INFANTRYMAN'S GUIDE: Wet Weather Gear In this video we will discuss some considerations for gear that Infantryman use while operating in a wet weather environment.
Some of the items featured in this video: USGI style MultiCam pants: bit.ly/3FoRoym USGI style Woodland parka: bit.ly/434lXTo "Gumby" parka: bit.ly/3MlDCQr USMC poncho/tarp: bit.ly/3KbVx9J USGI style poncho: bit.ly/3m5Sp7h German Army poncho: bit.ly/3KeXguC WP bags (new style): bit.ly/40IrihC WP bags (old style): bit.ly/3Gk2Xqe Bivy Sack: bit.ly/3zv44zB (Using coupon code "WARPOET" will also give you $20 off purchases of $100) Lists of books on small unit tactics: www.amazon.com/shop/brent0331 **Guys, Primary Arms is hooking up my subscribers! Just follow the links I have posted below on the scope of your choice, for many of them they will give you a free mount or anti-reflection device (if you go through the below links).** PA SLx 3X Micro Magnifier w/ ACSS Pegasus Ranging Reticle: bit.ly/3DdencH PA SLx Full Size 3X Magnifier: bit.ly/3nLlVgz PA SLx Flip to side magnifier mount: bit.ly/3DPUKXw PA SLx 1X Micro Prism GEN II Cyclops (5.56) Green reticle: bit.ly/3CScIHs PA SLx 1X Micro Prism GEN II Cyclops (5.56) Red reticle: bit.ly/35DM07d PA SLx 1X Micro Prism GEN II Cyclops (5.56) Red reticle FDE: bit.ly/3xlWIfD PA SLx 1X Micro Prism GEN II Cyclops (9mm Gemini model) Green reticle: bit.ly/3DRwMuP PA SLx 1X Micro Prism GEN II Cyclops (9mm Gemini model) Red reticle: bit.ly/3xxJe0N PA 3X Compact Prsim Scope ACSS 5.56 GEN III (Black) bit.ly/2ANgbwQ PA 3X Compact Prism Scope ACSS 7.62x39/300 Blkout GEN III (Black) bit.ly/3h7B7Pw PA 1-8X Scope with Patented ACSS 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 Reticle bit.ly/2SPbNob PA GLx 2X Prism W/ ACSS 5.56/308/5.45: bit.ly/2XI0wYu PA GLx 2X Prism W/ ACSS 7.62x39/300 BO: bit.ly/2A613ux PA SLx Advanced Push button Micro Red Dot Sight: bit.ly/38aKaNn Holosun HS507C-V2 ACSS Vulcan HG pistol sight: bit.ly/3k4blgM PA SLx CYCLOPS 1X PRISM (GEN II): bit.ly/35DM07d PA SLx MD-25 optic (RED DOT): bit.ly/3fc14iJ PA SLx MD-25 optic (ACSS RETICLE): bit.ly/348aPaB PA Advanced Micro Dot w/ rotary knob bit.ly/2CjTCjr PA SLx Advanced Push button Micro Red Dot Sight: bit.ly/38aKaNn Holosun HS503G RDS W/ ACSS bit.ly/2r7gCd3 PA 1-6X24 FFP ACSS RAPTOR 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 BLACK bit.ly/2XnyrVO PA 1-6 FFP ACSS RAPTOR 7.62x39 / 300 Blk out bit.ly/33oS97s PA 1-8 SLx ACSS RAPTOR 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 bit.ly/38GcyoZ PA 1-8 PLATINUM FFP RAPTOR 5.56 bit.ly/2zqXYBo PA COMPACT PLx 1-8x24mm FFP RAPTOR ACSS M8 (Meters): bit.ly/3OrXw9W PA COMPACT PLx 1-8x24mm FFP RAPTOR ACSS M8 (Yards): bit.ly/3b58Zyx PA 30mm PLx Cantilever Mount -1.5" (mount for this optic): bit.ly/3PxpvWR PA PLx Top-Cap Reflex Mount 30mm: bit.ly/3YfiKgY PA 1-6X24mm SFP Riflescope with Patented ACSS 5.56 / 5.45 / .308 Reticle Gen III bit.ly/2BD73bB PA 1-6X24mm SFP Riflescope Gen III with K.I.S.S. Reticle bit.ly/2SUbxEo
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6:15 When I was working at the Bronze forge in Florida I had a sheet metal canopy for rain. I stayed wet because I sweat. Interestingly enough, I never remember it bothering me. We'd layer up in rawhide and I almost whited out once holding a pot of molten metal. I didn't have enough spit to scream I was going to pass out. If I dropped that pot, it'd have been bad. I could not signal for help. I was holding, way over temp, and out of spit with 2500 degrees of molten bronze. I might have whited out, but I still stood. There's something like a reflex there. You have to without knowing. You have to, and like the rest of the autonomic functions you can. Is there a difference between rain and sweat?
Great content. A note about the “poor man’s” pack liner learned from long trail backpacking. A trash compactor bag which are available at every Walmart and similar store is very thick plastic (thicker than the contractor bags from home improvement stores) and is much less likely to tear. Not as tough as a purpose made dry sack, but extremely cheap, lightweight, and pretty durable.
i remember in basic training how bad the wet weather gear smelled. i was at ft dix in the fall of 87...the stuff was brand new and smelled like puke that was so old it turned into cheese. i got yelled at by my drill sarge until he saw me turn green and puke. when i told him why he found an old school poncho he had in his storage (for us troops) and had me wear that until graduation. i returned it so he could give it to the next poor boot. omg, it was one of the worst smells i have ever dealt with. the enemy could smell us before we got near them...that's for sure.
