Everyone having fun in the woods needs a shelter, and a super hero cape 👍

Hey Dave! Great video as always buddy 👍 That was an awesome mod using the frame the way that you did to put the shelter up. Definitely a lot roomier without a pole sticking right in the middle. Can always count on you to come up with excellent and simple solutions brother. The new camo mesh did a great job by the way 👍 May the force be with you! 😉

At this point in the season I think the browner one worked better. Either one was better than just the Lavvu.

Brown camo mesh made a huge difference IMO. Without the mesh, a person's eyes would be immediately drawn to the straight lines (the triangle shape). With the brown mesh the regular shape goes away. The green worked in some cases and not in others. It depended on the background.

This shelter is easy to build and fun to use. Not to mention it's portability and light weight makes it easy to carry. Adding the usage of camouflage can be most helpful with observing animals or in avoiding those undesirable crazy humans that seem to becoming more abundant these days. But that would also mean no gingerbread cooking would be allowed! That would bring them in from far and wide for sure! Thanks for your time, Dave. Enjoy your weeks end and stay lifted!

Polish Lavvu is one of the best bits of kit out there, there is a company called Bushcraft Spain who make an extension that goes between the two shelter halfs, absolutely brilliant.

Just some thoughts from a lifelong hunter. The print or brand of the camo doesn't matter much for concealment. As long as the color scheme is similar to the foliage. What matters more is breaking up your outline. Leafyflage type camo is great for personal wear, and for a larger thing like a tent, try cargo netting. I know you like army surplus stores, and many of them have the camo netting that is used for covering vehicles in the military. Because of its nature, the outline will be irregular. It isnt cheap. I use it for ground blinds when turkey hunting. The downside with the cargo netting is that it will get caught on EVERYTHING. You can even lay some branches and leaves on whichever you use to help break up that outline. Ive seen you do that as well.

The mesh definitely works but perhaps use some other sticks to prop up the mesh in an unnatural way, the biggest part thats easy to pick out are geometric lines of the peak. Even if your not looking for something those hard lines stick out the eye, but you definitely have something that would work pretty well. Missed ya last week, good to hear from you. 👍

The brown camo is better from ground view. The green camo would be good from an aerial view. To take it further, the long side blended far better than the side view.... from a distance it still had an obvious "triangular" shape to me. I imagine that would be difficult to disguise, though. Thank you for another informative video! 🤩

Another great shelter. I don't know how you keep coming up with new ideas for videos after all these years. A lot of knowledge, experience, imagination, and experimentation. Your gear room must be overflowing. Thank you for passing this on to all of us. P.S. The camo made a big difference. I think the brown camo was a little better than the green.

Aw heck yeah I've been waiting for this episode! I've been using laavus for several years now and I love them. Super versatile and perfect for minimalist camping. Unfortunately, the shape is really hard to camouflage without cutting some saplings and branches to break up the triangle shape. Great video!

It looked to me like the biggest advantage of the covers were to hide the shape of the lavvu, which stuck me as looking like a solid green top of the Washington monument . Thanks for another great video.

I very much like your configuration. A pole in the middle is always an unwelcome intrusion. Thanks for sharing with us all!

Another good setup for a shelter. I’ve seen other people laud the Lavvu and even use it as a hot tent setup. There are so many lighter modern shelter methods but I like the old school military style and their durability. This is essentially the Polish equivalent to the USGI shelter half with some novel design differences. Like others I think the brown mesh did a better job of concealing the shelter. I never really thought about matching the forest floor being as important as the surrounding foliage. Thanks for another fun video, ‘’Olive Drab Darth Vader’’!😊

This is hands down the best outdoor camping/survival channel on KZfaq. I have no clue why it took me this long to find it, I have been binge watching for days. Thank you for taking the time to make this awesome content!

If you've been inundated with this question, my apologies, lol . Have you ever considered writing a book about making your own camping/survival tools and gear? Many of my favorite videos are the ones where you create something for a specific need, that people just haven't thought of before, like the Shoveaxe, and that cooking rig that attached to trees for times/places where the ground is soaked constantly. You're a natural when it comes to being an instructor, and covering everything step-by-step. With a few pictures to ensure clarity, a book like that would be really cool, especially if the projects required common and/or cheap tools, or you recommended larger machines, but had alternative method for those of us without access to the big stuff. There's a precedent for KZfaq creator writing a book. I'd buy it. There have been MANY of your videos where I, and many others, have asked if you ever considered having some of your inventions mad produced. The issues and headaches involved are certainly understandable. But, a book.... ???? I'm obviously in favor, lol.

