Field Gear

[Capt M. Sherrod]

I would like to see what sites folks have found to get their field gear from.

Some of the sites that I have found / used are


www.actiongear.com

www.ferno.com

www.gear911.com

www.vtarmynavy.com

www.armysurpluswarehouse.com


What sites do you recommend for price / service / ease of use?  Taken one step farther, what gear did you get from this merchant?

[JayT]

I would like to see what sites folks have found to get their field gear from.

Some of the sites that I have found / used are


www.actiongear.com

www.ferno.com

www.gear911.com

www.vtarmynavy.com

www.armysurpluswarehouse.com


What sites do you recommend for price / service / ease of use?  Taken one step farther, what gear did you get from this merchant?

Except for my two Camelbaks, all of my stuff came from local surplus stores. My BFM came from Camelbak directly, and my smaller one was a gift from a friend at the Naval Academy.

[Stonewall]

www.actiongear.com

I am highly loyal to Brigade Quartermaster.  First, they were the first gear place I ever ordered anything from back in 1987 when I first joined as a cadet.  The item I ordered didn't fit so I sent it back and they FedEx'd a new one without further cost, that was 20 years ago.

Since then, I had stuff shipped to me while deployed and again, everything was perfect and shipping was quick. 

Finally, about 1 1/2 years ago they dedicated their catalog to Homeland Security (not the egency, just in general) and had a two-pager about CAP.  They weren't even asked, they just included us.  I know because I asked.

If something was $5 cheaper elsewhere, I would still order from BQM based solely on my experience with them.  Loyal to me, I'll be loyal to you.

[Walkman]

I got a great deal on my combat boots from Sportsman's Guide (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/). They shipped quickly. They've got a lot of odd-ball collectible military surplus as well.

I just bought 550 cord from RangerJoes.com. I haven't gotten the order yet, so I can't comment on the service.

[Michael]

For those that use backpacks for day gear...

Any good brands for suggestion?   

[Walkman]

For those that use backpacks for day gear...

Any good brands for suggestion?   

Get an ALICE pack. Medium size would work well for most SAR & camping needs. Durable as all get out and relatively inexpensive.

[JRChristenson]

I have gotten cheap MOLLE gear from www.cheaperthandirt.com

So far, for CAP ground team use I am quite satisfied... It's obviously not the kind of stuff I'd use daily in combat, but as 24hour gear that's only used maybe a dozen times a year I have no complaints.

[DC]

I have gotten most of my field gear through my local surplus store, most of it was made by Rothco. It is all of acceptable quality, nothing has broken in the 2 1/2 years I've had it. Some of the people in my squadron ordered from www.cheaperthandirt.com and their gear seems to be decent, and it was pretty inexpensive.

[Thor]

X2 on Brigade Quartermasters. Probably the best all around place I've bought gear from.

[Michael]

Don't forget thehock.com.

[bricktonfire]

go to www.USCAV.com the site has a wide selection of gear

[Stonewall]

X2 on Brigade Quartermasters. Probably the best all around place I've bought gear from.

Over the past 2 weeks, I've ordered from BQM 3 times.  I'd order something and forget about something else I wanted.  I got a call from BQM asking if I meant to place 3 separate orders.  I told them I kept forgetting I needed something else.  They combined the orders to save me on shipping.  They didn't have to do that.

[teesquared]

http://www.ebay.com/

[SarDragon]

eBay is OK, but there's always the problem of bidding up to your spending limit, and thenn getting outbid. I got a blue flight suit that way, but it took me five months on four or five auctions to do it.

[mikeylikey]

X2 on Brigade Quartermasters. Probably the best all around place I've bought gear from.

Over the past 2 weeks, I've ordered from BQM 3 times.  I'd order something and forget about something else I wanted.  I got a call from BQM asking if I meant to place 3 separate orders.  I told them I kept forgetting I needed something else.  They combined the orders to save me on shipping.  They didn't have to do that.

Did you order through the online AAFES "MALL"??  I think you save 10-15 percent that way!  PLUS you get Free Shipping! 

[floridacyclist]

eBay is OK, but there's always the problem of bidding up to your spending limit, and thenn getting outbid. I got a blue flight suit that way, but it took me five months on four or five auctions to do it.

Try http://www.esnipe.com

Keeps you out of the bidding wars. I do not have an ethical issue with it; if someone is wiling to spend more then they should list that higher amount as their max bid the first time around rather than waiting to see what others bid. Unwillingness to commit might lose them the auction, but that is their choice.

You can also set it up with multiple auctions in a group and it will cancel the rest of the group as soon as one of the auctions is won.

[Michael]

Bradley's Military in Watertown, NY seems to be a good place for gear, if you're ever in that outrageously cold neighborhood on Route 11.

[teesquared]

eBay is OK, but there's always the problem of bidding up to your spending limit, and thenn getting outbid. I got a blue flight suit that way, but it took me five months on four or five auctions to do it.

I just bid the max amount I am willing to spend on that item. If some other bloke wants to outbid me, fine, let him overpay.  Patience and persistence are the key.
Bargains are like busses - if you miss one it's OK, there'll be another one along soon.

[Michael]

X2 on Brigade Quartermasters. Probably the best all around place I've bought gear from.

Over the past 2 weeks, I've ordered from BQM 3 times.  I'd order something and forget about something else I wanted.  I got a call from BQM asking if I meant to place 3 separate orders.  I told them I kept forgetting I needed something else.  They combined the orders to save me on shipping.  They didn't have to do that.

Did you order through the online AAFES "MALL"??  I think you save 10-15 percent that way!  PLUS you get Free Shipping! 

Would a CAP member who's not in the military be able to use that option?

[SSgt Rudin]

X2 on Brigade Quartermasters. Probably the best all around place I've bought gear from.

Over the past 2 weeks, I've ordered from BQM 3 times.  I'd order something and forget about something else I wanted.  I got a call from BQM asking if I meant to place 3 separate orders.  I told them I kept forgetting I needed something else.  They combined the orders to save me on shipping.  They didn't have to do that.

Did you order through the online AAFES "MALL"??  I think you save 10-15 percent that way!  PLUS you get Free Shipping! 

Would a CAP member who's not in the military be able to use that option?

No, sorry, you have to have AAFES online access. However if you know someone who does have AAFES access...