German Elephant Skin Groundsheet - Military Classic Surplus

[@harryhayen6092]

The Elefantenhaut is "bulletproof" and doesn't "age out" like most synthetic materials. I still use my personal Elefantenhaut I got, when I was Gebirgsjäger at the German Bunderwehr, as a groundsheet in bushcraft situations. By the way ... I served in the Bundeswehr in 1987 ;-)

[@m.k.7199]

I've had and used one since the 1980's without a problem. I was issued it while attending German Mountain School and used as a ground sheet under a poncho shelters all over Europe and the Middle East. Now, I use my 40 y/o nasseschutzplane in the mountains of Nevada and the Rockies under my Snugpak Ionosphere tent while hunting. Still serves me well, no holes

[@Buschpirat]

Hi Luke. Yeah, the elephant skin is really incredibly strong. The pack size is big, but if you roll up the sheet, you save space. The best thing to do is roll up your woolblanket or your sleeping mat. So you have a waterproof "packsack" and the elephant skin does not take up too much space. Greetings from Germany. Azze

[@jofrigi]

I got one of these of course because I'm German ;) For me it's a perfect ground sheet, also I use it to roll it around my wool blanket when I want to place it at the outside of my backpack to keep it dry in rain and also clean - besides that it still serves as a great emergency one-man-shelter to "seal" a debris hut against rain and also helps a lot in that regard to trap the heat inside... for me that's enough valid points to justify it's usage outdoor as an essential piece of my gear :)

[@m.k.7199]

Worked with the German Mountain troops, and used their equipment while attending their schools. Their rucksack had a pocket, along the back, for the ground sheet and sleeping mat, making an internal frame to the pack. I have literally slept hundreds of nights, under a poncho, using this system. Not the most comfortable, but it works

[@mike_outdoors4918]

I've been looking for something like this for ages, and I have just ordered one. This can be protection for bivvy bags, so they don't get torn up by the ground. Thanks Luke 👍🙂

[@phillipdavis3053]

Have had one for bit now, been using it over windshield when parked outside to keep snow and ice off during winter.

[@rahlap2449]

I use that groundsheet under my Carinthia micro tent plus. The tent may be a little longer but its big enough to cover the area under my body and thats basically the area that is at risk for damage. Great product.

[@dustikov]

We used it for the sleeping bag. But also for bilding trenches. For underground sleeping holes.

[@Zombiehunter2086]

I use this as ground sheet for my 1 person tent. I know there's lighter materials, I'm a heavy guy and I live in the desert lots of hard dirt and rocks. This groundsheet give a little more protection for my tent.

[@CodSlap]

I concur - I love these things. Managed to score two unused, NOS ones from Varusteleka. If I didn’t already have a groundsheet for my Hilleberg Akto, I would run one of these. For something completely different, these are also pretty much perfect as floor covering sheets if you’re tinkering on a bike indoors: they’re thin, durable, grippy and just heavy enough so that the edges don’t lift off the ground and trip you over when moving around.

[@MbgFire2067]

Nice shout out to Coleman’s! I live very close to them and have gone out to the shop and bought some cool things.

[@C_Squared]

I would by multiple. Cut them and sew them together as needed to become ground sheets for various tents. I would also add grommets to the corners for tie downs.

[@99Racker]

During WW2, the Germans frequently wore uniforms that were termed German Field Gray-Green. As you can see, an excellent field color. I tried to find a commercial spray paint in the color to paint a CZ82; no luck. As to tie downs, you can always take a sewing needle and some whipping twine (a heavy thread used on sales and ropes) add some lengths of 550 cord and attach/sew them like the cords you find on poncho liners. Thanks for the videos.

[@SnowyOwlPrepper]

It looks good for chaps or gators if you want to use it as a bolt of material to cut from. It might make a good possible bag as well. I would try make a pack rain cover that when not in use could be a ground sheet for meal prep. Wrap it around or fold it around a piece of reflectix and have luxurious light weight ground pad. Water bowl for the dogs. Hundreds of uses, I would say.

[@alexanderweaver9182]

This 8 feet X 3 feet piece of material could be a very versatile addition to anyone's gear list. I love quick overnighters using a reflective blanket as my shelter and the 8X3 would be my groundsheet with the bedroll on top. On overland or car camping trips it could serve as a floor mat behind my Jeep; helping to keep the interior clean if I sleep in the back. A floor mat in front of my tent cot or tent. It's large enough to provide a water resistant cover on my roof top basket. I would certainly add heavy duty grommets or tie-out straps to strategic points along the perimeter.

