Camouflage :: Best Military Surplus

Make Your Own Military Costume for Halloween

by craigkent

October 18th, 2010

With Halloween coming up, it’s time get a costume ready, so why not dress up with a military costume? It’s one of the best costumes out there because you can wear the authentic items that real soldiers where.

The best part about a military costume is it’s completely customizable. You can get as much or as little as you want. But let us suggest a few base items to start with.

Camo shirt – There’s all kinds of different camo patterns out there, but one of the most recognizable is the Army Combat Uniform digital pattern. Soldier City has a great price on the shirt for the ACU. Check it out here.

Camo Pants – If you’re getting an ACU shirt, you’ll want the pants as well. Soldier City also has the pants to match the shirt in several sizes here.

Combat Boots – You’d think that authentic combat boots would be pretty expensive, but you can actually get some cheap at Amazon. These are the desert tan combat boots worn in the field, but you can also get the black, shined style.

Those three items should get you started, but after that, the possibilities are limitless. We’ll give you a few suggestions for some more accessories.

Tactical Vest – There’s lots of high-quality vests that are compatible with the MOLLE pack system out there that would work perfectly with the military costume, but those are usually pretty spendy. As an alternative, you can get a cheaper version that looks just as cool. Check out this one.

Helmet – And what would a military costume be without a military helmet? The best helmet to get would be a MICH-2000 helmet, along with a camo helmet cover.

There’s lots of other accessories and surplus you can get to add on to your military costume. Amazon is a great place to start, but Soldier City also has some unique military surplus as well.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots, Camouflage, Clothing
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Hide in Military Netting

by craigkent

August 10th, 2010

When the camouflage of a soldier’s uniform isn’t enough, a military netting is there to provide protection. Not the kind of protection that body armor gives a soldier, but the protection of stealth. Some missions require soldiers to hide from their enemies, and any military surplus that can make them tougher to see helps them.

Camouflage did not become very popular among military units until the beginning of the 20th century. Previous to this, soldiers’ uniforms were often brightly-colored. Camo was first used for soldiers’ uniforms, but then military netting and ghillie suits were developed to hide soldiers even better. Ghillie suits are basically netting covered with material that looks like actual twigs and foliage. They are designed to give soldiers even more stealth than military netting alone.

Camouflage is not necessarily designed to hide a soldier completely. Even today’s camo uniforms, such as the MCCUU MARPAT, do not completely hide a soldier in the thickness of a forest. The goal of camouflage is to hide the outline of a soldier’s body so he is not a clear target. It would be ridiculous to say that a camo-wearing soldier is invisible while standing next to a tree. As long as an enemy has difficulty pinpointing the outline of a soldier’s body, he will have difficulty taking a shot at him.

All that being said, military netting does give soldiers greater stealth than their uniforms alone. And ghillie suits can almost make soldiers seem invisible.

You can get military netting for your own camo purposes, such as hunting or paintball. Amazon.com has some great military netting made just like the netting soldiers use. You can get personal netting for yourself, or a tent-sized netting to fit several people in. The netting is made water-proof and mold-resistant, and is rustle-free to prevent making too much noise. Some netting even comes in the new digital camo patterns.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Camouflage, Tents
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PASGT Helmet – One Size Doesn’t Fit All

by craigkent

July 28th, 2010

PASGT helmet without cover

The battlefield is a dangerous place, and the piece of protection that is arguably the most important is the helmet — this being the PASGT helmet for several years. PASGT stands for Personal Armor System for Ground Troops, and the helmet is one of two components of the PASGT system (a ballistic vest being the other).

Following the Vietnam War, the U.S. military began developing an upgrade to the M1 helmet. The biggest problem with the M1 was that it was only available in one size. The new PASGT helmet was produced in five sizes — XS through XL. The PASGT helmets were made from 29

layers Kevlar, which is a synthetic fiber material made by DuPont. The material was used to protect soldiers from shrapnel. Unfortunately, the PASGT helmet is not strong enough to stop most bullets from penetrating it, as that would require very heavy material.

Helmet with cover

The helmet has been nicknamed the “Fritz” helmet, since it looks similar to the Stahlhelm, which is a German helmet from World War I and II. On the inside of the PASGT helmet was nylon webbing to fit soldiers’ heads snugly. Some soldiers would insert foam rings on the inside of the helmets for greater comfort. A chin strap is also a component of the PASGT helmet, and it kept the helmet from moving around on the soldier’s head. The PASGT helmet was usually made in olive drab, but soldiers usually used helmet covers which were camouflage. The covers came in Woodland and Desert Camo, and also in the newest MARPAT and UCP digital patterns.

