Mags
12-12-2012, 21:38
Dirt bagging at the surplus store!
Military surplus gear is often heavy, bulky and not suitable for much backcountry use. But buried among the heavy packs, canvas sleeping bags and MASH-style tents, there are some items that are a good bargain and works well for outdoor fun.
At the start of the modern backpacking era (post- World War Two or so), it was very common for an outdoors person to stop by their local military surplus store for their camping and backpacking needs.: A Mountain Troop rucksack (http://www.mountaintroops.us/history_rucksack.html), GI issue poncho, compass and knife was used by Earl Shaffer on his historic 1948 AT thru-hike (http://www.earlshaffer.com/aboutearl.html). More than a few people started off their backpacking career by hitting up the Army-Navy store for their packs, sleeping bags and tent. . And many outdoor activities were had while clad in surplus olive drab clothing.
But as the outdoor industry came of age, the often bulky and heavy military gear was replaced by lighter, better engineered and more efficient clothing and gear.
Cotton twill pants were replaced by nylon pants that dried quicker. Camelbaks replaced canteens. The heavy canvas tents gave way to quicker drying and lighter material.
The outdoor industry surpassed the military issued gear enough where the military started adopting and modifying civilian gear for its own use (http://www.adsinc.com/company/solutions/clothing-programs/gen-iii-ecwcs//).
Along the way though, , there was a perception change.
"Real" outdoor enthusiasts don't use surplus. That's only for ATVers, hunters and the people who stockpile five years of food (https://www.google.com/search?q=preppers&aq=f&oq=preppers&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l3j62.12164&sugexp=chrome,mod=5&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8).
Like wise, the other "real outdoor people" who hunt, fish and ride their ATVs won't shop at REI and other "yuppie" outdoor stores.
Which is a shame.
A good camping tent is a good camping tent. And a rugged and light technical clothing works be it hiking up a 14er or at an elk camp.
Conversely, many of the people who do shop at REI and/or specialty lightweight gear manufacturers are missing out on some surprisingly good gear. Gear and clothing that is functional, lighter than expected and inexpensive.
Listed below are some items found in surplus stores other people or myself have found to be good alternatives to more mainstream gear.
I picked items that are more feasible for the modern outdoor recreationist and make sense from a price and use situation.. As an example, a MOLLE pack (http://www.squidoo.com/military-molle-backpacks) may be serviceable enough but there are more suitable packs that are lighter for backpacking.
Likewise the Gen III ECWCS (http://www.adsinc.com/company/solutions/clothing-programs/gen-iii-ecwcs/) line has some nice items and is durable, but are often heavier and around the same price as similar clothing from such stores as REI. (In fact, some of the newer ECWCS items were designed by commercial manufacturers).
Note: Not all items are necessarily issued by the military. Some items are third party but allowed to be used with the regulation uniform. Others are items often found next to the military issued items and usually found in your typical surplus store.
Photos and items at:
http://www.pmags.com/outfitted-by-gi-joe-military-surplus-gear
(The table is bit too much to copy and paste..)
Military surplus gear is often heavy, bulky and not suitable for much backcountry use. But buried among the heavy packs, canvas sleeping bags and MASH-style tents, there are some items that are a good bargain and works well for outdoor fun.
At the start of the modern backpacking era (post- World War Two or so), it was very common for an outdoors person to stop by their local military surplus store for their camping and backpacking needs.: A Mountain Troop rucksack (http://www.mountaintroops.us/history_rucksack.html), GI issue poncho, compass and knife was used by Earl Shaffer on his historic 1948 AT thru-hike (http://www.earlshaffer.com/aboutearl.html). More than a few people started off their backpacking career by hitting up the Army-Navy store for their packs, sleeping bags and tent. . And many outdoor activities were had while clad in surplus olive drab clothing.
But as the outdoor industry came of age, the often bulky and heavy military gear was replaced by lighter, better engineered and more efficient clothing and gear.
Cotton twill pants were replaced by nylon pants that dried quicker. Camelbaks replaced canteens. The heavy canvas tents gave way to quicker drying and lighter material.
The outdoor industry surpassed the military issued gear enough where the military started adopting and modifying civilian gear for its own use (http://www.adsinc.com/company/solutions/clothing-programs/gen-iii-ecwcs//).
Along the way though, , there was a perception change.
"Real" outdoor enthusiasts don't use surplus. That's only for ATVers, hunters and the people who stockpile five years of food (https://www.google.com/search?q=preppers&aq=f&oq=preppers&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l3j62.12164&sugexp=chrome,mod=5&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8).
Like wise, the other "real outdoor people" who hunt, fish and ride their ATVs won't shop at REI and other "yuppie" outdoor stores.
Which is a shame.
A good camping tent is a good camping tent. And a rugged and light technical clothing works be it hiking up a 14er or at an elk camp.
Conversely, many of the people who do shop at REI and/or specialty lightweight gear manufacturers are missing out on some surprisingly good gear. Gear and clothing that is functional, lighter than expected and inexpensive.
Listed below are some items found in surplus stores other people or myself have found to be good alternatives to more mainstream gear.
I picked items that are more feasible for the modern outdoor recreationist and make sense from a price and use situation.. As an example, a MOLLE pack (http://www.squidoo.com/military-molle-backpacks) may be serviceable enough but there are more suitable packs that are lighter for backpacking.
Likewise the Gen III ECWCS (http://www.adsinc.com/company/solutions/clothing-programs/gen-iii-ecwcs/) line has some nice items and is durable, but are often heavier and around the same price as similar clothing from such stores as REI. (In fact, some of the newer ECWCS items were designed by commercial manufacturers).
Note: Not all items are necessarily issued by the military. Some items are third party but allowed to be used with the regulation uniform. Others are items often found next to the military issued items and usually found in your typical surplus store.
Photos and items at:
http://www.pmags.com/outfitted-by-gi-joe-military-surplus-gear
(The table is bit too much to copy and paste..)