[@wampuscat1831]

I could make bag to go over the outside of a sleeping bag . Awl , sail cloth needles and hardware thread,stuff used inside chalk lines. I hand sew a lot boots & gear. Ive made tents . This is not to big but not for faint of heart Hand sewn with two lines of stitching with round stitch on outside and up/down stitch inside.Two rows keep it from pulling and more water resistent. When done turn lip edge inside . Use good wide velcro on openning ,sew on is best. You could clear caulking /glue over and into the seam from outside . Id bet you could make it hold air .

[@ladyjaay6726]

Fantastic luke. Love your review. You are so knowledgeable on your products. Thanks for bringing us the best quality in camping gear etc.😊👍 strength and honor. I've never used one before.

[@ignatziusturret5641]

Well, had it in my equipment in the German Armed Forces for 13 years. I`ve always used it as a ground layer and back protection in the backpack. Just make sure you always fold it in the same way and order as delivered so it never needs more space. As you say, very very reliable, absolute waterproof, quite thick and it hard to stick through with anything. Quite sure it is also quite resistant against sparkles and even pieces of blaze. It will not burn quickly. Very sound ground protection- thats`s it :-) Besides, i am quite sure when you will bury something in it in the ground it will last 500 years hahahaha.

[@JPazer]

Im gonna use it under my hammock to store my gear and clothes because you don't want them on the dirty ground. Socks stay clean while jumping in the hammock. Folded it's great for sitting on or using as a kneepad. Ground sheet when tarp camping or under your tent/bivy. Can be used as a wind blanket. Really versatile.

[@jeffrichards5106]

Nice! I think I would use it primarily as a ground sheet under my sleeping mat and bag in a hot tent.

[@enzoswoodshop1052]

I bought three of these. Gave one to my dad, kept the other two. With one, I put 1/2” grommets on the corners. So I have one dedicated ground sheet and one shelter tarp. I carry four 8ft tie off cords and one 40ft ridgeline for it.

[@linedwell]

I use a DD Hammocks Tarp 3x3 in a tent config with a hiking pole in the centre. Right now I use a second, cheap as chips, DIY shop Tarpaulin as ground sheet, it works ok tbh, but this product looks like it'd be absolutely perfect for the same purpose.

[@norsefalconer]

Pretty cool if you need moisture protection from the ground. If not, inexpensive landscape fabric is great option, imo. It's non-woven manufacture makes it super light, super tough, and allows water to pass through (reduce/eliminate under floor puddles). The biggest con is that forest floor material tends to stick. A quick shake dislodges most of it though. It's also usually only about 3' wide, good for a 1~2P tent. But joining with a flat sewn seam is a reasonable fix for wider needs.

[@Romin.777]

The edge of grey and green is typical german called " Feldgrau " Would be ideal for in my polish lavvu :))

[@-MK94-]

That's wrong. The german olive-green is called "stonegrey-olive" in english

[@Romin.777]

@@-MK94- Nope, sorry buddy.

[@ganainm01]

@@-MK94- No that is brown gray (RAL 7013, cf. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RAL_colors#Grey)

[@-MK94-]

@@ganainm01 The RAL-Code is absolutely right. The German Army calls it steingrauoliv anyway

[@redsorgum]

Yes, every lavvu should have a that hint of "posh" 😉😬😬😬😬😜

[@jimmiddleton5093]

I’ve been looking for 2 and plan to join them to make a larger version. Thanks for the link.

[@dennischeslock7782]

I would put in about 6 grommets with tie downs string. Use it as a wind blocker,and tie it between 2 stakes or trees. Dennis

[@bearsmith3655]

Great piece of kit- great review!

[@stefankeller7176]

When I was in the army, we didn’t got these, sad, but they gave us a good cover for the sleeping bag, waterproof, wind resistant and so on, my friend got me one of these, and has been so far, a great companion, but I can agree with your cons, :)

[@m.redleg252]

Buy two and have them sewn or glued together.

[@shawnadams1965]

They are so sticky that if you overlap them they don't slide apart.

[@scuba5k]

Yeah I would just clip them together.

[@scuba5k]

But now weight is becoming an issue.

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

I just ordered one, thanks for the tip Luke!

