Kifaru Woobie/Doobie

gdavis

Lil-Rokslider
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Mar 22, 2018
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158
Location
Alaska
Comments, opinions, experiences with the Kifaru Woobie/Doobies particularly as a down jacket/sleeping bag replacement. Ready go.
 
Joined
Sep 22, 2013
Messages
6,389
Handy for lots of things but not as a replacement for a bag or quilt, but to augment one it's ideal. Used em as a make-shift blind when hunting, shelter in monsoon storms to stay dry and sunshade in the desert, pillow for afternoon naps...it's my emergency blanket anytime I'm in the wilderness and might get stuck spending the night unexpectedly. Saved my frozen butt a few times. I was chilled to my bones on this trip and forget I had the woobie, minutes after wrapping myself I was toasty and happy again.

 
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Joined
Jul 31, 2016
Messages
732
Location
Washington
I’d rather use a liner to augment a sleeping bag, more bang for your buck.
The doobie makes a decent summertime blanket, if you don’t mind getting clammy since the breathability sucks..
For the money I think you could do a lot better going a different route gaining more warth, breathability, with less bulk.
 

FlyGuy

WKR
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Aug 13, 2016
Messages
2,088
I have the woobie. It's great around the house. Perfect for sleeping on the couch after your wife sees your credit card statement.

Seriously though, they are handy and I use mine more than I expected, but I wouldn't consider it a replacement for a bag or quilt except in the warmest of temps.

I've used it for glassing and was so happy I had it, but I wasn't far from the truck. I know it can be used to increase temp rating of a bag if you are pushing the limits, but I haven't actually tried that. I always have it at basecamp in case I need it for any of those reasons. But, I personally would not pack it in, (along with a sleeping bag) just for a glassing layer or to bump up my bags temp rating. A little too much weight and bulk penalty for me to do that unless I had no other options.

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NoWiser

WKR
Joined
Aug 15, 2013
Messages
708
I used my woobie to take my 15 degree sleeping bag down to -10 and was toasty warm. I take it almost everywhere I go from hunting trips to family vacations. It gets more use than almost anything else I have. It's kept on the couch where it's handy to cover up for a movie, or to make a fort for my daughter. My wife makes fun of it, but I've caught her using it more than once. If I get a rain day this weekend, I'll be making my little girl her own pink one. When this one wears out I'll probably make my own, but if I had no interest in that, I'd get a new one in a heartbeat. That said, it's no replacement for a down sleeping back or jacket. Supplement, yes. Replacement, no.
 
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
5,180
Location
Colorado
I use mine as a stand alone blanket in the summer and most of the fall. In the winter it’s used as an additional layer at basecamp. It packs better without a stuff sack for me so I just shove into the bottom of my pack and put everything else on top of it.
 

Ryan Avery

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Staff member
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Jan 5, 2012
Messages
8,955
What does Woobie/Doobie even mean?
Thanks

Woobie is the nickname for a poncho liner(blanket) in the military. Doobie is basically two woobies sewn together.




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Joined
Oct 2, 2016
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2,823
Location
West Virginia
I make my own. I've got the weight on my personal one down to 13 ounces in the stuff sack. It is DANG warm. I use it to boost my quilt, as a outer layer when hunting, and a lounge layer while in camp. To me, it is irreplaceable.
 

cgippe

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 6, 2015
Messages
154
I think they are releasing their quits/bodybags this week. interested to see them and if they would be a good substitute for a bag.
 
Joined
Apr 5, 2015
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I used a poncho liner in the army and love my kifaru woobie. Very versatile. Sort of a jack of all trades but master of none thing. Plus what it lacks in practicality, it makes up for in nostalgia points for anyone who used them in the military.

While I have used it as a stand alone sleep season in warmer weather and used it as a quilt over a 20 degree bag in ~10* weather for a couple of nights. I would say that for the weight and bulk you can get a lot more bag into your pack. The woobie weighs nearly 2lbs.

Biggest issue using it as part of a sleep system will be lack of closure. It has no ziip and no built in way to secure it around you like most dedicated backcountry quilts.

Where they shine is as a wrap when static or as a camp blanket. Inside a blind or while glassing. If used right, you could probably forgo a glassing jacket or bulky puffy so you save weight there. Mine gets used for non backcountry stuff as well. Cabin camping. Truck blanket.
 

dotman

WKR
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
8,200
Woobie rocks and is a great summer time replacement for a bag if needed.
 
Joined
Dec 26, 2013
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3,864
Location
Edmond, OK
Always have my woobie with me. Used it for glassing, hanging around camp, summer backyard camping blanket, travel blanket for trips, hammock blanket, etc... will grab another ASAP is this one disappears.


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JDeanP

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 10, 2013
Messages
252
Location
IN
You can't beat the Kifaru woobie. There are very few specific pieces of gear with as much love in my kit.
 
Joined
Oct 29, 2024
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11
After reading these reviews I feel like I'm going to add this to my pack. Great for spot and stalk hunting or blind hunting with my kids who are always "too cold"!
 
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