Classic kit no longer in production, but you wish were.

  • The awesome MakerMoot is coming up (13-15th Nov 2026), Visit the TORM & ARM markets,and have space back at camp to work on projects and enjoy great company. PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
They produced the standard military pattern smocks (in multiple camo patterns), their own SASS Smock, their Kit Karry Smock (upgraded storage), para smock, as well as soldier 95 pattern issue uniforms and would customise/make you basically anything you wanted based on the starting point of one of their existing lines.

Wired hoods, no hoods, lined, unlined, windproof gabardine, standard gabardine, elasticated hidden cuffs, no rank tabs, different pocket layout, extra length etc etc, anything you wanted could generally be accommodated for, effectively a modern continuation for the common (or not so common) soldier tailored clothing.
Thanks for the heads up! So, it seems like there is a need for this at least to a scale I can accommodate.
I've made a few smocks in Ventile and Haley Stevenson waxed cotton, for family and friends. Not as 'fitted' as the modern smocks; mostly copies of the 1942 windproof smock, which is very 'boxy', but I am sure I could copy a modern army one easily.
I guess cotton gabardine and bog-standard polycotton ripstop would be much easier to work with than either of what I've used so far (Ventile can be finicky, and waxed cotton is unforgiving if you need to rip a seam!), so I'd just need to produce patterns for other sizes (I only make them in two sizes for now!) and set up a website!
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
One of the best longest lasting clothing kit items I’ve ever owned, top quality and always willing to modify your ordered items if it was something they could accommodate. And i just liked mine.
I think I'll set something up over time. I am always quiet in winter with work, so I'll take time to make some more sizes on the patterns I have. Definitely something both I and the wife enjoy, so watch this space!
 
Karrimor rucksacks with the SA back system, my winter bag is Condor 60-80 litre, fairly new to me but I think almost 30 years old. I think it's the third Karrimor SA rucksack that I've owned.
I still use my 90s vintage Lichfield tent, well the flysheet anyway. Modified now so that I can use it with trekking poles, it's still one of the lightest and strongest tents that I've ever owned.
Kathmandu trekking used to make some great kit before they went away too, my tarp from them is at least 20 years old, really regret selling my spare one.
Westwinds were another company that used to make superb ventile kit, I dread to think how old my single layer smock is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM
Stuff made by Phoenix. Which was a maker of "mountaineering" kit based in NE England in the 1980s. My dad had a prototype Phoenix Phreak tent that I used to borrow in my venture scouting days.....

I think the company lasted until the early 1990's.

GC
 
  • Like
Reactions: CLEM

BCUK Shop

We have a a number of knives, T-Shirts and other items for sale.

SHOP HERE