Maneuvers like you guys. But I've been looking for a four-season tent. Especially one that works in the winter. I live in New York City and I would like to go camping stealthy camping in certain parts of the city. In the video I know you said it stands out but with other stuff that I plan on getting like camo netting and stuff like that it should be no problem for me to get way with the things I want to do here in my retirement. I am 6 ft 5 in tall. I haven't seen the description of the size of the tent because I need it long enough for my whole body but so far so good I'm going to subscribe to your channel and hopefully I can take advantage of whatever other information you have. Thanks and thank you for your service
That'll work if you put the poles on the outer holes. You just won't be able to sit up fully in it
This shelter reminds of my favorite dome tent called a go be dry it had a tarp pool style bottom 8x8 two poles and a rain fly pole, Large rain fly, screen top for ventilation and warm weather. Coleman makes one now too. but it was the best! I still own a similar one it's light enough and iv used them in bad situations and camping backpacking. I always bring a tarp along as well on trips for more living space in colder weather. hahaha but I want one of these tents!
Cool
I almost cried watching this video! I left the Army just as the 1st Gulf War was starting and I remember what a bitch it was to setup and sleep in the shelter-half! I remember having to build a trench around it in case it rained to have the water move away from the tent. I only used it in the States because in Germany we used GP Small tents with a heater. 501st MP Co. 1st Armored Division.
To an Infantry soldier, the most important questions are: how much does it weigh, how small does it pack up, how many fiddle little bits can be lost.
lmao! these were literally my first 3 questions, i was anti armor infantry and did all my sleeping in humvees or hasty fighting positions next to humvees in a bivvy sac.
Just remember, it’s got to be lighter than the old shelter halfs
And the military doesn't give a ........ It is all built by the lowest bidder. Not sure why people think military gear is so great.
@@adventureswithfrodo2721 with enough sewing anything can be military 😂
You forgot the main and most important question,does it work ??? And if does for how long
When I was a soldier back in the 1960s, I would connect my shelter half to that of another grunt, turning it into a pup tent. In winter, we kept warm on bivuoac by placing a candle in a steel pot (helmet) and lighting it. That would raise the temperature inside the tent from 0 to around 40 degrees -- not warm by a long shot but it kept us from freezing to death in our sleep.
sounds quite cosy
I was stationed in germany and we had extreme cold weather sleeping bags. Giant down stuffed mummy bags, if you slept in more than underwear-you sweated your ass off.
70's we were not allowed lights period. Light and noise discipline was our SOP in the field 100%
Yeah, we used those same shelter halves in the 80s and 90s too.
During the 80s my platoon NCO light up candle to get few more degrees inside our frozen M113 for couple hrs sleep! 🥶🕯️
As a former Australian infantry platoon SGT, I can tell you this, there’s no such thing as Grunt Proof. I have had soldiers break things that came wrapped in titanium. 😂😂😂😂😂
Aus vet here. We had to paint the ruggedised laptops black because if green the grunts would literally throw them into the back of the vehicles 🤣🤣
Lmao!!
Grunts can break your heart! It just goes to show that you care? A Sgt. that cares, shut my mouth, must be mistaking that for my CSM. Cheers mate. Harera
You can make something “foolproof” but you cannot make anything “damnedfoolproof”
I only did 4 yrs in Reserves but couldn't then get into Regular Army because I'd had knee surgery. So what do Diggers get issued now as a shelter ? 👍🇭🇲👍
Marines looking at this like, “the army gets fucking tents?” while staring at their standard issue tarps.
and the airforce guy shut the door to his hotel room and turns on the heater/AC
nothing is grunt proof, just grunt resistant
@brads mgads see my comment below (or above lol) basically read my mind.
@Alexander Challis C.co 15th CBT ENG 9 INF. DIV. 2 BDE ( TEST BED ).
Our moto was Toys R Us.
They gave us experimental equipment and told us to push it to it's limits.
Grunts even break tanks... More amazingly, I once saw a private f-up a Kalashnikov.
@@bob_the_barbarian I'll raise you A private f-ing up a Toyota Hilux
when the M.O.L.L.I. packs first came out we had a factory rep show up to our unit to tell us how good it was. he was in the middle of telling us how tough the plastic frame was and you drive over it and it wouldn't break. our Maj. told one of the Cpl's to go break it so he grabbed it by the ends and folded it in on itself and it snapped. the factory rep was stunned and had no comment on what he just seen. like you said, nothing is grunt proof..... lol
In Afghanistan, as a grunt with two tours there, we never used any tents outside the wire. 360 defensive perimeters which were small on hilltops we did. Once a did a linear defensive line, for about a day and a half facing a village. We slept in the sand, snow, dirt, rain when we went on combat missions. Climb To Glory! 🇺🇸
Edit-in Baghdad, we slept on rooftops, or went back to Camp Liberty when ordered to go back. Edit #2: longest we stayed outside the wire in Afghanistan was 28 days. Iraq- 24+ hours. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
...probably shoulda brought the tent this guy is showing you. woulda been WAYYYYY easier... haha
@@gr6914 we were hunting Taliban so it was never about being comfortable, like those back at the airfield were. We found a lot of Taliban and we fucked them up.