This was a great subject, thank you for the detail. I was in the Canadian military for 13 years, our issued stuff was absolute garbage for wet weather protection. When I joined in 97 we were issued "trash bag" rain gear, very similar in design and function to the OD stuff you showed for the USMC. Doesn't breathe and smells like puke. Our half-shelters ("groundsheets" in our lingo) could be zipped together to make a pup tent, also smelled like death. The US ECWCS system is bar none the one to beat. I bought a used parka and couldn't be happier with it. When Canada started the Clothe The Soldier program in 2002, we started issuing a gore-tex jacket. Only issue was they put the gore-tex layer on the inside and the warming layers on the outside. So you sop up all the rain and are a heavy, sad sack of sh!t when it rains. When you leave an officer in charge of designing the specs....
Be careful with the german poncho, the Bundeswehr (German Military) abolished them more than 20 years ago because they were carcinogenic. Keep that in mind even though they are popular.
Hi Brent0331, I subscribed you like 2 years for learning how any military operations is conducted.. but you bring so much detail and expertise in Marine Corp Jungle and Mountain warfare.. I've started loving this channel Love from India 🇮🇳
As a former 11B we never were allowed to wear our ponchos and just used them for shelters in the patrol base. Goretex is decent but not completely water proof and you dont really want to be wearing that stuff if your rucking or patrolling because it is loud and you will overheat. Besides the poncho one of the best things the army issued was the wet weather bag where you could keep all your uniforms, socks ect dry. Hihgly reccomend a few of those and merino wool socks. Also with your poncho make sure you have some 550 chord a few small stakes and learn how to tie decent knots for setting up your shelter. The poncho, wet weather bag, sleep system, poncho liner and some of the snivel gear was probably the only decent stuff the military issued. There was a company that built mountaineering packs that made some stuff for our needs and were more functional than the scrap heap of a ruck that the army issuss today. The alice pack was nice, but it filled up quick. Besides jungle boots and before they came out with more of hiking style thats what we bought from rei or cabelas which made a huge difference in the afghan terrain. If your running around and going to carry a pack always carry some soem sort of gortex upper and lower with some items you can layer, etool, poncho or warerproof tarp, signal decive, compass or gps, a decent fixed blade, 550 chord, waterproof matches or magneisum. Also you can save your lint from the dryer and a take the carboard from a carton of eggs and put the lint in and melt wax over each spot and tear them apart and out them im a bag and you have a fire starter. Thats what i always carry when i go elk hunting or more than a few miles of exploring. I usually always carry a map of the areas i know im going to be around just in case. Its not that hard to get lost and i cant tell you how many times ive ran into people thag got lost and had nothing on them.
Hey Brent, this was actually one of your most informative videos yet. Rain and wet (and cold) conditions will take most out of the fight if not prepared beforehand. Many thanks for your work here.
In 1980 on a canoe trip in the spring with a continuous rain, a cold rain at that I had the ole heavy rubber US GI poncho, that kept me warm and dry, so glad I had it, of course back in those days we didn’t have the nice Gortex or any other cool gear, good video Brent, thanks
Perfect timing, Brent! I just cleared another 25 feet of trail in the middle of a subtropical hurricane this morning, forgot my gaiters and soaked my legs good and thorough. If it's rainin', I'm trainin'.
Sounds like my dad, "Rain or shine, your weekends are mine. I don't care if there is a hurricane and a blizzard inbound, you got yard work and chores to do. Now let's go ladies, you got till I finish my cup of coffee to eat, squat, and be dressed...and I started drinking my coffee 10 mins ago..." This is what happens when your dad brings Vietnam home with him...
British SAS jungle hammocks tightly strung on improvised wooden frame with poncho roof can make you sleep better and drier in wet and humid tropical jungle. The hammock could double as field stretcher.
Danner Gortex boots were my favorite for wet weather, hiking through ankle deep water and my feet stayed dry. Great recommendations on gear in the video.
Superb, and thorough as usual. Recent training: hide position, under ponchos, tarp, still got soaked and so did almost everything in the Alice. Bivey cover saved me during sleep cycle. Added 3 more dry bags since.
In a former life, I backpacked a lot. I had a pair of leather hiking boots with a gore-tex liner. They were not insulated. With wool/polypro socks my feet stayed dry and comfortable in 'warmish' wet weather. I wish I could remember the brand. Warm and wet was harder to manage than cold and wet. You're right though; chronically wet feet will ruin you.
Yep, you're an Old Salt; you didn't call the poncho liner a 'woobie'. WELL DONE! 😄 There can't be enough emphasis on keeping snivel gear as dry as possible. Working wet is fine, but trying to rest when cold and wet is nearly impossible. There's no describing the morale boost to getting dry and warm (relatively) when you can take a break. Cold and wet are how elite units thin out their candidates; get them cold, wet and tired, then wait...
You know, I could probably make a whole vid on "if you're poor" gear LOL! Buy hey, it's good to know how to improvise trash bags, zip locs and other things to preserve you gear. Dry underclothes, rags, and toilet paper can make or break you, and if the SHTF you gotta know how to grab whatever you can and make it work. Great vid as always Brett!
Awesome video. I really appreciate your effort and attention to detail. What I'm always struggling with, while playing airsoft, is deciding whenever or not to wear my gear outside or inside a poncho or rainjacket...
Good vid. I have two surplus German ponchos. You're right about them being heavier than the US poncho. They also have that interesting "military surplus warehouse" odor to them. But the German ponchos can snap together to make a makeshift tarp if necessary.
Hey Mann, Greatings from Germany: Poncho ; ) the benefit of the German Poncho really is, that it is 100% light blocking. so for Compass/Card work or someting like that. Also it is 100% wather resistand so you will sweat a lot, but for shelter it is really good , it just has no camo effect, it shines big time, so camo work needs to be done. It is a very good peace of Gear. LoL from Germany, Love you Guys.
