Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › Surplus Wool Quality? (it just showed up)
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Just wondering if anyone here has used military surplus wool clothing for hunting?
I ask because I recently saw a sale on surplus wool sweaters and pants. Two sets of each can be had for about $200. Much cheaper than the current wool clothing advertised by retailers.
Is it worth it to purchase?
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Justin, I say yes. I’ve owned several pairs of military surplus pants in my life — mostly European, like German and NATO — and currently own a pair, and they’ve always been great. And you should be able to find the a LOT cheaper than your quote. Just google “military surplus pants,” or sweaters or whatever. You’ll find many mail-order surplus stores with great deals. Often you can find this stuff brand new as surplus for only a bit more than used. However, sizing can be a bit more difficult, at least for used, since you don’t know how much it may have shrunk. And with new, unlike most wool-blend fabrics used commercially these days, it’s old-style wool that will shrink seriously if not properly laundered. And sometimes they comes with annoying things like built-in gaitors, all sorts of straps, and of course the clumsy fly buttons. But all things considered I believe carefully selected wool surplus plants are among the best on the market and a real bargain.
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I had a pair of wool surplus pants that were German surplus.They were a jean cut pant and not the baggy butt type with side pockets.I loved those pants and wore them out after many years of hard hunting.I still have a U.S. GI wool shirt that makes a great layer garment.In fall and winter hunting nothing compares to wool.(my thought)
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BIG wool fan here, I don’t know about mil surplus but I can attest to the fact that used is the way to go IMHO.
I have many KOM garments which I believe are some of the highest quality wool garments you can buy….the issue – the price is astronomical 😯 ❗
I have two pieces, a vest and a jacket, that I paid retail for (approx $1000 for the two of them). Once I came too, I had two realizations: First – best stuff I’ve ever worn. Period. From Alaska to Africa and all points in between. Second – no way I can possibly afford this so I thought long and hard, posted here, the Gang and the Flea and low and behold, 2 pairs of pants (worn once), bibs (never worn), two shirts (worn maybe 1/2 doz times between them) and a hat (brand new in bag)…
Total if purchased retail – $2300 😯
Total I paid – $600!!!! Less than the jacket I bought originally!!!!
This being said, I say have at the surplus stuff…you shouldn’t be disappointed !:P
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I bought a never-issued “Shirt, Cold Weather, Field” for $10 on a certain auction site a couple years ago. One of the best clothing purchases I’ve made. Almost wish I had offspring to pass it down to — it’s probably going to outlast me! 😉
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In my [humble] opinion, you can’t go wrong with military surplus, as long as you shop around. I have seen things at the local Army/Navy store for more than somehting of equal quality at the local mega-outdoors show. Internet is a great place to look.
Alex
🙂
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I only use military wool pants because they are less expensive and are likely to be tough enough for the task even after being surplused by the military. Heck, Dave now has a pair I could no longer wear that has already been hunting all over half the country. Bought me another larger in the waist pair at the surplus store last year and got a tailor to replace those pesky fly buttons with a zipper. For those in the north you probably need the heavier weight pants. I can get by with a pair of medium weight for colder days and a pair of whipchord weight for warmer days. Hope this helps.
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Thanks for the input folks. Ordered myself two pairs of pants and two sweaters today. Looking forward to seeing how they hold up to a Northen Canadian winter.
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I have plenty of KOM and Filson and love it. But I bought a pair of Swedish military surplus pants about ten years ago, and they are great! Still got ’em. I don’t think you’re going to match the quality of our absolute top end brand names, but there’s no doubt you can get good wool at ridiculous prices if you shop around. It’s no mystery–think of the buying power various militaries have when purchasing the bulk materials, and subtract the money they don’t have to spend on advertising and marketing when they dump the stuff. Don
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Dr. Thomas
Glad to hear the good words about the Swedish surplus pants, as they are what I ordered. But the pics on the website were not very distinct. Just wondering if you can give me an idea as to what pocket room they have?
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Hullo Mr. Allen,
I ordered them from Hero Army Surplus in Oshawa Ontario. They say they ship world wide and last I heard they still had some woolies in stock.
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I’m a Pro Staff member of Goodwill Industries. 😆 I have made some great buys there, including a pair of lightly used Woolrich Malone wool pants for $6.99, several wool shirts…Woolrich and Codet, for $3.99 each, and numerous wool sweaters which I love beyond description.
A wool sweater…tight knit…is relatively light weight, warm as can be, and can be balled up and tied to a fanny pack for later use. You can find them all the time at the local Goodwill store, for about $3.99 or thereabouts.
It’s not always necessary to mortgage your hunting clothes. Shop around.
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Well the wool just came in and man am I impressed! I wore it out hunting yesterday and was always warm and comfortable, and best of all it was whisper quiet.
Picked up 2 British commando sweaters, 2 pairs of Swedish pants, and one coat of unknown origin for under $200 with shipping.
Can’t say enough good things about it.
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