Military surplus items used to appeal to a small but dedicated niche of ex soldiers or militia-types. However, more and more people are discovering the abundance of survival resources that are available through these outlets. Many items are built with quality and efficiency in mind while also costing a fraction of less-effective products on the commercial market today.
Supplies
You can find anything from tents to water bottles, backpacks to military-grade flashlights in surplus stores. The main benefits associated with these items is the fact that they are designed to work in the field and endure a lot of abuse in most cases. Products that are sold to the military have to meet specific design requirements, endure a lot of testing and work when needed. They are generally simple, durable and easy to deploy or use.
Products in the commercial market may be advertised to meet similar standards, but many don’t live up to expectations. Furthermore, they often cost a lot of money. This is not always the case, but it’s important to shop around and choose items carefully. Just to be fair, there are also a lot of commercial products that are more innovative and are tailored to the needs of civilians who are preparing for survival. One example of products that may be better on the commercial market involve food storage kits. It is pretty well-known that field rations and MREs produced by the military lack a certain culinary appeal.
In any case, you can find an abundance of tools, gear and supplies that will be an ideal match for your preparedness efforts, often at a fraction of the cost.
Clothing
Military surplus stores are a great place to get jackets, pants, boots, gloves and other important survival clothing items. They are designed to be functional and effective in adverse conditions, and used items may already be broken in. Imagine getting a good pair of boots that won’t be so hard on the feet or cause blisters. Think of the benefits of getting clothing that is made to provide maximum protection in adverse weather conditions while also being built to withstand the harshness of life out in the field. Remember that you are looking for clothes that can stand the test of time under adverse conditions, and the military has come along way with respect to producing quality, efficient and even comfortable items.
Gear and Accessories
You can save a lot of time and money by buying gear and accessories that are already suited for a particular purpose. You don’t have to worry as much about improvising or modifying things, and this can be invaluable when it comes to your ability to prepare more efficiently. Tool and accessory belts, vests, rope and clasps, gas masks, winches, armor, tents, cordage, radios, helmets and even body armor are all possible finds at military surplus stores. There are a million and one other random items that you can stumble on that may prove to be very useful as well. Chances are that you will be able to get what you need and put it to good use as soon as you bring the item home.
Check out a few surplus stores in your area or browse through some online resources. Just look around and see what’s available, and your mind will start exploding with ideas of how you can put lots of items to good use. It’s really surprising that so many preppers overlook the abundance of cheap and quality items that can be obtained through these outlets. It’s also kind of ironic as well, considering that most of the items are specifically designed for survival in mind.