One WP Bag thats been bomb proof for me so far is an older 1963 dated WP Bag, slightly heavier duty, rubberized cotton. Mine had holes in the material itself that I patched and its fine now.
The current issue USMC poncho is basically a hootchie (shelter half) as called in the Australian Army or basha as the Brits call them. Snap two hootchies together and you have a two man tent. Snap four or six or eight together and you have a base camp.
They had us carry a spare pair of boots in MCT. I carry a pair of crocs or sandals for around camp/ resting cycle. Obviously not appropriate for imminent threat situations. Gortex Jacket, Pants, Lef Gaiters, Socks, Gloves, Hat are king. The OR Seattle Sombrero is fantastic. Zip Lock bags reinforced with duct tape/ LocSack, SeaLine bags, Otterbox/Pelican cases are all critical critical for keeping equipment/kit in serviceable condition. Map cases/ laminating your maps/ Splash Maps are critical for land nav. For the inevitability of getting wet in the tropics, nylon. Everywhere else, the PCU garments are fantastic. The grid fleece waffle top/ neck gaiter/ beanie are my go to for cold wet PNW winter WX. Don’t forget to wear your Flak if you’re stuck behind the group in a Hurricane/Typhoon. Items being blown around under hurricane force winds are formidable projectiles. 6842 WX, out.
Been in the field 3 days in the middle of a tropical depression. It sucked. Everyone got heat rash after the rain stopped on the last day. Only so much you can do to stay dry. Learned at some point you just gotta toughen up and focus on the feet and good briefs to keep from chaffing
Top tips. And I concur about the older poncho smell. I've used a few old style Cdn forces ponchos and they do smell like ass. They have all been regulated to equipment covers or shooting mat bases. Nate
A little tidbit i picked up; I put individual pairs of boot socks in heavy duty ziplock bags. When i change socks, my new socks are dry, and my old stinky socks go into the zip lock bag so they dont stink my pack up.
nalgene makes a variety of large storage jars that are potentially more space efficient than your typical hardcase, depending on how you carry it. for example in a PLCE pouch or alice external pouch. a good option for drones
I have that USMC MARPAT "poncho". Its definitely more of a tarp to make shelters than a poncho. It has snaps so you can link them together to make a big shelter. Make sure you lap them right so water doesn't intrude. The top should always lap over the bottom. The sun will damage them over time just like any other tarp. I have one that has dried and cracked from sun damage. The other one I keep in my truck for a makeshift shelter.
Ya the only tarps that work longterm are the heavy canvass ones. Otherwise the sun eats up pretty much anything in one season if in the sun including pretty much every tent I've seen. Doesn't matter how much you pay. Nylon and polyester die in the sun
we heloed into the outback of australia. rain gear was NOT on the gear list. it hadnt rained in 3 years where we were going. then cyclone alice hit. the navy did a skedaddle and we were left to stick it out. my buddy and i had one poncho between us. at one point i woke up in my fighting position with water pouring in. our pos had become a stream. it was old testament. when we finally got back to the ship and showers and dry clothes 3 days later i was never so happy to be clean and dry.
For civilian use when not wearing armor I like the Speciality Defense Systems SDS Super Vest (FLC) if you can still find them new. Paired with the Hellcat configuration of the ALICE mid pack and frame. The vest rides above the pack waste belt. Outfitted this way your essentials stay with you when you drop the pack (including your sidearm). To maintain gray man appearance get a high quality low vis (but not camo) poncho or coat to go over the vest. The gen 1 ECWCS parka and rain pants in new or good condition is definitely a bargain.
I have the medium A. L. I. C. E. Equipment, also the U. S. Woodland poncho, great kit for the job. I do have the W. P. Bags, and are still OK. I. Noticed turning them inside out really helpful, when keeping odors of your clothes. Washing your W. P. Sometimes helps and air dry. Great video thanks.
Great video again Brent! Tons of knowledge. Only thing I had a question on was when wearing your lbe or armor are you putting the wet weather jacket overtop typically? And during winter and lots of snow do you keep goretex on for most of it to keep dry while at the PB?
The Russian Plash Palatka poncho/half shelter is a very good piece to have. It's made of a heavy canvas material with grommet and an arm hole (when worn). For the price, however, current or surplus USGI ponchos would be a better choice.
The poncho, when its cold, and raining, and you get under it and close the top up over you and just breath....It is life, it gets warm, or at least warmer. It is amazing when you have to embrace the suck.
We used the poncho for making a hooch only. We never used any wet weather gear, or cold weather gear. In the winter we wore summer bdu's maybe a sleep shirt or poly pro under it and leg boots. And because of it I have nerve damage in my hands and feet.
I learned the hard way how not to implement my goretex layers on my 2nd day on the AT during an absolute torrential downpour. My goretex boots worked well at first, but after a few miles they were filling up with water because I didn't have the suspenders for my pants, I didn't put on my gators, and I didn't cinch the ties on all the open parts of the goretex suit.
Vinyl is final. Cheap green industrial-grade rainsuits, the baggier the better to reduce clamminess, allow more air flow in warm temps...if it gets cold, room for a light parka..
Holy hell! I’m laughing my ass off with your cometary. I would best say the smell of the old OD ponchos, and Pickle Suits as like baby vomit. Those ECWC M83 camo tops and bottoms were pretty good. I’d like to find those or the newer gortex in OCP Multicam . We never had dry boots in the summer. But the Rocky’s were great for winter. Gaiters are great. But hot. Best for winter. Those Swiss Army ones are top. I use modern water proof bags. But I split up my sleep, and extra gear bags.
It rains you get wet 😢 even if it's not raining by mid morning your soaked to the knee's from wet grass. Oilskins are the best wet weather gear light and they breathe.