@@Williameagleblanket well done brother! I'd only they let you meat eaters finish the damn job. Glad you're back safe and are on our side.
Thank you for your service brother!!!
Well that fucked up traitor Miley certainly gave the Taliban a parting gift for all those you fucked up William. Thanks for your service anyway🤙🇺🇸
If your concerned about camouflage, bring a piece of camouflage netting with you to throw over the whole thing. That stuff is so versatile it's worth having anyways if you have room. You and all your gear can just disappear in a matter of seconds.
???
Back in my day it was shelter half. Anything is an improvement
infantry does usually identify a mental incapability to understand a "lean. to. shelter."
In my day too. Shelter halves to make pup tents. Barely fit two people. It was amazing how we used to make it work.
@@rascal1234 i can imagine telling my Drill Instructor... My Sleeping Arrangements don't have a nice air-flow... also, can we please have some pockets sewn in so I can have some more storage space...?"
... then I get PTd till I drop....
Marines got rid of tents and went to individual bivisacks as standard issue.
@@rascal1234 in 6 years only time I used one was ait.
Soldiers: this tent sucked
Marines: you guys get tents ?
Oohrah!
Didn't the Marines get the TCOP?!
@@DocFischer idk maybe but grunts in 29 palms never saw them. All we had was the ISO mat, the sleeping system and the woobie
marines? i saw a tent somewhere once, tried to F*** it... didn't work, tried to steal it and almost got f***ed and then I decided to sleep with my head on my rifle.... that worked ok.
You can check them out from supply But they always out. Hahaha
Back in my days as a Tanker we put the main gun bore cleaning staffs together, tied it between two trees,put the tank tarp over it with enough leftover to make a floor and ends, fired up a large coffee or juice can filled with sand and diesel= 4 star hotel!
I’m currently a tanker my favorite feeling in a field op is closing up for the end of the day raising the gun tube traversing over the rear laying my woobie below it and tarp on top trapping in all the heat
@@joshuagee6717 That is exactly what we did as well. During thunder storms with flash flooding they would bring in the grunts at NTC and give us permission to hunker down.
I had to use the same shelter half in the '90's that my father used in the '40's. Mad jealous of the new tent. Although, waking up with a river running through your tent builds character! Kids these days...
they say the kids these days bomb targets by playing vidya games....didn;t the air force used to do that from those fortress planes?? lolz
Dude, those shelter half tents were ass in the 1940s and there was no excuse for them to have been used in the 80's when I went through let alone the 90s. The tents we were issued a few holes but when the rain came that didn't matter because the rain ran into the tent when it got wet.
In those old tents at night, the mosquitos had a field day eating on us in August at Ft. Benning. Mosquitos from Benning to Balad Ruz tried to eat me, one drop of blood at a time. I never knew a Desert Country could have mosquitos. I HATE mosquitos! Next to them, I love the insurgents in Iraq all they wanted us to do was leave or die. Those GD vampire bugs wanted our blood.
I could see making the troops in Basic Training or AIT use them, but not soldiers after initial training. Maybe Ranger School Candidates if you want to make them extra tough.
I agree most people haven't suffered enough to KNOW , how good that Tent is for one person.
Great review !
I don't know man... sleeping back to back in that half shelter next to my asshole buddy kept me warm. Seems weird to get your own tent. lol
@@lexwaldez I'm sure for quality of life for the joes it is a lot nicer. I was in Iraq with a grunt who'd rub one out any chance he could. If he got in his fart sack he'd pull it over his head and go to town. He didn't care who was around. I never had to sleep in a hooch with him but I sure wouldn't want to be the joe who had to share a shelter half with him.
@@markamiller1970That would be too much for me to deal with, ironically.
I’m currently a 31B and i was one of the last graduating classes to have used this tent and I have to say it was a phenomenal tent for what it was designed to do. My tent I had was about 11 years old I’d say and it had one minor leak when I had it but other than that it was very “homey” to me
Compared to our previous individual tents.....which was nothing, the ICS is amazing! But above all, it IS Grunt-Proof! 💪
we carried a 1/2 shelter when i was in. I like the 1 man thing...
It might be grunt proof,but nothing is squaddie proof.
I'd love to see you test (and compare) a Eureka TCOP too. More expensive AFAIK but also bigger I think, but is it grunt proof! ???
How about the Catoma Combat II tent, it should be as good as the ICS.
Thanks for the awesome review.
Thanks! I haven't worked with it yet
used that tent during basic training, it started to drizzle during an FTX, got the okay from the drill sergeants to sleep in them, somehow it was the best sleep i've gotten while i was there
Retired ten years ago from the army. I got to keep my ACU pattern tent when I retired. I still use it monthly as a scoutmaster. It’s held up great. Even left it set up for an entire summer out on my property. Still in perfect shape.
