Hey folks, it's that time again: time to start thinking about Winterseeds!
Sportsman's Guide is a great place to get mil-surp gear. Now is a great opportunity to grab some cold-weather gear in anticipation of your next Winterseed. (No, I have no affiliation with Sportsman's Guide)
Quick review: Cotton KILLS! Wait. Err, ummm...well, avoid cotton if possible.
Glock23's Picks
(I'm not a cold weather expert, but I play one on TV.
<--- See that guy? ECWCS Bear Jacket over Polypro Longjohns and a wool sweater. Polyester Fleece hat and neck gaiter. Colebrook, sub-freezing, snowing. Me? Toasty....)
Base Layer:
Polartec Long John Set (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/us-military-polartec-level-2-ecw-long-john-set.aspx?a=585709). These are the latest Polartec ECWCS. You can find earlier versions of these on eBay for a little cheaper, but these are quality stuff.
Another option, Midweight Longjohn set (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/mil-tec-midweight-long-john-set.aspx?a=755196). A little lighter in material, and in the wallet.
12 Moisture wicking t-shirts (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/12-military-spec-moisture-wicking-t-shirts-sand.aspx?a=529584). Polyester. I've ordered these. Good stuff.
Mid-layer:
10 pairs! Swiss Military Dress pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/10-new-swiss-military-dress-pants-gray.aspx?a=459629). Polyester wool blend. Can't beat these for $20
2 pairs of Swiss Wool Dress Pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-prs-of-new-swiss-wool-dress-pants-blue-gray.aspx?a=777510) 100% wool
2 pair East German wool Pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-new-e-german-wool-pants-gray.aspx?a=151230). I'm a big fan of these. 100% wool. Very high quality.
Swedish Full-zip Wool Sweater (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/new-swedish-military-full-zip-sweater-olive-drab.aspx?a=759173).
2 pack Swiss Military Wool Sweaters (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-used-swiss-military-wool-sweaters-gray.aspx?a=884840)
British Commando Sweater (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-british-military-wool-sweater-olive-drab.aspx?a=604859). I have one of these - heavy duty.
British Air Force Commando Sweater (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-british-air-force-commando-sweater-air-force-blue.aspx?a=884845). Poly/wool blend.
2 pack Czech Commando Sweaters (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-pk-of-used-czech-commando-sweaters-olive-drab.aspx?a=887697). Wool blend
Outer Layer:
US Military Fleece Jacket (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/new-us-military-plush-fleece-jacket-olive-drab.aspx?a=773078). Part of the ECWCS system. You can sometimes find these cheaper on eBay.
ECWCS Clone Fleece Jacket (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/mil-spec-plus-military-style-fleece-jacket.aspx?a=616376)
British Police Jacket (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-british-police-fleece-jacket-black.aspx?a=738083). Not just for Bobbies! Quality poly-fleece jacket.
British Military Fleece Jacket (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-british-military-fleece-jacket-olive-drab.aspx?a=695526)
3 Pack of Polyester Microfleece Caps (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/3-pk-us-military-microfleece-caps.aspx?a=386069)
3 "Radar" hats (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/3-us-military-style-jeep-watch-caps-dark-green.aspx?a=768082). I don't like wool on my head, so here's the synthetic version.
Bomber Hat (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/vintage-style-bomber-hat-olive-drab.aspx?a=591937). For $16 you get an arctic-ready piece of headgear.
2 Pair Swiss Mitts (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/2-prs-new-swiss-military-cold-weather-mitts.aspx?a=306934). water-resistant nylon shell, synthetic insulation.
3 Pair French Mitts (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/3-pk-used-french-insulated-mittens-olive-drab.aspx?a=490324). water-resistant nylon shell, synthetic insulation.
Shell/Wet weather:
German Gore-tex suit (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-german-mil-fleck-camo-suit.aspx?a=59197). I know it's camo, but you can't get an entire Gore-Tex rain suit for $36, period. They're used, but re-energize the Gore-tex with Nikwax and they'll be good as new.
German Military Gore-Tex pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-german-military-gore-tex-pant-olive-drab.aspx?a=504847).
British Gore-Tex Jacket and/or pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/used-british-military-gore-tex-jacket-dpm-camo.aspx?a=884866). I know, they're camo too, but you just can't beat the price. Quality stuff.
Accessories:
4 Wool Blankets (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=713463). Great to have in the car or to curl up in while listening to the 3 Strikes. I have these. Heavyweight and toasty!
And if you're Winterseeding on the Time Bandit out in the Bering Sea... you might need this (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=824282).
Can't wait for the snow! Hope to see you out on the Winterseed trail!
Found that Sportsman's Guide is selling...
<---- THIS Bear Jacket (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=160279) for $18. Pretty good deal.
I just added some wool and silk long undies, purchased at Sierra Trading Post while I was in Wyoming. Their internet and catalog services have treated me well in the past.
Layers are important.
A few weeks back I purchased the 10 pairs of Swiss Military Dress Pants for $18 as a club member.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=459629
I'm 5'8", with a 34/30 normal pant size - I ordered their "Medium" size and they fit perfectly over my poly-fleece long underwear.
The good:
- At less than $2 a pair you could almost consider them disposable...
- High quality pants. Nice attention to detailed construction. Good stitching, reinforced seams, cuffs.
- 55% polyester, 45% wool means they machine wash well, unlike 100% wool pants. Line dry.
- Lighter weight than 100% wool East German pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=386068) makes them a good late Fall/early Spring pant.
- Wear well, comfortable. I wore them during the October Snowpocolypse and post-cleanup, and I wore them at the recent KD day. I've had no problems moving around in them, either chainsawing trees or getting into and out of the prone position.
The bad:
- Button fly. I hate button fly's.
The Ugly:
- Belt loops are only 1", designed for a dress-uniform belt. If you're into suspenders, this is a non-issue. But if you want to wear a belt it's either a dress belt, or you'll need to have the loops modified.
>:( They only go up to Large. I doubt that would accommodate my prone pillow. :'(
Thanks for the tip, though.
</log>
Quote from: Glock23 on November 09, 2011, 11:22:58 AM
A few weeks back I purchased the 10 pairs of Swiss Military Dress Pants for $18 as a club member.
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=459629
I'm 5'8", with a 34/30 normal pant size - I ordered their "Medium" size and they fit perfectly over my poly-fleece long underwear.
The good:
- At less than $2 a pair you could almost consider them disposable...
- High quality pants. Nice attention to detailed construction. Good stitching, reinforced seams, cuffs.
- 55% polyester, 45% wool means they machine wash well, unlike 100% wool pants. Line dry.
- Lighter weight than 100% wool East German pants (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=386068) makes them a good late Fall/early Spring pant.
- Wear well, comfortable. I wore them during the October Snowpocolypse and post-cleanup, and I wore them at the recent KD day. I've had no problems moving around in them, either chainsawing trees or getting into and out of the prone position.
The bad:
- Button fly. I hate button fly's.
The Ugly:
- Belt loops are only 1", designed for a dress-uniform belt. If you're into suspenders, this is a non-issue. But if you want to wear a belt it's either a dress belt, or you'll need to have the loops modified.
Quote from: The Log on November 09, 2011, 09:35:16 PM
>:( They only go up to Large. I doubt that would accommodate my prone pillow. :'(
Well then, you have a goal now, don't you? ~~:)