Lots of cool stuff here, and good reviews. I am surprised to see that the new generation of ponchos don't feature a hood. I guess redundancy is taboo for the military; what would have been wrong with the continued issue of the USGI poncho AND the Gen. 3 - Level 6 parka/trousers (or the old IRS uniform, better construction, IMO) to each serviceman? Bottom line, it's about how fast one can get dry in the field, and not necessarily having equipment that prevents one from getting wet in the first place.
When I was at Fort Campbell, They didn't let us wear wet weather gear because they said it looked "unprofessional" This isn't a back in my day post. This was just back in like 2015.
Hoodless ponchos? Sacrilege! 'I like the smell of rotting poncho in the morning... smells like victory!' Brent says 'I could make this bag a lot smaller - really small like a crushed PBR can'! You didn't mention the condom for the rifle. Good video Brent - learned a few things. What am I going to do with my 4 pair of GORTEX lined boots - I live in AZ! Damn it!
5:25 Yeah, I know a certain country that still issued rubber rain suits in conjunction with duct tape as a cost expedient way to have chemical warfare suits as late as the beginning of the last decade.
That ecwcs gen 1 suit is gold! I've had mine for 7 years now and wore it through all 4 seasons up in the ozarks and stayed warm and dry. Plus they have a lot of pockets, you can store line 1 gear throughout it. In the summer you can open the armpit zippers and get airflow also it helps protect against thorns and sticks cutting through your clothes.
I packed mine up and left it home. And today? The bottom fell out. A real frog strangler. Thankfully I had my Cabela's Gore Tex jacket. I outgrew the pants about 10 years ago, but the jacket is still going strong.
Awesome video Brent, great info! I find a lot of my surplus goretex DWR coating has worn down or is gone completely, especially on bivvy covers. What do you recommend to get that water repellency back?
I’ve used a spray product from Kiwi called Camp Dry with good results. It stinks during application but fades away. Multiple coats recommended. Also works great on desert tan boots, but might slightly darken, etc.
As someone who lives along coastal texas thank you for this information, I got a set of jungle boots but they tear my feet up so any other good wet weather boots to consider?
The woodland GI poncho is the shit! I pick them up cheap when I find them to have spares. Great in the rain, multifuctional, and the best color. P.S. he's not jokin' about the Bundeswher poncho. That thing is a lead brick compared to a GI woodland poncho. Bomb proof but heavy. Great to put in a vehicle though.
The OD poncho, waterproofs and early alice pack liners were waterproofed using a solution made from horses intestines, which is why with age it Stinks.
I got a Vietnam-era US poncho, generally to use as just a ground sheet, at not a bad price from Omaha's in Ft. Worth; it complements my M65 parka and M1951 cold weather uniform though I suspect I'll never use those all together because I haven't witnessed that drenching a wet snowfall since moving to Texas. I didn't know about the German ones, thanks for pointing that out. What I have heard is that a good camouflage poncho especially for cold weather is a Swiss Alpenflage one that's even easier to find. Another I notice common in surplus stores are OD French ones, any comment on those? I prefer the M81 issue poncho though the supply of intact originals are drying up and reproductions are in. By your link I take it you endorse Brooklyn Armed Forces since the material (though not the manufacture) is from the US. Another new outfit I noticed pop up calls themselves USGI Industries; they seem to specialize in US-style ponchos, poncho liners, and other gear made from the same materials but I'd still like to see vouching for their quality before making any purchase.
Any experience with the Dutch army poncho? I also heard the Swiss alpenflage pvc poncho is really good. Wondering if the heavy nylon Dutch army one was really any more effective than the other nylon ones that really don't work that good
Some of the items featured in this video:
USGI style MultiCam pants: bit.ly/3FoRoym
USGI style Woodland parka: bit.ly/434lXTo
"Gumby" parka: bit.ly/3MlDCQr
USMC poncho/tarp: bit.ly/3KbVx9J
USGI style poncho: bit.ly/3m5Sp7h
German Army poncho: bit.ly/3KeXguC
WP bags (new style): bit.ly/40IrihC
WP bags (old style): bit.ly/3Gk2Xqe
Bivy Sack: bit.ly/3zv44zB
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**Here's a few links to good deals on Sportsman’s guide on USGI surplus gear**:
(Using coupon code "WARPOET" also give you $20 off purchases of $100)
Inner padded pouch (good for carrying NVGs): bit.ly/3yF0GBF
Old school NVG bag (2) pack!: bit.ly/3FsrjgV
WINTER FORGE GEAR:
Multicam gortex parka: bit.ly/3FXvXBI
Multicam gortex pants: bit.ly/3FoRoym
Marshmallow suit jacket (Coyote): bit.ly/3yM4phv
USGI snow camo parka: bit.ly/33yc0ne
USGI snow camo pants: bit.ly/3qK06PX
USGI Intermediate cold weather boots: bit.ly/32PqI8T
Swiss Gaiters: bit.ly/32xkJW3
USGI Artic wool socks: bit.ly/3qgf1PA
Gortex Bivy Sack: bit.ly/3sU4rl6
Green bag: bit.ly/32GNRup
Intermediate sleeping bag: bit.ly/3PaVnjK
Poncho liners: bit.ly/3A57DdW
USMC Iso matt: bit.ly/3C7VVRL
USGI sleeping bag compression bag: bit.ly/2z14nCR
Base layer: bit.ly/3fZ7XCf
