Luke, I couldn´t agree more with your findings. I use the mat in exactly the same way, as a additional layer for my Theramrest. One thing to look out for: There are lots of reproductions made by MilTec, which are slightly thinner and have not the same dimensions. Not sure if it matters, just to be aware.
@@justdomore I mostly go thru German and Dutch websites and look for a "BW Isomatte" (BW = BundesWehr). I dunno about those that ship to North America since I live in Europe. However if you do live in the USA/Canada then Varusteleka is the best option since they decent flat shipping fees. And they often have both kinds of German Army ground mats. As of today, the sleeping mat is out of stock but you can set a restocking notification and wait. www.varusteleka.com/en/product/bw-folding-sleeping-mat-surplus/1062 www.varusteleka.com/en/product/bw-ground-sheet-surplus/62958
The difference is that Miltecs new one is thicker and therefore heavier and take up more space. The original from BundesWehr weigh around 400g and the new from Miltec around 610g. Beside that I dont know if there is any difference in material but they both have EVA foam in them.
I used this in Iraq in 2003. It made sleeping on hard floors or sand outside check points bearable. Its currently employed as a vibration dampener between kitchen worktop and the tumble dryer.
You first have to fold the mat in the longitudinal direction in the middle and only then fold it crosswise along the specified crease lines. This results in a compact block in the end. It is possible to fold them short or long, which is given by the crease lines so that the mat can be used as a back pad for large and small backpacks. (in the Bundeswehr for combat rucksacks and mountain rucksacks). The folding mat is such a great versatile piece of equipment that I have now equipped all my backpacks with a BW folding mat. Thanks for the introduction, greetings from Germany!
If you did that often enough in the BIWAK and before that if you have to pack a Backpack, unload it, repack it, unload it, repack it ... you really have that "introduced" how to fold this thingy.
Hi Luke, thank you for the update. I can only agree. I absolutely love this mat. I have been using it for the last 20 years as groundsheet, emergency sleeping mat, to sit on, I‘ve used it with the German military backpack as a kind of frame, it is also great to kneel on when getting your fire going etc. Also you fold it lengthwise first and then crosswise, then it keeps its shape in folded form, too.
They way you are folding it is wrong. There is a way to fold it which allows you to save space and looks more uniform. Also when folded correctly the inner folds can be configured to be used as a bucket.
This one is supposed to be used with the Elefantenhaut (elephant skin), wich is bigger und protects from moisture and stones. The combination works very well.
Well here's a product translation The practical, foldable Bundeswehr sleeping pad has many uses. When opened it can be used as a sleeping mat e.g. when camping. When folded, it can be used as a seat pad on a cool surface or as a back cushion for the BW combat backpack or the mountain backpack. It is new. Color: olive Dimensions unfolded: 185x55x0.4cm Folded dimensions: 37 x 28 x 5 cm Weight: approx. 600 g Material: 100% EVA foam Love ur channel please keep them coming
I'm from Germany and I sent one of these to a friend in NY. It really costs about 30$ to send a package that big to the US. But you can buy them for 3 to 5 € in a military shop (every bigger city has one, they only sell used products from the Bundeswehr)
Greetings from Northern California. I bought a German Army knife made by Victorinox. It has a locking knife and screwdriver and other useful tools. It’s pretty cool.
I have used this mat for nearly a decade. As a base layer sleeping mat (it is great at blocking the cold), a kneeling pad, a seat, a chair with a back, and even a water carrier. When it is properly folded, one of the center folds actually holds water. Maybe a couple of liters. Handy when putting out the fire. On one camping trip I was using this as a chair with a back (leaned against a tree). My back got tired so I unfolded it and stretched out on the ground. All the rest of the guys were so jealous!
German Spec Forces also use inflatables but yours is still in general use. I personally use it with a variety of bivy bags which it was designed for but in combination with a proper inflatable pad. Also for my dog outdoors in cold soggy weather or to wrench on my car. Just don’t leave it during summer season inside your car. Doesn’t take the heat very well
Its an awsome sleeping pad. Ive used one for years. They were dirt cheap in sweden a few years ago, like $5! Not that cheap today... i use it as a ground protection and a first layer to isolate from the cold ground. But Luke, the way you are folding it triggers my OCD! There is a right way of folding it, and then it almost folds it self and saves allot more space. Greetings from Sweden!
In the German Army we were taught to clean up the place where we will sleep so that no sticks and stones are there. I still use this Mat after all those years.
I didn't like them when i was in the military, because there it's the only mat you have and it's just too cold on these things. Now i use them as a secondary mat and i really like it. I can rest assured that whatever mat lies ontop of this isn't going to break. Plus, the extra utility, especially for working and sitting is really worth the weight.
I also love the old poncho. It may be heavy and you'll sweat like crazy, beneath it, but... It is virtually indestructable, absolutely waterproof and won't melt, close to your fire, or from sparks.
I'm a dedicated hammock camper and AT section hiker. I carry a frameless pack which I line with a 1/2 inch thick foam pad which is 25 inches wide and long enough to line the inside circumference of my pack. I insert the pad, let it unroll against the inside pack fabric, and stuff everything inside. It makes for a very good frame, but, even at 1/2 inch thick, it doesn't make a comfortable sleeping pad for use on shelter floors when wicked weather makes it necessary to get out from underneath falling limbs. I don't sleep much on those occasions and make for a somewhat unpleasant shelter mate, but it's better than nothing, and I would rather take my backpacking guitar than a second, seldom used, inflatable sleeping pad. Otoh, my pad is excellent for use as a picnic table bench pad. For inflatable pad users, a barrier against punctures makes a thin foam pad a useful item. Gossamer Gear makes a 1/8" pad which many people use for that purpose. On top of an air mattress, they provide some insulation. On the bottom, protection, but not as efficient at returning heat to the user.
