Military Surplus Gear

Hi Guys

So when i first thought to get into hunting 3 years ago now i was keen went to the nearest hunting and fishing store, brought a whole lot of shit. Boots, socks, clothing packs, first aid, etc.... I must of looked like a real green horn back then. I still feel like one now, but after reading all the knowledge and garbage from the old buggers on here ;) :D :thumbsup: i realize its not all about the price tag,brand or era your gear is from. I do only bush stalk and never done anything above the bush line, Eventually I'd like to get there.

So, over this lock down I've been weighing up what gear i have and what i need to upgrade. And because I'm a cheap ass with 3 kids I hardly get the chance to buy brand new, the military surplus gear has really caught my attention as of late. I was thinking about making a trip to one of the stores to try out items for sizing and pick the best option available.

I've always used a Hunting and Fishing Cyclone jacket as my heavy duty jacket. But anything more than a shower and it becomes very water logged and quickly starts to gain weight. Reading a few older threads on here I've been looking at the various military gore-tex options. https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...erproof-jacket How many guys use these or similar for bush stalking? are they water proof? what do you do to maintain the water proofing?

Sleeping bag i picked up a cheap rebel sports bag that has seen me survive in a hut safely but even still on a frosty night i can still feel the cold creep into the bag. So again I was thinking about military sleeping bags and found this ex-US Bag that looks reasonable by itself as a all year round bag for bush hunting. https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...e-sleeping-bag Has anyone used one of these? or does it look like it'd cope well up in the hills?

I also looked at these food ration packs as an over night option. Anyone given these a run on the hills?
https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...er-ration-pack


Is there any other gear that guys use which is ex military and found good in our bush? molle pouches? @Sarvo ?

$50 is a rip off for a rat pack, have a look on t me there may be some on there.

The military surplus stuff is generally used by regular forces. Special forces are often equipped with commercial gear. Having said that, surplus gear is generally robust, durable and fit for purpose, but seldom particularly lightweight or comfortable. Some gear is better than others, though and there are some real gems out there
Occasionally an army changes their uniform and vast stocks of the old stuff hits the civilian market.
I've had my eye on a German or Austrian waterproof jacket and will probably buy one. Bear in mind that it will almost certainly need to be treated with a wash through water repellent.
Sleeping bags... Well, they'll keep you warm, but are quite heavy. A decent down bag can be had on Trademe occasionally for about the same money.
As the saying goes about the MREs, or rat-packs... Meal - ready to eat... Three lies for the price of one. You can do much cheaper with less weight and more flavour by shopping at new world.

My opinion is that military surplus up until 20 years ago (maybe less) was pretty shit. It was tough, but heavy and uncomfortable and not waterproof. I think we have benefited from the recent oil wars in this respect. The kit has got lighter and seems fit for purpose. Maybe a member of the armed forces could comment rather than a weekend warrior like myself. Anyway, I would particularly rate the British army MTP waterproofs. They do the job. They are not quiet, but can a deer hear you in heavy rain? Not super tough, but no Goretex-type material is going to be.

Good point about advances in materials since the 1990's. The newer stuff is definitely superior in many respects. I know that there are specific items out there that are rated very poorly, and they were replaced with something better for a reason.

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Originally Posted by Projects

Hi Guys

So when i first thought to get into hunting 3 years ago now i was keen went to the nearest hunting and fishing store, brought a whole lot of shit. Boots, socks, clothing packs, first aid, etc.... I must of looked like a real green horn back then. I still feel like one now, but after reading all the knowledge and garbage from the old buggers on here ;) :D :thumbsup: i realize its not all about the price tag,brand or era your gear is from. I do only bush stalk and never done anything above the bush line, Eventually I'd like to get there.

So, over this lock down I've been weighing up what gear i have and what i need to upgrade. And because I'm a cheap ass with 3 kids I hardly get the chance to buy brand new, the military surplus gear has really caught my attention as of late. I was thinking about making a trip to one of the stores to try out items for sizing and pick the best option available.

