American gore-tex stuff is brilliant.
British combat trousers especially mtp pattern.
US ics (improve combat shelter)
British combat trousers especially mtp pattern.
US ics (improve combat shelter)
The best kit from each army in your opinion
- Thread starter bilko
- Start date
The Brithish army knife - is that the one with the pick on the opposite side from the blade? I remember my grandfather had one of those, the blade was about half its original width due to 40-odd years of sharpening and still servicable
I'd love to get one of those...
Mine's like this one:
http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/s...s/genuine-1950-s-dated-army-knife-400652.html
It was originally my sister's (she was a Guide) but I collared it in about 1965 when I did the DoE. First time I used it to open a tin can I also opened up my right index finger for about two inches.
Carried on camping anyway. 
Austrian Army Wooly Pully (twice as warm as the brit one)
Dutch 44 Pattern slimline bottle and stainless mug (cheaper and as good as the brit one but does not feel as bulky)
Artkis Stowaway Shirt (windproof, shower resistant and packs to smaller than my fist) - pair this with a fleece and you have got someone every bit as good as your snugpak, buffalo and montane pile and pertex shirts - less pockets but more flexible.
German Para Boots (Mk7) (not as supportive as modern hiking walking boots in terms of sole rigitity - but for under £30 for supergrade ones they are a quality bargain)
US ACUs (same reason as people love the BDUs)
Brit army wool snood (simple, non-itchy, cheap)
Genuine US issue wool watch hat (better weave, tighter weave, 'longer', cheap)
Genuine Norgie tops
Dutch 44 Pattern slimline bottle and stainless mug (cheaper and as good as the brit one but does not feel as bulky)
Artkis Stowaway Shirt (windproof, shower resistant and packs to smaller than my fist) - pair this with a fleece and you have got someone every bit as good as your snugpak, buffalo and montane pile and pertex shirts - less pockets but more flexible.
German Para Boots (Mk7) (not as supportive as modern hiking walking boots in terms of sole rigitity - but for under £30 for supergrade ones they are a quality bargain)
US ACUs (same reason as people love the BDUs)
Brit army wool snood (simple, non-itchy, cheap)
Genuine US issue wool watch hat (better weave, tighter weave, 'longer', cheap)
Genuine Norgie tops
NVA (=army of what's incorrectly called "east germany")- amazing how much brandnew stuff you can get after more then 20 years since they were disbanded; even in places like australia and new zealand... :
compass- more reliable then any other compass i used (and that includes a recta dp ) sadly it works only on the northern hemisphere...
three-finger gloves
canteen(never leaks unlike those cheap nato-style bottles; but i discarded the aluminium cup)
folding entrenching tool- much more solid then this new fangled three-folding toys... .
grenade pouch
etc.
british army: have'nt tried much of their stuff but i like the canteen pouch (an older olive green version in excellent condition) i got last year for 5NZ$ in christchurch
australian army: i love that stainless steel mug!
current german army :boots(the model they used 10years ago) and tricotshirt (mine is over 10years old and still in use)
compass- more reliable then any other compass i used (and that includes a recta dp ) sadly it works only on the northern hemisphere...
three-finger gloves
canteen(never leaks unlike those cheap nato-style bottles; but i discarded the aluminium cup)
folding entrenching tool- much more solid then this new fangled three-folding toys... .
grenade pouch
etc.
british army: have'nt tried much of their stuff but i like the canteen pouch (an older olive green version in excellent condition) i got last year for 5NZ$ in christchurch
australian army: i love that stainless steel mug!
current german army :boots(the model they used 10years ago) and tricotshirt (mine is over 10years old and still in use)
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My favourite bits of military kit are:
Germany - Boots, Entrenching Tool (sturdy wooden handle and a pick), Daysack, KFS.
Sweden - Trangia stove (I keep it in my car, very handy for an impromtu brew), clipper knife, Parka
Netherlands - Headover/Snood (combined with the Swedish parka and I'm toastie although I do look like I've just been sent to the Russian front).
Denmark - Combat trousers with the pleated knee. These are so comfortable.
UK - The two Norgies, the sweater and the food container. Longback Infantry Bergen (bought surplus for £15, battered as hell but solid as a rock), Coolmax T-shirts (self-wicking, you'll honk but you'll be dry), wool blankets and the socks.
Austria - Sleeping bag (sold as a "sniper" bag, it has arm holes and can be unzipped from the bottom).
I buy quite a bit of military kit. There may be much better civvie kit available but for the price I get more bang for my buck with army surplus.
Germany - Boots, Entrenching Tool (sturdy wooden handle and a pick), Daysack, KFS.
Sweden - Trangia stove (I keep it in my car, very handy for an impromtu brew), clipper knife, Parka
Netherlands - Headover/Snood (combined with the Swedish parka and I'm toastie although I do look like I've just been sent to the Russian front).
Denmark - Combat trousers with the pleated knee. These are so comfortable.
UK - The two Norgies, the sweater and the food container. Longback Infantry Bergen (bought surplus for £15, battered as hell but solid as a rock), Coolmax T-shirts (self-wicking, you'll honk but you'll be dry), wool blankets and the socks.
Austria - Sleeping bag (sold as a "sniper" bag, it has arm holes and can be unzipped from the bottom).
