The most advanced tech pieces in the outdoor industry tend to start as products developed for the military and then trickle down to civilians from there. While consumers can’t always buy military-grade items, many brands with military contracts also create consumer-facing products durable enough to last through raids, desert marches and the wear and tear that comes from active duty. Here are 11 top-notch items you can buy right now from brands making gear for the troops.
Outdoor Research Infiltrator Jacket
Offered in grey or khaki, the Infiltrator jacket is part of the larger Infiltrator Collection and is meant to perform in tactical situations. This piece has a durable, stretchy Gore-Tex fabric (designed specifically for military use) and is paired with fully taped waterproof seams. Despite all that technical fabric, the jacket is still lightweight and breathable. It also comes with a combat helmet compatible halo-hood.
Campbellsville Apparel makes only a handful of garments, but it supplies cotton briefs and undershirts to all branches of the US military as well as sweatshirts and sweatpants to the Marine Corps and Air Force. The shirts and other pieces are simple yet practical — and you don’t need to enlist in order to add them to your own daily kit. Best of all, the basic white cotton t-shirts are only $12 per 3-pack.
The Assault Pant LT is the same pant that the military wears during direct action or special reconnaissance tasks in more tropical weather. The GORE Katana no melt/no drip material and TWEAVE Durastretch fabrics keep the pants lightweight and long-lasting. Kneepad inserts, liners and reinforced knees provide durability where the pants are likely to wear out first. A drawcord around the ankles keeps the pant legs tight around boots.
Think how fast you wear through your shoes, then imagine marching all over the world in that one pair. Danner’s 56-ounce non-insulated boots are built to last a lifetime. The athletic fit leaves a little breathing room for your toes. Plus, the sole offers serious traction on the pivot points, meaning you can easily change direction without slipping up. The Rivot TFX also features a Gore-Tex liner, which will keep your feet dry and comfortable through a full spectrum of weather conditions.
The Cold WX Parka SVX is the ultimate down jacket. It has a removable goggle-compatible insulated hood, plus a variety of pockets inside the coat, under the arms and on the chest to hold everything you could possibly need. It was designed specifically for special reconnaissance tasks, but could easily handle frigid days in the city.
Rocky’s S2V Tactical boots are lined with durable and abrasion-resistant Cordura nylon, coated with PTFE for flame-resistance and crafted with water-resistant leather. The Vibram sole provides much-needed comfort and traction when you’re on your feet all day, and the S2V Sieve technology allows air to make its way through your boots. The technology also allows water to drain easily out of the boot whether you’re wading through streams or dumping water on yourself to stay cool. Plus, the boots are Berry Compliant, meaning they’re made in the USA with American-made components.
Smith’s Dragstrip sunglasses provide ample coverage paired with photochromatic Chromapop lenses, which pull out colors and highlights in a variety of lighting conditions. The Megol nose pads and temple tips secure them to your face even when you’re sweating, or when it’s way too cold for anything to stay put. Plus, they come with a lifetime warranty.
Modeled after the standard-issue Spear Patrol packs made for the United States Special Operations Command, the Blackjack 80 is Mystery Ranch’s consumer-available version. The carbon frame and abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric mean it’s both long-lasting and lightweight. The four external pockets have easy-to-access top-open zippers, and the removable lid can act as an additional waist pack. This bag is also Berry Compliant.
Not everything from Valley Apparel L.L.C is available to consumers, but this Gore-Tex lined camo jacket made for the Air Force is. A high neck hides the roll-n-stow hood, and the sealed seams provide weather protection from all elements. You’ll need to email the brand to get the correct sizing and to purchase, but when you do, you’ll have an Air Force-standard Gore-Tex jacket.
This mid-layer is designed to be worn underneath a waterproof shell or body armor. It’s a quarter-zip pullover with thumb holes, which provide some hand protection without gloves. The easy-to-access chest pocket keeps essential items close, and it comes in two colors: jet black and a dusty olive.
Darn Tough’s hiking socks feature 1,441 stitches per square inch, and the military-grade seamless versions do as well. There’s no slipping or bunching, they’re breathable and most importantly, they’re incredibly durable. They’re made from merino wool, which means that they are naturally moisture-wicking and anti-microbial.
