In reply to Post #20
Ok, I see the confusion.

Your Gen 1 is still available. It is issued to non combat units. It is on the list as $302. The newer models are cheaper as they have been "de-cluttered" to suit operational requirements. You don't need pockets in combat

Over time, designs change and the latest Gen 3 is a light weight packable item, more suited to combat operation than the Gen 1 which is to "fussy".

The British Army have a Gen 1 version that actually came out recently! We do things the other way round, starting with what is required in combat, and then up design to suit more static roles

Ours have all the pockets and liners etc but is only issued for routine wear, not combat. So, drivers, guards, use around camp on the ranges etc. You will recognise it as it has a black liner.

Anyway, you have a good bit of kit and you paid a fair price. Sorry we were at cross purposes.

In reply to Post #15
Sorry...I have to comment on this...

The cost for the new Generation 3 ECWCS parka is $132.23 according to the NATO stock list. If you want an "outsize" version, it is $145. You say you paid £80 for a woodland version, That is the older Gen 2 and 6 years ago was being phased out so that price would have been about right. The latest version can be found in UK stores for £150 new or about £80-90 used.

I am issued the lightweight hoodless and the hooded "temperate" MVP jackets and I too can easily lay in a puddle ..and regularly do on the ranges. :( To cross a river we wear gaiters to seal off the bottom of the trousers and then wade across. Sorted.

Please do not confuse Goretex, a brand name, with MVP membranes. All British Army MVP jackets use a Gore Industries membrane, but not Goretex.

The jacket you have is for use in snow and ice. The softer outer is more resistant to snow clinging to it. The outer material for standard waterproofs is a hard shell as this is more resistant to mud and rain. The UK issue parka for arctic use is the same as the ECWCS parka, but in MTP camo. It is not marked goretex because the UK military do not allow "advertising" on its kit. The only exception is with boots. This is because current issue boots are a civilian design and therefore available in shops as a new product, not a surplus one.

Snugpak make our thermals and sleep system. No name.
Buffalo and Montane make smocks, no branding
Karrimor make out day sacks, no branding.

In reply to Post #13
Sorry, can't help with a Sten gun..lol

In reply to Post #11
No probs. What are you after and I might be able to help

Depends if the Quarter Master is about over Christmas lol

In reply to Post #1
Hmmmm Are you talking about waterproof ones?

As far as I know, there were three "nylon" waterproofs...possibly what you mean by shiney?

The first were based on the olive green NI jacket. Super bits of kit as long as you did not move!

Next generation were a single skinned jacket with flapped pockets.

Then came the lined version that had a black inner, again with flapped pockets.

The first generation Goretex jackets had no pockets.

Second had a slit pocket under the flap and I think, two front pockets.

Like any jacket, they will require reproofing and any used items are washed before they come on the market, and that can affect the waterproofing. Spray with a proofer and they will be as good as new.

In reply to Post #319
As I have mentioned before, metabolisms

I generate a lot of heat and a t-shirt or thermal top and trousers is all I need.

Dare I say it, those who carry a little extra weight have the issue of insulation. There body fat stops heat leaving their body and thus warming the sleeping bag. the bag remains cold, they start to cool down, so wearing more layers will help...a bit.

The prime example is me and my better half. At home I sleep with nowt on and normally a foot or leg out the duvet as I get too hot. She wears pyjamas and in winter, thermals and moans of being cold.

I am slim ...and she is not

But the easiest way to sort all of the issues is with heat pads or a hot water bottle. In days gone by a £15 argos sleeping bag and a hot water bottle was enough

In reply to Post #310
Mummy bags are far warmer.

I continue to use my issue "arctic" bag which has a central crash zip. Never had an issue with it, but I am used to it I guess.

I have recently purchased a Fox ERS 3 season bag because I thought I would try the "carpy" bags for a change and because I got a very good discount.

With it attached to my R2 bedchair, I cannot "wrap up "in it and I get a large gap down my back, with a draft. Feet are also cold, and when you move around, you find more cold spots.

I do like the "quick exit", and because of that, I will keep the bag, but I will only use it on relatively warm nights.

I have always said on various forums across the years that anglers generally do not know how a sleeping bag works, and they buy the biggest one they can, thinking it will keep them warm.

Mummy bags are warmer because they minimise "unheated" air. A large bag needs more body heat to warm the air, creates cold spots where the upper and lower materials meet and leaves big gaps around the person inside.

I still say that angling bags still have a long way to go before they become efficient.

In reply to Post #308
Whilst I agree the Fortis name adds money to the products, it has not added £100 to the Techlite.

If you look at the Snugpak range of bags, they do a couple where its a "dual bag" system giving a 3 and 5 season options. They are both over £300. The Techlite in Olive is a reasonably priced bag for what you get.

However, the idea that a DPM version should cost more than an olive one is ludicrous! When the British Army dropped it as a camo, the market was flooded with very cheap material. Snugpak could not give DPM jackets away at the time. They were left with a huge stockpile of "useless" DPM pertex that sat on the shelves gathering dust.

Along come Fortis.....rest is history....a new outlet for unsellable material.

In reply to Post #17
Ah, no need for photos, still made and sold as the Crusader 2, but its had a few minor upgrades. About £175 now or £200 with the side pockets.

It was the most popular private purchase rucksack back in the 80's and into the early 90's, along with the Crusader Cyclops. I had the smaller Munro for patrolling and had to stick with the issued rubbish for longer patrols/exercises until I bought a secondhand karrimor Jaguar SA.

It was a relief to get the "new" Bergen in 1989 and we thought it was an amazing bit of kit. Basic design is still used today.

In reply to Post #15
Hmmmm.

I would be interested to see a photo of this as it would be a vary rare beast indeed. Is it DPM or Green?

Whilst Berghaus produce a range of "military" rucksacks which have been privately purchased by soldiers and Royal Marines for decades, the name on the label inside British Army Bergens is not Berghaus but ISS, a defence contractor.

The army Bergen was based on the Crusader and the Karrimor Sabre, but with many features removed to save costs, a simplified harness and frame added and no padded hip belt, just a webbing strap. More significant was a reduction in length to allow the rucksack to be worn with the then new PLCE webbing system. The shorted sack sits on top of the webbing pouches, hence the removal of the padded waist belt.

I am genuinely intrigued to see your rucksack as if it is marked Berghaus, it may be a prototype for the current issue Bergen and very rare!