British Army Arctic Sleeping Bag

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stefano042

New Member
Jun 29, 2026
3
0
45
Ireland
Hello everyone,
I own an original British Army Arctic Sleeping Bag, NSN 8465-99-084-5093, Medium, manufactured in 1999.
I'm confused about the correct orientation of the bag.
If I turn the bag so the mesh pockets are inside, the long Velcro strips beside the centre zip also end up inside.
If I turn it so the Velcro strips and storm flap are outside, then the mesh pockets are outside.
The label also changes side depending on the orientation.
I have attached photos of both configurations.
Could someone who was actually issued this exact sleeping bag in the British Army tell me which orientation is correct?
Many thanks!
 
I use a 90pat sleeping bag.
You are not the first person who has asked the same question.
The pockets are on the inside.
The zip is sewn into the inside.
The baffle is on the inside.
The pull strap and label at foot end are on the outside.

Mine is big enough to undress inside and shove things into the pockets.

That Velcro was to hold the liner. That was a weakness in the system. The sleeper got wrapped up in the liner. The Velcro was a horrible set up. It didn’t solve the problem.

I have never served in the army but I’ve used that sleeping bag for many years.
A soldier told me that there was a manual for the sleeping system:
Bag
Liner
Bivi sack.
Crush sack.

……but I’ve never found it.
 
Last edited:
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I use a 90pat sleeping bag.
You are not the first person who has asked the same question.
The pockets are on the inside.
The zip is sewn into the inside.
The baffle is on the inside.
The pull strap and label at foot end are on the outside.

Mine is big enough to undress inside and shove things into the pockets.

That Velcro was to hold the liner. That was a weakness in the system. The sleeper got wrapped up in the liner. The Velcro was a horrible set up. It didn’t solve the problem.

I have never served in the army but I’ve used that sleeping bag for many years.
A soldier told me that there was a manual for the sleeping system:
Bag
Liner
Bivi sack.
Crush sack.
Thank you very much!
That explains my confusion perfectly.
One more question: could you please confirm that the long Velcro strips are inside the sleeping bag together with the mesh pockets, and that the label at the foot end is on the outside?
If possible, a photo of your sleeping bag would be very helpful.
Many thanks for your help!
 
Thank you very much!
That explains my confusion perfectly.
One more question: could you please confirm that the long Velcro strips are inside the sleeping bag together with the mesh pockets, and that the label at the foot end is on the outside?
If possible, a photo of your sleeping bag would be very helpful.
Many thanks for your help!
That’s what my post says :)

I’m on Holiday on the other side of the country at the moment but I think we can agree that we both have the 90pat system.
 
I use a 90pat sleeping bag.
You are not the first person who has asked the same question.
The pockets are on the inside.
The zip is sewn into the inside.
The baffle is on the inside.
The pull strap and label at foot end are on the outside.

Mine is big enough to undress inside and shove things into the pockets.

That Velcro was to hold the liner. That was a weakness in the system. The sleeper got wrapped up in the liner. The Velcro was a horrible set up. It didn’t solve the problem.

I have never served in the army but I’ve used that sleeping bag for many years.
A soldier told me that there was a manual for the sleeping system:
Bag
Liner
Bivi sack.
Crush sack.

That’s what my post says :)

I’m on Holiday on the other side of the country at the moment but I think we can agree that we both have the 90pat system.
Thank you very much!
Yes, I understand now. Your explanation has cleared up my confusion.
Enjoy your holiday, and thanks again for taking the time to help me.
 

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