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.

Open Video in Theater Mode

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