The PASGT helmet served its purpose as the primary head protection in the military for over 20 years. It is currently being phased out, paving the way for its two replacements. The Army and the Air Force have almost completely switched over to the Modular Integrated Communications Helmet (MICH). The Navy and the Marine Corps have begun using the Lightweight Helmet.

Even though the PASGT helmet is not an up-to-date version of a soldier’s head protection, it still is a cool military surplus item to have. Get a PASGT helmet here. Also be sure to get a camo helmet cover for your PASGT.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Camouflage, Clothing Accessories
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Camo Gun – Firearms That Blend In

by craigkent

June 21st, 2010

When we think of something with camouflage, we usually don’t think of a camo gun. But word on the street is that camouflaging guns will soon be allowed in the U.S. Army.

Just about everything a soldier wears and uses has some form of camouflage, so why not do the same for weapons? Guns are easy to pick out in the desert or forest, especially since black is not a common naturally occurring color in either environment. The shape of guns can also give away a soldier’s position, since they are obviously not shapes that are found in nature.

Soldiers have been using paint to make themselves a camo gun for quite a while, even though it was not recommended by higher-ups within the ranks of the Army. The difference now is that the Army will be giving instructions to soldiers on how to correctly do the process. It is important to paint the guns correctly to prevent paint from getting into small places that could cause a malfunction with the firearm. The announcement that this will be allowed was made last year, and the instructions on how to correctly complete the process are being given to soldiers right now.

The colors of paint used obviously will depend on the environment in which the soldier is stationed, just like any other camouflaged military surplus item. The difference with a camo gun is the camouflage will not necessarily follow an exact pattern. The most common colors used will probably be those that are included in the Woodland Camo pattern: tan, brown, and olive drab.

There actually is a version of a gun in existence that will be soon used by the military that will come out of the factory already camouflaged: the XM25. This gun is projected to hit the battlefield in 2012. Perhaps more guns in the future will be made in camo colors so soldiers don’t have to camouflage guns themselves.

There are definitely uses for someone not in the military for a camo gun. A camouflage paintball or airsoft gun will definitely give you an advantage over opponents. Camouflaging your hunting gun also gives you an edge against whatever you’re hunting.

We’d say you can paint your gun safe camouflage, too, like the one in this Barska Biometric safe review, but that would probably make it stand out more if it’s sitting in your house. So it’s best to stick to just camouflaging guns.

Amazon has a set of four cans of paint which includes the four colors in the Woodland Camo pattern. You can follow these simple directions to paint your gun, but it might be best to wait until the military releases its instructions to the public (if that ever happens). Good luck!

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Airsoft, Automatic, Camouflage, Guns, Hand Guns, Paintball, Rifles
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Flight Suit – Cover Everything

by craigkent

May 7th, 2010

Just about everyone dreams of flying at some point in their lives, but they don’t necessarily think of doing it in a flight suit. For the soldiers who dreamed of flying as when they were kids and have grown up to be military pilots, though, wearing a flight suit during duty is not an option. Flight suits may not be the most attractive article of clothing, but military pilots sure are happy to be wearing them when they’re flying an aircraft.

Military pilots that flew in open-air cockpits originally just wore basic clothing components, like pants shirts, and jackets, to keep warm in cold temperatures at high altitudes. But as aviation evolved over the years, so did the clothing of pilots. Electrically-heated flight suits were developed during World War II. As cockpits began to be fully-enclosed and pressurized, pilots required less clothing. Eventually, the one-piece flight suit was developed. It offered an option less bulky than the big leather jackets and other clothing articles worn by earlier pilots, thus not restricting pilots’ bodies as much. It also was made for simplicity, since it could fit over any other clothing being worn.

The flight suit also protects pilots and crews from potential fires. Modern-day flight suits are made from fire-resistant NOMEX material. When jets started to be used more frequently in the military, G-force flight suits were developed. They prevent pilots from experiencing blackouts by keeping some blood in the pilot’s head during high G-force turns. And finally, when high-altitude missions became the norm with the advent of aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird, pressurized suits needed to be produced. These eventually led to the first space suits.

So what are people who aren’t in the military using flight suits for? Well most of the usual activities done with military surplus clothing: paintball, hunting, camping, fishing, and even motorcycle riding. And if you’re going to be doing anything near fire, a NOMEX flight suit can give you the protection you need.

Check out Amazon’s selection of high-quality NOMEX flight suits that come in several size and are available in green, tan, or black. But if a NOMEX flight suit isn’t in your budget, you can get a cheaper version that comes in even more sizes and colors, including camouflage.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Camouflage, Clothing, Men
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BDU Replacement – NWU

by craigkent

April 2nd, 2010

Finally, we’ve come to the last new military uniform — the Navy Working Uniform (NWU). Just as the Navy is the last in our series on replacements for the BDU, the NWU was the last new military uniform to be introduced.