I hated the shelter half, can’t believe it was still in use 30+ years after I got out,
because it's the best. You just dont understand yet. 🙂 Maybe not that shelter half but canvas in general (like the Russian Plash Palatka, the Czech or Eastern Germany ones)
Try catching a spark or two on this one. Try cooking or heating it. One bad move and it shrinks from a freaking gas stove blow. I could improvise a ammo can wood stove with a chimney out of downspout pipe knowing it will not melt on me. It was the definition of grunt proof IMHO
Didn’t provide enough shelter for one, had one catch on fire, near a fire not in direct contact, burned very quickly, wish we had this new system vast improvement
@@anrvtoo267 Hmm, that's valid reasoning. Of course I mean rather spark-proof. Anyway I can make a three sided pyramid with two of those eastern ponchos. With a covered ground. Fraction of price and I believe I can figure out a fire retardant too. I've seen someone using liseed oil with red rust or soot as an impregnation and camo. It's a matter of minutes to find a natural fire retardant additive. Something like lime water for winter... I use it on my car 🙂It turns into calcium carbonate while absorbing CO2. Anything with CO2 could be a fire retardant. It's custom and fun. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater
I liked it, for a ground mat. kick up some leaves and weeds for ground cushion lay it over, put sleeping bag ontop, if you expect rain cover with poncho or sleep in vehicle. never used it as a tent after basic.
In aviation units the warrant officers would get together and make condos with all their shelter halves. Made the sergeant major crazy.
I've spent a few thousand day over the years using a variety of tents. under a wide range of conditions from +120 F to -30F This one looks like the best designed and thought out I have ever seen to handle heat, rain snow, wind. I like the blackout feature. It seems to meet the requirements for protection from the elements.
That tent isn't "grunt proof"...he got in!
The shelter half/peg/pole set up wasn't made for sleeping in. It was only made to go on your gear list to hump around all day. It also promoted good inter-unit communications because when you lost pieces of it, you could wander around other units and trade the extra shit you found for the extra shit they found.
I remember being issued these, all I could think was holy shit we are spoiled!!! After two years in the field with the tent half’s these were like being in a Hilton!
Another simply outstanding video. I find your experience as a career grunt invaluable. If you say its "grunt proof," well, I can't think of a higher endorsement. Not to mention, when I was younger, I know exactly what "The Grunt" says about the durability of most commercial camping products, especially tents. I take good care of my stuff and usually made tents last several years. But not one wasn't covered in patches by the time I was done, patches for holes and tears that were acquired despite careful treatment and being mindful of where I pitched my tent and what was around it. Having camping gear that is reliable, tough, will stand up to standard, mindful use, well that would have been a godsend 35 years ago. On Grunt's recommendation, a new one of these is going to be one of my "last minute" Christmas gifts to my step daughter who loves to camp. Great Video ! :-)
.
Thanks!
Female Army soldier in 1976-1996. I was issued both canvas halves and the parts because females weren't allowed to share. Took up to much space in my pack. I didn't like the tent, so I set up a cot and placed one half of the tent over me. I stayed warm and dry, even in the rain storm and snow.
A four season tent is always going to be heavier, even if it's a civilian tent, so if it's really meant to be a four-season tent, people shouldn't really complain about that.
Great point. the bath tub floor is also going to be heavier.
It IS the construction methods, AND the materials used, that define a TRUE 4-season shelter, PERIOD.
As an example...1 layer of banana plant leaves MAY prevent sunburn, but several layers, PROPERLY constructed, WILL provide the CRITICAL elements of sheltering : something to sleep UNDER, ON & IN !
KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR GREATEST SURVIVAL TOOL...git ya sum !!!
Because only you, can prevent brain farts.
HUA !?!
In a 'bug out' situation you find yourself eating cold food in the woods, living in a little tent, you didn't plan well.
A good improvement might be an extra floor section and a way to connect two tents via that back vestibule. More sleeping space in a smaller area. Shared heating in colder climates. Might even be able to be posted up a bit to make a slightly domed roof. Would be a true improvement over the shelter halves. Two halves of a much larger shelter that each are a one person shelter on their own. Together would probably sleep 2-4
Y'all were lucky. I had the old setup, shelter half, tent poles pegs, etc. Yeah it sucked, but not always. Worst time was back in 78 in Korea and we were down south and caught the tail end of a Hurricane, for two days. Then we were given permission to dry out in ROK barracks. What a relief. I would have loved to have this tent then and any other time.
I was in a dismounted reconnaissance company as an infantryman and I love this thing. Kept me dry and warm in the coldest, wettest conditions imaginable.
How was it in really strong wind
I remember getting together with my battle buddy and setting up a GP Teeny
Is that like Teds Thunder Buddy
The army is now issuing condo's, who would have thought. I have spent many a frozen nights in the two-man pup tent, in the mornings I would use my entrenching tool to pry up a tent peg so I could crawl out of my frozen tent because I could not unbutton it.
