only as you were issued with it towards the end of your time
Army surplus clothing
- Thread starter rhhudson
- Start date
Orion
Well-Known Member
How strange I somehow imagined you as more of a Mediterranean kinda guy.
Probably double as a snow suit as well, but not so good on the pigeons judging by the clip.
caorach
Well-Known Member
For some years I've been a big fan of the British Army Windproof Smock, as a general walking/stalking/fishing jacket I think you can't beat it providing you use some common sense.
The smock isn't waterproof - but can be made pretty showerproof with some spray on waterproofing. Not being waterproof is a big advantage, despite the magazine adverts, as it is much more breathable and so on most days you stay warmer, drier and more comfortable. On days when it is going to be very wet then you can add a waterproof layer UNDER the smock. This means you keep all your pockets etc. plus there will be no "plastic bag" noise plus if the smock is already damp you aren't shutting it inside a waterproof layer. Once the rain stops you can remove the waterproof layer in a short while as the smock dries very quickly indeed and you are back to being breathable and comfortable again.
On days when there is no chance of rain then there is no need to carry the waterproof layer, and you'll easily cope with some unexpected showers. If there might be a fair chance of rain you can put a lightweight waterproof layer in a pocket, some modern ones pack down really tiny and weigh next to nothing, and because the smock will be over it so a very lightweight waterproof is protected against thorns, or rucksack straps, or other stuff that would destroy it. In really awful weather you might go for a heavier waterproof layer. This part of a clothing system requires you to think about how you will use it and this is the bit most people struggle with as they are sold on the marketing idea that there is one jacket that will do every possible task because it is just so wonderful, I've never found this close to the truth. You can wear waterpoof layers you already own under the smock providing they aren't too heavyweight so I use everything from a £15 "Pack it Jacket" to my Musto Munro, if you wanted to spend big cash on something to put in your pocket one of these would be great:
www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
The smocks are inexpensive and well designed with excellent pockets and durability. The modern MTP smocks have hand warmer pockets and pit zips and all sorts of stuff like that and the MTP pattern is good on a lot of ground except for dark forest. The older DPM smocks are more basic in design and in many respects this is a good thing as there is no fleece pockets to hold water and so on, the DPM pattern is darker and so better at night or in thick forest. They are cheap enough that you can buy one of each and see what you think, if you don't like them then sell them on ebay for what you paid for them. So, don't mess about but just get one ordered and give it a try. There are also versions available in a range of colours, including plain olive and even raf blue, plus if you want to spend big money there are 3rd party suppliers who will sell you the same thing for ten times the price.
The smock isn't waterproof - but can be made pretty showerproof with some spray on waterproofing. Not being waterproof is a big advantage, despite the magazine adverts, as it is much more breathable and so on most days you stay warmer, drier and more comfortable. On days when it is going to be very wet then you can add a waterproof layer UNDER the smock. This means you keep all your pockets etc. plus there will be no "plastic bag" noise plus if the smock is already damp you aren't shutting it inside a waterproof layer. Once the rain stops you can remove the waterproof layer in a short while as the smock dries very quickly indeed and you are back to being breathable and comfortable again.
On days when there is no chance of rain then there is no need to carry the waterproof layer, and you'll easily cope with some unexpected showers. If there might be a fair chance of rain you can put a lightweight waterproof layer in a pocket, some modern ones pack down really tiny and weigh next to nothing, and because the smock will be over it so a very lightweight waterproof is protected against thorns, or rucksack straps, or other stuff that would destroy it. In really awful weather you might go for a heavier waterproof layer. This part of a clothing system requires you to think about how you will use it and this is the bit most people struggle with as they are sold on the marketing idea that there is one jacket that will do every possible task because it is just so wonderful, I've never found this close to the truth. You can wear waterpoof layers you already own under the smock providing they aren't too heavyweight so I use everything from a £15 "Pack it Jacket" to my Musto Munro, if you wanted to spend big cash on something to put in your pocket one of these would be great:
Hyper 100 Shell Jacket
Berghaus Hyper 100 Shell Jacket available from Ultralight Outdoor Gear with FREE UK+EU Delivery, reviews, full tech specs & helpful advice ☎️
www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
The smocks are inexpensive and well designed with excellent pockets and durability. The modern MTP smocks have hand warmer pockets and pit zips and all sorts of stuff like that and the MTP pattern is good on a lot of ground except for dark forest. The older DPM smocks are more basic in design and in many respects this is a good thing as there is no fleece pockets to hold water and so on, the DPM pattern is darker and so better at night or in thick forest. They are cheap enough that you can buy one of each and see what you think, if you don't like them then sell them on ebay for what you paid for them. So, don't mess about but just get one ordered and give it a try. There are also versions available in a range of colours, including plain olive and even raf blue, plus if you want to spend big money there are 3rd party suppliers who will sell you the same thing for ten times the price.
flying felix
Well-Known Member
Always bear in mind that some camouflage patterns are designed to fool the human eyes not animals. A good example of this was the old UK DPM. But in most cases, unless you are planning on seeking up on a deer and whispering in its ear before dispatching it, it won't really make any difference.