Great set up. Great video. I sure hope the Temps are a little cooler to use that. Any solid material like canvas or poncho or rubberized poncho sure gets hot due to no ventilation. This would be an option over a tarp. Would be interesting to see how it would hold up in the rain. Great job Dave. I think this deserves another set up and test night. God bless you Dave for all that you do to bring new ideas and some old ideas too. Be safe out on your travels.

Hi Dave, thanks for sharing. And let us ENJOY live in the woods, and have fun. Best regards, Michael

Another exciting video from Dave! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the lavvu. Not my kinda thing, more of a hammock and tarp guy. If you combined those two camo pieces, brown down the bottom and green up top, that shelter would've disappeared. They must curl up in a foetal position if two are in there even without the middle pole set up. Hope all is well Dave!

Pretty awesome shelter! And i like the liner idea. The brown camo worked best as the green one showed the straight-lines of the shelter more. Thank you, Dave. 👍🇨🇦😎🌿

Thanks for yet another awesome outdoor video from you Dave! Thanks for filming. 👍😁

Hey, Dave. I see you use a lot of wooden poles and sticks cut on site for supporting your tarps, tents, and ponchos. If you have a pair of old leather gloves that are about worn out, cut off the fingers that are still good with scissors and slip them over your sticks or poles to prevent tearing the tarp materials. The rescued glove fingers stay put on the sticks or poles due to their shape and texture, only weigh a few grams, take up very little space, and will extend the life of your tarps and other materials. You can also use one glove finger as a sewing thimble.

"OD Darth Vader," man I needed that first thing in the morning! Thanks for the share Dave.

wow i still havent had time to watch the blue corn pancakes cooking video and you're already releasing another new vid... 2023 Dave is on fire! ...awesomeness!!!! thanks again for the amazingly entertaining content

Not many people could be lost in the woods and still have fun!!🤗

Hi Dave! I missed this one when you first put it out. I was pretty surprised by the amount of room this set-up offers. The camo covers do make a big difference. As you've pointed out in the past, breaking up the unnatural lines (pyramid shape) of the shelter, with brush and whatnot would give even more advantage. I always enjoy your videos. Blessings to you and Nick!

Very similar to the soviet plash palatka...Dave, you are an excellent instructor...thanks!!

Yes David, quite a difference. I think by altering the outside shape too helps lead the eyes from the tent shape edges. Plus the colour variation. Definitely hides the tent for sure….appreciating your videos David . 🇦🇺👍🇺🇸

Nice setup. I am 64 so I am a tent guy now. Different setups for weather but I can’t stand bugs.! 😂 I cover the view with my F 350 diesel. No more hiding for me. 😅 Still love that your younger and live on the edge. Always love your video. You truly think things out and adapt. My hat I lift up and salute you.

Good morning, Dave. Nice look at the Polish Lavvu. Thank you. Of course Mr Wizard had to invent his own type of frame for it. I'm guessing Polish soldiers using the center pole would have to a man sleeping on either side. I think it would be possible if they were not big people. Yes way too crowded. Seems to me it must be an emergency option.

Both camos made a huge impact, but I think the first one was better from this side of the screen. Thanks for the video!

Both camos make a difference. The Multi-cam offers more concealment. I would use taller saplings and I would use one of your 'special devices' to hold the core poles in place. The poncho needs to be stretched tighter to shed water.

Huge difference, both worked well but the second one worked the best , I couldn’t even see it until you walked up to it

That Camo was a great find and works really well, but the shape of the shelter is the give-away. Perhaps pushing a few sticks of different heights in the ground around the tent, then covering everything with the camo mesh would break the symmetry? So many different things to try regarding the art of stealthy camping. Please keep at it.

Hello Dave, Thanks for another great video, wonderful to spend some time with you. I took your advice many years ago, and bought an Ontario SP 53. Still love it. All the best to you and Nick, Ben from Nova Scotia.

The Lavvu is an universal piece of material!

Thanks Dave. I've been watching the camo "stealth" tricks very close . Intend to camp off the back of my motorbike . Find cover off trail , set camp off bike , hide the whole mess and go for a stroll in the woods . And those Lavvu"s are pretty slick . Thanks again .

Great Video, Dave... Thanks for your efforts.