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Just bought one. Asked for the best they have. I intend to use as a ground sheet, sleeping mat on top and Bivi bag on top of that. Tarp over the top. The bivi is the Dutch M80 with centre zip. This matches the Carinthia Defence Four bag. Bomb proof setup.

[@gregoryball5423]

Hi Luke, I always enjoyed ur broadcast, and now that u added ur wife it has become a bit better. Thank u keep up the good work. I'll keep watching.

[@marcelluskontak3912]

i really love my "Elefantenhaut" :) There is no rock nor branch going through this. I always use it as a waterproof groudsheet for bivvi and 1p tent.

[@KimberlyGreen]

Folded like you had it, it might double as a pad for sitting / kneeling, especially in damp conditions. You could also use it as a waterproofing layer for a lean-to improvised shelter. (Logs then elephant skin, then leaves & bark. You could also use it to collect and carry water a short distance (stream to campsite). Traction pad in the snow / ice. Improvised hammock (tie rocks into the corners for anchor points, then tie those points to trees.

[@sebastianwaldlaufer4458]

At my duty at german armed forces we used this sheet for different issues. Groundsheet in your camp, first layer for improvise floating pack, stealth cover for equipment and backpack , backroll to transport your clothes dry in your backpack. Now iam civilian i use this sheet on my camp trips too. On my trips in europe you often see backpackers with this sheet as well. I think this is the famoust europe military surplus Equipment

[@alexandergutfeldt1144]

The German name is 'Bundeswehr Schlafsackplane'. Bundeswehr ≈ German Army Schlafsack = sleeping bag plane => can be translated as 'tarp' or 'sheet', literally means 'something flat' 'Schlafsackplane' is a typicall exemple of a compund noun. Some nouns are concatenated to form a new word.

[@SheepDogActual]

I bought one because of your feedback. thanks for your review. I always look forward to your videos

[@redsorgum]

Definitely a ground sheet for tarp camping. It sounds like it would be good if you couldn’t find level ground, so it would keep you from sliding.

[@metalgeezer]

I've had one for several years great bit of kit. Cant fault it. Rolled up they take up very little space in your backpack.

[@James-ke5sx]

I had already found this but I wanted to see the reviews on it. This is exactly what I've been looking for. Some kind of waterproof ground sheet to put underneath my sleeping pad. I don't need grommet holes Etc.

[@alfredogonzalez1308]

i just saw your video after searching KZbin for additional information because I ordered one last Friday, it will arrive on Friday. I want to use it as a waterproof layer for my tent oneman solo or survival bag. I will tell you later how I found it. Thank you very much for your video. It has been a great surprise since I have not found anything about the product, it is a first!

[@c.a.g.1977]

See that some others here knew it too, the colour of this sheet is feldgrau, just as the uniforms of German soldiers up to 1945 were coloured.

[@offthecouch1999]

As a bush Crafter in Alabama I will tell you this now if you put that sucker straight on the ground it will keep you slightly warm and it will suck enough of the heat out of you while you're sleeping in the middle of summer to be comfortable on the ground inside of maybe a bug net or whatever you choose.also being from the south the ground is constantly wet because we have all four seasons for lunch and then we have all four seasons for dinner again no matter what the forecast says that being said the ground is either really mushy really really dry or really really wet that sucker can combat all of them.the next part is that most the places that people camp in the South are extremely rugged and very very sharp having different types of landscape with every given 10 miles that would hold up to all given landscapes. Those are just a few things but definitely just a simple ground sheet for the summertime you know throw your brows bed material under it pop that on top of it and boom you're comfortable even if it's wet if it's pouring outside you still make the same brows bed and just plop that over it. I just ordered one about 5 minutes ago and it will be here on Friday I will make a video about it as well probably not as good as yours but still LOL

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

I got this groundsheet off ebay uk , it's great, its grippy and does not make a noise . I also bought the surplus german fold up sleep matt which is also great

[@ibdonovan334]

I do a lot of crag and rough bivys and like to use a ground cloth under my sack, especially on sharp Colorado granite. Right now I use a 1 person tent foot print but need something more rugged. I think I’m going to use this product and sew in some paracord tie out loops. I find if I don’t tie it down the wind tries to peel my shelter off the spire with out my weight in it........that would be a bad day

[@williammcknight4274]

This makes an excellent ground sheet for my bivy in rough areas.

[@tommccafferty5591]

if it is really non-slip, I would use it inside my tent to keep my sleeping pad in place. I tend to toss and turn and my pad seems to migrate all over the tent floor during the night.