My cousin (rest in peace) spent six months living in a two-man pup tent in Vietnam, during monsoon season, he was not happy, he said you could not escape the mud, but the shelter half did keep the rain off your ass.
The shelter half was not the greatest thing in the world, but it would keep you alive under almost every imaginable circumstances.
Old 11Bravo here. Thanks for the review. Wish we would have had these when I was in, it would have been great.
We still used the shelter half. We used it twice in 12 years. We preferred to use the poncho and poncho liner and or tarp or what we could get away with.
I joined the reserves in ‘03 and remember the shelter half. My buddy had a funny story about when he got it at CIF. He was like “Where’s the other half!?” And the guy at the counter says “Don’t worry, your buddy will have it!” All my AD time was in an aviation unit so I only actually used it once, in the field it was me and 20 of my best friends in a GP medium.
I loved this tent. I camp a lot and when I joined the army and used this tent I was very impressed. Easy to use and better than sleeping on the ground lol
Your tip about not unpacking all your stuff and being ready to move at all times is spot on. I don’t even spread out if I’m in a hotel. Everything stays packed so I can leave super fast. Great video. Former 11M. I want this tent.
Thanks for the review. I was in the Marines in the early 1970's and used the old canvas shelter half set-ups. Now living in Downeast Maine, this looks like a great option for my overnight woodland hiking excursions. 👍👍👍
We had shelter halts, only used in basic. We only used poncho, and poncho liner.
This tent looks pretty awesome for camping. No more leaky seams, has me wanting to buy one right now.
I was stationed at Ft Drum for 3 yrs. We was issued an “experimental” tent called an Ecotat. Worked fine, except winter. I think we used them only twice. I preferred the poncho hooch.
I still use a 10 year old Kifaru Tut floorless teepee with a stove jack. It's bomb proof and weighs about 2 pounds. In winter I use a Pomoly Titanium wood stove. Keeps me warm
Finally! I have watched civilians review military gear and completely miss the point. Designed for a tactical environment, to be ready to move quickly. If you need tactical, it is why we were issued a bivy bag. I remember going to Germany for a short stint. We were in Hohenfels (hope I was close on the spelling). I remember sleeping in my MSS and woke to snow, but was warm and comfy. Stuff that sucker in your ruck and move out! I hated the thought of being the one everyone was waiting on to move out. I have a lightfifhter one man now, but my disabilities make it difficult to sleep in (muscle pains). I mostly sleep in a hammock now. Anyway... so glad for the grunt spin on the review. Finally someone to explain it. Thank you, and Merry Christmas.
Freakin Hoenfels! I don't miss that place 🤣
@@GruntProof What do you do in Germany now? I am a bit jealous of the "headquaters"! I have begun searching for some land to have my own playground.
I live here when I'm not up in the mountains.
Thanks for the review. Used to the old shelter half, if we even set it up. I have seen these in the inventory, but haven’t had the chance to use one as of yet. Glad to hear it from a grunt perspective. Thanks again.
Yeah I had a poncho and a poncho liner this is a real improvement
Former Sgt. here.. I've been Backpacking in earnest since 1973 and have spent year after year hoping to find an all weather tent. I first started out with a Eureka Timberline , which weighed 6 lbs. It was not any good in Winter as I found out at 12,400 feet in the Sierras .. So when the TCOP showed up a couple of years back I bought it, NEW, and have used it on every trip since. Snow, Rain, High Desert Winds which can reach 60mph and have had absolutely no problems. My girlfriend and I spent a number of nights in the Tent and loved it...Occasionally I well set up a Tarp during long periods of Rain in the Front of the Tent with the Door Partially under the Tarp.... Semper Fi...
Thanks for presenting this without a lot of BS. I'm trying to figure out what would be best on a bicycle camping journey with a little trailer. This looks and sounds pretty good.
In seven years I set my tent up once. In basic training. I hated that thing. We always slept in our APC. We lowered the ramp and used a big canvas tarp draped over the back like a big tent. Nice and cozy for 4-6 guys. We partied a lot too in there. 😂
Great video, I've been considering this tent and I believe you sold me. Thank you for raising your hand to volunteer to serve and protect not only our nation, but my children and my self as well.
Awesome tent . it tilts forward with the snow it took a week of rain end it was dry the only time it got wet was from the condensation bye morning and as far as a Fourseason know if it froze out that night the mesh Will freeze and you can suffocate if it’s all zipped up no it is not before season 10 when I do winter camping I just keep my front open an inch end it is warmer inside it holds his very well
2-22 Infantry, 10th Mountain, 1994-2000. We had to deal with the shelter halves in OSUT, but even in the Land of the Frozen Chosen, we lived by the poncho hooch. Everybody had an assortment of bungees packed, some guys had pre-cut lengths of 550 with elaborate slip knots. The ACU pattern is atrocious. Glad I hail from the days of woodland camo, and never had to deal with that. But, this tent does look like something I would have rather had most of the time, over a poncho hooch. Since most of my time on the line was spent humping an M60, AG gear, or a CINCGARS (the older 38 pound PRC-119D) the weight would have been an issue. Still, I would have loved to have had access to this tent on nights we were out in the sub-freezing weather at Fort Drum, a hooch just doesn't stop the wind, no matter how well you build it.
