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The Official Mil surplus Thread

for last season up until today (finally got a decent pack) i'd been using molle straps/kidney belt on my mission platform and then strapped my stricks and a few old school molle pouches on the outside. when i got to the tree i put the molle pouches on my daisychain gear hanger and wore them like a sling while climbing.
 
Sportsman's guide usually has weird things that are useful....I got a huge roll of thread for the speedy stitcher and some German waterproofing wax that works great, italian puttees keep debris outta my shoes and protect the shins when I'm doing yard work....I'll get into the clothing another night. Bug head nets, straps, glow sticks, every size/shape pouch u can think of, flagging tape.....they have all kinds of good stuff but u just gotta keep an eye out for what u need/looking for
 
Swiss wool pants. I’ve had a pair since 1998 and I can’t wear them out.
 
I have a surplus store 15 min from my house. I picked up some Molle clips and a waist belt with dump pouches. Didn’t have a price tag on it and I went to the counter figuring it would be close to $20. The lady behind the counter said how about $5. I felt guilty walking put with three dump pouches for my saddle for $5

They have some awesome packs in there as well. Lots of good stuff can be found in those bins if you dig around
 
I have a some of these french fleece 1/4 zip. Lightweight and warm. Very good quality.... https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/french-military-surplus-fleece-shirt-used?a=2192727

These green polartec fleece are by far my favorite surplus purchase. I've bought 1 for everybody in my family. Lightweight, warm, and my favorite it how fast it dries out. Soaking wet to dry in maybe 20 minutes full sun.... https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...surplus-polartec-fleece-jacket-used?a=2248355

The m65 jacket/liner/hood is great. I only really use the liner jacket separately but good piece of gear. The field jackets and pants are what I have replaced all the box store camo stuff I have that is all worn out. I look for the used stuff as apposed to new....most of the time it'll be broke in and soft. I have some french m65 style shirts and they are on par with the USA made stuff

I don't like carrying a backpack so my whole hunting system is all based on surplus load bearing vest. Lots of good options from lots of different countries.

All the red east German line camo stuff I've seen/used is good stuff also. I got a 3 pack of "buttpacks" (hehe) and they are super rugged canvas with a waterproof lining. Not very practical for saddle hunting....I popped all the stitches to use the material to make other things. I made my platform from 1 of those....


Here is what I have found to remove musty smells and soften stiff canvas.....Add a cup or 2 of white vinegar to a 5gallon bucket or large container filled up with water. Soak and agitate by hand repeatedly. Take it out and beat it against something.....think like the old timey vision of women washing by the river and beating the clothes against a rock. It can take a couple soakings and beating the tar out of the item but it'll soften up and loose the smell. The other option I found works good is when ur buddy invites u on a deepsea fishing trip, bring ur surplus stuff and a strong rope and let that thing get pulled behind the boat all day and it'll soften it up very well too.
 
I forgot to mention. The waffle fleeces we get are pretty good.1/4 zip thumb holes and the sand color ones are dirt cheap
 
If there is a surplus item u are interested in buying from sportsman guide and u can wait a little while I would recommend it.... They are always putting the surplus stuff on mega discount and then they get more to restock and the price goes back up. I did not pay the prices they have listed on those links. The french fleece stuff was 3 shirts for 20 bucks and the polartec jackets were never over 20 bucks.... Just gotta be patient and u can get the stuff real cheap
 
Watch caps, I have an old one that's wool. But I also like the fleece ones, I have a pile of them ha. The 5 button wool sweater is the best item I never had though. I would scoop one in large in a heartbeat
 
I have an Alice pack but have the pack mounted on my bull pac frame. Lots of room in the pack and a shelf for meat too.
 
My BDU lightweight camo pants for early season, brown army 3 button wool sweater, black army socks, green wool glove liners, polypro long underwear, poncho liner and BDU patrol cap for right now.
 
The ECWCS Gen III, in level 1 and 2, which are the silk and grid fleece base layers, are really nice and you can't beat the price on eBay. Can find them new as well. The crotch area is very generous, which my other base layers lack. They are plenty warm and handy for layering. I love wearing those two with a camo vest once the jacket comes off in the morning.
 
This thing is pretty nice for 7 bucks....I'm using it horizontally for storage on the back of my vest...it has medium thick padding would be good for camera equipment
Screenshot_20211216-212832~2.png
Screenshot_20211216-212825~2.png


And sportsman's guide has a bunch of dutch military pouches on sale that are in good sizes/configurations....I just swapped out/rearranged a handful of pouches on my hunt vest and the Dutch 1s are nice...gotta watch the plastic on plastic noises but I think all plastic buckles on anything from cheap china to surplus to expensive "hunting" packs are noisy
Screenshot_20211216-212814~2.png

 
Is there a certain time of year for the good sales? Or just randomly?
Weldabeast said:
If there is a surplus item u are interested in buying from sportsman guide and u can wait a little while I would recommend it.... They are always putting the surplus stuff on mega discount and then they get more to restock and the price goes back up. I did not pay the prices they have listed on those links. The french fleece stuff was 3 shirts for 20 bucks and the polartec jackets were never over 20 bucks.... Just gotta be patient and u can get the stuff real.
Weldabeast said:
If there is a surplus item u are interested in buying from sportsman guide and u can wait a little while I would recommend it.... They are always putting the surplus stuff on mega discount and then they get more to restock and the price goes back up. I did not pay the prices they have listed on those links. The french fleece stuff was 3 shirts for 20 bucks and the polartec jackets were never over 20 bucks.... Just gotta be patient and u can get the stuff real cheap
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I see none of you were in the Air Force because nobody mentioned the green polypro sleep shirts that come down to your knees like Ebenezer Scrooge and are warm as hell! One of my other favorites was the green wool commando sweaters and of course the five button brown wool sweater. But the absolute favorite…the M65 field jacket liner aka the “Chinese smoking jacket” which pairs nicely with the green wooby poncho liner.
 