I've always used a Hunting and Fishing Cyclone jacket as my heavy duty jacket. But anything more than a shower and it becomes very water logged and quickly starts to gain weight. Reading a few older threads on here I've been looking at the various military gore-tex options. https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...erproof-jacket How many guys use these or similar for bush stalking? are they water proof? what do you do to maintain the water proofing?

Sleeping bag i picked up a cheap rebel sports bag that has seen me survive in a hut safely but even still on a frosty night i can still feel the cold creep into the bag. So again I was thinking about military sleeping bags and found this ex-US Bag that looks reasonable by itself as a all year round bag for bush hunting. https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...e-sleeping-bag Has anyone used one of these? or does it look like it'd cope well up in the hills?

I also looked at these food ration packs as an over night option. Anyone given these a run on the hills?
https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...er-ration-pack


Is there any other gear that guys use which is ex military and found good in our bush? molle pouches? @Sarvo ?

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So far as the rat packs go, I suspect they are Portion pack foods ones rebranded for army and outdoors.

Have a google of " Portion pack foods". Might be a bit cheaper to get from the source.

Alternatively, get one, or find out what's in them and go to the supermarket and see if you can pick up some similar bits to make your own.

Dont think you can go wrong with the goretex weather type gear, at least half the price and weight of the hunting brands and goretex will always have the beast waterproof ratings. Can wash with the likes of sports wash ( no detergents) and waterproof with nikwax txdirect.

Don’t rush into discarding what you have. The cyclone jacket from memory, isn’t rated too highly rain-wise, but a good wash in a proper detergent (non-scented wool wash is a cheap option) and then properly sprayed with a proprietary water-proofing spray whilst it’s still wash-wet, then drying properly, may well surprise you!

Likewise the bag: I highly rate the polypropylene type fabric sleeping bag liners - not bulky, and add a significant comfort level to your bag. Buy the heavy duty one. From memory mine was about $30 or so a few years back.

Properly looking after your gear is worth the effort. Oiling your boots, careful drying etc and decent socks significantly improve well being.

Totally respect you’re budget conscious, and you’re right in asking - there are plenty of tricks that will help you stay warm and tasty without blowing your budget

Just remember if you go into an army surplus store, you are a right wing white supremacist extremist, because the police say you are. Watch out for the cop with the camera hiding behind the tree trying to take your picture if you go there.

And may god help you if you have tattoos, have white skin, and have hair on the old scone less than 1mm.

I've got that German goretex jacket from that site in size large but it's got no tail so you get a wet ass and the arms are too short plus im sure one of the arms are even shorter than the other but I do like the camo and it weighs 900grams from memory and packs up small.

Thanks for all the answers guys, good to get some feed back on what I've said. I do day trips hunting or If I'm doing an over night/s normally from my quad bike at a hut and have a chilly bin with food and beer. But now I'm a bit more keen to start hiking into a few huts and hunting from them, then eventually get into the bivy, fly camp stuff. Baby steps to get comfortable.

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Originally Posted by SiB

Don’t rush into discarding what you have. The cyclone jacket from memory, isn’t rated too highly rain-wise, but a good wash in a proper detergent (non-scented wool wash is a cheap option) and then properly sprayed with a proprietary water-proofing spray whilst it’s still wash-wet, then drying properly, may well surprise you!

Properly looking after your gear is worth the effort. Oiling your boots, careful drying etc and decent socks significantly improve well being.

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I've thought about treating the jacket anyway along with a gore-tex jacket i might pick up. My boots this lock down have had a good clean and a good oiling waiting patiently to hit the hills again.

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Originally Posted by Mr Browning

Just remember if you go into an army surplus store, you are a right wing white supremacist extremist, because the police say you are. Watch out for the cop with the camera hiding behind the tree trying to take your picture if you go there.

And may god help you if you have tattoos, have white skin, and have hair on the old scone less than 1mm.

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SHIT! i shaved my head part way through this lock down so she's a bit on the short side still. The half cast skin and maori / pacific tattoo's might save my ass though.

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Originally Posted by FatLabrador

I've got that German goretex jacket from that site in size large but it's got no tail so you get a wet ass and the arms are too short plus im sure one of the arms are even shorter than the other but I do like the camo and it weighs 900grams from memory and packs up small.