When I'm walking for fun, I run an ultralight set up, of course (I am old and Motrin is expensive). But that's different from outdoor equipment for work, where your shelter is there to help you get a job done and you can't just get a hotel if the weather sucks. This looks really good for that. Again, nice review!
Love your vids, I'm just a civilian I bought that tent about 2 years ago, love it and you proved it. Thank you for your service
Nice to hear from a soldier reviewing outdoor gear - maybe review other tents too ?
I did end up getting one used on ebay. Just got here yesterday. I was holding out for a different pattern. Something other than the pickle suit pattern but nothing ever came up so I finally pulled the trigger. got it for 139 bucks used but in excellent condition. I gotta say, comparing it to my old 2 Man USMC Tent ( We called it the Honymoon tent in the Marines) It's a pretty stout tent. The Army thought this through very well and it shows. Flagstaff just got about 6 inches of Snow and Im thinking I might head up and try this sucker out. But at the very least, plenty of room for me and my Dog can have the Vestibule area (He's a 140lb German Shepherd) with some wool blankents He stays pretty toasty in the winter. Thanks again for the review.
Excellent video! I need to get one, they are sweet! I used to have the tcop tent in woodland, but traded it off a few years back, and regretted it ever since. Sweet mod to it too brother!
From the other side of the coin. 6.5 pounds , that's two pounds less then my packs basic weight ( excluding consumables ). Vietnam made me really prefer hammocks over tents and still goes for toady. One of the choices when you live in a semi tropical environmental mixture of heat , humidity and bugs called Florida.
It IS heavy at like 6 lbs! But it's heavy duty, I also like the blackout inside. I got one from a buy/sell site for $60!! Going to take it out this winter and see.
Nice. Have you used it yet? I normally hammock and tarp up in the snow so would be good to see how you got on with it.
Is it really 6 lbs? If true, it’s still better than the diamond brand 2-man com at tent from Diamond I LOVE my 2-man tent, even at 12 lbs. having a sil-nylon duplicate fly would dramatically reduce the weight by more than half the fly weight. Still haven’t done that yet.
I only slept in a tent 1x in La. Once your wet, doesnt matter, more trouble than it benefit. Wet, cold, living like a dog in the swamps and forest. Easier to just deal with it.
Thanks for the honest reviews 👍
But I still go with my poncho and gearing up with my cheap 3×3m tarp especially for the colder months.
I can't see the benefits with the tent.
Long poles and alot of extra weight for a more comfortable stay.
This is on the go putting my setup up sleeping, making breakfast and then to the next location.
I am preaty good with my setup. The poncho is good but if I need to go to the stick in the middle of the night while it's pouring rain and snow.
I am glad I have that poncho as a part of my sleeping system still dry.
I promise you you do not want to have the roof coming of when you need to take a dump 😂
I love that you show the temperature in metric for the international audience.
yeah, he suffered European re-education 😛
@@trollmcclure1884 I would call it courtesy.
I usually use celsius and have to translate for my American buddies. But I just came back from the US and got re-learnt 🤣
@@GruntProof Fahrenheit is a crazy scale. Dude with a German name, kinda Dutch. The irony
@@trollmcclure1884 European? Only the United States, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Liberia, Palau, The Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands use the Fahrenheit scale.
I carried two ponchos and a woobie, and left the tent to the other guy. Waking up covered with snow when properly wrapped is actually warmer than being in a tent.
Used the poncho with liner as my fart sack and never used the half shelter except in basic at Benning
I only carried my shelter half out to the field after basic. Its was all about the poncho liner in the summer and using the artic bag in the winter. In Berlin we were issued artic gear.
Usually slept on the ground. We were issued experimental “squad” tents at Lewis… light attack brigade. Cool pop up tent we would unwrap and just pull up on a central knob. Poof! We could sleep 6 or 8 troops in there. Super cool. Otherwise, I had shelter half issued in a few units, but usually took a jungle hammock or just crashed in the dirt with poncho for cover. Sometimes on top of the canvas of a 2.5 ton truck or m151 Jeep, which was exceptional sleeping. Good review!
