1.Boots
I love a good military surplus store and part of that reason is that my Dad and my Uncle often took me to them as a kid. Some of my early memories as a little girl is digging through military surplus at Northern Sales in Burlington, Washington. They sold a lot of other outdoor goods too but they had a big surplus selection.
Back then you could still find old stuff from WWII and once in a great while there would be some special find on the wall that was for sale that was from WWI.
When my Dad decided to move us back to North Carolina, we started going to Old Grouch’s Military Surplus, and that is still where I go today when I want a good deal on some gear.
I have put together this list of what to look for at military surplus stores. At the end of this post, I have added some options for those that don’t have a store close by as well as some pointers on how to spot fake military goods or reproductions.
Thanks to Tim Glance at Old Grouch’s Military Surplus for his help and pictures in putting this article together.
25 Military Surplus Store Items To Look For
Matt and I buy a lot of boots at Old Grouch’s. Most good military surplus stores have a few types of boots. Some are very lightly used while others are new.
If you dig around and get lucky you can still sometimes get the Vietnam era combat boots. I have a pair of originals made right here in Haywood County, North Carolina. I really like them for general use around the farm. They are lightweight and they breathe well which is very important in our hot and humid climate.
From fancy full-length wool officer’s coats to lighter weight jackets, there is no telling what you will find at a military surplus store. On my recent excursion, I picked up a brand new trench coat with a removable liner. These coats are available in men’s and women’s sizing. I had to get a men’s because the women’s are too small in the shoulders and too short in the arms for me to wear.
I wore this coat out in the rain and it sheds every drop! I had always wanted a trench coat but never bought one because of the cost and the fact that I can only wear it part of the time. Most farm work is not conducive to wearing a trench coat. Believe it or not, once in a while I do get cleaned up and dress up a little. I am going to buy a second one of these soon and one for Matt. Oh, and they are made in the United States!
I like the basic green and standard camo myself but sometimes it is easier to find desert and digital camo. There seems to be a good variety still available at surplus stores but the solid green ones seem to be in much shorter supply than they used to be.
The last time I went to the surplus store I had to hold myself back from buying another bag. I have so many bags but I could not help thinking “hey that would be a great tactical purse”. A woman only needs so many bags. Regardless, you should look for backpacks and bags at a surplus store. You can get an amazing deal on a MOLLE style pack and even find a pack with a good frame for hanging stuff off of if you like to do that.
I used to wear the webbed army-style belts a lot when I was a teenager and in college. They are basic, go with everything, and they are very adjustable. You can find more substantial belts and tactical belts as well. If you are tired of belts that don’t hold up, I suggest trying out one used by the military. In my experience, they are practically indestructible.
I picked up a few military manuals from the 60s on one of my trips to Old Grouch’s. These are affordable and informative survival manuals. Some info may not be as applicable for civilian situations but it can help you get some good ideas to use for your own situations.
Bayonets can sometimes make good knives for defense or you may be able to find a bayonet for your old rifle.
Tim saved me this awesome old radiacmeter. It was used to conduct radiation surveys when mounted on the outside of a vehicle. Most of them were just used in classrooms and for practice. It runs on a single D Cell battery and will go up to 500 roentgen per hour.
You can also find dosimeters and the recharging station so you can monitor your exposure. These are very affordable at military surplus stores. I might pick up a unit and a few meters soon.
There is no telling what type of hat you will find. The classic style used for Army uniforms is the most common but I have seen very cold weather hats, watch caps, and more. Sometimes you can find bush hats, which are nice to work in in the summertime around here because they have good ventilation and keep the sun out of your eyes and off part of your neck.
There are usually small and larger kits available that can make a good base for getting a good medical kit put together. I say base because I have never found a kit at any store or online that I have not wanted to add something to. You can also find individual medical supplies such as trauma bandages. I believe I saw the Israeli style battle dressing that are vacuum-sealed.
This type of equipment and availability will vary a lot. This is why it pays to go browse just once in a while. Good finds often don’t stay on the shelf for long. If you want something specific you may be able to ask nicely to be informed if something comes in. If you do this, make sure that you follow through with buying the item if it is as described. It is far more likely that you will be able to get in on special finds again if you keep your word.
If you like to get some authentic signs, then a military surplus store can be a great place to look. Some are vintage style signs and they can vary in size.