I used this in boot camp the first time in 2017 in Seedorf (Glück Ab). It is relatively-ok-comfortable but damn it keeps you warm! I was suprised:) We mostly used it, like you said, as a slide-in for the backpacks or to sit on it when out in the field.
I use three of them. Excellent item. I don't go out for any overnighter without it. But...... I have to say, you might wanna try folding it differently. First fold it in half along the long side. The rest folds almost by itself. Then you can pack it even a little thinner. But, when you already tried this "German sleeping mat", then you might wanna try the so called "elephant skin". It's a kind of ground sheet, used for protection. This mat is just about 1 mm thick, but it's almost indestructible. You can sleep on thorns or branches and you don't need to worry about your inflatable sleeping pad. This mat has some kind of rip-stop structure. It can be pierced with a knife or you can burn it with a flame, not with sparks from a camp fire. I have also three of those. Excellent item for camping to protect your tent floor or your inflatable mat from punctures. Sure, comfortable is not an adjective to describe these items, but they are tough and durable. Unfortunately YOU have the same problem with these German products, as we have with US-products. The transportation fee is insane and the tax as well. In Germany you can get these items for about 10-12 $, second hand. I hope you continue having a good time in the woods, Corona or not. Stay safe and healthy. Good luck.
I have one inside my surplus German Army Mountain Troop pack. It is exactly as you describe it, an incredibly versatile piece of kit! I have owned mine for around eight years, (along with the pack which is just bomb proof and brilliant!) I use it just as you do as a secondary insulation layer for colder weather and hot tent camping, I use it as a kneeling mat in my canoes, it makes a great, go anywhere sit mat if out for a day and only carrying my Mountain Troop pack with basic bushcraft stuff. I have used it on school trips as a seat, including on the hard wooden benches at The Globe Theatre in London (I teach Drama for a living!) as well as a back up shooting mat on both an indoor range (I also run a shooting club) and in the woods. It makes a great padded compartment for my laptop every day using the same pack for work. I cannot recommend it highly enough as a budget item with incredible utility. The uses for any activity outdoors (and some indoors) are endless. However, I am lucky in that here in the UK, they are still relatively cost effective to buy, but do be careful if shipping to the US from Europe, especially since Brexit! Costs are becoming insane and I have stopped importing many things from mainland Europe now due to crippling taxes. Likewise, I cannot buy from the US as the customs import duty and crazy postal service 'handling' fees are just making it impossible to shop without robbery. Good luck getting them cheaply if you want one!
I got mine from Varusteleka about 6 months ago. When it's completely folded it makes a very comfortable sitting pad. The BW "Elephant Skin" ground sheet pairs well with the sleep mat.
I cut and pieced two of them together to use in hammocks for complete insulation in the hammock. While using them it cuts the need for a under quilt and the ability to stay warm in a regular sleeping bag. At least until it gets down to 0°F. God bless and stay safe.
I use my BW Faltmatte in the winter as added cold protection, when sitting on the ground or to protect my sleeping pad. In the summer I only use the Elefantenhaut (elephant skin) for that purpose.
@@b.3713 try to look here: www.armeeverkauf.de/pack_isomatte_bundeswehr_faltmatte-p-1751.html?language=de or google for 'bundeswehr iso faltmatte' but be prepared for the shipping... that will double the cost
These are awesome. I use it basically as a groundsheet. I sleep on a lot of flat sandstone hilltops as I go cross country in winter. Keeps the cold from the stone very well
Bundeswehr gear: the current sleeping bag isn't that bad (for a military one), the bivy-bag is excellent and the folding knife is a real Victorinox. Otherwise...
You can DIY the same thing from a normal roll matt by slicing lightly across the Matt horizontally to create the folds. It's less elegant but you can cut the folds to fit the width of your given backpack and length of your body
Funny story, i used this mat in the military and once to show it to a friend how cool they can be so i took it for a camping outside, we made a fire and didn't realized, that a rock under the fire was a bad idea... That thing went of spreading ashes everywhere... My poor mat looked like if i used it like shooting target with a bunch of wholes... But i slept quite good on that mat during biwak
I think the smooth surface is a result of passing the foam through heated rollers when it’s made. I use two 1/4” ccf mats, they fold easily and I can use one under my bivy or tent, one inside. I can wear them as emergency insulation, use them rolled as a buoyancy aid or pack floatation aid and if you cut thin strips off them they’ll help start a fire in the wet.
I've had mine for about 6 years and it cost me about £7 (just under $10), day walks or backpacking, it fits in small backpacks just as well. Along with my surplus military poncho, some paracord and a few stakes to make an emergency shelter in case of injury, if I have to get out of fierce weather, overnight etc, I have a dry and insulated place to sit or lie on. Heat exhaustion can be a problem that can turn fatal, so feel the symptoms and get out of a hot sun into shade on open ground and rehydrate with electrolyte rich water solution (I use Diolaryte) before exhaustion becomes potentially fatal heat stroke. Essential kit that I always carry no matter what. Also great if you're walking with friends because several people can use it to sit on to keep dry and warm on wet, cold ground when stopping for a break, good for on the beach too. When backpacking, I use it to protect my air mattress which is lighter, smaller packed up and, most importantly, more comfortable than a Thermarest type pad. I've gone through 3 of those which have all failed, even with the German Army sleep mat underneath them. The air mattress gives 2" (5cm) of comfort. My 66 year old bones need that. The mat also works well in hammock, again for insulation plus giving structure. I saw in one video on the mat its use as a water carrier when formed into an envelope and water scooped out of a stream. I haven't tried that and neither have I been able to figure out why the folds aren't symmetrical. Maybe there's a German Army vet who could enlighten us? You'll find the mat packs better if you fold in half longways first, then you alternate the flaps (you can tell by the hinges which way it goes) like a concertina. You should end up with a rectangular shape of 15"x11" about 1" thick.