USGI Grid fleece: bit.ly/3eO0N43
USGI Grid pants: bit.ly/3eShXxf
USMC service sweater: bit.ly/3sU5IbS
Watch cap "beenie": bit.ly/3FQTqVg
Grid neck gaiter (3 pack): bit.ly/3FYG9Kg
Sniper veil (2 pack): bit.ly/3NOJcYN
Nomex flight gloves Summer version: bit.ly/3fuyU1E
USGI Nomex cold weather gloves: bit.ly/3sVajdV
USGI cold weather gloves: bit.ly/3ONS5TC
USGI Trigger finger mittens (OD): bit.ly/3AxQXiF
USGI trigger finger mittens (Woodland): bit.ly/3qOk7nd
French Trigger finger mittens: bit.ly/3zseSOc
British gortex mittens: bit.ly/334dCUY
USGI E-Tool W/ Cover: bit.ly/3Yayhhe
German E-Tool: bit.ly/3Rk5gNJ
Folding Saw: bit.ly/3mpgyFp
Gurkha Kukri style machete: bit.ly/3ZeNu2c
Military hatchet: bit.ly/3ERDF1L
Military Mattock/Pick Axe (bigger then the one I have in the video): bit.ly/3mnvKDe
USGI canteen (1 qt): bit.ly/3AmqWQj
USGI canteen (2 qt): bit.ly/3lrv9hh
USGI ALICE load bearing equipment: bit.ly/3yNKpeB
USGI Laundry bags (3 pack): bit.ly/3rPUKlb
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USGI ballistic eye pro: bit.ly/2LBLXSR
Folding saw: bit.ly/3FVxbxD
USGI UCP surplus pack: bit.ly/3ftvLPC
PA SLx MD-25 optic (RED DOT): bit.ly/3fc14iJ
INFORCE White/IR weapon mounted light: bit.ly/3DZNtoH
DBAL IR laser: bit.ly/3mVf970
Other good Sportsmansguide deals:
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Multicam Anorak: bit.ly/2IH3N5f
USGI Woodland Coveralls: bit.ly/3p9myPH
USGI Mosquito head net: bit.ly/3NX2oUo
BOTH OD & Woodland ponchos AND boonies combo: bit.ly/3CgVBjo
Used Army ruck (UCP camo but you can always spray paint it): bit.ly/3ftvLPC
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Don’t forget to check out and subscribe to Bruce’s channel: th-cam.com/channels/wfzznRRdLUHwKiMTND49Jg.html
Also check out my buddy John who is the owner of UW Gear and his TH-cam channel at Alpha Charlie concepts: th-cam.com/users/AlphaCharlieConcepts
6:15 When I was working at the Bronze forge in Florida I had a sheet metal canopy for rain. I stayed wet because I sweat. Interestingly enough, I never remember it bothering me. We'd layer up in rawhide and I almost whited out once holding a pot of molten metal. I didn't have enough spit to scream I was going to pass out. If I dropped that pot, it'd have been bad. I could not signal for help. I was holding, way over temp, and out of spit with 2500 degrees of molten bronze. I might have whited out, but I still stood. There's something like a reflex there. You have to without knowing. You have to, and like the rest of the autonomic functions you can.
Is there a difference between rain and sweat?
17:17 Are those daffodils in spring, Sir?
Great content. A note about the “poor man’s” pack liner learned from long trail backpacking. A trash compactor bag which are available at every Walmart and similar store is very thick plastic (thicker than the contractor bags from home improvement stores) and is much less likely to tear. Not as tough as a purpose made dry sack, but extremely cheap, lightweight, and pretty durable.
Another Infantryman's Guide. Outstanding as always with an excellent presentation. Thank you for this simple but important training material .
i remember in basic training how bad the wet weather gear smelled. i was at ft dix in the fall of 87...the stuff was brand new and smelled like puke that was so old it turned into cheese. i got yelled at by my drill sarge until he saw me turn green and puke. when i told him why he found an old school poncho he had in his storage (for us troops) and had me wear that until graduation. i returned it so he could give it to the next poor boot. omg, it was one of the worst smells i have ever dealt with. the enemy could smell us before we got near them...that's for sure.
This was a great subject, thank you for the detail. I was in the Canadian military for 13 years, our issued stuff was absolute garbage for wet weather protection. When I joined in 97 we were issued "trash bag" rain gear, very similar in design and function to the OD stuff you showed for the USMC. Doesn't breathe and smells like puke. Our half-shelters ("groundsheets" in our lingo) could be zipped together to make a pup tent, also smelled like death. The US ECWCS system is bar none the one to beat. I bought a used parka and couldn't be happier with it. When Canada started the Clothe The Soldier program in 2002, we started issuing a gore-tex jacket. Only issue was they put the gore-tex layer on the inside and the warming layers on the outside. So you sop up all the rain and are a heavy, sad sack of sh!t when it rains. When you leave an officer in charge of designing the specs....
Pencil pushers fuck everything up lol
*Backpacker's ProTip:* Ziploc Freezer bags. 2gal, 1gal, quart.
See-through, waterproof, funkproof. Keeps your kit organized, clean and dry. Inexpensive.
Been using this for hiking and prior to that military. Good tip.
Get vacuum bags, same crack but with the ability to pack right down.
Be careful with the german poncho, the Bundeswehr (German Military) abolished them more than 20 years ago because they were carcinogenic. Keep that in mind even though they are popular.
PVC is harmless unless I jested some way.
Mmmm poncho
@Paul Barclay did you just no balls me?
Already been using it for a decade, if it's gonna kill me I think it's a bit late now.
Everything is carcinogenic at this point, get over it and accept the fact that your going to die some day.