Outdoor Research's sports-focused face mask performed well during our tests thanks to an extended design that creates an air pocket. This makes it easy to breathe heavily during exercise. Adjustable ear loops and behind-the-head strap help create a secure and comfortable fit. READ OUR GUIDE TO BEST FITNESS MASKS
The V10 used to be Dyson's top-tier stick vacuum, but it was eventually replaced by the slightly more powerful (and much more expensive) V11. This makes the V10 a great value, as it's usually $150 less than the V11. Thanks to this sale, it's even a better value than the V11 right now.
The CPO jacket is a classic silhouette that never goes out of style. Todd Snyder upgraded this one with premium a cotton-linen Herringbone that will break in and only get better over time.
All-Clad's big factory seconds sale is on, which means there's no better time to buy factory seconds from the superior cookware brand. Like this Copper Core 10-inch Fry Pan, which is a big-time upgrade for your kitchen that you can score for just a Benjamin.
Is anything left to be said about the Eames chair? This is one of the most iconic pieces of furniture to come out of the 20th century and is a must-have for any furniture aficionados (if you can afford it).
A fleece pullover fits in any wardrobe, adding a great layering piece that is warm enough to stand on its own but also light enough to wear under a jacket. This one adds a kangaroo pocket for good measure.
Using half bison fiber and half wool, the Bison Ultralight weighs less than a pound and offers extremely well insulation. It also sports a recycled ripstop shell with a PFC-free DWR coating and compactly folds into its own pocket. At half off, this is a steal. READ OUR DOWN JACKETS GUIDE
Four-way stretch, seamless construction, and extreme breathability make this our pick for the best premium workout shirt. It is simple, and simply good.
Not only is this one of the most versatile packs around, it eschews some of the "ugly" features on a standard outdoor pack for a look that is actually super stylish. We welcome an outdoor pack that values both style and function.
Perfect for winter, these boots are made with fully waterproof leather and vulcanized rubber, keeping you dry whether you're sloshing through snow on the way to work, doing work in the yard, or going out for a hunt.
Everlane does basics extremely well — it's kind of Everlane's thing. The brand's 18-wale corduroy fabric shirt is a great option for the winter months and at half off you truly cannot beat it. READ OUR GUIDE TO CORDUROY SHIRTS
Hydro Flask really needs no introduction at this point, so when you can get a 32-ounce wide mouth with its Temp-Shield insulation at 25 percent off, you do it.
The complete package, this sound bar connects via Bluetooth, has its own subwoofer and passive radiators, is wall-mountable, and can connect via HDMI, optical or AUX connections.
Carhartt is everywhere right now, with good reason. The brand's hardy garments are the epitome of workwear, this shirt jacket included. Flannel speaks for itself, but additional hand pockets and fleece lining round out this wardrobe staple.
This chronograph re-issue of Timex's original military-style watch has an aluminum 40mm case that provides strength without the weight. If you're looking for a daily knock around with chronograph features, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better deal.
If you're a student, there's never been a better time to get a Hulu subscription. The discount also doesn't expire — it lasts as long as you're enrolled as a student.
If you are working out a lot, you're going to need more than one mask. Under Armour has created one of the best sports-specific masks and right now if you buy two you get a great deal.
Todd Snyder's collaborations with Timex always hit. Paired with a vintage military-inspired band, this bullseye design is straight from the Timex archives.
Whether you want to move some of your most frequently used herbs indoors or don't have space outside for a garden, the AeroGarden Harvest is a perfect solution, with clearance for up to a foot of growth and room for 6 plants that grow five times faster than soil.
Gore-Tex uppers and Primaloft insulation combined with the classic Bean Boot silhouette make this a no brainer for deep winter, whether you're digging out the driveway or stomping around in puddles.
Adidas used sustainable Parley Primeblue material to make its Primeknit upper even better, then combined it with Boost midsoles to make the ultimate earth-conscious workout shoe.
The Jabra Elite Active 65t are sports-focused headphones (IP56) with better great sound quality for listening to music and taking calls. Also compatible with Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant, this is one of our top picks for sports-focused earbuds.
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