Varusteleka has lots of army surplus but being European they have cool European military stuff.
www.varusteleka.com

Varusteleka.com - Military and outdoors specialists

Varusteleka is an army surplus store that offers military surplus, outdoor gear and tactical gear. Fast worldwide shipping.
www.varusteleka.com www.varusteleka.com

-Danner boots, specifically Matterhorn or fort Lewis are awesome, a bit heavy but durable and rebuildable.
-For you platform guys check out the filbe recon/corpsman assault pack. It’s basically one large molle panel with a large main zipper compartment which I figure would be perfect for a platform or other stuff, they are tough as nails.
-Marine corp marpat bdu’s are pretty tough and fairly comfortable. They take and hold permethrin very well and are easy to mend. Boonie covers are awesome in my book, with there broad brim they offer lots protection from sun. You can also soak them with water repellant spray and they’ll shed water fairly well.
-Air Force extreme cold weather pants are stupid warm. I used to wear some snowmobiling back home in Alaska in 0 degree weather and would almost be sweating.
-While we’re talking about Air Force gear, flyers mittens with wool liners can’t be beat. Wool with leather palm and beaver fur backing. Again in 0 degree weather hands sweating. Not good maybe for us bow hunters but while sitting and waiting they’d be good. Ice fishing definitely.
-GI type flashlights are cool cuz they’re right angled and have a clip, so if your pack has a strap or something you can clip it on. Most folks rock a headlamp but the gi type are still useful.
-Ammo cans have a zillion uses. I have one with a first aid kit, one with tools, etc. They’re cheap and plentiful.
-Obviously the m65 jacket with liner.
-E tool(entrenching tool). Good for a million and one uses. Chop wood, cut down trees, cook over a fire, repel hostiles oh and even shovel with it. They are amazing and fairly inexpensive. Buy mil surplus don’t get a cheap chinesium knock off.
-Poncho is good, with the liner it’s extra good.
-I’m partial to Kabars.
-The ECWCS system, gen three is good. Early models with polypropylene are excellent but if you build your system wrong you’ll sweat. Also, they stink pretty quick. I’ve used Marine corp snivel gear in the past and it works well it layered correctly.
Edit: it occurred to me many don’t know the term snivel gear, that’s the Mountain/Cold Weather Clothing System or MCWCS.
 
Last edited:
Exhumis said:
Varusteleka has lots of army surplus but being European they have cool European military stuff.
www.varusteleka.com

Varusteleka.com - Military and outdoors specialists

Varusteleka is an army surplus store that offers military surplus, outdoor gear and tactical gear. Fast worldwide shipping.
www.varusteleka.com www.varusteleka.com

-Danner boots, specifically Matterhorn or fort Lewis are awesome, a bit heavy but durable and rebuildable.
-For you platform guys check out the filbe recon/corpsman assault pack. It’s basically one large molle panel with a large main zipper compartment which I figure would be perfect for a platform or other stuff, they are tough as nails.
-Marine corp marpat bdu’s are pretty tough and fairly comfortable. They take and hold permethrin very well and are easy to mend. Boonie covers are awesome in my book, with there broad brim they offer lots protection from sun. You can also soak them with water repellant spray and they’ll shed water fairly well.
-Air Force extreme cold weather pants are stupid warm. I used to wear some snowmobiling back home in Alaska in 0 degree weather and would almost be sweating.
-While we’re talking about Air Force gear, flyers mittens with wool liners can’t be beat. Wool with leather palm and beaver fur backing. Again in 0 degree weather hands sweating. Not good maybe for us bow hunters but while sitting and waiting they’d be good. Ice fishing definitely.
-GI type flashlights are cool cuz they’re right angled and have a clip, so if your pack has a strap or something you can clip it on. Most folks rock a headlamp but the gi type are still useful.
-Ammo cans have a zillion uses. I have one with a first aid kit, one with tools, etc. They’re cheap and plentiful.
-Obviously the m65 jacket with liner.
-E tool(entrenching tool). Good for a million and one uses. Chop wood, cut down trees, cook over a fire, repel hostiles oh and even shovel with it. They are amazing and fairly inexpensive. Buy mil surplus don’t get a cheap chinesium knock off.
-Poncho is good, with the liner it’s extra good.
-I’m partial to Kabars.
-The ECWCS system, gen three is good. Early models with polypropylene are excellent but if you build your system wrong you’ll sweat. Also, they stink pretty quick. I’ve used Marine corp snivel gear in the past and it works well it layered correctly.
Edit: it occurred to me many don’t know the term snivel gear, that’s the Mountain/Cold Weather Clothing System or MCWCS.
Click to expand...
Man o man.....thank u so much for the link.

U know how hard it is to find good Finnish fish cock....my favorite

Screenshot_20211217-062230~2.png
 
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