Author Topic: Milsurp equipment (Read 1311 times)

alpini · « **on:** September 04, 2003, 03:12:33 PM »

Hey, I just noticed this. In spite of all the techno wonder backpacking gear out there, I still find myself wandering the isles at the local surplus store looking for some peice of gear I might need.
I know the stuff is heavy and made of outdated materials but I can always find stuff that will substitute modern gear at a fraction of the cost such as the old wool shirt for 5.00 or the canvas rucksacks for 9.00. I'm always able to the holes in my gear list with surplus " junk " as my friend calls it.
Or maybe I'm just addicted to the musty smell of oily canvas and dusty leather.

Lead pot · « **Reply #1 on:** September 05, 2003, 12:08:38 PM »

alpini------Dont feel out of place with that stuff you call outdated,I use it.
I prefure the surpluss wool shirts and pants if I can find them.They are quiet in the bush when you rub on the branches,and walking you dont get the noise fron your legs rubbing.But most important when it gets wet from rain or sweat you still stay warm.It's hard to beat wool.
Lp.

alpini · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2003, 05:11:05 AM »

I'm not slamming wool and I agree with you 100% on it's properties. I look through a popular hunting catalog and see the tons of confusing cammo clothing, I tend to stir toward what I know and trust which happens to be wool.
I just found it amazing that I'm using the systems others have discarded long ago in favor of something more techno advanced. I feel much of the surplus is still very useful and maybe used in consideration when the sticker shock sets in at some of these high end backpacking shops. In most situations, the old stuff works just fine. Also I've found that instead of doing without I find a good and inexpensive alternative in old milsurp stuff.
I guess I'm admitting to using an option that many folks won't even consider.

targshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2003, 02:45:32 PM »

Some of the European and Canadian woolens are even better than the US for quality. I have a pair of British woolen pants that have a very tight weave, providing quite good wind and moisture barrier. They are heavy! I have a pair of Swiss army gloves that put ours to shame, great for stand hunting in very cold weather, as well as ice skating. In short, try some of the other country surplus, you may be pleasantly surprised.

alpini · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2003, 12:30:22 PM »

I know what you mean about " other country's" woolens. I had some German wool pants and shirt that was a cold weather system unto themselves. I liked the warmth without bulkiness. I could move around without feeling like the Michelin Man. I think the whole setup ran about 20 bucks. I still feel they were a good investment.

Lead pot · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2003, 05:22:41 PM »

I have several Swiss and German woolens.One pair of swiss surplus pants and shirt that is very heavy.I dyed them dark brown with black blotches on them.After shotgun season I finish off with the bow during when the weather gets cold.You cant beat them for stalking.
I like to put a pair of silk long johns and socks under them to pull the moisture off of me.( I know they look like something your Wife or girlfriend would put on but there made for men),you can find them in Gander Mountain.They are worth every cent you pay for them.
After a long days walk when the temperature drops down below zero, for me that hapens a lot of times,and when you get your camp set up take them off and hang them up for a few minutes,wollen and all and brush the ice crystals off and lay them out in your sleeping bag so you can put them on in the morning again nice and dry.
Even if you get caught out in the open,take them off,I know its cold but it wont take long for the sweat to freeze into crystals and brush them off,and put them back on if that is all you got.It will save your life.With wool you can do that.It is a lot faster then trying to dry them by a fire.
been there >dun that. Lp.

Bluedog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2003, 09:20:52 AM »

I collect the stuff, and now that my two boys are old enough to appreciate it, it pays a second dividend seeing them and their freinds all geared up and playing army. WWI british web gear over vietnam tiger stripe, with Swiss alpenflage hats and plastic laser-guns may not be exactly hollywood correct, but it gets plenty of use.

For personal use, I like a lot of the canvas bags from pre 1950; I use various setups to hold different pieces of equipment. The drawback to canvas is that it sucks up water and gets really heavy, so I can see where the military improved by going nylon/synthetic.