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Yeah i thought if i went into the store to try out the jackets available it might save me a situation like this. What does it go like in the rain? have you treated it at all since owning it?

https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...pm-jacket-used

I bought one of these jackets two years back for $50 at the sika show and thought not too much about it but since then its my favourite jacket and goes on every trip, packs down to nothing, wind proof, waterproof... love it!

I wouldn't hesitate buying the flectarn one you mention!

ECWS sleeping bag... you normally buy them off e-bay as its the US military sleeping system which comes with a bivvy bag and if you can get the bivvy bag... great peice of gear. the system also comes with a bigger and a thinner sleeping bag depending on the environment your sleeping in from tropical to arctic but the sleeping bag you mention is the middle one... its bulky and when i slept in one in a hut... i could still feel the cold so i had to wear additional clothing layers.

When looking for a sleeping bag, obviously you need to look at what minimum temperature it can be used in as well as how compact it can squeeze down too... we recently bought a new exped sleeping bag just before lock down which ticks all the boxes but we haven't used it yet.

Ratpacks, they can be bulky, heavy and expensive... I used them years ago and wouldn't even bother now, just grab individual items you need from the supermarket.

aliexpress has also been a good place to buy stuff from with titanium cookers, pots, collapsible cups etc

Trade Me has also been a good place though you just need to keep watching until something pops up that ticks the boxes

You have to remember that all military kit is bought from the lowest bidder ...

Trust me it’s pretty average gear.

Some military surplus gear is worth having, it's just a matter of picking the stuff that works for you. I have a pair of much loved desert camo pants that I've worn every summer for 16 years.

Also got some carhartt insulated bib overalls from Army and Outdoor supplies which are first class for cold conditions when I'm not moving around much.

Just research what you want on a case by case basis.

a good own bag is priceless on a cold night.....a cheap liner from the warehouse $10-15 will boost your bags warmth and keep bag clean....will double as meat bag in a pinch,keeps flies off during day....not so good to sleep in afterwards though...washing is definately recomended.
waterproof coat that is noisy,wear it under a thin polarfleece when bush stalking...Ive got a grey nylon bumfreezer top with front zip..it was a giveaway 30 years ago...kept my core warm and dry on more occasions than I can count....fits in a coffee cup...weighs nothing.
gott a DPM coat ex NZ army..had it for years...a good sports wash and waterproofing helped no end...but its bulky....got a cabelas soft shelled camo coat,lightweight but waterproof after a treatment,quiet in bush but cold.....
my bivybag is about 50years old...milserp...ok in drizzle and semi ok in anything more...it does boost warmth by huge amount and keeps bag clean.
boots...ashley laceups are the bizo for bush stalking....see SARVO if you want something with more ankle support etc for pack carrying or tops hunting.
mess kit...3 piece aluminium used it for 30 years....
hexi cooker frame
MOST of us will have used a milserp rifle at some stage.

These are hands down the best waterproof jacket for the money.
Have a look around eBay to make sure they have your size.I wear mine at work for over 200 rainy days per year and I get 3 years from one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-B...0AAOSwBLlVDV6a

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Originally Posted by norsk

These are hands down the best waterproof jacket for the money.
Have a look around eBay to make sure they have your size.I wear mine at work for over 200 rainy days per year and I get 3 years from one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-B...0AAOSwBLlVDV6a

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In light of the desert camo is it may good in the Bush?

I have bought a bit of Snugpak kit over the last few years, on recommendation of a mate who works a lot in a somewhat hostile mountainous country. His job supplies kit, but he and his mates generally buy their own. In comparison to big brand names, I've find it quite cheap. I haven't myself given it a seriously hard work out, but have used the tarp and one of their bags in winter in the Wicklow Mountains.
I always bought from https://www.outdoorgb.com and they drop the vat, which usually covers the shipping. With NZ slapping on the Amazon tax now I don't know how it prices, I've not browsed for a while.
Their jacket sizing is shit, I'm usually an XL, but need m or l in theirs, probably m.

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Originally Posted by Projects

What does it go like in the rain? have you treated it at all since owning it?

