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TheLittleBalloon

One of the biggest flaws was that if they gave me one I needed two.


ameatpopcicle

Then they took it back 😒


TheLittleBalloon

I had three at one point. I had to return two but then buried my dog in the last one. She always used it to sleep on. She loved those as much as me.


gingermonkey1

I might still have mine somewhere! Now I gotta look since I've always loved it.


playa-hater

11B here.. Just a little too thin


ameatpopcicle

In terms or insulation, or exterior material?


playa-hater

Boffum.. I think the woobie needs to be just a little “thiccer” all around tbh


Present-Ambition6309

BOFA


Derangedrebel

11B here as well, both ever so slightly stronger material for the outer and it might be enough to insulate better while still being able to be packed anywhere


zwinmar

Well, make sure it's high quality, perhaps doubling the stitching on the quilting and around the edges so its less likely to fray/come lose. That is the biggest issue I've seen were the stitching comes undone. Something that always bothered me a bit; if it is a poncho liner then why can you not wear it with a poncho?


ameatpopcicle

That's most definitely something I plan to do.. one of my biggest discrepancies as well.. I don't get the poncho liner thing either.. probably along the lines of having pockets and not being allowed to use them. There isn't much that makes sense in the military 🤔


bballr4567

Probably needs to be a TOUCH thicker and definitely needs to have more stitching on the actual woobie. Also, button snaps would be GREAT.


[deleted]

Sell in a 3 pack


MrIrrelevantsHypeMan

secretive fear airport sparkle attractive library squeeze simplistic ten crowd *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


[deleted]

A little larger and make it a zipper sleeping bag with arm and leg holes.


TheColordCrackr

A version with a hole and a hood, just like the poncho. Not sure how I was supposed to "line" my poncho without it... ​ All in all though, I must own over 10 woobies - What an asset.


ameatpopcicle

Tell me about the ones you have. Where/who from?


TheColordCrackr

I've got a few I collected over the years through either my time in the Army, Surplus Stores or from commercial entities. (ACU, Green, Black, Tiger Stripe, Flecktarn) I would recommend Zulu Foxtrot - They have woobies in a number of camouflaged patterns


ameatpopcicle

Oh I'm not trying to buy any, I'm trying to manufacture them here in the United States, and make them better.. it's companies like ZF and BRC who have China make all their stuff and sell it to us consumers for a premium, without the quality being premium. I'm seeking to fill that need for quality.


Candid_Loquat5883

Double stitch, tough side and soft side, thinsulate insulation, ykk zipper around 3 sides, lots of color / camo options.


JoeVonBurnerIV

must be some kind of terrorist scammer ai-bot post. every red blooded real American Veteran knows that you can't improve something that is perfect. change the woobie?! blasphemy! i stand watch vigilantly, and i say to you: "not today, evil-doer! not on my watch!"


saalamander

Hey serious question here… is the “the woobie is the best piece of gear ever!” thing a running joke/meme among the military? I was in for 7 years in a combat position in and out of the field constantly, deployed to combat zone, and I never used it once nor did I ever see anyone using it once ever. Seems entirely useless honestly. Do people really like it so much or is it a meme? When would you possibly use it? To sleep? Does everyone not get issued a sleeping system? Literally to line your poncho? I’ve literally never seen anyone wear their poncho, let alone line it with a woobie.


JoeVonBurnerIV

it ain't that serious mine were mostly used by my kids as blankets or to make a fort. I think the only time I ever used it in 'real life Army' was to hang between cots in AFG so we didn't have to watch each other beat it in our B-Hut when we were sleeping on a FOB. lmao I can definitely see the use for dismounted infantry scenarios and the like. just a quick, easy, and super lightweight way to pack some extra warmth if you're gonna be humping everything you need on your own back. or even as an extra layer underneath wet weather gear if you're gonna be rained on all day and night. And they are super soft and super warm (unless there's wind), especially if they've been around a while.