I were a grunt 24 years ago in the age of shelter halfs in the Norwegian Army and I have not tried the ICS, so my remarks are a bit biased and theoretical. In most field situations during training the ICS looks like a huge improvement to the shelter halfs. In my civilian life as a hiker I would never bring a shelter half with me on a trip, but I think I would go with a ICS and be happy with it. The black out design for the sleeping area is brilliant for the times when you take a rest during the day or when there is a midnight sun. Civilian tents usually does not provide that to you (and believe me - it is bright during summer nights in Northern Norway). What I intuitively does not like about ICS (without testing) are 3 things. The first is that if you ever leave roads with your squad your ICSs will have a bigger visual signature than a tent made by shelter halfs. I do not know if that is relevant as I am not familiar with how the Army will operate off road these days. The second and third comments are with civilian use in mind. I am not sure how an ICS would stand up to strong wind in my place (if you watch my movies you get an idea about why I am concerned about wind). Any who has experience with strong winds? What happens if the wind changes the direction during your rest? The third is that I am not sure if the design is suitable for cold winter days where you have snow falling and wind blowing, but then I am viewing it with a Norwegian winter in mind. Most hikers and soldiers does not operate in Northern Norway however, so it would probably be a waste for the US Army to design a tent that would work here as well:) Anyway - a good movie to watch and I enjoyed your review:)
Very surprised that the regular army was still using the shelter half in 2003. My time in the army was in the mid 80's to the early 90's. I have mixed feelings about the shelter half system. If there was time to set it up and prepare the ground around it. You could sleep sound even when it was raining. With that said, there was very little room for two guys and gear. If you were rushed to set it up and it rained, it would be a miserable night. Wish we would have had something like this.
In '03 we had the usmc tent olive green, it was single type that I would say is grunt proof all day. I used the shelter half as well, that thing sucked heavy multi people had to disperse amongst themselves. I would recommend the usmc tent to anyone. Remember I'm going off of 15 year old memories, '99-'05. 0331 usmc. Thanks for the video!
So I just tried to find it on the net and was unable, ours was just olive drab all green no camouflage print and said usmc on the top as you enter. I did find a brown one that looked similar (in design) but not green or with usmc at top.
Glad to see the military upgraded. The first civilian/commercial version of this entered the market 1985-1988.
Finally an honest review! I have camped in this shelter -18 C which didn't include the wind chill! Of course with a decent sleeping bag and we received 6 inches of snow on top of that. I was unaware of the storm until I woke up the next morning. Completely dry and very warm out of the elements. This saved me on numerous occasions. Speaking from my own personal experience here in Canada "The Canadian Armed Forces"
I just got one now I wanna test it in our Canadian winter, have you tested below -20 we get -30 here
Nope. My coldest was -20. Many of my friends did -40 and survived but had 3 ECWCS layers on.
@@GruntProof sounds good, thank you for the reply
I love mine! I always end up making my joes jealous that theyre sleeping in a long tent, and Im on my own in my own tent
I spent years in the wild with two olive drab ponchos and a wool blanket. Now at 74 I need a little more comfort. Nice setup.
Still have 2 of my old heavy OD Green Ponchos and still use them. Army 68/76
So it was year 2020 when USA military discovered tents?
Professional and detailed review.
Just one thing: when the guy says he's been through MONSOONS in this tent does he realize that monsoons actually last 3 - 4 months and that it doesn't matter if its raining on you or not; it's so damp and wet you actually breath water.
I'm about to buy this, and I don't mind the camo, it matches my poncho liner (can't bring myself to call it a woobie haha) but my only issue is no hook at the top for a UCO candle lantern. Those serve three functions, light, covering tent smell if you use the right candle, and I would say a 4 to 5 degree increase in temperature if left on a while. Has to be a way to attach a hook (that won't fall and start a fire) without harming the material.
Great video Randall! The majority of my outdoor kit is military surplus. I find it durable & cost effective.Keep the good content coming.
Bruce Recluse.....still searching on line for a reputable Army Surplus outlet. Any suggestions?
Thanks and Godspeed.
@Isomatte ....Lots of great info to follow up on. Thanks and Godspeed my freind.
One of the things you have to remember about military surplus, when bought new, it was always from the lowest bidder.
I would think that something on the design of a fabric clamshell would be appropriate, … but it could also utilize buttons that can be used to close the door way opening, instead of a zipper that can get clogged, & jammed up with mud, snow, &/or debris, …
I have this tent to, i think it's great, i just have a small hole in hood towards the vestibule but i have a tube of silicone to fix that, just to let you know i didn't serve but i tried in the army in the 80"s but a bad heart and breathing problems prevented that but my brother did and my father did and two uncle's did, my soul was willing but the body wasn't able but enjoy learning as i go cause it's nice to be able to set up shop when fishing 3 days straight and eating what you catch and some camping to, i just get embarrassed when i bring my stuff and people ask if i served and i tell them no they must wonder why i have a military bag and equipment and the only reason i have is because it's big enough to carry everything i need, but then i feel like a fool
Can confirm, i served from 2006-2011 now DVET and i miss this thing so much for camping and hunting
dude, you must be a marine.... you know you can just buy a tent, marine!? if you need me to, I can supervise the purchase, I'm sure you can smell my officer blood from wherever you are. but... hey buddy, why don't we get ya a tent guy? it's okay, I can show you how to use the internet if you need me to.
I wish we had this back in the my day. I too am from the shelter half era.
I wish I had one now and I've been retired for over 10 years.
