Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Gear Questions, Information, Reviews and Competitions => Topic started by: Paul72 on June 22, 2010
-
This might seem like a dumb question but does anyone prefer wearing army surplus gear whilst out hiking and camping or do we still have a certain mentality in this country that if you're lurking round the woods in camo clothing then you're up to no good?
I know that army surplus gear can be much cheaper than other kit and is field tested which is why I tend to use it quite often (I just got a new French army goretex jacket for £40) but I also like the fact that with it you are harder to see (I can be a bit of a loner out there sometimes! ;)) especially if you're wild camping.
Anyone else feel like this?
-
....do we still have a certain mentality in this country that if you're lurking round the woods in camo clothing then you're up to no good?
(Don't wear myself) Yea, it's been known to unnerve even the hardest mountain goats (the iWait Donard summit team for example) but it's more the attitude of the wearer. Can't recommend wearing them at the Newcastle bus station...but knee deep in the Dog of Donard would be fine.
I also like the fact that with it you are harder to see (I can be a bit of a loner out there sometimes! ;)) especially if you're wild camping.
(while I appreciate the safety factors) As a walker (and self confessed grumpy old man) I hate seeing bright yellow/orange/red jackets/rucks/tents when I'm in the high Mounres/wild camping. So being able to blend in has its advantages to the wearer (you can take a quick Barry White without being stopped from a distance ;) )
-
Where did you get the jacket from cos I need a lightweight rainproof jacket??
-
I like Army Gear, as you can see from the photo of me marshalling at the Iplod this year. I've wore the stuff for years. It can be a bit heavier than the more expensive branded stuff but it is designed for extreme conditions. Until seeing this post I've never really given a lot of thought to the implications/messages wearing Army Gear portrays. Everybody knows the stuff is widely available from surplus stores and that you don't need to be in the forces to get your hands on it. As I said, I've wore the stuff for years, even around Newcastle, without any hassle from the locals. I suppose that they only have to look at my skinny build to realise that I'm no Marine.
I did feel a bit under-dressed when I was wading through the wedding guests in the Burrendale on Friday night though. :-[
I reckon if you find a bit of kit that suits your needs then buy it and enjoy it...
-
I found that army surplus stuff is a great way to "get into the outdoors" due to the fact that its so cheap and pretty much bomb proof! Saying that when you do eventually upgrade you'll wonder why you ever sweated your nads off in that combat jacket when your shiny new base layer/g-tex jacket combo is so awesome or why you struggled around with a 3+kg ruck the the second that sub one kilo bad boy settles on your hips!
-
Where did you get the jacket from cos I need a lightweight rainproof jacket??
I got the jacket from here: http://www.fu-kit.com/product.php/245/army-goretex-jacket---french-camouflage (http://www.fu-kit.com/product.php/245/army-goretex-jacket---french-camouflage) (very good site and fast delivery) although I wouldn't say it's as lightweight as some jackets you could get. It does give very good protection though which is why I got it.
-
AM BACK i've been wearing army gear out camping since i was 16 and most of my kit is army surplus i find it a lot better and longer lasting.
-
although I wouldn't say it's as lightweight as some jackets you could get.
Paul72 can you fire the jacket on a scale to see what weight it is?
-
Chuck
I'll check that when I get home tonight, it certainly isn't that heavy and would probably fit in a daysack if you roll it up tight enough. The camo pattern is very good at blending you into the background, I've already tested that ;D
-
surplus gear is great. I used to a a great 40ltr bergen even though it must have weighed adout 3kg and issue bivvi bags are the dogs.
-
Chuck
I'll check that when I get home tonight, it certainly isn't that heavy and would probably fit in a daysack if you roll it up tight enough. The camo pattern is very good at blending you into the background, I've already tested that ;D
Chuck
The weight is just over 1kg and it folds/rolls up quite neatly