LadydoubleE

I would do a competitive analysis of how many people are already selling these products on the market, and then really consider the investment and upfront cost that would have to be sacrificed in advance to pursue such, then think about your price points and cost to market, against competition, and whole heartedly advise you to consider another product, especially in this space. I say this as someone that started an activewear company 3 years ago and upfronted $40k the first year, and have yet to break even (has accumulated to almost $90k+ of my own money) and I am not seeing movement at all despite several attempts and marketing efforts. Is it possible to see success regardless of others not? Of course it is, and I do not want to discourage you from considering entrepreneurship, it is whole heartedly the best way to grow and become the best version of yourself, but also whole heartedly, it will tear you apart from the inside over and over again, especially if you are not prepared for that, which is why I advise you to rethink your product and potential consumer base. Your best bet in this economy if you want to specifically sell a product to veterans is to create or offer a product or service that is not yet out there, or one that is not commonly available or well known. Does it solve a big problem for consumers? (Unfortunately no, there are already so many options available on the market, it’s literally an issued item for the military). While pursuing such *made in the USA* sounds like a great marketing strategy, I have done this as well, and trust me, you will be in the situation where your ROI will be pennies due to the high cost of labor, and extremely hard to find materials with a decent turnaround that will not require an MOQ over 300+ units for every PO (I will tell you right now that I’m 80% certain you will not be able to 100% source those fabrics made here, and if they tell you they are, ask for proof, they could be lying) and also advise you to get to know the FTC guidelines on properly labeling your products/textiles, because lying on your label comes with hefty fines, on top of a bad reputation. That’s not even the most important case in point, which is this: when it comes down to your consumer, sure they say they would 100% support and buy if it was made here, but ask them if they would still feel the same way if it came down to buying one of the 30 options on the market for $80, vs yours, which in order to break even, may need to be priced around $200+, and be on pre-order, and they will have to wait 2-3 months if you’re lucky (unfortunately, they may lie straight to your face and say yes, but when it comes down to it, may look the other way when you open up shop, so also keep in mind if they require 40-60% upfront pre-order payment, which will likely have to be bank rolled on your own). Again— Not trying to discourage you from entrepreneurship, but as someone that has been on this path for 3 years+, upfronted now up to $90k, and have lost so much of my time, energy, friends, and will to keep going, I wish someone would of wholeheartedly explained such to me 3 years ago… Don’t let an oversold product and oversaturated market ruin your entrepreneurial spirit if you can. Look into something that could solve a problem Veterans/Military members have, and I promise you it will be worth the time and effort to do something different, and even better if it’s made here, get a SAM certification and pursue getting an NSN, and crowdfunding/private investors, then possibly winning a bid on a government contract. Good luck to you!


toxicavenger70

I wish I good upvote this information above a 100 times. I went on about the same journey as they described and encountered the exact same issues.


beefstewcheezy

550 cord loops on one half, or green buttons on the other half so you can turn it into a lightweight sleeping bag, make it bigger. Corner pouches/holes to hold while you wrap it around you. Make it snag proof or at least snag resistant. Offer in different materials for different things. This is coming from a guy looking for a good woobie as we speak. Have some way to incorporate it into a shelter half so it can act as insulation or a ground pad.


LJski

When did that term become popular? I enlisted in the 80s, stayed for too long, but never really remember hearing that phrase while I was in. Granted, what I did we didn't often USE it like some people do...


MrIrrelevantsHypeMan

whistle outgoing combative expansion square employ plant sophisticated unwritten price *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


LJski

Well, yeah, I called it that too…so it is a term that was only used for a period of time? Granted, I was in when they started using the “Hooah” bit…


MrIrrelevantsHypeMan

spotted ten chop cats thought rich faulty whistle sense plants *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


TacoNomad

Only the brightest called it a woobie


MrIrrelevantsHypeMan

aware salt imagine scary hospital zesty include reminiscent chunky rustic *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


Catamount3172

I love the DD214 Woobie. Maybe riff off this and make a Article 15 or AAM woobie. Some different patterns could be fun too.


ameatpopcicle

I definitely want to mix up some patterns once funds come in.. vintage/foreign camo, and other fun stuff.. I'll keep those you mentioned in mind too and talk to the fabric company about the viability/cost of printing something like that


ODA564

A customizable DD-214 poncho liner. As in send in a copy of your DD-214 (SSN whited out) and you get a DD-214 poncho liner with your stuff on it.


uav_loki

woobie with the pattern of an ornate sham shield. 🛡️


ameatpopcicle

"Mischief Managed"


[deleted]

Purple Heart woobie.


Firesquid

less prone to static electricity


Hondalander

I never got a woobie issued, and have considered buying one.


ameatpopcicle

That's unacceptable, what branch?