@@ricjohns545 from what I’ve heard about these things is that they’re all around a good system to have but the ventilation sucks in these. I still use both of my shelter halves when I go camping. I’d rather pay $30 for the old school system than the $200 they’re asking for this tent. I can’t justify spending that much money on a tent. I’d rather just find shit and make my own shelter out of the stuff laying on the ground. Nature provides!
That being said, if I was given one of these or acquired one really cheap, I’d probably use it and pack it in my BOB
Love all the boots saying “must be nice”. You signed up to get our hand me downs, lol.
Another issue with tents was soldiers getting run over at night during war games. If I slept out in the open I always curled up next to the biggest tree I could find close by.
Well done! You make some very good points on this. I got one early this year and love it. When it comes to the camo pattern...no big deal....every pattern out there has it's drawbacks. Keep up the great vids!! Bold and swift...
Where did you buy your tent?
I was first issued a variation of this tent in the 10th Man Div in the late 80's. Travel lite, freeze at night.
The ICS was a huge improvement over the shelter half, but I usually preferred a big camo tarp and my bivvy bag for speed and less weight. I feel like they should have gone with a pop up style to be more grunt proof.
Yes, I’m an old retired army veteran. My first Infantry tour was West Germany, back in the 70’s. I slept wearing a poncho, squatting on my heals, leaning back against a tree, with a lit can of Sterno between my feet. When it got pretty warm, approximately 10 minutes, I’d douse the sterno then I’d sleep 20-30 minutes, uninterrupted. Then wade through the snow, 20 degrees below zero, F, checking the perimeter, the radio, accountability, then go back to my tree. Did this off and on thing till light or until time to move out…2-3 weeks. We’d go back to garrison barracks for a week to get ready to go out again. Our training areas were, Friedberg, Hohenfels, Grafenwoehr, and Wilflecken.
Ok I just saw the eBay page, yes this is the same tent as the Orc. This is great tent for those who are young and in great shape. As now a 50 year old I prefer to sleep on a tent cot with a tent on top of it and a thick Teton cushion. You can always spray paint a Woodland pattern on the rainfly, but better to improvise a pattern with that grey dead wood color. Cammo as we know only works if it matches the surrounding environment,
P.S. Thank you for doing this review. I subscribed to your channel.
The Army always gets cool toys...
Semper Fi!
It may be Army proof but not Marine proof. SFMF
No cure for that UPC pattern. Glad to hear the rest of it is good.
Great idea, for storing loose gear. I agree, I usually left my gear in the pack.
I was commissioned in 1981 and was in the 1st Cav in 83 when I went to the field with the Aviation Bde HQ. I brought a civilian tent that was OD green but the CSM complained to the Bde CO that the LT was in a non-issue tent so I had to take it down. I didn't bring my shelter half so I used my poncho as a shelter for the rest of the exercise.
Love this tent! Best use I’ve had it for is back packing, motorcycle camping and boots and Ut’s weekend getaways throughout the sierras and pacific north west. Very durable, (un)packs easily and quickly. Fairly spark resistant; ex. Minute Sparks from a camp fire won’t necessarily destroy it. The black out material is a blessing on whisky nights and size / weight make this very easily stowed in a motorcycle pannier, back pack and or rain bag. I, 6’3” 220 and camped in mine for nearly 15 years now and at times with a 70 lb Doberman. (That’s pushing it) My only complaint is sitting up inside; But I didn’t buy it for that. I bought mine for the price point, stowing size/ weight and extra storage room. Great for storing long rides in the rain and keeping your gear sight out of mind.
I used the shelter halves too, hated those things. I would rather tie off the hood on my poncho and turn that into a single man tent. The last light Infantry unit I was with had the single man woodland bivy tents which was sweet. But as far as room goes these newer tent systems win! You can keep your gear dry and yourself!👍
2 shelter halves? Good Lord! That's how we did it 50+ years ago! Glad to see the Army is trying to get it right, finally. Merry Christmas, Eleven Bravo.
we had it ( Dackelgarage ) in German Air Force `89, used it once during basic training. Later we used shelters, trucks or empty buildings during exercises.
I was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, 87-91 , I can recall humping and jumping from planes with that old heavy canvas shelter half stuffed in my Ruck sack ( along with a bunch of other mostly heavy old clothes and stuff ) but it served its purpose on several occasions in the field and in foul weather, kept you dry and warm and also provided shade for those hot afternoons . But this tent you have here I would have LOVED to have , just in weight reduction for packing if anything else. It looks very practical and easy to set up. Well I’m in my 60’s now and I still rough it in the back woods on occasion( just using a DD Hammocks super light 3m x 3m trap and ridgeline with guy lines set up ) but I’d love to try this out for sure . Hey I’m getting old and soft now lol 😆 but yeah the soldiers these days have a lot better equipment than we did that’s for sure .