[@HM-0410]

Could you take two of them and sew them together with a leather sewing machine? You could overlap them by say 1-1.5 in with a double or triple seam. That would help maintain the waterproof aspect. That’s how I would modify it to fit a bigger tent. I would also add grommets to the corners the same way. Hope that helps.

[@FloppaAppreciator]

You got me to buy two of them. Hopefully I can add nylon handles across the back of it, one towards the top and one towards the bottom to be a makeshift stretcher if necessary. I'd also add in grommets to tie it down.

[@clarkkent4991]

💡I wonder could you get two of those ground covers and join them by using seam sealer tape? That should allow the device to keep its waterproof attributes plus allow it to be wider if you wanted it to be mire tarp like..

[@franklaeger5537]

Great videos man! Been following about half a year from finland Remember the metric system!

[@chrishill8608]

Found a Polish Lavvu on Coleman’s for $80 as well. Good price cause they can be hard to find here. Also ordered my ground tarp. Looking forward to using it in the field. Thanks for the review Luke.

[@Sacwriter]

Looks a bit too narrow to use as an underquilt for my hammock, but how about as a liner? Put some spruce boughs in the hammock and use the elephant skin on top. Sounds warm and comfortable to me. By the way, if you can find who manufactures them for the German army, maybe you can check and see if they do make them in different sizes. Hey, be their first American distributor!

[@Hmetalz]

I would cut it into smaller sections and use one as a sitting pad or a gear pad.

[@antchung2370]

I use it under the carinthia explorer 2 plus along with the bundeswehr folding mat..

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Looks good under a mattress to keep it from sliding around. Perhaps, with tie-outs it could be used: Under my hammock for changing clothes, etc. Used as a ground sheet when my hammock is used as a tent.

[@jillhempel6987]

In your video, you showed a picture of some clips that could be used to keep the mat in place. Could you list/link to what those are? That looks like a good supplement to this. Thanks for all the great reviews!

[@jimjenca9019]

Like you said, I would use it as a ground sheet for my one man tent. I am currently using a tarp as the footprint, so this would be a step up. Thanks for the review, I'm going to have to get one now!

[@antonypilepich8947]

Motorcycle camping, beside being a good ground sheet for my Denali Kakadu tent which has a narrow rectangular floor. especially on the more rocky or gravel terrains, it would will wrap around my tool roll nicely, bike would park on it real well, ideal when doing running repairs or at camp servicing. Have destroyed (holed) lighter tarps doing that. Id be happy to buy that one from you if you find you have no further use for it. for what you paid +shipping to Australia. Id be happy to show you how i utilize it.

[@u4nature156]

What a surprise because I just got two of these today at my door 😉 One will go under my new Snugpak Ionosphere, and the second for my MSR Hubba HP which my girlfriend will use. I also plan to use one under a lean-to tarp configuration, or any tarp (3x2) configuration I use. As you stated, there´s plenty of uses for it, and it does look/feel tough. Got both from Amazon in Europe. Thanks for sharing, good care, and stay safe 🏕

[@michiganexplorer7945]

I wonder if this would be perfect for stopping the sleeping bag from sliding into a bunch while in a hammock.

[@SUFFICIENCYtoLIBERTY]

Man I never realized they were that heavy. I’ve used them backpacking for a long long time. Keep Shooting usually has them and Coleman’s often has a great price.

[@SUFFICIENCYtoLIBERTY]

I should have watched the full video before commenting. You mention both vendors lol.

[@glitterkittensreid5079]

Hello there. Great info. Would you feel that this product could be sewed into a waterproof material to make a Bivy Bag? I have two of these coming from a Finnish Surplus shop that also carries waterproof material by the yard. Thinking of picking up a Bivy bag surplus and copying it to learn some DIY projects. Thank you.

[@stewartrv]

I've been looking for one at a good price for under my Bivvy and self inflating sleeping mat. I think I'll modify it by adding brass eyelets for tie-offs on each corner. Probably buy 2 or 3so I can stick two together with Gorrila tape to make a big one. Perfect to keep in teh car for car camping and emergencies.

[@baroneb5043]

stewartrv Im buyn 50 them .... get silly with them

[@TheTrueNorth11]

I have several of these. I use mine as a shooting mat.

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

These are ideal to go underneath a Dutch Army Hooped Bivi. They can have brass or plastic eyelets added for an infinite variety of uses.

