Army Surplus

Army surplus is term used to describe overstock of military equipment that governments have stockpiled either as a result of overestimating what equipment is required by their forces or as a result of the equipment becoming superceeded as new designs and techniques are introduced.  What is sold as army surplus is stores is generally surplus clothing - as this is relatively easy to sell into the consumer market and is also a lot less dangerous to society than other elements of military equipment!

The surplus equipment that is found in army surplus stores is usually either issued or in good condition (sometimes referred to as Grade 1) or else is "new" - that is to say it is unissued to forces and is now being sold as surplus to government requirements. 

Choosing army surplus equipment as the basis of your camping equipment can be a sound idea for the budget conscious camper.

Often the tents, clothing and other equipment originally bought for the military is only bought where research and testing of the products indicates what works and what doesn't. It is possible to buy products that are well suited to the needs of the modern camper but at a fraction of the cost of well-known outdoor labels.

Of course it is important for the consumer to be alert to the quality of the army surplus they are proposing to purchase. The difference between buying camping equipment in a camping store and in an army surplus store is that in a camping store the products will be new and therefore the quality of the product can be taken as suitable. When buying in a army surplus store it is necessary to shop around a little more to be sure that you are getting the equipment you want as surplus can be of variable quality so it is recommended that the first time consumer look for new/unissued stock or the very best Grade 1 equipment. However with care and attention it is possible to find competatively priced army surplus equipment as a budget alternative to conventional camping brand equipment.

Ultimately it is for the consumer to choose - but the army surplus market adds another dimension of choice for the consumer and this is a choce that the the budget conscious camper may wish to consider.

Many people have traditionally sought military surplus clothing as a good value source of work wear and protective clothing. Once governments have decided that they have no further use for a consignement of clothing it will be sold onto wholesalers who, through a retailer network, will make these clothes available to regular consumers.

More and more people are choosing to wear military clothing as items of fashion - the fishtail parka and combat trousers are examples of this. While the workwear market remains an important one for surplus clothing, the fashion market cannot be overlooked and is increasing in prominence.

Clothing from military surplus sources is now on the radar of environmentalists who cite it as an example of recycling clothing.