Its great utility matt , I chopped mine up to create a kneeling matt to get in and out of tents and to sit on logs ground etc . The german army do a great groundsheet aswell which has decent non slip surface and really tough , and green ofcourse !
In the Corps. we used a rollup mat of a similar style. However, it was mainly just used as a thermal pad on cots. That being said, it really made a difference in the desert when doing Mojave Viper. I imagine that's what this thing is mainly for. That's usually why they are so narrow, so they fit and stay on the cot and give you that added level of thermal protection.
Love this pad! I'm a hard surface sleeper at home so this pad fits all my needs. Moved away from roll up pads, which had to be tied outside my pack. This pad fits nicely inside so this is a big plus. Entertaining video as always, Luke!
Forgot to tell you i purchased about 8 of those some years ago and very cheap then. I put a few of them on top of each other. Great in cold weather and more comfortable.👍
I just bought this and loved it. Versatility is great. I bought it to cut weight in my bag. I laid on the concrete for 5 minutes and supposed it was comfortable. Definitely pricey but glad I got it tho
As a former german Infantry Soldier I hated this piece! No insulation, no comfort, nothing. BUT: Since I am not in the Army anymore I see the advantages. The biggest: You do not need to put it on your pack, but inside. Now I use it, like you said, as a sitting pad, as Mat to change your socks on, as a ground sheet under a inflatable mat etc. So yes, if its not your only option in cold weather it has some value! Thank you for showing!
Awesome Review .spent so many nights i was in the German Bundeswehr. But it wasn't a comfortable night. Thanks for showing a little piece of German military history. That worked. Today, every hobby bushcrafter has better gear than the German army. But the mat holds.:-) .
I double it up for sitting on ground while cooking, or as secondary insulation/comfort under my upper body along with primary pad. Also very good under you bottom while sitting on benches, rocks or logs. Helps with backpacks without back plate or frame, it gives stiff but soft padding agains your back.
As far as military items are concerned, I have the 1942ish Coleman Mountain Ranger Stove. On ebay they are around 100-150$. I got mine for $15 in N.J. at a flea market in '78. Best stove for camping ever made. I'd let you borrow it, but hey, I have all the bits with it that nobody seems to have. Sweet stove. Taking it to my final rest.
We used to make our own, cut one full size mat down, you only need enough to go from your head to your back side, when folded up we used to slide it between our back and bergan frame for padding. Bit sweaty but comfortable.
it looks like neoprene fabric is used. And if that is the case, it would be very water resistant, and you can buy it in varying thicknesses, And it doesn't squish down. So very likely it isn't a foam core at all, but it is two layers of 1/8" thick neoprene. Neoprene, is a plastic type of material. Often used for wet suits, and dry suits, because it has water resist properties. It is often used in bag making, and some designers enjoy making cool frocks, because it has no fray, of course that would be a much thinner version for fashion.
Good review. It doesn’t seem to have the issue of curling that a closed cell mat has but I’m okay with the US military mats I’ve had for years. I bought them for $5 in the early 1990’s, have taken them on every adventure since and they’re still working well but I’m a bit picky about where I put them down.
It does it's job and can be used for many things as it seems. There is a curtain way how you fold this things. First you fold it in the middle so it has all the length but it is just half the width. After this just its much easier. Can still be folded to two different sizes one a little smaller but thicker one a little bigger. Just try to see what I mean since this Folding Sleeping Mat fits at least two different German Military backpacks. 👍
Used in my military time and i hate it =D In the army it makes sense, because the standard backpack is frameless. But for sitting and kneeling a simple budpad is enough. For sleeping the isolation is insufficient. But a lot of my bushcraft buddys use and love it.
I think it's normal to hate stuff you used as standard issue in the military. I was in the British Army and stay away from any80s/90s British issued kit like the old sleeping bag, poncho, and water bottle/cup plus the aluminium mess tins. But I like some German, Dutch, Swedish, Swiss and more recent Brit Army kit, like the basha and bivvy bag. I have this mat and I like it too.
I've used my German Kipmat for many years now and it is a fantastic piece of equipment. The only weakness is how thin it is. But it does everything look said and it can be used for a shooting mat also.
As a german I have three of those. One in every car and one with my bushcraft backpack. I bought them a few years ago for just 13€ or something around that price point. Since prepping has become a thing here in Germany prices have skyrocketed and they are hard to find for a reasonable price.
Thanks for the video. It's great as a secondary for main inflatable mat, makes me feel like my inflatable is safer against punctures, and - like you say - adds to R value in winter :)
That mat I can see having a good utilitarian value. I love my old USGI bedroll but man I got a Klymit Static V insulated air mat last fall that thing takes the cake for comfort. Good video Luke as always! Keep on keepin on brother!
I've never had a problem with the SOL Escape Bivi, but then again I use it with a Multimat Superlite 25 S (350 grams) , a Vango Venom 300 Down sleeping bag (900 grams) and a Terra Nova Competition Tarp 1 (290 grams).
I've been seeing a lot of backpackers talking about the Gossamer Gear 1/8" closed foam pad that they use with the same purpose. I'd be curious to see some sort of comparison between the two.