Hi Brent0331, I subscribed you like 2 years for learning how any military operations is conducted.. but you bring so much detail and expertise in Marine Corp Jungle and Mountain warfare.. I've started loving this channel
Love from India 🇮🇳
As a former 11B we never were allowed to wear our ponchos and just used them for shelters in the patrol base. Goretex is decent but not completely water proof and you dont really want to be wearing that stuff if your rucking or patrolling because it is loud and you will overheat. Besides the poncho one of the best things the army issued was the wet weather bag where you could keep all your uniforms, socks ect dry. Hihgly reccomend a few of those and merino wool socks. Also with your poncho make sure you have some 550 chord a few small stakes and learn how to tie decent knots for setting up your shelter. The poncho, wet weather bag, sleep system, poncho liner and some of the snivel gear was probably the only decent stuff the military issued. There was a company that built mountaineering packs that made some stuff for our needs and were more functional than the scrap heap of a ruck that the army issuss today. The alice pack was nice, but it filled up quick. Besides jungle boots and before they came out with more of hiking style thats what we bought from rei or cabelas which made a huge difference in the afghan terrain. If your running around and going to carry a pack always carry some soem sort of gortex upper and lower with some items you can layer, etool, poncho or warerproof tarp, signal decive, compass or gps, a decent fixed blade, 550 chord, waterproof matches or magneisum. Also you can save your lint from the dryer and a take the carboard from a carton of eggs and put the lint in and melt wax over each spot and tear them apart and out them im a bag and you have a fire starter. Thats what i always carry when i go elk hunting or more than a few miles of exploring. I usually always carry a map of the areas i know im going to be around just in case. Its not that hard to get lost and i cant tell you how many times ive ran into people thag got lost and had nothing on them.
Hey Brent, this was actually one of your most informative videos yet. Rain and wet (and cold) conditions will take most out of the fight if not prepared beforehand. Many thanks for your work here.
In 1980 on a canoe trip in the spring with a continuous rain, a cold rain at that I had the ole heavy rubber US GI poncho, that kept me warm and dry, so glad I had it, of course back in those days we didn’t have the nice Gortex or any other cool gear, good video Brent, thanks
Perfect timing, Brent! I just cleared another 25 feet of trail in the middle of a subtropical hurricane this morning, forgot my gaiters and soaked my legs good and thorough. If it's rainin', I'm trainin'.
Seal Skinz makes waterproof socks of all sorts of variety. Recommend a pair for ina pinch type scenarios. They’re not too expensive as well.
Sounds like my dad, "Rain or shine, your weekends are mine. I don't care if there is a hurricane and a blizzard inbound, you got yard work and chores to do. Now let's go ladies, you got till I finish my cup of coffee to eat, squat, and be dressed...and I started drinking my coffee 10 mins ago..."
This is what happens when your dad brings Vietnam home with him...
British SAS jungle hammocks tightly strung on improvised wooden frame with poncho roof can make you sleep better and drier in wet and humid tropical jungle. The hammock could double as field stretcher.
You are a fountain of knowledge Brent, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the info. Gives me a good place to start as a civilian minuteman.
Love these Infantryman's Guide videos. Thank you
Danner Gortex boots were my favorite for wet weather, hiking through ankle deep water and my feet stayed dry. Great recommendations on gear in the video.
Great vid as always Brent, your informative videos have actually helped me and made life easier when out in the field.
As always, I love how much intricate detail you go into in your videos. Thanks for another great one!
He is one of the most squared away infantry guys I've seen. Good channel if you are an armed prepared citizen looking to learn
Superb, and thorough as usual. Recent training: hide position, under ponchos, tarp, still got soaked and so did almost everything in the Alice. Bivey cover saved me during sleep cycle. Added 3 more dry bags since.
In a former life, I backpacked a lot. I had a pair of leather hiking boots with a gore-tex liner. They were not insulated. With wool/polypro socks my feet stayed dry and comfortable in 'warmish' wet weather. I wish I could remember the brand. Warm and wet was harder to manage than cold and wet. You're right though; chronically wet feet will ruin you.
Thank you for the wealth of experience and knowledge!
Man that was funny how you described the ponchos from the 80s😂😂😂
*WONDERFUL MEMORIES*…. How much I forgot about and how much we didn’t have. Another Great vid
Yep, you're an Old Salt; you didn't call the poncho liner a 'woobie'. WELL DONE! 😄
There can't be enough emphasis on keeping snivel gear as dry as possible. Working wet is fine, but trying to rest when cold and wet is nearly impossible. There's no describing the morale boost to getting dry and warm (relatively) when you can take a break. Cold and wet are how elite units thin out their candidates; get them cold, wet and tired, then wait...
Thank you Brent for the info. Greatly apriceated.
Very informative. Thank you.
Been away from the channel for awhile. It’s good to see you staying on mission.
Gumby Suit. Used for keeping you dry, while making you so sweaty that you were wetter then the outside elements lol.
Episode 2: The psychology of learning to love the pain of wet and cold. 🤪
Great Video and solid information brother!
Well done!
Those USGI suspenders work really well with just cammie trousers also.
You know, I could probably make a whole vid on "if you're poor" gear LOL! Buy hey, it's good to know how to improvise trash bags, zip locs and other things to preserve you gear. Dry underclothes, rags, and toilet paper can make or break you, and if the SHTF you gotta know how to grab whatever you can and make it work.
Great vid as always Brett!
Awesome video. I really appreciate your effort and attention to detail.
What I'm always struggling with, while playing airsoft, is deciding whenever or not to wear my gear outside or inside a poncho or rainjacket...
For a jacket, outside. Poncho is optional, but best outside as well.
This was super helpful since i'm going to a multiple day airsoft event this weekend and its gonna rain all the days.
Excellent, Thanks ! !
🙂😎👍
Good vid. I have two surplus German ponchos. You're right about them being heavier than the US poncho. They also have that interesting "military surplus warehouse" odor to them. But the German ponchos can snap together to make a makeshift tarp if necessary.
Great video!