Yes British Army smocks are pretty generous, so go for your chest size in cm(eg. 104cm or 96cm etc) the smock will be generous enough to confortably have a t shirt, shirt and fleece/softie jacket underneath it. The '180' or '190' size is your actual height in cm.
Erik Hamburger
Well-Known Member
A lot of clothing and footwear from British Military Surplus - British Military Surplus if sold in 'Grade 1' condition, is brand new and still in the original packaging, or almost as new with very little wear and tear. The various branded boots are excellent (£25-£35), so is the pure wool commando jumper (£10), and the Gore-Tex camo jackets (£35).
That's why they didn't put pockets on the goretex jacket, so that it forced you to wear it under the smock. Smocks were a lot cheaper to replace than the goretex.
Siggy
Well-Known Member
Darn, what a website, the visa card just took a (little) hit
So my windproof smock has arrived, very pleased with the design of i5. They ate quite big on the sizing I measured m6 chest at 110cm but ordered a 180/104 and it's probably the next size up from where I want to be, but it's got all the drawstring in so comes in well. And for a total price of £16.50 bargin!!
I was thinking I might wash it in some waterproof solution just to turn a shower. Has anyone got any recommendations?
Thanks
I was thinking I might wash it in some waterproof solution just to turn a shower. Has anyone got any recommendations?
Thanks
gonzo
Well-Known Member
Be aware, that UK MTP/Goretex kit, seem to be designed to go over a webbing system, is masivly oversized, if worn close to the body.
(OK, that's my assumption. Someone may correct me, but they are still hugely oversized.)
So if possible, try them on, or borrow someone else's to get an idea of the size. Or just order your size and plan to put them on OVER your day pack.
The earlier jackets have no pockets, but have an access zip through the front toaccess mags/radio. The later ones have a couple of brest pockets.
The trousers I have , have no pockets. Just velcro slots to access your battledress pockets benieth.
Later ones have zipped legs below the knees, which are great for getting into them without taking your boots off.
They are noisey as hell though. But work very well if you get them to fit you.
A couple of years ago, I picked up new unissued DPM and desert pattern ones, for about £35 a set!
(OK, that's my assumption. Someone may correct me, but they are still hugely oversized.)
So if possible, try them on, or borrow someone else's to get an idea of the size. Or just order your size and plan to put them on OVER your day pack.
The earlier jackets have no pockets, but have an access zip through the front toaccess mags/radio. The later ones have a couple of brest pockets.
The trousers I have , have no pockets. Just velcro slots to access your battledress pockets benieth.
Later ones have zipped legs below the knees, which are great for getting into them without taking your boots off.
They are noisey as hell though. But work very well if you get them to fit you.
A couple of years ago, I picked up new unissued DPM and desert pattern ones, for about £35 a set!
caorach
Well-Known Member
Diver Dave makes a spray on concoction called "Repel" and I'd guess if you do a bit of searching you will find him, maybe on ebay?
The wash in stuff also seems to work well.
I like my jackets on the long side plus I also like the sleeves to be long enough to pull my hands in if there is a cold wind or similar so I always tend to wear my windproof smocks a bit on the large side. Also consider that they are designed to carry a lot of stuff in the pockets, which tightens things up a bit, plus they are designed to be worn over the waterproof layer.
Don't forget that there are several versions of the windproof smock so I find the DPM one works better for walking/fishing and the MTP one for stalking for example so there is room for some experimentation at not much cost. If you have a few you can have the pockets in one sorted for stalking, and the other for fishing, for example.
Slightly off track from the waterproofing chat, you might try Varusteleka for surplus kit from other countries. I’ve had a few things off them and been impressed.
I’ve also heard good things about Diver Dave’s mix.
I’ve also heard good things about Diver Dave’s mix.
Harry mac
Well-Known Member
That's all well and good 'til the rain stops, you take off the water proof and then have to put a wet smock on over your nice dry under layer. Always hated having to do that. I think that's one of the reasons the latest smock (the one with the black lining) is waterproof as well.
Army current green General Service (?) surplus shirts..unpick and/or cut the epaullettes and pocket flaps off carefully to "civilianise" them then launder...make great shirts for formal "collar and tie" driven days at a fraction of the cost of any Barbour or John Norris equivalent plain green shirts.
Hmm! Softie! Real men would wear woad and a "war face".
Aye true mate, felt like shite but still drier than a sopping wet smock...depending on world location of course hahaha
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