Poncho liner
Encyclopedia
A poncho liner is a piece of field gear originating in the United States military intended to provide warmth in mild temperatures used as an expedient sleeping bag when attached to the standard issue poncho by means of integral lengths of material which are looped through the poncho's eyelets.
in earlier examples or the later Woodland pattern, as well as the MARPAT
and Universal Camouflage Pattern
most recently. Commercial copies include features like thinsulate batting, a zippered edge and come in a greater range of colors
s.
Construction
The poncho liner consists of two layers of quilted nylon encasing a polyester loft filling. Most examples are a variation of olive drab on one side and camouflage on the other, either ERDL patternERDL pattern
ERDL pattern is a camouflage pattern developed by the United States Army at its Engineer Research & Development Laboratories in 1948. It was not issued to elite reconnaissance and special operations units until early 1967, during the Vietnam War....
in earlier examples or the later Woodland pattern, as well as the MARPAT
MARPAT
MARPAT is a digital camouflage pattern in use with the United States Marine Corps, introduced with the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform , which replaced the Camouflage Utility Uniform. The pattern is formed by a number of small rectangular pixels of color...
and Universal Camouflage Pattern
Universal Camouflage Pattern
The Universal Camouflage Pattern , also referred to as ACUPAT or Digital Camouflage is the military camouflage pattern currently in use in the United States Army's Army Combat Uniform. The pattern was chosen after several laboratory and field tests that occurred from 2003 to 2004...
most recently. Commercial copies include features like thinsulate batting, a zippered edge and come in a greater range of colors
Opinions amongst the troops
Troops generally hold the poncho liner in high regard, as a very useful piece of equipment, light and packable yet reasonably warm. Some military personnel refer to the poncho liner as a "woobie" showing the same attachment an infant has for its blanket. The poncho liner found wide acceptance amongst US troops in Vietnam, providing just enough warmth for cool tropical nights but light and small. It is especially popular today in the age of 100-pound rucks and bulky Modular Sleep SystemModular Sleep System
The Modular Sleep System is a modular sleeping bag used by the United States armed forces.The MSS consists of a camouflaged, waterproof, breathable Gore-Tex bivy cover, a lightweight patrol sleeping bag, and an intermediate cold weather sleeping bag. Compression sacks are included to store and...
s.