Sheep skin instead of a pad ..Anybody do this ?

[riverjoe]

At a recent hang in the Hoosier Natl. Forest I augmented my crummy DIY underquilt with a closed cell pad . First night was ok but on the second night I could feel perspiration or condensation at the small of my back . Woke up just slightly chilled and stuffed a wool shirt under me . Problem solved but it only got down into the high 20s that weekend .

So I got to thinking about a guy named Black Dog on another forum who for some reason is an American living in the former Yugoslavia . He camps in the mountains there a lot usually in a stealthy fashion cause things can still get a little rough over there .

Long story short he always uses a sheepskin as a ground pad and he swears by it . It does not compress like a blanket with the weight of a camper and it is breathable to a degree through the fleece . So since I had one out in the barn , I began experimenting with it . It seems when you lay on it your back imediately begins to warm up . Im kind of excited about this since Im trying to get my gear down to below zero by Jan. 10 when we attack the Huron Natl forest in Northern Mi.

[Whiskeyjack]

There was a similar thread last winter regarding using both sheep skins and reindeer hides. They seem to work very well, the downside being the weight and bulk.

[riverjoe]

There was a similar thread last winter regarding using both sheep skins and reindeer hides. They seem to work very well, the downside being the weight and bulk.

Mine is not tooo heavy . Luckily Ill be using a sled . I think it's about 2.5 pounds .

[nothermark]

Long or short hair, big enough to cover? You might still want a CCF pad under it.

[SnrMoment]

I used them on motorcycle seats for several years. Great for both summer and cold temps, even in the rain. Would guess that they would tend to bunch up under you, but the hide side should have some good grip against the rip stop.
Found the shorter hair skins to be more comfortable than the long.
Don't use as a pillow after three months of use as a seat pad.

Tempted to get one for this winter to stick under me with the top quilt. The leather & hide shop in town had some good deals then.

[riverjoe]

I used them on motorcycle seats for several years. Great for both summer and cold temps, even in the rain. Would guess that they would tend to bunch up under you, but the hide side should have some good grip against the rip stop.
Found the shorter hair skins to be more comfortable than the long.
Don't use as a pillow after three months of use as a seat pad.

Tempted to get one for this winter to stick under me with the top quilt. The leather & hide shop in town had some good deals then.

I noticed that the skin more or less stayed where I put it, as you say the hide kind of gripped the nylon . Whether or not after tossing and turning all night might be another story . I think thats good advice about the pillow .

[IRONFISH45]

I use a sheepskin. I really like it and it stays put, for me. It is heavy and bulky, but I trust wool. I also have a Pendleton Wool blanket that I shrank so it is about a half an inch thick, it would take a lot of rain to get through that blanket.

It all comes down to what you like. Wool is heavy, but dependable. I love most of my ultralight gear, but I always have my wool with me.

[Redshirt]

I do a lot of camping, dressed as one would in the 1700's (see avatar photo); sleeping with the items that would have been used in that same time period. A lot of friends sleep on sheep skins and swear by them. I generally sleep on either a buffalo hide (in a stationery camp) or bear hide (when on the move and need something a little lighter). All three hides will provide some warmth.

[Floridahanger]

Long story short he always uses a sheepskin as a ground pad and he swears by it ... So since I had one out in the barn , I began experimenting with it . It seems when you lay on it your back imediately begins to warm up...

Mine is not tooo heavy . Luckily Ill be using a sled . I think it's about 2.5 pounds .

The good thing is that your sheep can be used as a pack mule to lighten the load also

[rcam1977]

Interesting thread, and while pulling your gear on a sled you would be less worried about the weight