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Haven't treated it been in a 10 minute shower and it wasn't beading off so needs a re waterproof.

Ive had a mil surp tain jacket for about 8 years now. Cost me $100. Ive got several other fancy brand name jackets too but for some reason i always take the old mil surp out. It just works.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Counter idea. You can get good quality hiking brand wet weather gear on sale from macpac and the likes for similar money - between $100 and $200 usually.

I have a marmot precip I have had for years great jacket. Its not camo but the deer dont seem to care. They are a noisier than any brushed fleece style jacket but work much better at keeping you dry also. The surplus jackets are pretty loud too.

The stoney creek stowits actaully work sweet in term of keeping you dry. Not super breathable though.

For a sleeping bag, keep an eye out for a decent second hand number. I picked up a -12c Jacks'r'better quilt of trademe for $150 bucks. Way better bag than anything surplus.

It depends on the type of gear. I wouldn't touch mil surp for clothing (I bought a millitary surplus raincoat a while back, and it felt like I was dressed in cardboard. Very restrictive). For a similar price, you can buy outdoor clothing from the likes of Macpac, Outdoor Research, Helly Hansen etc, that'll be much lighter and more comfortable.

But other milsurp gear: drink bottles, spades, compasses, cooking utensils and the like can often be top quality and hard wearing.

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Originally Posted by norsk

These are hands down the best waterproof jacket for the money.
Have a look around eBay to make sure they have your size.I wear mine at work for over 200 rainy days per year and I get 3 years from one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-B...0AAOSwBLlVDV6a

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If this is the same one it is a hundy and the surplus store here. wouldn't be too far off on the exchange rate and shipping?
https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/co...ert-mvp-jacket

I didn't want to shell out big$ on a brand name so went the mil surp way.
Bought a new brittish one.
Works well and water proof is good. Quite cold so need to wear warmth under it.
Size was to big so sleeves are a pain. Has a few Velcro fasteners which I find a pain due to noise.
The hood is huge and even the adjuster pull strings done up tight its big. I wear a peak cap under it to stop the front falling to low on my head.
As someone else mentioned they don't come down below ur bum.
The main zip isn't that sturdy and needs to be looked after.
Folds up small and is lite as.
Big chest pockets but Velcro closures .
Cheap, where else do you buy a new goretex rain coat for a hundy.

What's with the modern day rat pack not having toilet paper like in days gone by where everyone shared the paper around as sure as hell there was not enough to wipe an arse in a single pack...i guess the modern army don't shit...and then I guess the modern army would have a tampon in the rat pack as well.

One piece of military surplus gear I can recommend without hesitation are the Austrian Soft Shell Sympatex jackets. Honestly, it's the best general purpose jacket I've ever bought. The bonus is they don't have a "military" look to them much either if that matters to you, but it means you can wear them out and about to a Cafe or whatever without looking like a clown. I pretty much live in mine in winter.

The Czech M85 parkas are also excellent in cold weather. They are no good for hunting (way to heavy, won't pack down, not waterproof) but again are excellent just for general wear out and about, very warm.

I just got a 95 Pattern British Windproof Smock to try out. Took it out in the rain for half an hour today, the water repellant treatment works really well, pretty impressive for a cotton smock that isn't seam sealed or anything.

I'm of the opinion that most military surplus stuff is crap and ironically not the well suited to out door activity. But there are some gems out there. Also the modern gear is light years ahead of crap from the cold war.

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Originally Posted by norsk

These are hands down the best waterproof jacket for the money.
Have a look around eBay to make sure they have your size.I wear mine at work for over 200 rainy days per year and I get 3 years from one.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-B...0AAOSwBLlVDV6a

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Does it rain 200 days per year?

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Originally Posted by Beavis

One piece of military surplus gear I can recommend without hesitation are the Austrian Soft Shell Sympatex jackets. Honestly, it's the best general purpose jacket I've ever bought. The bonus is they don't have a "military" look to them much either if that matters to you, but it means you can wear them out and about to a Cafe or whatever without looking like a clown. I pretty much live in mine in winter.

