Reindeer Sleeping bag, a good idea?

[Janne]

My knowledge is too old for what is used today.

Being able to connect two sleeping bags is crucial in a hypothermia scenario.
Shared body warmth. Worked for me.

I guess the units in the relevant armies that work in high Arctic conditions and have to sleep ‘rough’ for prolonged timed have different equipment from the more normal units?

I will ask a friend that was in a brother regiment, but in northern Canada, when I see him today at the gun club.

 

[Erbswurst]

Yes, I think now a days they buy on the market what they want to.
Most armies currently work with specialists in small groups.

Historians mean, that one reason that Germany lost the second world war was, that the Wehrmacht used to many different equipments, especially Russians and Americans used more standardised stuff and had less problems when it was necessary to replace something.
So in the last decades they standardised all and everything, until they went to far with it. Now the highly professional armies tend to get more specialized equipment, so far I am able to watch it as a civilian.

 

[Janne]

The Russkied standardised so much so they hardly had anything left that worked.
US and even UK supplied them with everything. From food to aircraft.

The reason why Germany lost will be discussed for hundreds of years.

My old friend defended Berlin. Just managed to get out. He cries when he remembers. A true hero.
He taught myself and my son loads and loads about fishing and arctic seamanship.

 

[demographic]

$2250?
Jeez you could be warmed by the coke covered buttocks of a Penthouse Pet all night for less than that. Err apparently.
Did you hit Google with "Most expensive sleeping bag" or something?

 

[Erbswurst]

Outch!

I didn't see that!

I think in Sweden you get it including two weeks camping holidays!

What costs a sheep skin? 60 £ perhaps.
I guess the reindeer skin you can get in Sweden for the same price.

But, however, you need some living reindeers or dogs and a sledge to transport it.

 

[Janne]

If you supply enough coke you will get a pair of Penthouse Pets to pull the sledge....

High grade, naturally tanned reindeer skins are between £150—200.
I checked online.

If you want to go truly Paleo you can get dried raw skins quite cheaply. Maybe not the best idea for Britain, as it is humid outside ( not freezing) and your houses are not equipped with drying cabinets like houses in Scandi.

 

[Erbswurst]

To say it short:

It is a stupid Idea.

As a sleeping pad in a heated tent or with lean to shelter and fire a sheep skin is a nice and really good working option.
That you can combine with a heavy woolen coat and a woolen blanket around the legs, folded like an ice waffle.

And that's it.

 

[Erbswurst]

By the way:

With Coat and Woolen Blanket we lost successfully the second world war.

Modern sleeping systems are better.

 

[Janne]

Had you listened to the advise given by Sven Hedin during his visit to the eastern front in WW1, you would have laid your towels all over the Krimean beaches today...

It is a very good idea to make a reindeer sleeping bag if you do not plan to use it outside in a forest.
Ok inside, or even in the garden.

Yes, reindeer sleeping modular systems have been used for many Millenia very successfully.
But remember, the Same were and are just ‘a little bit’ tougher than you are, plus the skins were carried by a semi tame reindeer.

I recommend reindeer skins as an underlay in a tent. Not only warm, buy also soft. You need two, cut and sewn

 

[Erbswurst]

Or a Persian Carpet.

If you know how to start it, that makes things far easier.

 

[Woody girl]

Have you thought of using rabbit skin? I had a rabbit skin blanket many years ago. It was wonderfuly warm and cosy. It was back in the 70s and my then boyfriends father was a gamekeeper. He used to shoot the bunny's and eat them cure the skins and make these lovely blankets. Can't remember what happened to it, and had forgotten all about it untill this post. Could be a cheaper option.

 

[shaneh]

Just as an update, more than anything else.

I would like to thank everybody for all your time replying on this topic. There really is a broad spectrum of talent out there.

I have decided that a fur sleeping bag would be un-practical here in the Uk, bulky and probably heavier than a bought one with the added complication of maintenence and hair loss (fur sleeping bag) added with a very short duration of when it ours be used (It's too cold for that long a duration in the U.K)

However I think as a sleeping pad one would be a nice added touch of luxury.

I have purchased a British Army Modular Sleeping Bag and German Army Bivi Bag, although I'm finding even this setup had is problems.

Again
Thank you All.