From small military pup tents to large canvas tents made for 10-12 soldiers, you can find it at a military surplus store. Smaller stores are not going to have these out on display. I know a few places that specialize in the big military surplus that may have some out during the summer. If you are interested in a tent it is best to talk personally to someone at the surplus store or email them an inquiry.
I get some great socks at military stores. No, they have not been worn. They are just socks made for the military. I like my green over the knee socks that have some silver threads in them to help with odor and microbial activity. They are warm yet lightweight and tough. There are often a lot of wool socks available for a good deal as well. They are stretchy enough that most people can wear them.
Alcohol and fuel tablet stoves that can be used easily out in the field are available at military surplus stores. This is an item that you should get when you see it because sometimes it takes a while for a store to get them back once they sell out.
I have definitely bought a few MREs at surplus stores. They are often sold individually but you can ask about a case of them. Selection will vary a bit. Some people like to buy them individually so they can pick their entrees out rather than getting a mixed case. This is an item that if you don’t see them at a store, you may want to ask. Like I said, space can be limited out front but a lot of stores do have things stored that they bring out as needed.
I have more experience with tarps than many realize living as we have in campers and building up a farm and homestead. You get what you pay for but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get a good deal for the quality you get. I say this because sometimes people wonder why some tarps are $10 and some are $50. The answer is how well they are made. Military tarps are tough and a great deal even if they may not be in the price range that you find at Wal-Mart. Around here we buy cheap tarps and really good ones depending on how long they need to be good for and some other factors.
These are often wool and a great deal. I have found them in green and gray. Sometimes they vary in weight and percentage of wool so you may want to check the tag. I have a Swiss style one that weighs about 5 lbs which is a bit heavy for most of the year in my area. I prefer the lighter weight green wool blankets for layering but the Swiss style blanket is a good thing to have put back just in case.
A military poncho can be really nice. You can also get them that come with a removable liner or buy the liner separately if you find one that doesn’t have one. I like the versatility of layering that they offer. The military poncho is made to be large enough to cover your bag and some other gear. You can definitely use it to cover things and hide them if you are not wearing it.
You can find some heavy duty jerry cans sometimes. Definitely something to be on the lookout for. A good gas can is an excellent prep to have put back. They perform so much better than plastic over the years.
You can always find paracord at military surplus stores and it is always a reasonable color. Sometimes the lengths will vary. For example, you might find 25-35 lengths rather than the 25, 100, or 1000 ft lengths that are often found online.
There are all kinds of pocket knives and fixed blade knives at surplus stores. They are not all made for the military but military stores do carry a selection of knives that can be fun to look through. Mora Knives are a popular brand that you can find as well as Ka-Bar, which is used by the military.
Helmets are sometimes available. The brown color in the picture below is probably the most common at the time. Make sure to try them on or measure your head. Also account for any other head coverings or hats that you plan on wearing underneath. Helmets are somewhat adjustable too so keep that in mind.
A lot of people print out there own targets but it can be nice to just buy some occasionally. You can sometimes find these at army stores.
A good entrenching shovel is something that you should have in your preps. Some people even carry them in their vehicles for getting out of situations.
Surplus is a bit like an antique market. If you find something that you haven’t seen before or that is rare in the surplus world, then you need to buy it right then. Don’t go back a week later and give the store a hard time for not having something. They get what they get and don’t have control over a lot of the supply chain. There is a chance that some items they may not see again for years or ever again.
The military is trying to get rid of this camo pattern. It is not a popular pattern with anyone it seems. I have heard civilians and military alike complain that it is just a no good pattern.
Sometimes there is a bin of random stuff that you can go through and find good deals. Sometimes it will be something like a pair of army pants that have been cut off into shorts and not hemmed. $2 and a little hemming and you got something. Sometimes there may be a small hole in a shirt or other defect.
Surplus stores often are trying to fit a lot in a small space. It can take a little time to check out all the cool finds. Look through the racks and in nooks and crannies. Sometimes there is something great lurking there.
There is less original surplus on hand than there used to be but demand is quite high. Apparently there are places that are making military-style goods and passing them off as original. Below is a tag that gives an example of a reproduction tag. As you can see, they use a military-style tag but put their own beside it.
While I suggest supporting your local military surplus store, you can buy surplus online if there is not a store in your area. Some brick and mortar stores will also ship to you so check out the websites of stores that are in your region.
Unfortunately, it seems like military surplus stores are fewer in number than they were back in the 80s and 90s when I spent a lot more time in them. They were great for finding clothes that went well with the style back then.