I like the larger dimensions on this as compared to my folding Reflektix mat. It is a plus to have a single pad that can do so well all the things you point out.
Use it insted of my issue swedish army one. Because of size, since we don't use it much. In my opinion its only possible to use it on its own if dubbel folded. And only as a sommer thing. I've bought the smallest sleeping air mattress to use together with the German pad, the only way i can get some what comfortable.
Varusteleka usually has them for around $20 and they charge a flat $10 shipping rate to the US. If you are buying some stuff from the Finns this is good thing to throw in your cart if they have them in stock. You also can't go wrong with any of the Austrian gear they stock. It'll have repairs but pretty much all of my go to gear is Austrian.
Seems a 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch foam mat from Gossamer Gear or Mountain Laurel Design serves the same purpose. A favorite along long distance hikers. Easy to get.
Excellent product but hard to find...for the right price anyway. It would be a great addition to my ranger roll set up for stealth camping. Presently I use one of two mats, a Sarma mat with "wings" and a Thermarest pad (yellow and silver) which is too colorful for stealth camping. I love using products that have multiple functions. Looking forward to your military surplus adventures.
I've been looking at these since I saw you use one in a previous video. Just picked up two from Optics Planet for $10.99 each. I intend to use it as a footprint for my TCOP tent and as a sitting pad or kneeling pad. Thanks for the update! Hey Luke I just realized I was talking about the ‘’Elephant Skin’’ ground sheet, not the sleeping pad. Sorry for the error. Not trying to mislead anyone about a deal.
I have 3 of those. For me, they're too thin to sleep on (separately) but I use them as back protection in my backpacks, as groundsheets below my tent, below my sleeping pad, and more. Meanwhile, I use them since about 20 years, they have brand marks and other types of damages, but damn they're durable :-) I guess I'll never have to buy new ones (and I already got them all as used army stuff ;-) )
Funny. I am from Germany and I use the mat the same ways, you described. To sit, to kneel, in the backpack, and as additional insulation. It really isn't good, to sleep on. So I gave it 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon and wrote all this in a review. What can I say? It got rejected. Someone there just did not get it.
Luke... the premise of this 'folding' mat is foldability... while multipurposed for anyone to fold it however to carry and/or use... maybe you should fold it in this video demonstrating/featuring the optimal folding sequence it was primarily designed.
Hi Did you mention who makes the pad? I have a very similar one from the German manufacturer Wechsel. They make three sizes, one like yours, and I opted for the one that folds out to cover the whole ground floor space of a two person tent providing a mat for both persons...Or, you can fold it for one person. It rolls up to about the same volume space as one of those larger zig zaggy mat things. It's a good product that really helped me stay snug atop a valley wall during Storm Francis here in the UK. The manufacturer states it's near indistructable, I'll assume they failed to test it brushing up against a common English rose thorn, but it's fixed with a little duct tape. I like it.
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Luke, I couldn´t agree more with your findings. I use the mat in exactly the same way, as a additional layer for my Theramrest. One thing to look out for: There are lots of reproductions made by MilTec, which are slightly thinner and have not the same dimensions. Not sure if it matters, just to be aware.
I confirm the Miltec ones are crap. I better have a secondhand issue BW mat than a new Miltec one.
Thanks for that. Question arises: what brand is this then? All I see on amazon is miltech. Cheers
@@justdomore I mostly go thru German and Dutch websites and look for a "BW Isomatte" (BW = BundesWehr). I dunno about those that ship to North America since I live in Europe.
However if you do live in the USA/Canada then Varusteleka is the best option since they decent flat shipping fees. And they often have both kinds of German Army ground mats. As of today, the sleeping mat is out of stock but you can set a restocking notification and wait.
www.varusteleka.com/en/product/bw-folding-sleeping-mat-surplus/1062
www.varusteleka.com/en/product/bw-ground-sheet-surplus/62958
@@justdomore gossamer gear 1/8in foam is popular among ultra light hikers.
The difference is that Miltecs new one is thicker and therefore heavier and take up more space. The original from BundesWehr weigh around 400g and the new from Miltec around 610g. Beside that I dont know if there is any difference in material but they both have EVA foam in them.
I used this in Iraq in 2003. It made sleeping on hard floors or sand outside check points bearable. Its currently employed as a vibration dampener between kitchen worktop and the tumble dryer.
Nice! 🙂
You should've said "currently deployed" though ... 😀
I’ve used this mat for over 15 years in the Australian army. Love it.
You first have to fold the mat in the longitudinal direction in the middle and only then fold it crosswise along the specified crease lines. This results in a compact block in the end. It is possible to fold them short or long, which is given by the crease lines so that the mat can be used as a back pad for large and small backpacks. (in the Bundeswehr for combat rucksacks and mountain rucksacks). The folding mat is such a great versatile piece of equipment that I have now equipped all my backpacks with a BW folding mat. Thanks for the introduction, greetings from Germany!
Thank you for the tip. I was attempting to fold the pad without folding it lengthwise first and it wasn’t working at all 🙂
As a German: everytime you fold this mat the wrong way in this video... it hurts my soul xD
I almost forgot to mention: Try out using this mat as a windscreen for cooking on a stove
or as a fan for the campfire. It works great!
Yeah. I couldn't agree more. Dabei faltet sich die Matte fast von selbst. LOL. Once you have used it, you never wanna miss it again.
Blitzkireg!
If you did that often enough in the BIWAK and before that if you have to pack a Backpack, unload it, repack it, unload it, repack it ... you really have that "introduced" how to fold this thingy.