I buy quite a bit of military kit. There may be much better civvie kit available but for the price I get more bang for my buck with army surplus.
my favourite bits
British - Norwegian food container, genuine norgie tops, mod plod combats
Dutch - Helly Hansen fleece, excellent and warm
Danish - M84 jacket, 100% wool blanket - massive and thick and warm
Old West Germany - Old Skool entrenching tool - really bombproof and unbreakable, MVP bag mittens - stopped my fingers falling off when it was -25c in Finland
Swedish - M90 thermal trousers, and the snow smock
Canadian - 1980's Kaufmann Mukluks with a double frieze liner - absolutely excellent, my feet actually felt comfy and warm in the aforementioned -25c
Italian - 100% wool thermal tops, look ****e and are cut funny but very warm
Austrian - Wool jumper, really warm and non-itchy and surprisingly hard wearing
think thats it, there are a few other things like the swedish trangia and swedish leather and canvas backpack, they are ok but not my most tried and trusted things so havent included them.
All the above i have used in many conditions and situations and i have found them to be hardwearing, comfortable and generally good - these are the things i reach for if im going out
British - Norwegian food container, genuine norgie tops, mod plod combats
Dutch - Helly Hansen fleece, excellent and warm
Danish - M84 jacket, 100% wool blanket - massive and thick and warm
Old West Germany - Old Skool entrenching tool - really bombproof and unbreakable, MVP bag mittens - stopped my fingers falling off when it was -25c in Finland
Swedish - M90 thermal trousers, and the snow smock
Canadian - 1980's Kaufmann Mukluks with a double frieze liner - absolutely excellent, my feet actually felt comfy and warm in the aforementioned -25c
Italian - 100% wool thermal tops, look ****e and are cut funny but very warm
Austrian - Wool jumper, really warm and non-itchy and surprisingly hard wearing
think thats it, there are a few other things like the swedish trangia and swedish leather and canvas backpack, they are ok but not my most tried and trusted things so havent included them.
All the above i have used in many conditions and situations and i have found them to be hardwearing, comfortable and generally good - these are the things i reach for if im going out
Proper, genuine UK Arctic Windproof. None of the copies or 'adaptations' - gotta be the real thing. Envious glances from all my NATO colleagues.
something about that smock that makes it as comfortable as skin to wear... Gave mine to a good friend.
Biscuit browns
no chance if you had mentioned duncans chocolate though
Not really issue, however snugpak sleeka was the dogs balls before the army softy suit came out.
I actually miss the older jackets that Gore-Texeplaced: The M65 Field Jacket and the Arctic Parka
US=ALICE Packs & Frames (tough, roomy & light), Arctic parka and bib pants (the old stuff designed for SAC crews on the D.E.W. line), Marine Corps KBar
Canadian=IMPS, Arctic Sleeping bag system (it's hard to beat a 5 piece hooded & down filled bag on a cold camp)
UK=ESBIT stove!
Aussie=Gotta love the hat
Canadian=IMPS, Arctic Sleeping bag system (it's hard to beat a 5 piece hooded & down filled bag on a cold camp)
UK=ESBIT stove!
Aussie=Gotta love the hat
Norway , Goretex waterproofs in Norg cam made by Bergens or Hally Hanson , Jerven bags and real turmat rations yummy .
Sweden , Optimus 111 stove any of them
UK , Old skool windproofs in DPM with the crossover belt strides in gabadine plus the smock , ye-oldy junglies in the bright dpm ,,tasty ,,,
US , Poncho liner ,,,so usefull very under rated bit of kit .
Germany , Lowas or Meindls megga comfy boots
Happy day
Twodogs
Sweden , Optimus 111 stove any of them
UK , Old skool windproofs in DPM with the crossover belt strides in gabadine plus the smock , ye-oldy junglies in the bright dpm ,,tasty ,,,
US , Poncho liner ,,,so usefull very under rated bit of kit .
Germany , Lowas or Meindls megga comfy boots
Happy day
Twodogs
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South Africa - Pathfinder Back Pack, Jump Smock (Slangvel).
Danish - M84 Jacket.
US - MARPAT Assault Pack, Marine MARPAT and ECWS Goretex, Military Sleep Sytem, Medium ALICE pack and frame.
Swedish - M90 Parker.
UK - Bivy Bag, NI Patrol Pack.
Danish - M84 Jacket.
US - MARPAT Assault Pack, Marine MARPAT and ECWS Goretex, Military Sleep Sytem, Medium ALICE pack and frame.
Swedish - M90 Parker.
UK - Bivy Bag, NI Patrol Pack.
I used to loathe those cap comforters! On the basis that all military kit is generally made by the lowest bidder and I know that the current issue equipment and uniforms are a completely different ball game to the stuff I was issued in the 80's and early 90's. I still have and use some key bits of kit but when I've gone to have a look at it I've noticed that it's all stuff I obtained to supplement be issued gear. My Buffalo sleeping bag is still going strong and saw me through four Norway winters and has since been to the Arctic circle with me several times. My Alico ski boots were issued and are still in reasonable nick, I've since upgraded to better Nordic ski boots. My Cyclops Roc bergen was a gucci bit of kit when I obtained it and following a few repairs earlier this year it's still a cracking bergen.
When I compare the bag and the bergen to the issued Arctic bag and bergen of the time the issued stuff wasn't anywhere near as good.
I think that the benefit of military surplus gear is its low cost and durability. Civilian manufacturers generally do a far better job of manufacturing equipment and clothing, their quality control is better but the cost is higher.
When I compare the bag and the bergen to the issued Arctic bag and bergen of the time the issued stuff wasn't anywhere near as good.
I think that the benefit of military surplus gear is its low cost and durability. Civilian manufacturers generally do a far better job of manufacturing equipment and clothing, their quality control is better but the cost is higher.
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