German army sleeping bag

[bushwakka]

I've just taken possession of a mint condition german army sleeping bag..... an absolute snip at £10 on ebay. For those that aren't familiar with them they are sleeping bags with arms!! I've never used one before and was wondering what experiences are out there.

The bag itself seems to be 2-3 season rating at most so is probably ideal for summer/autumn use. I like the idea that the arms allow the user to perform tasks whilst wearing it e.g. making a brew/cooking. There is a horizontal zip at knee level which allows the sleeping bag to be turned into a parker (one less thing to carry!).

I intend to try it out (once the weather picks up) but would appreciate any advice. The potential disadvantages are that the arms may allow body heat to escape.

If they are no good then its only a tenner but I do hope it has some redeeming features!!
ack:

 

[bothyman]

I thought about buying one of those.

I would be interested in what you think of it.

MickT :wave:

 

[woodrat]

how cool!!!. I have been looking at those myself, please keep me informed how it works out for you.

 

[Gary]

I had one ages again and I think they are pretty good bags, the bottom half can be folded up so the top can be worn as a parka liner too!!

There does seem to be a lot of new ones on the market at present so i guess the german's are dumping a load of war stock ...... I will have to look into this further me thinks!!

 

[bothyman]

There are two on ebay ??

Do they have a waterproof outer ?? :roll:

It looks like it. :shock:

Gary if the price is right I might be interested?? :yikes:

But remember I am a Yorkshireman so don't like to part with my money :Crazy_071

MickT

 

[RAPPLEBY2000]

hi, i used to have one,
not as warm as i thought.

you either love them or hate them, i hate them.

you have to sleep with your arms in the sleeves which isn't as comfy or warm as a standard bag, plus you can get cold hands!

if you get hot you will sweat as 90% of the bag is rubberised.

if it does get soaked it dries very slowly!

they are quite heavy for the limited warmth.

my advice get some warm waterproof mittens not gloves. to wear wilst sleeping.

apart from these problems it's a very good idea which would be far better with modern materials such as pertex, microfibers and goretex!


on the other hand i have friends that have used them and love them!

 

[hootchi]

I think I read somewhere one of the major uses was for German Snipers. They could operate wearing the bag if needed.

 

[Gary]

There are two on ebay ??

Do they have a waterproof outer ?? :roll:

It looks like it. :shock:

Gary if the price is right I might be interested?? :yikes:

But remember I am a Yorkshireman so don't like to part with my money :Crazy_071

MickT

You'll be calling me Bruce Forsyth next!

I didnt mean that Mick - I meant for myself, still you never know!

 

[bothyman]

You'll be calling me Bruce Forsyth next!

I didnt mean that Mick - I meant for myself, still you never know!

Hello Bruce

Didn't realise what I had put till you just pointed it out. :roll:

If you find a place selling them at reasonable prices, I would be grateful if you would pass the info on. :biggthump

Simple fact is you have more contacts than I, so have a better chance of finding one

PS .those two Lapp Puukko's I got from you are still doing well, but one got hijacked and ended up as a veggie knife. Remember them??
1st thing I ever bought from a member of this group, and yes the price was right :super:

MickT :wave:

 

[tomtom]

did we find out if they do or dont have a waterproof bottom?

 

[Gary]

did we find out if they do or dont have a waterproof bottom?

Not yet Tomtom, but uncle Gary is working on it!

 

[tomtom]

:notworthy

 

[bushbasher]

I've had one for years, Only used it a couple of times though. The damn thing weighs a Ton because of all the PU coated Nylon and it fills a 60 litre Rucksack completely. Also Its not particularly warm, but You can fold the Arms underneath yourself if you dont want cold hands.

It is a great Idea and I'm surprised no one has made a version from better materials. 400 gramme Goose Down filled, with a Drilite outer and pertex inner. Optional overbag in Goretex. Anyone want to lend me a few hundred grand so I can build a prototype? ):

 

[george]

Fjallraven used to make a great version of this bag. Down filled, decent hood and wide enough at the chest that you could bring the sleeves inside and cross them over your chest for extra insulation. A friend of mine had one and I borrowed it a couple of times - great inside a snowhole. Doesn't look like they make it anymore though.

George

 

[Brian]

There is a version of this made by Carinthia called the wilderness, it appears to give the option of using the sleeves or having your arms inside the bag. It says that the comfort rating is -27 (we will probably have to wait till the EU tell us what the rating is later under there new system) but it is £189 in USMC, ouch!
A mate of mine had the German one, great if we had a vehicle to carry our kit but not if you were carrying it. Tomtom, I have a feeling the base on the German one is waterproofed but not certain.

Brian

 

[jayuk]

There are 3 versions of this bag.

The old versions issued in the late 1950s were had the waterproof outer cover perminently attached to the bag.

The late 1960's to 1990's version had a removable outer cover which was totally waterproof (top and bottom). As said earlier, sweat can be a problem.

Another version has a wide permeable stripe running along the length of the zip. I guess this was an attemp to solve the sweat problem.

You can often find them in unissued condition. Check the condition of the rubber as some have become brittle in storage making the useless.


The German army later replaced these bags with a mummy type bag in the early 90's

 

[woodrat]

I have been working on a similiar set up where I have a down lower section that attaches to my down parka, attaches with 2inch velcro , when used as sleeping bag, pull sleeves inside coat . also have mittens that attach to sleeves, all from clothes bought at thrift stores. so far only out about 20$ its sitting in a box, waiting for me to get around to sewing it. too many projects, not enough time.!!!!

 

[bushwakka]

The version of the bag that I've got seems to be the later one with the wide permeable stripe that runs from the neck to the horizontal zip. The bag seems to be waterproof including the base. I can roll it up quite small and it takes up less than the lower third of my 45 litre rucksack. I agree that it would be great if the same design was made from more modern, lightweight materials

 

[j.roberts7]

it all depends on how warm you sleep different people sleep at different temps
i have used one of these ages ago with out a mat and slept very well
but i sleep at quite a warm temp and for most of the time can get away without a mat or too thick a bag even in the uk winter
dont forget army sleeping bags are ment to be slept in fully clothed

 

[Abbe Osram]

20 years ago when I still was living in germany I had such a thing.
I didnt know another bag and so I didnt get ****** off about the bag, Today I would say they are cold, swetty, start to stink and you are much better of not having one at all. Most of the stuff is kind of sealed I dont remember if its rubber or something else. But you get wet in it and freeze. Today i live in the arctic north couple of weeks ago I was sleeping on a reindeer fur, having a nice fire and didnt use any kind of sleeping bag in around minus 5. In the german bag I believe I would have started to sweat, and start to freeze my nuts off.

my 2 cents
Abbe