Hey Mann, Greatings from Germany: Poncho ; ) the benefit of the German Poncho really is, that it is 100% light blocking. so for Compass/Card work or someting like that. Also it is 100% wather resistand so you will sweat a lot, but for shelter it is really good , it just has no camo effect, it shines big time, so camo work needs to be done. It is a very good peace of Gear. LoL from Germany, Love you Guys.
Outstanding!
nice job! living in nw washington state here its always wet
One WP Bag thats been bomb proof for me so far is an older 1963 dated WP Bag, slightly heavier duty, rubberized cotton. Mine had holes in the material itself that I patched and its fine now.
Super perfect 🙂 thanks
loved the baby vomit analogy
A good poncho is one of the single most important pieces of equipment you absolutely want to have.
Great video
The current issue USMC poncho is basically a hootchie (shelter half) as called in the Australian Army or basha as the Brits call them. Snap two hootchies together and you have a two man tent. Snap four or six or eight together and you have a base camp.
They had us carry a spare pair of boots in MCT. I carry a pair of crocs or sandals for around camp/ resting cycle. Obviously not appropriate for imminent threat situations. Gortex Jacket, Pants, Lef Gaiters, Socks, Gloves, Hat are king. The OR Seattle Sombrero is fantastic. Zip Lock bags reinforced with duct tape/ LocSack, SeaLine bags, Otterbox/Pelican cases are all critical critical for keeping equipment/kit in serviceable condition. Map cases/ laminating your maps/ Splash Maps are critical for land nav. For the inevitability of getting wet in the tropics, nylon. Everywhere else, the PCU garments are fantastic. The grid fleece waffle top/ neck gaiter/ beanie are my go to for cold wet PNW winter WX. Don’t forget to wear your Flak if you’re stuck behind the group in a Hurricane/Typhoon. Items being blown around under hurricane force winds are formidable projectiles. 6842 WX, out.
this is an underrated channel
Been in the field 3 days in the middle of a tropical depression. It sucked. Everyone got heat rash after the rain stopped on the last day. Only so much you can do to stay dry. Learned at some point you just gotta toughen up and focus on the feet and good briefs to keep from chaffing
Good stuff!!!
Top tips. And I concur about the older poncho smell. I've used a few old style Cdn forces ponchos and they do smell like ass. They have all been regulated to equipment covers or shooting mat bases.
Nate
great stuff
Thank you😺
Good stuff. I am getting ready for the tornados coming thru tornado alley Texas.
Loving the old gear (early 2000s) & the content
A little tidbit i picked up;
I put individual pairs of boot socks in heavy duty ziplock bags.
When i change socks, my new socks are dry, and my old stinky socks go into the zip lock bag so they dont stink my pack up.
I love the smell of military surplus in the morning.
nalgene makes a variety of large storage jars that are potentially more space efficient than your typical hardcase, depending on how you carry it. for example in a PLCE pouch or alice external pouch. a good option for drones
excellent, Sir
Carried 2 as an 0311, 2 X in 3rd Ranger BN, 2 X as Rifle and Mortar PL in the 173rd ABN in OEF, 2 as aStryker CO CDR.
Semper FI!
I have that USMC MARPAT "poncho". Its definitely more of a tarp to make shelters than a poncho. It has snaps so you can link them together to make a big shelter. Make sure you lap them right so water doesn't intrude. The top should always lap over the bottom.
The sun will damage them over time just like any other tarp. I have one that has dried and cracked from sun damage. The other one I keep in my truck for a makeshift shelter.
Ya the only tarps that work longterm are the heavy canvass ones. Otherwise the sun eats up pretty much anything in one season if in the sun including pretty much every tent I've seen. Doesn't matter how much you pay. Nylon and polyester die in the sun
we heloed into the outback of australia. rain gear was NOT on the gear list. it hadnt rained in 3 years where we were going. then cyclone alice hit. the navy did a skedaddle and we were left to stick it out. my buddy and i had one poncho between us. at one point i woke up in my fighting position with water pouring in. our pos had become a stream. it was old testament. when we finally got back to the ship and showers and dry clothes 3 days later i was never so happy to be clean and dry.
For civilian use when not wearing armor I like the Speciality Defense Systems SDS Super Vest (FLC) if you can still find them new. Paired with the Hellcat configuration of the ALICE mid pack and frame. The vest rides above the pack waste belt. Outfitted this way your essentials stay with you when you drop the pack (including your sidearm). To maintain gray man appearance get a high quality low vis (but not camo) poncho or coat to go over the vest. The gen 1 ECWCS parka and rain pants in new or good condition is definitely a bargain.
Gumby suits gave me flashbacks!
I have the medium A. L. I. C. E. Equipment, also the U. S. Woodland poncho, great kit for the job. I do have the W. P. Bags, and are still OK. I. Noticed turning them inside out really helpful, when keeping odors of your clothes. Washing your W. P. Sometimes helps and air dry. Great video thanks.
Good vid.
Great video again Brent! Tons of knowledge. Only thing I had a question on was when wearing your lbe or armor are you putting the wet weather jacket overtop typically? And during winter and lots of snow do you keep goretex on for most of it to keep dry while at the PB?
Outstanding. If it was hot and rainy I just stayed wet. Free shower
The Russian Plash Palatka poncho/half shelter is a very good piece to have. It's made of a heavy canvas material with grommet and an arm hole (when worn). For the price, however, current or surplus USGI ponchos would be a better choice.
A bit late but great overview as always Brent!
The poncho, when its cold, and raining, and you get under it and close the top up over you and just breath....It is life, it gets warm, or at least warmer. It is amazing when you have to embrace the suck.
We used the poncho for making a hooch only. We never used any wet weather gear, or cold weather gear. In the winter we wore summer bdu's maybe a sleep shirt or poly pro under it and leg boots. And because of it I have nerve damage in my hands and feet.
