military surplus for skiing
- Thread starter davsamu
- Start date
I've never bought army surplus gear for skiing, but I will say my experience of both piste skiing and cross country skiing is have some durable waterproof insulated salopettes or trousers that stops the snow getting in when you fall over. I have a pair of olive green ones (not MOD). Then a few thinner zip up layers on top, as I find I get so warm whilst skiing that I can go down to just a t-shirt and waterproof shell, but once I stop, or I'm on the chair lifts, it gets absolutely freezing again.
For gloves my personal preference is having a thin layer of Odlo gloves, so you can fish in your pockets easier for your hankerchief when your nose runs from the cold (Though these gloves do actually have a nose wiping bit on the gloves themselves if you want to grub your gloves up.) and your hands don't get too sweaty whilst in motion, then some mittens over the top for the chair lift to keep your hands warm.
Another useful consideration is ski jackets have a pocket on your forearm to put in the ski pass for the lifts. This means you can just wave your arm at the barrier and go through. Without the sleeve pocket, you're just giving yourself hassle taking off your mittens and fishing in your other pocket for it.
Socks wise. I've tried all kinds of socks and layering up. But when I'm standing in the busy chair lift queue. They turn to ice regardless. I'd also recommend a roll of adhesive bandage tape to stick over all your foot chafes and blisters. It seems to stay on better than anything else in that hot - cold sweat from your feet the next day.
My friends who are ski intructors and much more experienced off piste skiers than me also always recommend wearing a helmet, regardless of where you are. A beginner has the potential to kill themselves from a head injury on the nursey slope if they fall wrong.
For gloves my personal preference is having a thin layer of Odlo gloves, so you can fish in your pockets easier for your hankerchief when your nose runs from the cold (Though these gloves do actually have a nose wiping bit on the gloves themselves if you want to grub your gloves up.) and your hands don't get too sweaty whilst in motion, then some mittens over the top for the chair lift to keep your hands warm.
Another useful consideration is ski jackets have a pocket on your forearm to put in the ski pass for the lifts. This means you can just wave your arm at the barrier and go through. Without the sleeve pocket, you're just giving yourself hassle taking off your mittens and fishing in your other pocket for it.
Socks wise. I've tried all kinds of socks and layering up. But when I'm standing in the busy chair lift queue. They turn to ice regardless. I'd also recommend a roll of adhesive bandage tape to stick over all your foot chafes and blisters. It seems to stay on better than anything else in that hot - cold sweat from your feet the next day.
My friends who are ski intructors and much more experienced off piste skiers than me also always recommend wearing a helmet, regardless of where you are. A beginner has the potential to kill themselves from a head injury on the nursey slope if they fall wrong.
I'm asking Australian friends who ski Europe every winter. Must be 15(?) years by now.
I'm sure they have suggestions.
I'm sure they have suggestions.
I have used a buffalo smock for skiiing and found it great. I imagine the current issue 'thermal smock' would be similarly useful, but be aware that it won't keep you terribly warm if you are static.
look on Amerzon. I found a brand new ski jacket on there for just over £12.
It can be hit and miss finding these deals but keep looking and you could find a deal as well
It can be hit and miss finding these deals but keep looking and you could find a deal as well
Decathalon are good for skiing kit at reasonable prices.
For surplus kit i would recommend socks, perhaps the new fleece norgie and maybe the thermals if your tight on budget. Otherwise buy good purpose made gear.
A pair of good insoles will save a lot of discomfort.
Good kit to bring with be a buffalo shirt if you have one and a few years ago i brought a softie sasquatch for cutting about in. Toasty. It was a mix of downhill and cross country we were doing, for the cross country part a good thermos was essential for a hot drink. I took a reasonably cheap glass one and it worked very well but they can be a bit fragile.
Cotswold outdoors do excellent wool beanies, only £15 and the best i've ever had;
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/united-by-blue-ragg-wool-beanie-a3120162?id_colour=110
If you can source a lowe alpine hat they're very good and are what the new issue cold weather hats are based on.
Tonyuk
For surplus kit i would recommend socks, perhaps the new fleece norgie and maybe the thermals if your tight on budget. Otherwise buy good purpose made gear.
A pair of good insoles will save a lot of discomfort.
Good kit to bring with be a buffalo shirt if you have one and a few years ago i brought a softie sasquatch for cutting about in. Toasty. It was a mix of downhill and cross country we were doing, for the cross country part a good thermos was essential for a hot drink. I took a reasonably cheap glass one and it worked very well but they can be a bit fragile.
Cotswold outdoors do excellent wool beanies, only £15 and the best i've ever had;
http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/united-by-blue-ragg-wool-beanie-a3120162?id_colour=110
If you can source a lowe alpine hat they're very good and are what the new issue cold weather hats are based on.
Tonyuk
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Other places to try apart from the above are TK Maxx, the regular specials at Lidl/Aldi, plus Go Outdoors. Aldi ski gloves are really decent anyway, and for the money you cant go wrong. Look at Ellis Brigham as well - they have regular sales and have a big ski section.
Hikers dont bother with surplus, and I bet that goes even more for skiers. Frankly, places like Decathelon etc are so cheap your going to get much better value for the same money anyway, even discounting all the other downsides.