Interesting, tons of room for one person. Dave, I can a sure you that there is a way for two to sleep in there, probably not comfortably. And after being in the Army, your comfort seldom matters. That Quad Pod is a good idea Dave, and I agree on not cutting up my paracord. I carry mine in multi lengths anyway, but I'm not cutting it up, in the field, once you do, that's the only thing it's good for. As an idea for you, that extra cord up there would be a great way to hang a lantern. 73 and God Bless Dave.

Thats a great shelter !!! I love how you set it up compaired to how they usually are set up . I think those can be set up to even have a stove in them . Sorry i got to see your video this week so late . I had another toe amputated today . Im in alot of pain . Great informative video as always Dave! Take care and stay safe my friend !!!

Awesome video dave thanks for sharing 👍

"All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray...". Oops. Getting back to the real world. Nifty shelter. I have seen them on other channels, that I don't watch, feature these lavvu shelters so I don't know anything about them. But if I had to guess, in order for it to be a 2 person shelter, one guy would do the first set of button holes and the second would be going behind him doing the next set. Since I knew you would center the shelter in your long distance shots it was easy to find even with the netting. That being said, I think the brown had a slight edge over the multi camo. Now if you propped some branches over the shelter and then draped the netting over the branches and splashed a few leaves on top of that, well then, the 6 Million Dollar Man couldn't find you. I like that camo netting, though. You find the most interesting stuff. Well done.

Love your creativity Dave!

This is what I needed. Bought 2 awhile ago but never figured out the pattern. Thanks Dave

Cool! Time for the quad pod stick ring😊 God bless brother. Great video as usual.

Great video Dave! Thanks!!

Huge difference bigmonkey great cammo choice loved that polish cape shelter peace and love from 1 leg UK England

I really like your laid-back and tinkering style. I am always modding my gear for me.

The Best U-Tuber right here!!! Thanks

He's the Mr Rogers of the outdoor neighborhood

Lavvu is my favorite shelter. Im gonna get a few other styles of ponchos to play with. I like your imagination and style. The mesh is very helpful in concealment! Love your videos!

Great video. Really like the new lavvu. Far as the camo. I think the shape of the shelter or camp will play a big factor in how well it works.

Thank you for this video! Enjoyed all your experimenting and variations. Seems like you have a lot of great gear, too. Peace, Mate.

Alllllright. Another exciting video

I always thought those were cool shelters.. never found one i liked online. Thanks for the video brother

Hey Dave another good video, you are right nature is a blessing for us to enjoy. I was impressed by the brow camo mesh it really worked well in your camp spot.

Dave it is looking like we are going to have a hot summer here in Ga. You may have to break out your creek cooling fan this year. Stay safe out there. And until the next one

Another great video. I'm learning so much from you! I can't wait to get out in the woods and practice shelter making. .Hollie

Excellent! The first camo works the best.

Nice one o Dave keep them coming thanks mate

Good video Dave , thanks for sharing , God bless brother !

Love your videos been watching a couple of years now, inspired me to get my girls out into the wilderness they love camping now

Good stuff as always Brother Dave. That camo mesh you have works well. Never seen the Lavvu before, that was pretty cool buddy. Thumbs up video bro~John

Dave, I can see you at Halloween, all dressed up as the olive drab Dracula with that cape. Or, perhaps a bullfighter. Olé! The bull will never see you.

If I didn’t know it was there I definitely wouldn’t notice it while just walking through. Either camo is definitely better than the solid object. Great idea for the shelter, Dave. I like to put my pup tent up on a ridge line to give more useful space inside. I guess if you’re tired enough you’ll sleep anywhere. I’ve fallen asleep leaning against a running F-16 before. Haha it happens.

Thanks for sharing Dave!! Make some in the rain.

Thanks for another great test Dave! The brown netting looked like dead trees to me so I thought it was effective, and the green also worked. Maybe using both at the same time would be perfect. Brown for the bottom as in dead leaves and green on the top.

Thank you Mr. Peterson!

I recently picked up a Sea to Summit Reactor fleece liner. Man! I wish I had it on all those cold nights outside. It definitely has a permanent place in my pack.

Excellent work keep it up 👍🏼💯

another good video i look forward to your videos every week

Good video as always. Interesting shelter and I really like those capes / ponchos. When you wore the cape and hat it made me think of the phantom of the opera.... or should I say "Phantom of the Georgia Woods". Best regards.

