Wehrmacht WWII Belly warmers…any users?

[crunchie]

I came across an unusual item in an American catalog.

It's a German probably East German NVA…kidney warmer/belly warmer! Called by different terms such as kidney warmer or belly warmer or back warmer.

Basically a soft cloth belt made of wool mix fabric that you wear against your kidneys to help the body to stay warmer.

Looking on the web it seems the German Wehrmacht used this in Russia and also the Bundeswehr too in modern times post WWII.

Can any of our German friends comment on this item and give more history on this unusual clothing?

Thanks!

[housil]

Do you have a link?

I know submariners did wear kidney belts, also bike riders.

[Norton]

Always had good luck with old NATO and Warsaw pact army surplus for outdoor activity's, work, camping and hunting

I wore a French Army leather Kidney belt in the 1980's when I was big on riding motorcycles in the winter. I felt it really helped give you support in the straight up or lean forward seating position on a Motorcycle Also thought it gave a little extra warmth.
I would like to check out a East German wool kidney belt, for possible use on winter canoe trips'. I could see that being a practical items as you sit in a similar position . Can you post a link?

Thanks

[rattattoo]

I grew up in Central Michigan back in the 1960s. Back then I had a pair of Zippo fluid handwarmers that had a flannel belt with a pocket on each side for holding the heated/heating warmers right over your kidneys. Same idea as the Wehrmacht units, but with active heating.
With a quick search I found this link: http://survivalstore.com/r6s8ldb1.html

Those 60's Zippo units were a good bit thicker than the ones that they are selling today. I got one of the new Zippos this winter, because I can no longer find the two old chrome ones. The biggest difference that I noticed outside of the size, was that the older ones had a 3/8 inch hole in one side of the top cover so that you could insert a cigarette and light it off the glow plug... Of course I also remember that that cigarette-hole would allow the glow plug to char another hole right through the flannel bag overtime... and then it would start on the pocket of your jeans.

[rationtin440]

Actually rattattoo, I believe that link is one of the stores that the Michigan Militia advertises on one of their sites. I believe I've heard Mark Koernke mention them a couple of times on his show.

[crunchie]

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/ ... ?a=1101047

http://www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDe ... ode=gupibw

I believe the German language term is
Nierenwarmer
Ruckenwarmer
Nierengurt

Using Google images for terms shows these German words for this kind of item.

Danke!

[Bypah]

My grandfather, a WWII veteran had something like that he used to warm his back when he had back pains.

[housil]

Thanks for the links.

Nierengurt

That´s what is still in use, but by motorbikers only.
These "belly warmers", never saw them before and I was in the Army back in 1988...

That one pictures has a "RBNr" printing on. These were in use since 1937 and meat "Reichsbetriebnumer". That was like the NSN now adays