I learned the hard way how not to implement my goretex layers on my 2nd day on the AT during an absolute torrential downpour. My goretex boots worked well at first, but after a few miles they were filling up with water because I didn't have the suspenders for my pants, I didn't put on my gators, and I didn't cinch the ties on all the open parts of the goretex suit.
Vinyl is final. Cheap green industrial-grade rainsuits, the baggier the better to reduce clamminess, allow more air flow in warm temps...if it gets cold, room for a light parka..
Holy hell! I’m laughing my ass off with your cometary. I would best say the smell of the old OD ponchos, and Pickle Suits as like baby vomit. Those ECWC M83 camo tops and bottoms were pretty good. I’d like to find those or the newer gortex in OCP Multicam . We never had dry boots in the summer. But the Rocky’s were great for winter. Gaiters are great. But hot. Best for winter. Those Swiss Army ones are top. I use modern water proof bags. But I split up my sleep, and extra gear bags.
Thanks
This was just on my mind a couple days ago God is so 👍 good Thanks Brent! Ave🌹 Maria! Viva 👑 Cristo, Rey! 🕯️✝️🕯️
It rains you get wet 😢 even if it's not raining by mid morning your soaked to the knee's from wet grass. Oilskins are the best wet weather gear light and they breathe.
Ha the Dutch army pack cover...the one for our 120liter Saracen are bigger ..so to see it is a 80 litre cover 👍🏾👊🏽
I survived military with one heavy duty trash bag per year in my backpack. I was Motorized infantry and later in Reconnaissance, Swedish army.
Good video definitely for asian weather ❤❤
Lots of cool stuff here, and good reviews. I am surprised to see that the new generation of ponchos don't feature a hood. I guess redundancy is taboo for the military; what would have been wrong with the continued issue of the USGI poncho AND the Gen. 3 - Level 6 parka/trousers (or the old IRS uniform, better construction, IMO) to each serviceman? Bottom line, it's about how fast one can get dry in the field, and not necessarily having equipment that prevents one from getting wet in the first place.
I wore the rubber overboots from our jlist they issued us to keep my feet dry in heavy rain.
Yes sir! Yes sir! How do you keep or get dry after crossing a river?
Varusteleka’s Sarma poncho is great
The USMC gortex parkas are nice but very hard to find. If you have one, keep it.
When I was at Fort Campbell, They didn't let us wear wet weather gear because they said it looked "unprofessional" This isn't a back in my day post. This was just back in like 2015.
Hoodless ponchos? Sacrilege! 'I like the smell of rotting poncho in the morning... smells like victory!' Brent says 'I could make this bag a lot smaller - really small like a crushed PBR can'! You didn't mention the condom for the rifle. Good video Brent - learned a few things. What am I going to do with my 4 pair of GORTEX lined boots - I live in AZ! Damn it!
5:25 Yeah, I know a certain country that still issued rubber rain suits in conjunction with duct tape as a cost expedient way to have chemical warfare suits as late as the beginning of the last decade.
That ecwcs gen 1 suit is gold! I've had mine for 7 years now and wore it through all 4 seasons up in the ozarks and stayed warm and dry. Plus they have a lot of pockets, you can store line 1 gear throughout it. In the summer you can open the armpit zippers and get airflow also it helps protect against thorns and sticks cutting through your clothes.
I packed mine up and left it home. And today? The bottom fell out. A real frog strangler. Thankfully I had my Cabela's Gore Tex jacket. I outgrew the pants about 10 years ago, but the jacket is still going strong.
Awesome video Brent, great info! I find a lot of my surplus goretex DWR coating has worn down or is gone completely, especially on bivvy covers. What do you recommend to get that water repellency back?
I’ve used a spray product from Kiwi called Camp Dry with good results. It stinks during application but fades away. Multiple coats recommended. Also works great on desert tan boots, but might slightly darken, etc.
As someone who lives along coastal texas thank you for this information, I got a set of jungle boots but they tear my feet up so any other good wet weather boots to consider?
The woodland GI poncho is the shit! I pick them up cheap when I find them to have spares. Great in the rain, multifuctional, and the best color.
P.S. he's not jokin' about the Bundeswher poncho. That thing is a lead brick compared to a GI woodland poncho. Bomb proof but heavy. Great to put in a vehicle though.
The OD poncho, waterproofs and early alice pack liners were waterproofed using a solution made from horses intestines, which is why with age it Stinks.
Babe hold on, you're gonna have to wait. A new Brent0331 video just dropped.
I got a Vietnam-era US poncho, generally to use as just a ground sheet, at not a bad price from Omaha's in Ft. Worth; it complements my M65 parka and M1951 cold weather uniform though I suspect I'll never use those all together because I haven't witnessed that drenching a wet snowfall since moving to Texas. I didn't know about the German ones, thanks for pointing that out. What I have heard is that a good camouflage poncho especially for cold weather is a Swiss Alpenflage one that's even easier to find. Another I notice common in surplus stores are OD French ones, any comment on those?
I prefer the M81 issue poncho though the supply of intact originals are drying up and reproductions are in. By your link I take it you endorse Brooklyn Armed Forces since the material (though not the manufacture) is from the US. Another new outfit I noticed pop up calls themselves USGI Industries; they seem to specialize in US-style ponchos, poncho liners, and other gear made from the same materials but I'd still like to see vouching for their quality before making any purchase.
Any experience with the Dutch army poncho? I also heard the Swiss alpenflage pvc poncho is really good. Wondering if the heavy nylon Dutch army one was really any more effective than the other nylon ones that really don't work that good
It seems to start raining heavily always when I start to take a long piss during hiking. When it is done, I am already soaking wet
hahahaha rain shaman