5 Must Have Items to Buy at An Army Surplus Store

Featured Image Caption: Woodland Camouflage Jacket Lot

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Military surplus or army surplus is a great way to get durable, useful items at a relatively affordable price. Most of the time, these items are overbuilt to handle extended use in the field and can be more durable than their civilian equivalents.

The best part is that an army surplus store can be accessed in person, depending on the area, and online for most locations. So here are five must-have items to buy at an army surplus store.

Field Uniforms (BDUs, ACUs, etc.)

Field uniforms are a great purchase because they are often made of quality materials that are made to government specifications. This usually means a durable fabric like cotton or cordura. Either way, surplus or slightly used uniforms like BDUs or newer ACUs styles are great for working outside in areas that have the risk of ripping or tearing clothing.

The reason for this is that these uniforms are usually made with some form of ripstop material that lessens the clothing’s ability to tear, making it last longer, and they are often priced at a level where multiple sets can be purchased for the price of one brand new tactical item. This makes the uniform a replaceable item, making it easier to use hard and replace as needed.

A lot of surplus shops primarily feature surplus clothing items, and if there are some slight blemishes, they are often very well-priced.

Load Bearing Equipment

While knowledge is one of the essentials related to firearms, having good gear to go with them is the next. Load Bearing Equipment is the next item you should purchase at a surplus store. The reason for this is that there are tons of firearm and ammunition-related pouches that are compatible with a lot of guns on the market.

How compatible the gear is coming down to inventiveness. General-purpose pouches can be used for magazines, loose rounds, or even just basic storage. Paired with a good, solid load-carrying system, a modern tactical loadout can be made without breaking the bank.

This is made easier by dying or spray painting equipment to match the environment it is going to be used in, which allows “less desirable” camo patterns to be repurposed. A perfect arts and crafts adventure that helps eliminate wasting good gear that most would pass over just because it wasn’t in a modern camo style.

Mosquito Head Nets

Comfort in the field can be overlooked from time to time, but there is nothing more annoying than being bothered by insects. Mosquito netting or netting specifically made to be worn around the face helps cut down on bugs flying near ears, eyes, and noses.

This simple buy can be extremely useful for sleeping outside with or without a tent. It essentially makes a micro environment for the head, keeping unwanted guests from checking in when they are least wanted. It won’t win any fashion contests, but the comfort it provides is worth so much more than the initial cost.

Wool Products (Blankets and Clothing)

When it comes to warming layers and other cold weather options, wool remains the primary option for survivalists and those in more cold and wet environments. Since wool is not a synthetic material, it does not burn easily, and it retains heat when wet. Both of these qualities make it highly sought after.

Surplus wool can be a great way to acquire wool at an affordable price. Whether that is wool clothing, blankets, or gloves, these items are great to stock up on. The ability to stop wind while still acting as insulation can only truly be appreciated through experience.

Depending on the item, surplus wool can be a daily wear option or a great way to keep warm at night. It does have some nuances to its use, but this is quickly overshadowed by its performance.

Field Phones and Wire

Field phones and their accompanying wire bundles are a much more niche item to pick up from a surplus store. However, field phones are a great addition to an emergency plan. The reason is that they are essentially portable landlines.

Once the wire has been run from one phone to another, a call can be made. Most options are self-powered or require very little battery power. They do not require an FCC license to use since they don’t use radio waves, and they are as secure as the wire used to connect the phones.

With enough wire and power, multiple locations can be connected via field phones that loss of cell reception or satellite communication will not have an impact. This can be pretty important in an emergency situation, especially if there are not a lot of radios available.

Conclusion

There is a lot of very useful surplus on the market, and the real challenge is finding the most useful one for any given situation. This list of 5 must-have items is meant to illustrate some of the choices that can get overlooked by the casual shopper but offer more value than at first glance.

By Jordan McDowell
who is a writer and second amendment rights advocate. As a proud advocate for responsible gun rights nationwide, he writes about recreational hunting as well as the latest developments in state and national legislation. He is also an automotive enthusiast and is a content writer for B2B and B2C digital companies.

Member since April, 2024
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