The Best Solo Camp Setup › The Freedom Shelter & Sleeping Bag

In about 1984, a fellow who had never served in the military living in military country, Virginia Beach, VA., created what I believe to this day is the best multi-purpose shelter and garment for soldiers that exists. Unfortunately the product just limped along until a retired Marine Corps Colonel purchased the company; Dick Haislip. Dick proved to be a good student of the textile industry and did research of insulations since he wanted to have a sleeping bag to coordinate with the shelter. He contacted me in, I believe, 1993 and sent me a pattern for his sleeping bag. The upshot of his labors was a contract for approximately 3000 shelters and bags for the Marine Corps Force Recon. A second success is the fact that ALL Army aircraft must carry the shelters for each person boarding the aircraft or it cannot leave the ground. However, the overall purchasing of these products hasn’t been as aggressive by the military as I believe they should. That said, I am seeing an uptick in their interest.

As I see it, each soldier—regardless if he is in a squad, platoon, etc.—is always an independent individual and must be prepared to survive on his own. These products make that a more capable situation. You not only have a shelter and a sleeping bag, you also have not one, but two garments. The sleeping bag is made with a closeable hole that will fit over your head when worn as a poncho. The shelter has a hood in the same location so you have a rain poncho that covers you. The pictures illustrate how it can be used.

For hunters who go into tree stands or duck blinds, you just take the items with you so you can wear them while you are basically stationary and not generating much heat.

For the person who likes to solo camp, this is (in my opinion) the best setup there is! I take no credit for creating this product, only for making it a reality for the creators. I am very happy to be the only company in the world that makes them. And because I make them, they are guaranteed just like the sleeping bags I created.