Das dacht ich mir auch grad xD
Hi Luke, thank you for the update. I can only agree. I absolutely love this mat. I have been using it for the last 20 years as groundsheet, emergency sleeping mat, to sit on, I‘ve used it with the German military backpack as a kind of frame, it is also great to kneel on when getting your fire going etc.
Also you fold it lengthwise first and then crosswise, then it keeps its shape in folded form, too.
I used this in my Military Time 2000 thats standard by German Soldiers equipment!! And I used also today 20 year later !! awaysome !!
German effectiveness!
They way you are folding it is wrong. There is a way to fold it which allows you to save space and looks more uniform. Also when folded correctly the inner folds can be configured to be used as a bucket.
Thank you! That was bothering me too.
Oh yes, it needs to be folded lenghtsways first.
That was the first thing I noticed. I think that he got the fold correct towards the end of the video
This one is supposed to be used with the Elefantenhaut (elephant skin), wich is bigger und protects from moisture and stones. The combination works very well.
Well here's a product translation
The practical, foldable Bundeswehr sleeping pad has many uses. When opened it can be used as a sleeping mat e.g. when camping. When folded, it can be used as a seat pad on a cool surface or as a back cushion for the BW combat backpack or the mountain backpack. It is new.
Color: olive
Dimensions unfolded: 185x55x0.4cm
Folded dimensions: 37 x 28 x 5 cm
Weight: approx. 600 g
Material: 100% EVA foam
Love ur channel please keep them coming
I'm from Germany and I sent one of these to a friend in NY.
It really costs about 30$ to send a package that big to the US. But you can buy them for 3 to 5 € in a military shop (every bigger city has one, they only sell used products from the Bundeswehr)
Greetings from Northern California. I bought a German Army knife made by Victorinox. It has a locking knife and screwdriver and other useful tools. It’s pretty cool.
Varusteleka had them a while back. I picked one up to use as a shooting mat at the range mostly.
Of course you can buy them here for 5 € in a surplus shop, but not in the US.
@@browsman2328 watch out, there are many reproductions in the market with bad quality. Also the mat is difficult to get a original.
The way you are folding the mat makes me want to teach you some german orderliness.
Maybe make a how-to video? I’d watch.
I have used this mat for nearly a decade. As a base layer sleeping mat (it is great at blocking the cold), a kneeling pad, a seat, a chair with a back, and even a water carrier. When it is properly folded, one of the center folds actually holds water. Maybe a couple of liters. Handy when putting out the fire. On one camping trip I was using this as a chair with a back (leaned against a tree). My back got tired so I unfolded it and stretched out on the ground. All the rest of the guys were so jealous!
German Spec Forces also use inflatables but yours is still in general use. I personally use it with a variety of bivy bags which it was designed for but in combination with a proper inflatable pad. Also for my dog outdoors in cold soggy weather or to wrench on my car. Just don’t leave it during summer season inside your car. Doesn’t take the heat very well
Its an awsome sleeping pad. Ive used one for years. They were dirt cheap in sweden a few years ago, like $5! Not that cheap today... i use it as a ground protection and a first layer to isolate from the cold ground.
But Luke, the way you are folding it triggers my OCD! There is a right way of folding it, and then it almost folds it self and saves allot more space. Greetings from Sweden!
In the German Army we were taught to clean up the place where we will sleep so that no sticks and stones are there.
I still use this Mat after all those years.
I didn't like them when i was in the military, because there it's the only mat you have and it's just too cold on these things. Now i use them as a secondary mat and i really like it. I can rest assured that whatever mat lies ontop of this isn't going to break. Plus, the extra utility, especially for working and sitting is really worth the weight.
Yeah, its a great mat. The problem is, that the mat gets broken during the time at the crinkles.
Greetings from Germany ✌🏻
this mat is probably the only good thing stil left of the german army after von der Leyen destroyed it and KKK took over. ;-))
That is right but it is so cheap, just buy a new one and you are good.
I also love the old poncho. It may be heavy and you'll sweat like crazy, beneath it, but...
It is virtually indestructable, absolutely waterproof and won't melt, close to your fire, or from sparks.
I'm a dedicated hammock camper and AT section hiker. I carry a frameless pack which I line with a 1/2 inch thick foam pad which is 25 inches wide and long enough to line the inside circumference of my pack. I insert the pad, let it unroll against the inside pack fabric, and stuff everything inside. It makes for a very good frame, but, even at 1/2 inch thick, it doesn't make a comfortable sleeping pad for use on shelter floors when wicked weather makes it necessary to get out from underneath falling limbs. I don't sleep much on those occasions and make for a somewhat unpleasant shelter mate, but it's better than nothing, and I would rather take my backpacking guitar than a second, seldom used, inflatable sleeping pad. Otoh, my pad is excellent for use as a picnic table bench pad. For inflatable pad users, a barrier against punctures makes a thin foam pad a useful item. Gossamer Gear makes a 1/8" pad which many people use for that purpose. On top of an air mattress, they provide some insulation. On the bottom, protection, but not as efficient at returning heat to the user.
I used this in boot camp the first time in 2017 in Seedorf (Glück Ab).
It is relatively-ok-comfortable but damn it keeps you warm! I was suprised:)
We mostly used it, like you said, as a slide-in for the backpacks or to sit on it when out in the field.
