Surplus Military Sleeping Bag - German (Review)

[LakotaJones]

This is my brand new German Military Surplus Bag. It was made in Germany, probably, or some European Country like Mexico or what ever. It was a little smelly, but thanks to some help from our German speaking ZS squaddies, I was able to decode some cleaning instructions. The bag is big, green, and very comfortable. This should be the main points, and I think most every one can agree that is most important when it comes to sleeping bags. Oh, and it is warm.



Above you will find irrevocable proof that this bag has German ancestry. It also contains the instructions on how to care for this thing, such as the idea you should clean it with gasoline, but keep it away from fire...? Army instructions are pat for all Army folks apparently.



Here we find the bag opened. Fairly standard fair. There is an area inside this bag where your body fits. I am 6'1 and I weigh 215 pounds currently. I'm chubbin, but it's not my fault. I swear.



This here would be me inside the bag. I fit pretty well. It's comfortable, warm, and fairly well padded. As you could tell there is an inner liner and an outer liner. I went ahead and just reviewed with both lines on since it makes it easier for me, and if I am using a sleeping bag, I am probably going to use both coverings any ways. Night time gets cold in the desert.



Another simple picture of me.



If I was worried about water getting in through the bag arms or critters, I would just yank the arms inside. There are snaps for the wrists you can close inside the bag too, and it makes a pretty good seal. I liked it. I found it pretty easy to use, and then you have a more "traditional" bag.



Here is a picture of how the bag cuts in half using multiple zippers and opens to allow you to extradite your legs from within. You bend forward, yank on 3 zippers, and your legs are free. It's not as fast as you would think though. The zippers are kind of shitty, and they catch on things. That is my one complaint on the bag. Hard to get the zippers closed and open without some work. If this bag had a better zipper system, it would be perfect for me.



Look at how happy I am to be able to sleep and shoot a rifle at the same time. Think of all the other things you could do! Clean the car. Take the kids to school. Eat. The possibilities are endless in your German sleeping bag.



The bag is also fitted with little cords so it becomes its own compression sack. Picture of my size 11 foot to go with the bag for size comparison.



Warm - A+
Comfortable - A+
Nifty - Very nifty
Smell - Sorta like gasoline. Unappetizing. Wouldn't eat the bag.
Color - Needs more tactical multicam in tactical colors with tactical smells and... It's green and generic.
Price - $49.50

Where I bought it.
http://store.oldgrouch.biz/geslbagne.html

Questions?
Comments?
Concerns?
Modeling gigs?

Please reply in this thread.

[Ufdyixcaff]

I used to have one of those, but the cover was sewn on. I WISH I could have taken mine apart. Good sleeping bag though. Great for 3 seasons... or deer stand hunting.

[TravisM.1]

That's more than a little disturbing, right there.

[NoDice]

ditto! I'm glad you're (VERY!) happy with your German sleeping bag.

[alwaysreadyneverhere]

Me thinks you were a little too happy I reckon


I was thinking about buying one of these a few years ago...then I forgot. Ooops. Here's my questions:
1. Is the outside waterproof or water-resistant of some sort?

2. Does the bottom part (freeing the legs) completely come off or can it be rigged up so it isn't knocking on the back of your legs while your running from the zombie hoards in it?

3. How much extra room length-wise did you have in the bag?

[Ufdyixcaff]

1) Water PROOF.
2) The leg section does not come off, but folds back behind you and can be "belted" into place to walk around with.
3) Dont remember

[6shooter]

Damn! I thought I was set on a USGI MSS gore tex bivvy, but this may have taken over, especially for $50! Thanks for the review. Would it be easy enough to put a sleeping pad inside the bag?

[LakotaJones]

As far as extra room height wise goes, there isn't a whole lot. I would say you could fit someone 6'5 in it... may be 6'7 but that could be pushing it.

I bet you could rig something to put a sleeping pad inside of it. The inner liner could be sewn with a pad or something. The bag is pretty big. But it's not made for lurch. You know?

[LakotaJones]

I want to find some kind of compression sack for the bag. Something I could squish down real real small, and then mount to my bag or even fit INSIDE the bag. I think the hopeful plan would be...

Set up camp, and put up tent.
Enter tent.
Take sleeping bag out of bag inside tent and take off clothes.
Get inside bag.
Sleep.
Wake up and put on cold weather pants inside the tent still, and keep the top on. Then make a warm beverage.
Relax and enjoy.


Ah... Such simple dreams.

[Abacus]

So, what's the temperature rating?

[Czechnology]

So, what's the temperature rating?

If it's German Military, I'd expect it to be more than reasonable for most parts of the US, excluding perhaps places like yonder Rockies.

[Ufdyixcaff]

Mine was fairly thin... def. for the warmer times of the year, for me... but I sleep like an icecube and freeze in the summer.

[LakotaJones]

I don't know the temperature rating. Sorry. But they have an arctic version that comes in white. So this is the non-acrtic version. So don't take this one to the arctic. Easy.

[Czechnology]

I don't know the temperature rating. Sorry. But they have an arctic version that comes in white. So this is the non-acrtic version. So don't take this one to the arctic. Easy.

Keep in mind Berlin is @ the same Latitude as Calgary, so even their "lightweight" bags will be designed to weather some cold.

[That hurts stop biting me]

Your evil the lot of you! I have lusted after one of these for a few years mainly due to liking having my arms free, i would try and resist but my sleeping bags zip has broken soo... Perfect excuse Thanks for the review.

[Ufdyixcaff]

Your evil the lot of you! I have lusted after one of these for a few years mainly due to liking having my arms free, i would try and resist but my sleeping bags zip has broken soo... Perfect excuse Thanks for the review.

Luckily for you, these sleeping bags are A LOT easier to get in the UK than here.

[GunsUp]

Any chance you could weigh it?

[LakotaJones]

I don't have a scale. Sorry. HOWEVER. My mom was at my house today because I made fish dinner, and she stated "WOW... your new sleeping bag is really light weight" after she picked it up off the chair so she could sit down.

My mom has arthritis, and she could pick up the bag easily. Hope that helps.

And before you call me a dick for letting her pick it up, I was prepping the fish and didn't know she had decided to change chairs. So there. lol...