Hikers dont bother with surplus, and I bet that goes even more for skiers. Frankly, places like Decathelon etc are so cheap your going to get much better value for the same money anyway, even discounting all the other downsides.
I spent 5 winters in Norway with the Army...we did the cross country skiing / Telemark.
What we wore:
Underwear
HH Lifa Thermal leggings and mid-weight HH Lifa top.
Two pairs of ECW issue socks
Issue OG Lightweight Trousers
Arctic Windproof Smock
Thin inner meraklon / Merino
gloves
Outer thermal Mittens / Dachstein Mittens
Wooly Hat / ECW Hat / Lowa Mountain Cap
Alico Nordic Ski Boots/Lundhags
Yeti Extreme Gaiters
Daysack
Flask
Norgy Shirt
Softie Jacket
Arctic Issue waterproofs
Camo Whites
Army planks & poles
210s for men / 190s for skillful skiing
Hope that helps
What we wore:
Underwear
HH Lifa Thermal leggings and mid-weight HH Lifa top.
Two pairs of ECW issue socks
Issue OG Lightweight Trousers
Arctic Windproof Smock
Thin inner meraklon / Merino
gloves
Outer thermal Mittens / Dachstein Mittens
Wooly Hat / ECW Hat / Lowa Mountain Cap
Alico Nordic Ski Boots/Lundhags
Yeti Extreme Gaiters
Daysack
Flask
Norgy Shirt
Softie Jacket
Arctic Issue waterproofs
Camo Whites
Army planks & poles
210s for men / 190s for skillful skiing
Hope that helps
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He may have asked the question, but a lot more of us are interested in the answers that are given
You shouldn't where waterproof clothing for X-Country skiing...you can get very hot and sweaty...that sweat will condensate on the inside of waterproof jackets and pants which can then freeze!
Only time we wore the waterproof gear was for digging snowholes and other forms of shelter and the windproof would go in the Daysack.
Down Hill (Alpine) skiing on the other hand is less energetic therefore you can get away with wearing fancy salopettes and Jackets which are water resistant and warmer for those long pommel & T-bar rides up the slopes....
Only time we wore the waterproof gear was for digging snowholes and other forms of shelter and the windproof would go in the Daysack.
Down Hill (Alpine) skiing on the other hand is less energetic therefore you can get away with wearing fancy salopettes and Jackets which are water resistant and warmer for those long pommel & T-bar rides up the slopes....
Aye Up,
The OP lives in Oz - probably posted then went walkabout and is doing some real bush-crafting - it's a big country!
Original post gives limited info so we can only guess but either Tele or downhill there's been some good info on here for him.
If he's going in Dec - Jan - and to Austria - it's probably holiday type skiing (downhill). (Just a guess mind).
As he specifically asked for military surplus clothing advice, although I too had a couple of hols up around the Arctic Circle courtesy of HM and rate some Brit issue kit, I would suggest that he looks at French, German and particularly Austrian Alpine forces military clothing/equipment.
If he's in country for long enough, a trip to the Austrian military surplus shops in Vienna could prove useful.
PS - British military apres ski wear - Sweatshirt, jeans, desert boots - sorted.
The OP lives in Oz - probably posted then went walkabout and is doing some real bush-crafting - it's a big country!
Original post gives limited info so we can only guess but either Tele or downhill there's been some good info on here for him.
If he's going in Dec - Jan - and to Austria - it's probably holiday type skiing (downhill). (Just a guess mind).
As he specifically asked for military surplus clothing advice, although I too had a couple of hols up around the Arctic Circle courtesy of HM and rate some Brit issue kit, I would suggest that he looks at French, German and particularly Austrian Alpine forces military clothing/equipment.
If he's in country for long enough, a trip to the Austrian military surplus shops in Vienna could prove useful.
PS - British military apres ski wear - Sweatshirt, jeans, desert boots - sorted.
I spent 5 winters in Norway with the Army...we did the cross country skiing / Telemark.
What we wore:
Underwear
HH Lifa Thermal leggings and mid-weight HH Lifa top.
Two pairs of ECW issue socks
Issue OG Lightweight Trousers
Arctic Windproof Smock
Thin inner meraklon / Merino
gloves
Outer thermal Mittens / Dachstein Mittens
Wooly Hat / ECW Hat / Lowa Mountain Cap
Alico Nordic Ski Boots/Lundhags
Yeti Extreme Gaiters
Daysack
Flask
Norgy Shirt
Softie Jacket
Arctic Issue waterproofs
Camo Whites
Army planks & poles
210s for men / 190s for skillful skiing
Hope that helps
Have to ask, were you satisfied with your Alico boots? I did purchase those as surplus and did find them rather good. Of course my skiis are little bit different than british army skiis.
How cold was it in Norway? I live in Finland and for me that amount of clothing does look rather warm
Of course climate in Norway is little bit different, I guess that changes in weather are quite fast. Here we do have normal winter weather something between -5 to -30 degrees celsiusHave to ask, were you satisfied with your Alico boots? I did purchase those as surplus and did find them rather good. Of course my skiis are little bit different than british army skiis.
How cold was it in Norway? I live in Finland and for me that amount of clothing does look rather warm
They ripped my feet to bits but it was a fitting issue i think, if they fit the bods well no one really complained, there where other things to complain about really.
Tonyuk