I use three of them. Excellent item. I don't go out for any overnighter without it. But...... I have to say, you might wanna try folding it differently. First fold it in half along the long side. The rest folds almost by itself. Then you can pack it even a little thinner. But, when you already tried this "German sleeping mat", then you might wanna try the so called "elephant skin". It's a kind of ground sheet, used for protection. This mat is just about 1 mm thick, but it's almost indestructible. You can sleep on thorns or branches and you don't need to worry about your inflatable sleeping pad. This mat has some kind of rip-stop structure. It can be pierced with a knife or you can burn it with a flame, not with sparks from a camp fire. I have also three of those. Excellent item for camping to protect your tent floor or your inflatable mat from punctures. Sure, comfortable is not an adjective to describe these items, but they are tough and durable. Unfortunately YOU have the same problem with these German products, as we have with US-products. The transportation fee is insane and the tax as well. In Germany you can get these items for about 10-12 $, second hand. I hope you continue having a good time in the woods, Corona or not. Stay safe and healthy. Good luck.
I have one inside my surplus German Army Mountain Troop pack. It is exactly as you describe it, an incredibly versatile piece of kit! I have owned mine for around eight years, (along with the pack which is just bomb proof and brilliant!) I use it just as you do as a secondary insulation layer for colder weather and hot tent camping, I use it as a kneeling mat in my canoes, it makes a great, go anywhere sit mat if out for a day and only carrying my Mountain Troop pack with basic bushcraft stuff. I have used it on school trips as a seat, including on the hard wooden benches at The Globe Theatre in London (I teach Drama for a living!) as well as a back up shooting mat on both an indoor range (I also run a shooting club) and in the woods. It makes a great padded compartment for my laptop every day using the same pack for work. I cannot recommend it highly enough as a budget item with incredible utility. The uses for any activity outdoors (and some indoors) are endless. However, I am lucky in that here in the UK, they are still relatively cost effective to buy, but do be careful if shipping to the US from Europe, especially since Brexit! Costs are becoming insane and I have stopped importing many things from mainland Europe now due to crippling taxes. Likewise, I cannot buy from the US as the customs import duty and crazy postal service 'handling' fees are just making it impossible to shop without robbery. Good luck getting them cheaply if you want one!
I got mine from Varusteleka about 6 months ago. When it's completely folded it makes a very comfortable sitting pad. The BW "Elephant Skin" ground sheet pairs well with the sleep mat.
Ive had a couple of these for around twenty years now. You're pretty much spot on with your evaluation of the product
Looking forward to seeing more army surplus reviews as I always think they last a lot longer then other teams brilliant video thanks
I cut and pieced two of them together to use in hammocks for complete insulation in the hammock. While using them it cuts the need for a under quilt and the ability to stay warm in a regular sleeping bag. At least until it gets down to 0°F. God bless and stay safe.
I use my BW Faltmatte in the winter as added cold protection, when sitting on the ground or to protect my sleeping pad. In the summer I only use the Elefantenhaut (elephant skin) for that purpose.
I have the elephant skin , love it , use it for multiple reasons very versatile 👍
@@tonybennett4922 Seem's hard to find, you guys have a link to it?
Wer nicht? 🤣🤣🤣
Standardequipment.
LG
@@b.3713 try to look here: www.armeeverkauf.de/pack_isomatte_bundeswehr_faltmatte-p-1751.html?language=de
or google for 'bundeswehr iso faltmatte'
but be prepared for the shipping... that will double the cost
@@alexandergutfeldt1144 thanks for the tips, i take it the "elephant skin" is the associated tarp
Luke, fold it by lenght first ;) and yes it’s a well thought product, I use it for years :)
Same as I thought😁 He folded it wrong😉
These are awesome. I use it basically as a groundsheet. I sleep on a lot of flat sandstone hilltops as I go cross country in winter. Keeps the cold from the stone very well
Bundeswehr gear: the current sleeping bag isn't that bad (for a military one), the bivy-bag is excellent and the folding knife is a real Victorinox. Otherwise...
The boots are excellent tho
The tt backpacks are now awesome
You can DIY the same thing from a normal roll matt by slicing lightly across the Matt horizontally to create the folds. It's less elegant but you can cut the folds to fit the width of your given backpack and length of your body
Ive been using mine for years, your spot on with your review, I also use mine under my tent to help protect the underside of the tent.
Today I used one out in the woods. Many times I carry it with me while hiking and it is very useful.
Funny story, i used this mat in the military and once to show it to a friend how cool they can be so i took it for a camping outside, we made a fire and didn't realized, that a rock under the fire was a bad idea... That thing went of spreading ashes everywhere... My poor mat looked like if i used it like shooting target with a bunch of wholes... But i slept quite good on that mat during biwak
I think the smooth surface is a result of passing the foam through heated rollers when it’s made. I use two 1/4” ccf mats, they fold easily and I can use one under my bivy or tent, one inside. I can wear them as emergency insulation, use them rolled as a buoyancy aid or pack floatation aid and if you cut thin strips off them they’ll help start a fire in the wet.
I've had mine for about 6 years and it cost me about £7 (just under $10), day walks or backpacking, it fits in small backpacks just as well. Along with my surplus military poncho, some paracord and a few stakes to make an emergency shelter in case of injury, if I have to get out of fierce weather, overnight etc, I have a dry and insulated place to sit or lie on. Heat exhaustion can be a problem that can turn fatal, so feel the symptoms and get out of a hot sun into shade on open ground and rehydrate with electrolyte rich water solution (I use Diolaryte) before exhaustion becomes potentially fatal heat stroke. Essential kit that I always carry no matter what.
Also great if you're walking with friends because several people can use it to sit on to keep dry and warm on wet, cold ground when stopping for a break, good for on the beach too.
When backpacking, I use it to protect my air mattress which is lighter, smaller packed up and, most importantly, more comfortable than a Thermarest type pad. I've gone through 3 of those which have all failed, even with the German Army sleep mat underneath them. The air mattress gives 2" (5cm) of comfort. My 66 year old bones need that. The mat also works well in hammock, again for insulation plus giving structure.
