Welcome Newguy!!!

"...I used to be a surplus guy until I discovered that climbers and hikers have better equipment than military and at lower prices..."

That pretty much says it all. Military gear is meant to be tough (ie heavy), yet readily replacable (something breaks, you go to supply and get a new issue). Most of it is also designed to be "one size fits all (or none)," in many cases, backpacks for example, you can get a much better fitting pack from a civilian outdoors store...

It may be as cheap as dirt, but after it breaks it is as useful as dirt.

One outfit I've had good luck with is Amron Intl, I see they have the Kelty MAP 3500 3-day pack on sale for $99 with free shipping (boa green color). The MAP is the COTs version of whatever it is they build (or built) to mil-spec. I used that pack as my everyday dayhike pack this summer and it is legitimately comfortable, roomy and bombproof. A good deal at $148, a steal at $99.

http://www.amronintl.com/diving/products.cfm?id=631

Hi Jesse_Gibson,

I really can't think of anything, that is so called milspec issued to American or British Armed service units as standard kit for survival/camping gear which out performs its civilian counterpart except maybe a wooley pulley. (Quick think ) Nope not even a wooley pulley, that is unless you happen to need a specific requirement such as carrying mortar bombs, grenades and lots and lots of ammunition or specific NBC requirements.

Even the very best kit issued to elite SF units will be most likely be a civilian product just made in Camo or OD.

Thanks for the responses, both relevant and irrelevant.

The ebay link was one of which I wasn't aware, as I had no account there, but I do now...

I look forward to reading and occasionally posting.

Carry on...

Also, the cutting edge is more expensive than what the rest of us were using five to twenty years ago. Some of it is good gear, a lot of it is ok, but some of it is just bad, to.If you really and truely must look like an old supply depot that got hit by a tornado, http://militarylogisticsmfg.com

Keep in mind, that with the rapid fielding and unit funded purchases, you are getting a lot of cutting edge gear that is now made in "military" colors. But it isn't surplus, it is COTS items.

Sure thing...

Yeah, I 'T-R-U-L-Y' must look like that. Hell, I even want to be able to spell while wearing that stuff...

Joking aside, I appreciate the links and I have found what I was searching for. Some good guys here; I'm going to like this place.

I owned two MilSpec backpacks. One had a poor internal frame and neither of them felt very comfortable. They were durable, and a lot cheaper than the Arc'teryx backpacks I replaced them with. If MilSpec works for you, that's great..but the two I had were a backache.