The first Navy soldiers to be issued the NWU received their uniforms in January of 2009. The NWU is replacing a myriad of other uniforms formerly used by the Navy, including the Utility Uniform and Working Khaki Uniform. The most exciting change in these uniforms is the fact that they’re camouflage. They are based on the camo patterns of other new military uniforms, and make use of the “digital” camo design. There will be three alternatives for the pattern: primarily blue, with some gray; woodland digital; and desert digital. The primarily blue pattern will be used by sailors more than any other. The NWU will be the required uniform as of January 2011.

The new Navy digital camo

The components to the uniform are fairly standard. In addition to the cotton/nylon coat and pants, a blue cotton undershirt is be worn, along with an eight-point cap. The boots for the NWU are the same as those used by the Coast Guard, although non-shined boots will be allowed for activity while not on a ship (otherwise shined boots will be worn).

The NWU is not to be used in combat, as soldiers engaged in combat situations are given tactical clothes to wear. Like the Marine’s MARPAT uniform, the NWU makes use of infrared technology to help those using infrared detect wearers of the NWU (read about the technology here).

Like other new uniforms, the Navy Working Uniform is so new that it’s one military surplus item that’s tough to find. Be sure to check back later, as the uniforms are sure to be available in the future. For right now, you can get some great blue camouflage items right here.

Be sure to check out all the other articles on replacements for the BDU (right here), and let us know which new uniform you like best.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Camouflage, Clothing, Hats
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BDU Replacement – Air Force Uniform (ABU)

by craigkent

March 27th, 2010

The new Air Force uniform, called the Airman Battle Uniform (ABU), is the most distinguishable of all the new military uniforms. This Air Force uniform was announced to the public in 2003 and is currently in the process of being fully instituted into the Air Force. It will completely replace the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) by 2011.

The most obvious difference of the new Air Force uniform is its camouflage design, which is a tiger stripe design. This pattern first came into existence during the Vietnam War era. The updated version of the pattern has been “digitized,” and looks similar to the Army’s ACU, the Marine Corps’ MARPAT, and the Navy’s Navy Working Uniform in that regard.

Close-up of the new tiger stripe pattern

In terms of items included in the new Air Force uniform, they are very similar to the old BDU. A patrol cap or boonie hat is worn on the head. A moisture-wicking, sand-colored t-shirt is used under the blouse. The trousers are basically the same as the BDU, and combat boots are required to be sage green (tan boots are allowed for a limited time).

The original blouse was supposedly too thick and caused soldiers to get too hot, but revisions are being made to correct this problem.

We’re so excited that the new Air Force uniform is one of the new military uniforms you can actually get for yourself! For everything you want in the new tiger stripe pattern, check out this selection. These military surplus items are sure to be a favorite!

Read about the other BDU replacements here.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots, Camouflage, Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Hats, Men, Women
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BDU Replacement – ACU (Army Combat Uniform)

by craigkent

March 12th, 2010

The Army Combat Uniform (ACU) is the Army’s replacement for the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). This is the second article in our series about BDU replacements. As mentioned in the first one, the BDU used to be the standard uniform for all branches of the military. But recently, the BDU has been in the process of being replaced. Lucky for us civilians, the BDU will continue to be a staple military surplus item that we will be able to buy for a long time to come.

The Army’s change to the new ACU occurred during the period of 2005 to 2007. Like the MCCUU, the ACU uses the Universal Camouflage Pattern. The pattern uses “digital” pixels colored green, tan, and gray, and is effective in a number of different environments, including wooded areas and desert.

Army Combat Shirt

The jacket used with the ACU is only slightly modified from the one used with the BDU. An alternative to the jacket is the new Army Combat Shirt, which can be worn in hot weather and is resistant to fire. The M-65 field jacket (heavier than the regular jacket) is again part of the uniform, with the only change being no shoulder epaullettes. The trousers are pretty basic, made in nylon/cotton ripstop. They feature a nylon belt and pockets on the thighs and calves. Army Combat Pants are a flame-resistant version of the trousers. The t-shirt worn is a moisture-wicking shirt that’s sand-colored. The standard combat boot is the footwear of the ACU. There are three options for headwear with the ACU: the MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet, a boonie hat, or a patrol hat.

The ACU uses hook-and-loop (commonly known as “Velcro”) to attach name tags, rank insignias, and other patches to the jacket. The jacket makes use of the Near Infrared (NIR) Signature Management Technology to protect soldiers from NIR Information Converters. These devices detect radiation variances in order to spot enemy personnel. Infrared IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) pieces are sewn into the shoulders of the ACU jacket, which allow wearers to appear to have the same radiation levels as surrounding objects, thus making them appear invisible to those using a converter device.