I enjoyed the video. I was raised in Alaska, guided hunters in the
Bitter root, and spent countless hours alone in the wilderness. Tip,
ALWAYS get a fire going BEFORE anything else. Weather can change, and in
the event of an injury its a life saver. Witha busted wing it's nice to
have a fire going and wood ready
Can’t take shelter in a fire if it starts raining or snowing. Shelter is always first unless the weather is not expected to get below 50 degrees or so with no rain.
I would have given ol' lefty for that over the shelter half we had in the 60's and 70's. I never was much for sharing so all I had was a half shelter
Poncho in the Dirt or mud or water , move after dark !
I ETS'd in Dec 91. (Field Artillery, King of Battle!) The pup tent SUCKED! We would have killed to have a tent like this. I bought this tent and I love it. (I personally hate the digital cammo pattern.)
2:56 here we yet again how the Universal Camouflage Pattern perfectly blends in in yet another enviroment, proving how universal this pattern really is and the absolute genious of the generals who approved this camo
In all seriousnss, from a few hundred yards it could possibly pass off as a boulder, but that only works if the area already has a few boulders sticking out
The Pat. was for easy recognition IFF as a lot of Ins. had woodland look alike Pat's.
It's nice to see the military has a good tent for the soldiers to sleep in or stay out of the weather. I was in the Army march 1967 until march 1970 and I only had half a tent ya had to use the other half with a buddy. What was strange the tent wasn't big enough for one but two guys had to sleep in it, I didn't mind my own stink but it wasn't fun smelling another guys stink lol I'd like to see one of these new tents in person to get a better idea about, but I like what I can see.
Seems like a good tent, although I would definitely want the Multicam version. I have a litefighter one man military surplus tent, and it doesn't have that black out material. But it's got an eight inch Gortex bathtub, and the rain fly is Gortex also. I've camped in all conditions with it, but I don't think it's meant for winter. It has two HUGE vestibules for storage, and it has a few pockets and hangers inside the sleeping area and the vestibule areas. Plus the Multicam really does well in a woodland environment, I have pictures where I've parked it in some leaves, or even in a grassy field. You really can Stealth camp when you have Multicam or even MARPAT does good, just hard to find MARPAT tents, tarps yes, tents no. Either way I totally agree, military tents are easy to set up, will take a beating and stay functional, and definitely have vestibules set up to fit a rucksack, boots, and whatever else you need. I actually got my Multicam litefighter one man tent from gearguy82, the guy on Ebay I told you about, and I got it in unissued condition for $170.00. You should check out the litefighter!!! Great video!!🤜🤛🇺🇸🇺🇸
I just found that on Ebay since I don't like using Amazon and I must say. I'll take the extra water proofing and camo value anyday. I'm currently in the slow process of updating all my cold war era kit and sadly I've got a long way to go
I got issued a shelter half in 1995. Just like the one dad got in 1966.....
It was probably the same one.
And that my dad used in Europe 1944-1945 :-).
Joined the Army in 1988, and I couldn't believe they were using canvas shelter halves then. (Although, after Basic/AIT I never saw another one.)
Something like this would have been a mansion while I was in. You wanted rain resistance in my time, it was poncho over shelter half tent, you wanted bug proof, you weren't getting that, but you could get bug resistant if you used the insect bar over the shelter half configuration. If you wanted airflow.. LOL, you weren't getting it with that heavy canvas... But in all of those, you never got a clean or dry floor. Good to see the military is moving into something closer to modern.
I still prefer leaning against a tree with the branches above me to keep me sheltered for the 30 second break we get every week
They have a version in OCP now as well. I can provide the NSN if anyone is interested in finding one.
ITEM: LITEFIGHTER1
PART #: FS1100-OCP
NSN: 8340-01-628-8855
This is my current issued OCP stand-alone tactical tent. If you're still in, you can order them through your unit supply. As for price I saw one on E-Bay for about 150 bucks, so cost is definitely not high.
Our issued LiteFighters are coyote. Have never seen the ACU ones.
These aren't Litefighters. The ICS came before the Litefighters and is a true 4 season tent. The Litefighters have to have a conversion kit added to them for use in cold weather and the poles will still be to fragile for moderate to heavy snow.
@@m39fan thanks. My original tent was a shelter half in the Marine Corps :) Would love to find the winter kit for the new LiteFighter. I’ve been in some heavy snow with it and made my own inner liner with poncho liners tied to the inside of the tent. Wasn’t pretty but help retain heat inside.
GP:
Nice run down on this tent. Some of the things that you brought up are spot on. Light Infantry has to jump and run in the middle of the night, so fumbling around inside the tent looking for stuff is not the best scenario to be in. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the great work!
thanks!
I bought a similar tent design. It was inexpensive. I added a blue ground tarp for wet weather. The glass rods provide great flex in high winds. I camped said tent in a heavy storm, high winds, in Arkansas. The tent top often flexed in the wind down near me, yet always recovered. I thought we were gonna blow away. In the AM, I was high & dry. no, really. I was so happy with the tent, it was time for wake & bake. :-) cheers!