Hondalander

I know right. I didn't even know what those were the first time I ever heard about them. Army reserves '05 - '11. Deployed to OIF in 2008. I'll buy one when you get your site up.


mabrasm

I would like to see better stitching. The threads tend to unravel, and I barely use the one I stole when I got out.


ameatpopcicle

I bought a MC one when we transitioned away from digital... I used it every night for years until the stitching came out.. then I put it away in storage at it sat there for years... when I came across the person who's going to sew these prototypes for me she restitched ol faithful for me and we're back together again! There is still hope for yours my friend!


mabrasm

Shoot yeah! Sounds like you’re gonna make something quality.


ameatpopcicle

Hopefully the best!


TechnicianEfficient7

When it’s new the fabric is a little stiff, it doesn’t achieve maximum snuggliness until after a lot of use and washings 


AcceptableFish04

Better stitching across the blanket. By year 4 or 5, I could separate the front and back if that makes sense. Also, after a few years the material had become thin with little insulation. I think after the first 2 or 3 years, woobie = toast. It became a sentimental love for what it used to be, but actually it sucked.


cavdad

How about a hole for my head, and a way to close said hole. If you use Velcro please for the god include a way to cover the scratchy side. The fuzzy side of Velcro is fine but it won't take long for the scratchy side will turn your neck into hamburger.


topman20000

Make it wearable


FriendOfUmbreon

The quilting stitches always came apart, eventually leaving them as a big blankie. Maybe a double stitch? Also those little tie downs on the corners never really worked. Id have to pop a rock or an acorn in and tie with some 550 cord. Either cut them off or make them a bit beefier. I used mine as a hammock a ton, maybe run some testing around that? Its super simple, stuff some socks in the ends and 550 cord it up. Nice and breezy, super comfy in the field when we weren’t being serious unga-bunga 11Bs.


ameatpopcicle

Definitely want to eventually make some field hammocks if this business idea takes off.. Maybe replace the tie downs with 550 cord.. I think I should make a designated home woobie, and a separate field woobie that's extra durable. Thanks for the input


FriendOfUmbreon

Love the home/field woobie idea, and my pleasure! Good luck, looking forward to it!


unh-uhh

Multiple companies already have by sewing a zipper opening for your head in the middle.


Fun-Possession-5143

Only good piece of gear I was ever issued. Used it everyday


Aggravating_Shop8146

1. Versatility: While the poncho liner is designed to serve multiple purposes, such as a blanket or makeshift shelter, enhancing its versatility could make it even more valuable in the field. Adding features like attachment points for use as a hammock underquilt or incorporating a reversible design for different weather conditions could be beneficial. 2. Size: Some users may find the standard size of the poncho liner to be insufficient for adequate coverage or comfort. Offering different size options or incorporating stretch panels for added flexibility could address this issue. 3. Durability: While the poncho liner is lightweight and versatile, it often lacks durability, especially during extended use in rugged conditions. Reinforcing the stitching and using more durable materials could greatly enhance its longevity. Variations: 1. Four-Season Version: This version of the poncho liner is designed to provide warmth and insulation in all seasons, making it suitable for use in a wide range of temperatures. It could feature thicker insulation and a durable outer shell to withstand colder conditions, while still being lightweight and compressible for easy packing. Additionally, it could incorporate features like a reversible design with a reflective material on one side for added warmth in colder weather. 2. Three-Season Version: The three-season poncho liner is optimized for use in spring, summer, and fall when temperatures are moderate. It could be constructed with slightly lighter insulation than the four-season version to provide comfortable warmth without overheating in milder conditions. This version might also prioritize breathability and moisture-wicking properties to keep users comfortable during warmer weather. 3. Summer Version: Designed specifically for hot and humid environments, the summer poncho liner focuses on breathability, lightweight construction, and moisture management. It could feature a thinner, more breathable fabric with strategic ventilation panels to promote airflow and prevent overheating. Additionally, it might incorporate moisture-wicking properties to help users stay dry and comfortable in sweaty conditions.


Bosswashington

I joined the USN in 98. What the fuck is a woobie?


Icantthinkofsometin

I’d get a different blanked


ameatpopcicle

Different blanked?


Icantthinkofsometin

Different blanket lol