Woobie is the affectionate nickname military personnel gave the GI poncho liner, a lightweight quilted field blanket issued as an accessory to the military poncho. The Woobie achieves near-legendary status in military culture because it provides disproportionate warmth and comfort for its weight and pack size, and because it becomes a personal comfort item during deployments where comfort items are scarce. Veterans who served report strong attachment to their Woobie decades after service; the combination of warmth, versatility, and personal comfort history makes it one of the most beloved pieces of field gear in the military's history.

The Rothco GI Type Poncho Liner measures 62 inches by 82 inches and attaches to a military poncho via tie strings at the corners and along the edges. When attached to a poncho and the poncho is laid flat, the liner provides insulated sleeping bag capability; the poncho provides a waterproof shell, and the liner provides insulation inside. Without a poncho, the Woobie functions as a lightweight field blanket for sleeping under or wrapping around the body during cold rest periods. See our rainwear collection for the compatible military poncho.

As a standalone blanket in a sheltered environment, the GI poncho liner is comfortable down to approximately 50-60°F. Combined with a military poncho as a sleeping system, it extends to approximately 40°F with appropriate clothing layers worn underneath. For serious cold weather sleeping, the Woobie serves best as a supplemental layer inside a sleeping bag or combined with multiple Woobies and additional insulation. Its strength is warmth relative to its weight rather than extreme cold weather performance; it is not a replacement for a rated sleeping bag in sub-freezing conditions.

The Woobie's versatility is part of its legendary status. Beyond sleeping, documented field uses include shoulder wrap during cold observation periods, improvised litter for casualty movement, ground insulation pad to prevent cold ground contact, vehicle seat cover during cold vehicle operations, field blanket for rest during training, infant sleeping blanket, pet blanket, and home couch throw. Veterans routinely report keeping their Woobie in everyday non-military use decades after service because it is simply a comfortable, durable blanket that works in any context.