I wanted to start a thread covering some ins and outs of mil-surp gear for those who have ever been tempted by the price point. What is it, what is it not. Note, if buying used individual condition can vary widely. My experience is largely with BDU, ABU and OCP stuff. If there are some Army, Navy and Marine guys who want to comment on their specific stuff that would help. This thread is just supposed to help people make an informed decision on if they even want to try using mil-surp on a hunt. The appeal is budget, this stuff can be found super cheap, especially in older camo patterns. But another disclaimer for individual care of an item is important and will affect usability of the item.
ECWCS Gen III:
The hardshell gortex ABU parka: Overall a pretty good jacket for what it is. Keep in mind its not a purpose built hunting jacket, and its focused on durability for mass military issue vs a piece of technical gear. The sleeves are velcro adjustable, with zipper vents for the arm pits. Some zippers work better than others, I almost always have a hard time closing mine without removing the parka. The elbows are reinforced with a piece of uniform fabric, and each arm has a velcro closing pocket. The chest has 2 zipper pockets and the bottom of the coat has 2 large velcro pockets as well. The hood is tucked into place with velcro and is not insulated. Be warned, its a mass issue jacket and not many people treat their gear correctly. Following the laundry instructions matter or the jacket will start to soak through pretty quickly. Before taking into the field test the shell in multiple places by pooling some water and seeing if it will absorb. If your getting water to absorb then you will need to retreat the shell with a waterproofing spray or other simalier treatment. Properly treated this is a dynamite jacket for staying dry. Final note, this is designed as a uninsulated cold weather outer layer as much as it is a rain jacket. Not a quiet/stealthy jacket, but will hold up to extremely tough field use/busting through brush better than a lot of hunting rain jackets on the market. Mine weighs 20oz flat.
The gortex ABU pants: same as the jacket, the pants are more focused on durability for the masses. Velcro adjustable ankles with zippers up to just below the knee for easy on and off over boots. Cargo pockets on each leg, and pass through hip pockets, with a velcro closure tab that allows access to your pockets underneath. The waist usually has a bungee cord adjustment, but you will find a few different options out there. Same warning as with the jacket, test the waterproofing before using in the field. Not quiet but will hold up well to busting through tough brush. Mine weigh 14oz.
The fleece jacket:
Nothing special, just a solid fleece jacket. Zipper closures on the 2 waist pockets and elastic wrists. 100% polyester, very quiet but again, it's a mass issue jacket. Worn under the hardshell outer layer your gonna be comfy in the higher 30s to 40s range. You will want another base layer for much below that.
The puffy parka:
My favorite bang for the buck military gear is by far the ABU puffy parka. Actually a decently packable heavy puffy (I pack mine into a 12L compression bag and it compresses down very nicely) and super warm. Filled with synthetic down, and the shell can be waterproofed easily with a spray on system, but its not meant to be a true rain jacket like the outer shell. That said, after a good treatment my parka is just as water proof as my shell and will not absorb water that's pooled on the surface for 12+hrs. Has an insulated hood. Will be solid ABU green in color and 2 zippered pockets. Worn over a fleece or waffletop, and under the outer shell its gonna keep you warm into the deeper freezing temps freezing but your not gonna want to do a ton of hiking in it. As far as best bang for the buck, this is it. Its not super loud but its also not designed for busting through brush as it is designed to be worn under the hard shell in those scenarios (like all puffys). But, perfectly suitable as a stand alone puffy that is more durable than most commercial puffys on the market. Mine weighs
Puffy pants: I don't own a pair but they do exist. I understand they have zippers up to the knee for donning over your boots and they have through pockets for the waist.
Will add some more on the regular uniform items as I have time to write it up. There are some good hits, and some real misses with military gear in the woods. Im not proclaiming myself to be an expert end all be all opinion, I welcome other peoples feedback to help make this a more robust thread as well.
ECWCS Gen III:
The hardshell gortex ABU parka: Overall a pretty good jacket for what it is. Keep in mind its not a purpose built hunting jacket, and its focused on durability for mass military issue vs a piece of technical gear. The sleeves are velcro adjustable, with zipper vents for the arm pits. Some zippers work better than others, I almost always have a hard time closing mine without removing the parka. The elbows are reinforced with a piece of uniform fabric, and each arm has a velcro closing pocket. The chest has 2 zipper pockets and the bottom of the coat has 2 large velcro pockets as well. The hood is tucked into place with velcro and is not insulated. Be warned, its a mass issue jacket and not many people treat their gear correctly. Following the laundry instructions matter or the jacket will start to soak through pretty quickly. Before taking into the field test the shell in multiple places by pooling some water and seeing if it will absorb. If your getting water to absorb then you will need to retreat the shell with a waterproofing spray or other simalier treatment. Properly treated this is a dynamite jacket for staying dry. Final note, this is designed as a uninsulated cold weather outer layer as much as it is a rain jacket. Not a quiet/stealthy jacket, but will hold up to extremely tough field use/busting through brush better than a lot of hunting rain jackets on the market. Mine weighs 20oz flat.
The gortex ABU pants: same as the jacket, the pants are more focused on durability for the masses. Velcro adjustable ankles with zippers up to just below the knee for easy on and off over boots. Cargo pockets on each leg, and pass through hip pockets, with a velcro closure tab that allows access to your pockets underneath. The waist usually has a bungee cord adjustment, but you will find a few different options out there. Same warning as with the jacket, test the waterproofing before using in the field. Not quiet but will hold up well to busting through tough brush. Mine weigh 14oz.
The fleece jacket:
Nothing special, just a solid fleece jacket. Zipper closures on the 2 waist pockets and elastic wrists. 100% polyester, very quiet but again, it's a mass issue jacket. Worn under the hardshell outer layer your gonna be comfy in the higher 30s to 40s range. You will want another base layer for much below that.
The puffy parka:
My favorite bang for the buck military gear is by far the ABU puffy parka. Actually a decently packable heavy puffy (I pack mine into a 12L compression bag and it compresses down very nicely) and super warm. Filled with synthetic down, and the shell can be waterproofed easily with a spray on system, but its not meant to be a true rain jacket like the outer shell. That said, after a good treatment my parka is just as water proof as my shell and will not absorb water that's pooled on the surface for 12+hrs. Has an insulated hood. Will be solid ABU green in color and 2 zippered pockets. Worn over a fleece or waffletop, and under the outer shell its gonna keep you warm into the deeper freezing temps freezing but your not gonna want to do a ton of hiking in it. As far as best bang for the buck, this is it. Its not super loud but its also not designed for busting through brush as it is designed to be worn under the hard shell in those scenarios (like all puffys). But, perfectly suitable as a stand alone puffy that is more durable than most commercial puffys on the market. Mine weighs
Puffy pants: I don't own a pair but they do exist. I understand they have zippers up to the knee for donning over your boots and they have through pockets for the waist.
Will add some more on the regular uniform items as I have time to write it up. There are some good hits, and some real misses with military gear in the woods. Im not proclaiming myself to be an expert end all be all opinion, I welcome other peoples feedback to help make this a more robust thread as well.