The Czech M85 parkas are also excellent in cold weather. They are no good for hunting (way to heavy, won't pack down, not waterproof) but again are excellent just for general wear out and about, very warm.

I just got a 95 Pattern British Windproof Smock to try out. Took it out in the rain for half an hour today, the water repellant treatment works really well, pretty impressive for a cotton smock that isn't seam sealed or anything.

I'm of the opinion that most military surplus stuff is crap and ironically not the well suited to out door activity. But there are some gems out there. Also the modern gear is light years ahead of crap from the cold war.

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Where and how much was the Austrian one?

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Originally Posted by Jmac

Does it rain 200 days per year?

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West coast it probably does

https://www.armyandoutdoors.co.nz/pr...928499dc&_ss=r

I prefer the Sympatex. It feels warmer than the Gortex ones.

I have a German Army flecktarn camo rain jacket. Thought it was a Goretex model, could be sympatex - haven't checked. Good jacket. $50 I think I paid? off the other forum. Packs down into it's hood, so not overly bulky or inflexible. Length seems good to me for walking, but not really enough to keep your arse dry when glassing.

As is common with military issue jackets, the hood was huge - to accommodate a helmet. I tried to work with that, but in the end sent it to Twinneedle because it annoyed me. They did a really tidy job to reduce the size and re-seam sealed it. Discovered with later reading I probably could have done it myself, but that's okay.

I also have a Stoney Creek stowit, also good, reasonably lightweight, but you don't want to sweat in it, not breathable at all. More just to chuck on if it unexpectedly pisses down, real shell, but seems a bit colder than the German jacket. not quite long enough maybe?

For the sleeping bag, just buy something good. and warm. and light. which gets you into higher priced territory, but I suggest buy once, cry once. second thoughts maybe buy twice, cold weather model, and something more suitable for autumn and spring.

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Originally Posted by Jmac

Does it rain 200 days per year?

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Sometimes yes
You actually get "rain rash" its fungus growing on your wet skin because there is practically no sunlight for months here.

Surplus gear is pretty average in my book.

You'd be much better off waiting for the inevitable sale at Macpac, and buying 1-year old technology at low prices compared to 30 year old technology at inflated "cool factor" prices.

For instance, you could by the latest Radix dehy meals for a 24 hour period at less than $50, and it will weight about half of that rat pack... Same will apply to packs, sleeping bags etc.

Last note, for clothing, rather by multiple layers of thin, lightweight clothing in merino or polypropylene than massive bulky military style jackets.

my good down bag was less tha $400 on sale at macpac.....katmando had same 40% sale on same day...went in knowing I could get discount being a SAR member and didnt use it as sale price was better than expected anyway.....summer hunting,either use the super scrawny old bag you had previously or open zip on good bag and sleep in the liner,it gets cold at 3am and you just zip back up again.

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Originally Posted by norsk

Sometimes yes
You actually get "rain rash" its fungus growing on your wet skin because there is practically no sunlight for months here.

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Nasty! Never heard of that before but yeah just saw your location so it makes sense now!

I haven’t read the full thread but I would far sooner (and do) use the purpose designed technical hunting gear on the market over military surplus gear. It is so much better. Special forces get the better technical gear but your regular force militaries get whatever does the job and fits the budget.

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Originally Posted by stagstalker

I haven’t read the full thread but I would far sooner (and do) use the purpose designed technical hunting gear on the market over military surplus gear. It is so much better. Special forces get the better technical gear but your regular force militaries get whatever does the job and fits the budget.

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Thats right, it does the job and at a reasonable cost but is not the lightest. Military bivvy bag and heavy goretex wet weathers were particularily good.

.e.

im going to go against the flow here and state Iuse a lot of mil surplus ,including stuff from my own TF days and it serves me very well .Alright given im a duckshooter primarily ,that may influence my choices but wading about inlake ellesmere and trudging around its swampy shitty smelly perimeters aint exactly dancing across a bowling green.
Ive supplemented this with random purchases of sporting clothing ,brands again often derided on here and i can assure you ive found it very able in coping with some of the almost blizzard conditions Ive seen out there.Its an individuals choice at the end of the day.