[@4909azaz]

Thanks for review. Been looking for something to keep sleeping bag from sliding off sleeping pad and keeping sleeping pad from sliding on tent floor. Not a fan of using silicon dots on my pad etc..

[@jamesgibbs8827]

Luke how about double sided waterproof tape to tape two together for a approx 5' 10 1/2" x 8 ' tarp..?? Jim G

[@Kampfwageneer]

I thought of making some parachord loops and a shishload of heavy tape to make some tie points not the best but an idea 💡

[@mikkorautiainen7506]

Under the ICS or Litefighter one man tents. Works perfectly.

[@sootkettle]

Shooting mat and as a groundsheet in my Vihe Mini Laavu.

[@signsofastory8544]

I would use it as a ground sheet while cowboycamping! 😎

[@Jorigin]

Looks absolutely great to be used under a basha so your bivvy bag doesn't lie directly on the potentially wet and or dirty ground. Would love to see it paired with a Tschum 1p Kama.

[@darrellroush1733]

I would use it under my tent. Should work great 👍

[@dinkjunior13]

If I were to trim one down would that material fray on the ends? Or would it be able to melt on itself? Or even sew the ends? Great video. Thanks

[@bloodth987]

Looks awesome!

[@tomsgarage4486]

I got one and it has a few holes in it where it was folded for 20 years and the edges got brittle, bought a flecktarn tent bought the poncho hood/bag separately along with the ground sheet and noticed they patched the hood up with patches, what would you patch the ground sheet up with ? Bicycle repair patch maybe?just subbed by the way,cold war surplus is great isn't it😀👍

[@Pygar2]

Luke, have you tried the German folding sleeping mat?

[@marshallgibson89]

The color is called "Steingrau-Oliv" stonegray-olive. It is the typical color of old German (Bundeswehr) equipment.

[@tsalesto]

I got one of these as a freebie from a local surplus store, mine is on a sad state, it has been burned by fire and has a couple holes. However, I use it under my air matress to prevent punctures. I find it well worth $10 or even more, if you get one in decent condition.

[@marthaneuhauser1019]

As an under sheet for a beach blanket or towel, put under those rubber water pool floats to keep free of dirt!

[@bayouflats5054]

Got me think of DIY. Purchase a good sheet of rip stop to dimensions desired. Then with the help of our good flex-seal products, apply several layers. May be worth the effort. Thanks. Update: pulled the trigger!

[@puckwrx1]

I’d go for use as a moisture barrier between ground/tent!

[@DFox-ud3gx]

I would try to heat fused two of them together and make a full size tarp maybe this might work maybe not ? I'd be worth a try .Heat fused is strong with out tearing

[@mildcamper5429]

Maybe punch some brass eyelets into the corners for ground stakes?

[@williammurdorf7060]

You want it bigger?? Take it to an automotive upholsterer and get them to sew 2 or 3 together and add hems to the edges to that you can add grommets/tie down straps.

[@johngalt6929]

Those Menard's tarps are cheaper and bigger but they will develop holes in no time at all if used on the ground.

[@Bushmanschool]

Great review bro. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@ericm8322]

Great product

[@madhacker7]

Thanks for the review. That thing would fit perfectly in my litefighter 1 man tent....hmmmmm

[@michaelnichols5973]

I already have the LF1 ground sheet, but I think this would be tougher. I would rather use the elephant skin as a ground sheet and the the LF1 for the interior or in one of the vestibules.

[@SilenceSupreme]

Flex-seal two together, and make holes with metal rings in them as tying points 🙃

[@nathanlehigh6353]

If use tarp shelters, great ground sheet

[@Eric-ew8jt]

38.30 USD to ship to Canada add-the cost of the product to that and after currency conversion around 70 Canadian

[@TheAppleG1]

Great video, I think military surplus is a great way to get into "survival" and bushcraft. I'm using my military issued sleeping bag for example. It's technicaly free (since it was issued to me) , has a similar material outer shell, and is warm at -5 c no problem. Only downside with military gear it that it is a bit heavy.

[@Ozymandias1975]

Here in Germany you can buy this used groundsheet for around 2 to 5 Euros in army shops. But there are also many fakes

[@homerguy6570]

Buy a grommet kit and put grommets on the corners to stake it down

[@andrew-ij1or]

Got 2 in the post today from Finland. Andy UK

[@perfection4749]

Ya, definitely do a modification vid.

[@mh1124800]

At this point I’m not worried about weight too much. With that said I would use it as a ground sheet