Used military surplus can really be a mixed bag of total awesome and total junk. We were lucky to have picked up two USMC Improved Bivy Covers a good while back.
We decided to wash them with Nikwax Tech-wash https://amzn.to/2Zxvx0k and used the Nikwax Wash-in waterproofing along with the Nikwax Spray on waterproofing https://amzn.to/2XC3eMk. Testing them in North Carolina thunderstorms in early spring gives us a good gauge as to how well the treatment worked.
Environmental Protection
- The bivy cover protects against rain, snow, dew, dust, wind, and bugs for outdoor use
- Maximum environmental protection is provided when the user is completely enclosed.
Get USMC Improved Bivy Cover (IBC) Get Military Sleeping bags
How to Use
- Close the bivy: Adjust the zipper with one zipper tab/slider located at the bottom of each side - next to each hip. To close, grab one zipper slider in each hand and pull upward until they meet over the face.
- Open the bivy: Hook your finger between where the zipper sliders meet or grab the bivy material right below the sliders and pull down to open.
- Face Stand-off: Pull the stiffeners at each end to straighten and then bend them upward until the desired stand-off is achieved. Remove one or both stiffeners if preferred.
- Ventillation: Unzip the flap that covers the screen window. When the flap is fully open, roll the flap and place the loop over the toggle at the bottom of the screen.
- When practical, air dry thoroughly each day. At a minimum, shake off any water and brush off dirt before stuffing the bivy in the compression stuff sack.
For Safe Use
- FLAMMABLE: NEVER SMOKE IN BAG. KEEP AWAY FROM FLAME.
- For EMERGENCY exit, grab material next to zipper sliders and pull down to open.
- Protect the bivy bottom from the ground with tarp and or sleeping pad.
- DO NOT drag bivy on the ground or puncture to keep it waterproof.
- At home base, DO NOT leave the bivy in the compression stuff sack. Clean and dry the bivy and store it in the mesh storage bag provided.
Keep Bivy Clean
- Brush the dirt and debris off yourself and clothing before entering the bivy.
- Remove grease and spots from the bivy by spot cleaning with damp cloth and soap and rinse.
- Launder by machine washing and tumble drying on delicate cycles and low temperatures. Rinse thoroughly to maintain waterproofing.
- DO NOT bleach, use fabric softener, iron or Dry Clean.
Bivy Material and Misc
100% Nylon Shell/100% PTFE core/100% Nylon backing.
Contract #: W911QY-09-F-0101
Manufacturer: Propper International, Inc.
Our Gear
- USMC Improved Bivy Cover (IBC): https://alnk.to/ei1i0xr
- Military Sleeping bags: https://alnk.to/6xJWQEC
- Gear Aid Tenacious Tape: https://amzn.to/2Dyz1q1
- Generic Gore-Tex seam tape: https://amzn.to/2IXaRZU
- Nikwax Tech-wash & Wash-in waterproofing: https://amzn.to/2Zxvx0k
- Nikwax Spray on waterproofing: https://amzn.to/2XC3eMk