Shopping in person also gives you a chance to find things that you might not otherwise and allow you to try things on.
Ebay is another source for military surplus but be very careful about who you buy from and read the descriptions well.
When I was a kid you could still find WW II surplus and items for a fairly low cost. That doesn’t happen anymore unless you just run into someone online or at a yard sale that doesn’t realize what they have and are just trying to get whatever they can for it.
What are your favorite surplus items? What have you found that you have used a lot over the years?
Updated Feb 12, 2020
Samantha Biggers lives on a mountain in North Carolina with her husband, Matthew, in a house they built. They have a small steep slope vineyard, raise sheep, and grow gourmet mushrooms. Since 2017 she has been proud to write for Backdoor Survival.
My favorite military surplus store find? A oak library table with a single drawer that I purchased in 1974 for $25. It is the size of a standard office desk with 4, 4″X4″ oak legs that unscrew (lag screws) from the desk top when you need to move it. I have had it in 7 houses that I have lived in since then, You can be sure it will go with me on the next (and hopefully last) move when I retire. It generally holds my radio gear, but has also been used as a sewing table, office desk, workbench, and other things from time to time.
Hi Samantha. Good article, thanks. The sign maker needs a proof reader ;-D. Happy prepping and keep up the good work, I always enjoy reading your articles. Cheers ;-D
LOL!! Good catch. That’s funny. Expolsives
I too enjoy the military surplus stores, have since the early 1960’s. The smell is something I’ll never forger; a cross between canvas, leather, and wood. All with a hint of dampness to them. Love it. I have a large bugout/hunker down plastic tote filled with a bunch of G.I. gear, all Viet Nam War dated, poncho, liner, web belt, e-tool (Ames 1966) canteen, cup, and cover, ruck sack, duffel bag, just to name a few. Yes I agree, nothing like an authentic Army Surplus store. Keep up the good work, I love this site!
If you’re interested in a knife exactly like the one you have shown in item #22, you can find it at WalMart for $2.87 every day! They call them “bait knives.” They are in the fishing section and they are sold out of a box (versus a blisterpack). I bought 20 of them for prepping purposes. They are great! Excellent rubber handle. Full tang blade. Extremely sharp blade. I use them in the kitchen also. Super value!
I think I’m jealous. I’ve been to “military surplus” stores in Maryland, Northern VA and over here in Western NC. It’s all fake junk in various cammo colors. The prices would make you believe you are at Neiman Marcus. The last time I felt like I got the real deal at a fair price was about 25 years ago. Think I need to come over your way and check out Old Grouch’s!
Good post. You just never know what you will find there as your article said above. I have found ‘Olde School’ HEAVY wool (German and Swedish military) pants and jackets for inexpensive prices.
You do have to look though, I’ve noticed many Mil-Spec and Mil-Style items being offered. Do your research if you want the real thing, which is built better.
Thanks for the article.
When we visit relatives in WNC my wife goes to Mast General Store and I go dig around at Old Grouch’s. As a kid, I always enjoyed digging through our local Army/Navy store. The last time I was in Old Grouch’s I found a good deal on AR mag pouches.
Our local military surplus store (in Pearl, Ms.) has some of the best prices in town for ammo. Will also order firearms for a reasonable charge over cost.
It’s hard to find a good “surplus” store with real stuff
BUYER BEWARE.
I bought some gloves from Old Grouch Military Surplus. They are improperly manufactured and one doesn’t fit at all. No one there responds to requests to return the faulty item. I’ve tried 3x. Going back to credit card company to open a dispute.
On top of that, there is very little in his online store. Probably should have been the first red flag.
There are good finds in military surplus, but always inspect carefully. Items that are supposed to have rubber seals may be missing them or they might be dry rotted. Check anything where rubber is used. Some items such as paracord, even though it’s nylon, if not stored properly may also have dry rot or if it has been used(I’ve seen this) may be ‘worn’ in some areas. The majority of military surplus do a good job in checking for serviceability of the items they sell, but always check.
Looking for XL Or XXL blue digital jacket with liner
Never be Vulnerable in the Dark Again
403 Portway Ave Suite #300, Hood River, OR 97031 | (503) 505-9880
© 2020 Backdoor Survival
1.Boots
Research & References of 1.Boots|A&C Accounting And Tax Services
Source
0 Comments