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No, actual genuine military surplus can be really great. I bet you can't find a better bivy or a better price on a similar one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AMP71BY/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_search\_asin\_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They will need sleep systems (multi-layered sleeping bags with thermal liner and waterproof shell) for the cold/wet nights. You can maintain morale when its cold. You can maintain moral when its wet. It's hard to maintain when you're cold and wet.
I don't know the market enough to recommend a civilian sleep system but the one we were issued in the army (American) was one of my favorite pieces if equipment.
https://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC
Pretty expensive, you don’t particularly need the cover or the carrying case but this is something I’ve used with only a 1/4th in May between me and the ground in sun freezing temperatures and I ended up sweating that night. Hope this helps friend
Military Modular Sleep System 4 Piece with Goretex Bivy Cover and Carry Sack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LLPILC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RAGAZ6EZN70XY63JM2EM
https://www.amazon.com/Woodland-Camouflage-Waterproof-Bivy-Cover/dp/B008JXV2PM
Definitely not for ultralight trips but I like the durability of it. I usually use a Costco down blanket and a static v pad so the whole system is pretty light. For going truly light weight when I’m worried about wind or whatever I use one of those sol(?) bivy bags or ground sheet, tarp, bag and pad and some times leave the tarp. If bugs are a problem I wear long clothing and a head net.
Get a very cold weather sleeping bag. If you really don't want to run the car, I have boiled water in my base camp kelly kettle, poured it into a 2 liter bottle, put the cap on tight, put it down near my feet in my sleeping bag. Be careful you dont burn yourself. Might want to wrap it in a towel, clothes. It would be harder to use in a mummy bag, but there was plenty of room in my rectangle bag. You could get a hot water bottle instead. 2 liter is free or cheap.
The 12v blanket sounds lovely. I've never tried one.
This would do it:
https://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC
Showers: Can of Febreze.
Eating: Cheapest stuff you can find in a grocery store, McDonalds if you feel like splurging.
Sleeping: Get a sleeping bag and sleeping pad, put them in one of these, and set up a tarp over your head. Find a spot that's out of the way where people won't bother you.
It's a 2go systems Trifecta bivvy. Here's a link to the V3, I've got the V2, but it's close enough.
https://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC Something like this? Im in norcal not sure how cold it gets but i figure if you can sleep comfortably in below 0 temperatures than I should be fine. Says it only gets 50-60 degrees so thats comfortable knowing you can sleep in below 0.
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Would something cheap like this work as a bivy for the night, on top of everything else that I have?
Wherever you want with the right gear. I have the US military modular sleep system which is basically 2 sleeping bags (a heavy and a light) as well as a waterproof goretex bivvy bag. I could sleep in 6 inches of water in -20 degree weather and be warm and dry. It's rated down to -60.
There are of course down sides. It's bulky and heavy at 10lbs, but it comes with a compression bag, so it fits in my pack. It's not cheap either, I paid $160 at a surplus store, but they're $230 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC
I have a compact 2 person tent that I was going to see if I could make work before I bought something else. I did list this though TITAN Extra-Thick Emergency Mylar Sleeping Bag, Dark-Earth (28-000001) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H0UZ926/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_j4s.ybE1QWVY9 not sure how much diff these are than the Bivy TBH.
I bought myself a military modular sleep system and it is the best camping thing I ever bought.
The sleep system consists of 3 parts: 30 degree (F) sleeping bag, -10 degree (F) sleeping bag, and goretex bivy cover
Whats great is it is modular so you can tailor it to your environment, camping in the summer? leave the -10 degree bag at home. camping in literally arctic weather? bring them all and combine it! (good for -50 degree weather). The 3 parts all have separate zippers and snap together nicely.
My favorite part is the waterproof goretex bag (100% waterproof and breathable). Last time I went camping it rained and I woke up sleeping in a big puddle, the sleeping bags (and I :D) were completely bone dry.
Cons are it is a bit pricey (kind of offset by long lasting durability), and it is heavy by sleeping bag standards (10 pounds for the whole thing) If you have one, you don't technically need a tent, but everyone needs their own
Edit: Link
Double Edit: Also got this ruck which I absolutely love for its gigantic capacity and the fact that it and the sleep system were made for each other. Con being that it is also heavy (12 pounds), so with the sleep system it is pushing 22 pounds, and fully loaded for my last trip was right at 65 pounds. most of the weight was water though. Bring lots of water
http://www.amazon.com/Snugpak-92860-Stratosphere-Person-Shelter/dp/B005BN4RY6
2 lbs, 8 oz, but it's built right. Completely waterproof, rolls down to nothing, and all you need are the two included poles for the headspace. I can throw it together in about a minute and it's warm enough that I would be comfortable using it four seasons.
The only downside is it's semi claustrophobic, but I think the poles do a great job creating space around the head that it's not as bad as one would assume.
It can be found around $100 if you find the right percentage off.
I use a military Modular Sleep System MSS. I'm glad I got mine when I did though, it was only $89. I would recommend shopping around if you are looking at an MSS.
If you're flying solo then this army camo bivy is probably the best bang for your buck: http://www.amazon.com/Woodland-Camouflage-Waterproof-Bivy-Cover/dp/B008JXV2PM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450560885&sr=8-1&keywords=bivy+sack.
You have any recommendations for a nicer bag? I'm planning not only to use it for around now (October) but also in the spring and summer. It gets around high twenties nowadays and I usually have
For comparison I'm using the military modular sleep system that I bought off of craigslist for $50, it works well but damn near takes up half of my 70l pack in the compression sack, and it weighs 8lbs for both bags.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_Sleep_System
It is awesome, I've used mine down to -20 degrees camping in a snowcave, the key is to make sure when you buy it, you're buying legit military equipment and not a Chinese knockoff. I got my bivy from my local army navy store and used it with a regular sleeping bag for a while until I decided it would be nice to have something that buttons into it.
Edit: holy penis these have gone up in price https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LLPILC/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_R0NPvbX0RPTGN
I bought my bivy for about $30, got the green bag for $30, black bag for $45, and the compression bag for only a few dollars because I bought one with a broken buckle. I guess it cheaper to buy each individually