I saw in one video on the mat its use as a water carrier when formed into an envelope and water scooped out of a stream. I haven't tried that and neither have I been able to figure out why the folds aren't symmetrical. Maybe there's a German Army vet who could enlighten us?
You'll find the mat packs better if you fold in half longways first, then you alternate the flaps (you can tell by the hinges which way it goes) like a concertina. You should end up with a rectangular shape of 15"x11" about 1" thick.
Its great utility matt , I chopped mine up to create a kneeling matt to get in and out of tents and to sit on logs ground etc . The german army do a great groundsheet aswell which has decent non slip surface and really tough , and green ofcourse !
In the Corps. we used a rollup mat of a similar style. However, it was mainly just used as a thermal pad on cots. That being said, it really made a difference in the desert when doing Mojave Viper. I imagine that's what this thing is mainly for. That's usually why they are so narrow, so they fit and stay on the cot and give you that added level of thermal protection.
Love this pad! I'm a hard surface sleeper at home so this pad fits all my needs. Moved away from roll up pads, which had to be tied outside my pack. This pad fits nicely inside so this is a big plus. Entertaining video as always, Luke!
I have a couple of those pads. I use them under my air pad to protect it from punctures.
I purchased this mat after your initial review. I dig it Luke. And it acts as protection for my self-inflating mat. Nice.
..looks comfy as an addition to a thicker pad, stay safe and enjoy..
Forgot to tell you i purchased about 8 of those some years ago and very cheap then. I put a few of them on top of each other. Great in cold weather and more comfortable.👍
I just bought this and loved it. Versatility is great. I bought it to cut weight in my bag. I laid on the concrete for 5 minutes and supposed it was comfortable. Definitely pricey but glad I got it tho
As a former german Infantry Soldier I hated this piece! No insulation, no comfort, nothing. BUT: Since I am not in the Army anymore I see the advantages. The biggest: You do not need to put it on your pack, but inside. Now I use it, like you said, as a sitting pad, as Mat to change your socks on, as a ground sheet under a inflatable mat etc. So yes, if its not your only option in cold weather it has some value!
Thank you for showing!
Awesome Review .spent so many nights i was in the German Bundeswehr. But it wasn't a comfortable night. Thanks for showing a little piece of German military history. That worked. Today, every hobby bushcrafter has better gear than the German army. But the mat holds.:-) .
It’s a nice product to avoid punctures on the sleeping inflatable mat. I felt it does not isolate from humidity
I double it up for sitting on ground while cooking, or as secondary insulation/comfort under my upper body along with primary pad.
Also very good under you bottom while sitting on benches, rocks or logs.
Helps with backpacks without back plate or frame, it gives stiff but soft padding agains your back.
As far as military items are concerned, I have the 1942ish Coleman Mountain Ranger Stove. On ebay they are around 100-150$. I got mine for $15 in N.J. at a flea market in '78. Best stove for camping ever made. I'd let you borrow it, but hey, I have all the bits with it that nobody seems to have. Sweet stove. Taking it to my final rest.
We used to make our own, cut one full size mat down, you only need enough to go from your head to your back side, when folded up we used to slide it between our back and bergan frame for padding. Bit sweaty but comfortable.
Ah, I have one that served me 20 years. Got a bit flat, but we still use these pads at home or in the yard for yoga etc.
it looks like neoprene fabric is used. And if that is the case, it would be very water resistant, and you can buy it in varying thicknesses, And it doesn't squish down. So very likely it isn't a foam core at all, but it is two layers of 1/8" thick neoprene. Neoprene, is a plastic type of material. Often used for wet suits, and dry suits, because it has water resist properties. It is often used in bag making, and some designers enjoy making cool frocks, because it has no fray, of course that would be a much thinner version for fashion.
Good review. It doesn’t seem to have the issue of curling that a closed cell mat has but I’m okay with the US military mats I’ve had for years. I bought them for $5 in the early 1990’s, have taken them on every adventure since and they’re still working well but I’m a bit picky about where I put them down.
best review on the bw-mat
in germany we got like 10000 reviews on it but this one is by far the best one :D
Fold it at first lengthwise, then across. Greetings from Germany
It does it's job and can be used for many things as it seems. There is a curtain way how you fold this things. First you fold it in the middle so it has all the length but it is just half the width. After this just its much easier. Can still be folded to two different sizes one a little smaller but thicker one a little bigger. Just try to see what I mean since this Folding Sleeping Mat fits at least two different German Military backpacks. 👍
Used in my military time and i hate it =D
In the army it makes sense, because the standard backpack is frameless.
But for sitting and kneeling a simple budpad is enough. For sleeping the isolation is insufficient.
But a lot of my bushcraft buddys use and love it.
I think it's normal to hate stuff you used as standard issue in the military. I was in the British Army and stay away from any80s/90s British issued kit like the old sleeping bag, poncho, and water bottle/cup plus the aluminium mess tins. But I like some German, Dutch, Swedish, Swiss and more recent Brit Army kit, like the basha and bivvy bag.
I have this mat and I like it too.
I've used my German Kipmat for many years now and it is a fantastic piece of equipment. The only weakness is how thin it is. But it does everything look said and it can be used for a shooting mat also.
As a german I have three of those.
One in every car and one with my bushcraft backpack.
I bought them a few years ago for just 13€ or something around that price point.
Since prepping has become a thing here in Germany prices have skyrocketed and they are hard to find for a reasonable price.
