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Military Surplus, and other value driven gear.

valcas1

valcas1

Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
934
Some recent posts have me thinking, which is always dangerous.

I have seen some military surplus gear that is just a great value. I would like to ask everyone to think about gear that you own or have seen that has great value and post up your recomendations. It may not be high tech new gear but it is a great value. It also doesn't have to be military surplus, maybe it came from Wally World or Sportmans Guide. I just think there are some great values out there and this forum can shed some light on ones I have missed.

Big fan of GI Arctic Mittens. I have the ones with a wool insert, similar to a sorel boot. Treat the leather once a year and I don't think you can find a better cold weather over mitten. They range from $39-$59 What a bargain.

We all know and love the GI Poncho... Talk about value.

Italian Surplus blankets 100% wool, heavy and still wrapped in plastic. $19.00 if you look around.

Mess Kits... who uses them, tell us what ya got, post a picture.

Who's next?

Paul
 
I really like the military ECWCS gear - you just can't get a better deal on Gore-Tex.

GI ponchos are a great multifunction piece of gear.

The bivy sack from the USGI modular sleep system can be had on the cheap and is very handy.

Wal-mart sells a 3-pack of rip-stop ultra-sil nylon dry bags for 9.95 (sold under the brand, Outdoor Products I believe). They are excellent! The seams are all taped and they are reasonably dunk proof. I use them to organize the stuff in my pack and keep it dry at the same time.
 
Canteen/cup/pouch setup is a lot of kit for the money! A full brew cup for around twelve bucks total.

Wool blankets are ten bucks at Harbor Freight.

Lots of deals out there if you take your time! You definitely don't have to spend all that much to get a bomb-proof and highly functional kit.
 
Mess kits are great!

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Ponchos, poncho liners are good stuff.

Alice packs are great...I like modern packs, but an alice pack will take care of your needs.

I see the GI-Extreme cold sleeping gear that looks interesting including gortex bivvy's and sleeping bags.
 
+1 on the Alice packs...
Canteen cups and canteens
Ponchos, and liners
M65 field jackets
surplus wool blankets
surplus wool pants
(not military but)
BSA hotpsark
any mora
Tramontina
Fiskars hatchet
Cold steel tomahwks
Nalgene
many others to be named later
 
My Coleman duel fuel 533 single burner stove has been a value buy IMO. I must have owned it about 15 years and it is as bomb proof as you can get to me. I recently needed to call it up for duty on a recent camping trip and even after years of no use it fired right up with the old fuel left in the tank. I think they are $59.00

I understand that it is not the lightest weight stove out there, but I think the value is in knowing it is going to work every time. If I have real cooking to do, it comes along.
 
Those diamond plate sharpeners that Ragnar sells, also his ceramic crock sticks, with a block of wood and a drill press you can make yourself a poor mans spyderco sharpmaker "on the cheap"

There has to be more...
 
Wal-mart sells a 3-pack of rip-stop ultra-sil nylon dry bags for 9.95 (sold under the brand, Outdoor Products I believe). They are excellent! The seams are all taped and they are reasonably dunk proof. I use them to organize the stuff in my pack and keep it dry at the same time.
__________________
Click to expand...

Yep, I own a set myself. I agree with the value on that purchase.
 
im looking at a bcb international mess tin as a cooking vessel as well as something for survival gear. looks like a good bit of kit.
 
im looking at a bcb international mess tin as a cooking vessel as well as something for survival gear. looks like a good bit of kit
Click to expand...

I really like that tin, but I think there a better alternatives with better value. I have not been able to find one for less than $30.00
 
Remember it doesn't have to be military surplus. Just an item that you think is a great value for what you're getting.
 
valcas1 said:
I really like that tin, but I think there a better alternatives with better value. I have not been able to find one for less than $30.00
Click to expand...

i think $30.00 is a reasonable price for the kinda kit it is. I'm sure you can snag one on ebay for cheaper. I too would be interested in alternatives so i can know my options before purchasing. if i come across any during my search i'll make sure to let ya know :D
 
Canteens. You can't beat the cost of a USGI plastic canteen for a 1 qt drinking vessel. I have a bunch in a bin of supplies in the basement for emergencies or if a need to lend out gear. I spent 2.50 each, which beats the 6-9 bucks a nalgene costs.
 
valcas1 said:
Some recent posts have me thinking, which is always dangerous.

I have seen some military surplus gear that is just a great value. I would like to ask everyone to think about gear that you own or have seen that has great value and post up your recomendations. It may not be high tech new gear but it is a great value. It also doesn't have to be military surplus, maybe it came from Wally World or Sportmans Guide. I just think there are some great values out there and this forum can shed some light on ones I have missed.

Big fan of GI Arctic Mittens. I have the ones with a wool insert, similar to a sorel boot. Treat the leather once a year and I don't think you can find a better cold weather over mitten. They range from $39-$59 What a bargain.

We all know and love the GI Poncho... Talk about value.

Italian Surplus blankets 100% wool, heavy and still wrapped in plastic. $19.00 if you look around.

Mess Kits... who uses them, tell us what ya got, post a picture.

Who's next?

Paul
Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

I have a good bit of military gear. I love my poncho, liner, mess kit, canteen cup and stove system, my e-tool
and a few other things. I'll take some pics tomorrow in the daylight.

Brian
 
Discarded five gallon buckets come in handy for hauling fishing gear. Then you have a seat once you get there.
 
By far my favorite military item are the flight gloves I wear ALL THE TIME when the weather gets cold. They are a great set of gloves that still allow for a lot of dexterity. I've had to use them quite a bit in pouring rain and they still alow for good grip, albeit soggy, but the grip is still good.
 
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