Well different from the MCCUU, the ACU can be easily purchased by civilians. You can get all pieces of the uniform, from the jacket, to the combat boots, to the patrol hat. The one exception is that the jacket available for sale does not contain the NIR technology. The ACU components have nearly an unlimited number of alternative uses outside of the military. The combat boots work great for hiking and hunting. The patrol cap and boonie hat are awesome protection from the sun during those summer days. The t-shirt is an excellent work-out shirt, as it will wick away any moisture. And the regular ACU jacket (which comes in colors other than camo) can be worn at any time, whether you’re doing yard-work or just relaxing. The get every piece of ACU that you need, check out this selection. Wearing the new ACU is a great way to show your support for our troops!

Read about the other BDU replacements here.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots, Camouflage, Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Hats, Men, Women
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BDU Replacement – Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, MARPAT

by craigkent

March 6th, 2010

The Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU) with the MARPAT (MARine PATtern) design is the Marine’s replacement for the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU). We did an article a little while ago on the BDU (you can read it here), which at one point was the standard uniform for all branches of the U.S. military. But that changed when the Marines began their shift to the MCCUU earlier this decade. The Army and other military branches have also begun changing over from the BDU to respective new uniforms.

Marine soldiers sporting the MCCUU

The change to the new MCCUU took place from 2001 to 2004. The most noticeable change is the new MARPAT design. It makes use of tiny green, tan, and gray pixels to make for a digital effect.

This design is effective for woodland and desert conditions. The components of the uniform include a blouse, trousers, utility cover or boonie hat, t-shirt, and combat boots.

The blouse (shirt) is similar to the M-65 field jacket. It has four pockets its elbows have padding and uses the MARPAT design. The trousers have a reinforced seat and knees, and are also made with the MARPAT design. The t-shirt is part of the Flame Resistant Organizational Gear system used by the Marines.

The MARPAT desert pattern and MARPAT woodland pattern

As the group of clothing suggests, the shirt is resistant to fire, and it also has moisture-wicking properties. The utility cover, also known as an 8-point cover, is similar to the Army’s patrol cap. The combat boots are the standard issue boots used by other branches of the military.

The thing about the newest military uniforms is that are hard to come by for purchase, including the MARPAT MCCUU. As of right now, the only part of the uniform that’s available is the combat boots, which you can get right here. As soon as we have the uniforms available for purchase, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, check out the BDU military surplus items you can get in the MARPAT woodland and desert design right here (Amazon calls the pattern “Digital Woodland” and “Desert Digital”).

Read about the other BDU replacements here.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots, Camouflage, Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Hats, Men, Women
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Cold Gear Outergarments – Extra Protection for Extra Cold Weather

by craigkent

February 25th, 2010

A couple weeks ago, we did an article on cold gear clothing worn under regular clothes. This is the follow-up article on some of the clothing military forces wear on the outside to stay warm. Most of the items mentioned here are part of the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) commissioned by the U.S. military.

Gore-Tex Parka This is the staple item of cold gear worn by soldiers commissioned in cold places. These heavy-duty coats are made with Gore-Tex material, which is a polytetrafluorethylene water-proof fabric with breathability. They have the option of zipping a smaller fleece jacket onto the inside as a liner for more warmth. And we can’t forget the handy collar and hood for that extra protection from the wind. Get your Gore-Tex parka here. You can also get one in camo (like the one pictured) made of lower quality here.

Trousers These cold gear pants match the parka. They’re made with HYVAT material, which is similar to Gore-Tex. They insulate, they’re waterproof, and they have great ventilation. But most importantly, they protect from the cold like no other pants do. Get your camo ECWCS trousers right here.

Gloves and Glove Liners Hands get cold quicker than just about any part of the body. Nylon gloves made with Hipora inserts and leather palms provide great warmth for the soldier in the coldest conditions. And for even more warmth, glove liners made from polypropylene are the obvious choice. Check out this selection of both styles of gloves.

Head Gear There are a few cold gear options for keeping your head warm. The ECWCS includes a stocking cap and balaclava. The balaclava is adjustable and can be worn over the head or just over the neck. You can also get the basic fleece watch cap or beanie. If you’re wearing a thinner balaclava (part of the cold gear undergarment set), the cap will fit over it.

Bunny Boots Don’t let their name fool you. This footwear is the ultimate protection for your feet when it comes to cold gear. The boots are made with a layer of wool (sometimes 1 inch thick) in between the inside and outside of the boot, which are made of rubber. There are two designs: Type I and Type II. Type I is made to withstand temperatures below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, while Type II is used in temperatures below -20 degrees.

Like what you see? To get all the military cold gear you need, check out Amazon’s great selection.

Written by Craig Kent, member of the Best Military Surplus team.

Categories Boots, Camouflage, Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Hats
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