Canadian Military Acknowledges New Sleeping Bags Inadequate for Harsh Winter Conditions

The Canadian military has acknowledged that the new sleeping bags issued to troops last year were not suitable for “typical Canadian winter conditions.”

A briefing note obtained by the CBC reveals that the army distributed the new sleeping bags in autumn of last year in Alberta, where hundreds of soldiers were preparing for a joint Canada-US exercise in Alaska.

Soldiers who used the sleeping bags reported “several critical issues … related to lack of warmth,” according to the 5 December 2023 note. In temperatures ranging from 5°C (41°F) to -20°C (-4°F), troops experienced cold nights, even when heating their tents with stoves.

The note’s author concluded that the bags were “better suited for use in weather conditions that are characteristic of late spring to early fall.” It recommended that the army loan out its original Arctic sleeping bags, which were first acquired in 1965, to the affected troops.

The defence department spent over C$34.8 million (US$25.6 million) on the new sleeping bags to replace those older Arctic models.

In a statement to the CBC, the department declined to comment on what cold-weather testing had been conducted prior to the purchase. They stated that the bags had been “chosen following a rigorous competitive process” and that the selection criteria included insulation value, weight, and packing volume.

Despite the complaints, the department maintains that the new sleeping bags are suitable for most conditions but now plans to purchase additional models adapted for far northern and Arctic winters.

Rob Huebert, an expert in Arctic military affairs from the University of Calgary, quipped to the CBC, “I wonder if they should have just gone to Canadian Tire,” referencing the popular retail chain.