Thanks for the video. It's great as a secondary for main inflatable mat, makes me feel like my inflatable is safer against punctures, and - like you say - adds to R value in winter :)
That mat I can see having a good utilitarian value. I love my old USGI bedroll but man I got a Klymit Static V insulated air mat last fall that thing takes the cake for comfort. Good video Luke as always! Keep on keepin on brother!
I've never had a problem with the SOL Escape Bivi, but then again I use it with a Multimat Superlite 25 S (350 grams) , a Vango Venom 300 Down sleeping bag (900 grams) and a Terra Nova Competition Tarp 1 (290 grams).
I've been seeing a lot of backpackers talking about the Gossamer Gear 1/8" closed foam pad that they use with the same purpose. I'd be curious to see some sort of comparison between the two.
This pad is more rigid, denser, heavier than Gossamer's, albeit stronger, more supportive and less flexible.
I bought one after your first review. Love it
Sit on, kneel on AND sew on! I've yet to see an overnight sewing adventure, I can't wait 😜😜😜
works very well as a sit pad, under a air pad , and inside a hammock.
The German Army Folding Mat. 9 months of memories filled with fun and strange experiences.
ACHTUNG!
I made something similar from a roll of Reflectix bought at a home improvement store.
I like the larger dimensions on this as compared to my folding Reflektix mat. It is a plus to have a single pad that can do so well all the things you point out.
Way back in the 1990 this thing was better then nothing. Nice to see it's still in use.
Thank you Luke I been a subscriber of yours since the early days when you did this a lot
Use it insted of my issue swedish army one. Because of size, since we don't use it much. In my opinion its only possible to use it on its own if dubbel folded. And only as a sommer thing. I've bought the smallest sleeping air mattress to use together with the German pad, the only way i can get some what comfortable.
I recently used in with only a whooo blanket on solid forest ground to see how good it does. Around 15°C. It was fine :)
Thanks for sharing Luke. I prefer Bundeswehr ground sheet. It’s thinner, but waterproof.
Varusteleka usually has them for around $20 and they charge a flat $10 shipping rate to the US. If you are buying some stuff from the Finns this is good thing to throw in your cart if they have them in stock. You also can't go wrong with any of the Austrian gear they stock. It'll have repairs but pretty much all of my go to gear is Austrian.
Seems a 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch foam mat from Gossamer Gear or Mountain Laurel Design serves the same purpose. A favorite along long distance hikers. Easy to get.
Thanks for the review. I use it same way you mentioned, but in summertime, its the only mat i use. You showed it folded the wrong way :)
Crazy, in Germany they still cost around 20€ (~$24). It is indeed a great piece of equipment.
Great video...thanks for the review...freedom for all...
Nice review of the B.W. packmat
If you fold it in half length ways before folding the rest up it packs much better ;)
looks like a good bit of kit. thanks for the video and stay safe.
I covered one side of mine in construction foil tape to hopefully boost the thermal capacity under my trekology ul80 air mattress
I sleep on my left side usually and I told the mat length wise. Give it a try, it's not bad
Excellent product but hard to find...for the right price anyway. It would be a great addition to my ranger roll set up for stealth camping. Presently I use one of two mats, a Sarma mat with "wings" and a Thermarest pad (yellow and silver) which is too colorful for stealth camping. I love using products that have multiple functions. Looking forward to your military surplus adventures.
Versatile piece of Gear.💪
I've been looking at these since I saw you use one in a previous video. Just picked up two from Optics Planet for $10.99 each. I intend to use it as a footprint for my TCOP tent and as a sitting pad or kneeling pad. Thanks for the update! Hey Luke I just realized I was talking about the ‘’Elephant Skin’’ ground sheet, not the sleeping pad. Sorry for the error. Not trying to mislead anyone about a deal.
I also use this in a hammock in the winter
Good son, good brother, good man, good husband, good father, good friend, just a good person, that’s what I mean when I say good spirit.
Wouldn't mind having one of these
Thank you for the video.
get your hands on the french army molle backpack named F2V3 you'll love it and it will make an intresting review
Thank you for sharing brother your thoughts and adventures brother
I have 3 of those. For me, they're too thin to sleep on (separately) but I use them as back protection in my backpacks, as groundsheets below my tent, below my sleeping pad, and more. Meanwhile, I use them since about 20 years, they have brand marks and other types of damages, but damn they're durable :-) I guess I'll never have to buy new ones (and I already got them all as used army stuff ;-) )
Funny. I am from Germany and I use the mat the same ways, you described. To sit, to kneel, in the backpack, and as additional insulation. It really isn't good, to sleep on. So I gave it 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon and wrote all this in a review. What can I say? It got rejected. Someone there just did not get it.
That hurts, fold it in length first... that triggers OCD :)
YES! You MUST fold it lengthways first!!! I noticed that and have the same OCD problem!
Luke... the premise of this 'folding' mat is foldability... while multipurposed for anyone to fold it however to carry and/or use... maybe you should fold it in this video demonstrating/featuring the optimal folding sequence it was primarily designed.
I had one of these years ago great bit of kit atvb jimmy 😎😎
Hi
Did you mention who makes the pad?
I have a very similar one from the German manufacturer Wechsel.
They make three sizes, one like yours, and I opted for the one that folds out to cover the whole ground floor space of a two person tent providing a mat for both persons...Or, you can fold it for one person.
It rolls up to about the same volume space as one of those larger zig zaggy mat things.
It's a good product that really helped me stay snug atop a valley wall during Storm Francis here in the UK.
The manufacturer states it's near indistructable, I'll assume they failed to test it brushing up against a common English rose thorn, but it's fixed with a little duct tape.
I like it.
YES BRING BACK THE MILSURP!