That was pretty legit. I have a 4 season tarp and hammock setup but this is something I would consider in places where you can't use a hammock. Thanks for sharing!

I think the first camo worked better blending from the ground up. Great video as always 😊

I think either one would work fine. Thanks for the video.

I picked up an SP53 on your recommendation. That thing is a beast! Wish I had the old style sheath, but I'm plenty happy with the knife so far.

Hi Dave. let me tell you, i was 18 years old, a grunt in the Dutch army. me and my buddy had something similar, and both of us are well over 6 ft. you can imagine what it was like.🤣🤣🤣🤣 great vid enjoyed it alot. thank you. ps 58 years old now, so long time ago.

Hey Dave, thanks for the video. Put some dead small branches under the camo to give it shape, like a bush. That’s what I do with my doghouse hunting blind, it works, I know, I have walked pass it and had to look for it.😂 have a good week.👋

That was pretty Cool! I think both of the covers did good , but the last big camo one did really good! When there was no cover on it it was still pretty hidden except point of the top it stuck out as unusual , but you’d still have to really be looking for that, otherwise if you was just walking you wouldn’t know it’s there, but the cover kinda softened the pointiness of the structure. Great video!

Fun video fun in the woods with Dave camo looked good

Hey now. That’s a cool hat!😅 love my size 3 lavvuu Dave, love your mod, thanks man

Another good video by this guy Mt man here raining here in the smokies stay dry 👍👍

Love this vid again, Dave❣️ BTW: The Polish Lavvu is ment to be set lower and thus it fits easily two for two with just one center pole. Originally you can use just one for one in an even lower profile. using two for two it will be much spacier as you won’t have to cover the entrance but opening up to the second one covering each others opening. 🤔 Complicated to describe by using words instead of drawing 🙄 hope you get what I mean though ☺️

Yes ! The Polish Lavu is great ! Good material, but hard to find and if, they are expensive. I was a fool, I did not buy them 4-5 years ago when I hade a chance...😏

Good videos Dave JB from Melbourne Australia

Sorry for my long hiatus dearest brother ,you know we have a war here in Europe .In my hiking i have a new brilliant helper the drone.If you buy them they are very expensive but if you build them yourself they arent also fpv flight is a lot of fun for those who arent so rich to be able to afford a pilot license ,also you can make fantastic futages,create maps ,explore new territory or drop little bombs in Orc trenches lol .I believe Nick would rejoice the idea.Sending my blessing to you and your family .

A awesome piece of kit right there brother. From what I've seen most just put a pole in the middle.

Great video. The camo comparison was great info and the lavvu demo convinced me that I don't want one. I think I can do about the same thing with a good tarp and a lot less work.

better with the green camo i think great video as always Dave

Sure Works A Treat, Thanks For Sharing This, Davey ! Hay Nick ! ATB T God Bless

Really great video and really liked how you adapted the laavu into a roomier shelter. I've never really liked the laavu much for some reason, as always found them expensive..... maybe I should take another look after seeing this video 👍😀. I thought the camo netting really made the difference and both would have made the shelter almost impossible to see if you weren't looking for it. I preferred the multi - cam myself. Many thanks for yet another excellent video full of the usual great advice and ingenuity on your part. Impressed as always.👍👍⛺

hey, nice idear with the quad pole stand. a little longer and it would be perfect i think. i also have a size 2 lavuu, i used it with the middle pole in the winter. no problems for me to fit inside. and in the free corner i had my ammo box tent stove, perfect nights in winter outside. really love your channel, so many idears and myog, really great guy you are!

Great idea using brown camo. Thinking about getting a lavvu🤔👌

Good idea. Next time try an external tripod frame and tie off apex of Lavvu to tripod. Just a thought. Stay safe and thank you for sharing..

Great fix for avoiding the use of the centre pole....

Hey Dave! Last December, I gave up on being a KZfaq Super Star ( like you ol buddy ), So I deleted my channel, but in January, several of my Sub's fussed at me, and so I started my channel back up. I switched all of the folks, that I subbed to, to my old channel, this one! About a week ago, I was wondering why I haven't seen any new videos from you? I forgot I had switched everything to this channel, and yup! There you are! Getting old is no joke! Welcome back Dave! I've missed you! lmao!!

Another great video my friend

The multicam camo worked best. Great video.

Best camo tent set up yet imo. Couldn’t even see you. Cape is so so. But looks useful in a pinch.

Great job, thank you brother.