Lady Patriots, We Now Have Oscar Mike Foundation Apparel for Women!

If you haven’t heard about the Oscar Mike Foundation already, take a look back at this previous post announcing the introduction of their line to our store:

In a nutshell, the Oscar Mike Foundation is a charitable apparel line and foundation founded by a former U.S. Marine named Noah Currier, who was wounded in a tragic accident. It’s mission is simple: get veterans on the move again.

This line of military t-shirts and sweatshirts showcase awesome designs and 10% of the proceeds of your purchase go directly to benefit the Oscar Mike Foundation, which puts 100% of its donations to work helping disabled veterans. This clothing line is made in the USA, looks awesome, and is crafted with quality in mind. Simply put, there’s nothing better suited for a patriot than an item from their selection.

We’ve been carrying Oscar Mike Foundation apparel for awhile now and over that time, we’ve seen great interest from our customers in helping veterans through their purchase. We’re excited and pleased to announce that lady patriots now have their own selection of Oscar Mike Foundation apparel to choose from.

We’ve added some great Oscar Mike apparel for women to our store and we can’t wait to hear what you think. These ladies military t-shirts and shorts feature vintage styling and soft, comfortable fabrics that make these wardrobe essentials your favorite uniform at home, at the gym, or on the move.

Choose from ladies military t-shirts to support your favorite branch (we carry Army, USMC, Air Force, and Navy ladies military t-shirt varieties from Oscar Mike), plus retro-styled shorts in white, back, or olive drab green that are great for slipping on before the gym, the beach, or just bumming around at home. You’ll love the comfort and look, but more importantly, what purchasing these items mean.

When you purchase Oscar Mike apparel for women, whether it’s a ladies military t-shirt or a pair of shorts from the collection, 10% of the proceeds go directly to the Oscar Mike Foundation. From there, 100% of the donations the Foundation receives go directly to support disabled veterans. Doing good never looked so good.

Check out our selection of Oscar Mike apparel for women today and shop to support programs that keep disabled veterans on the move. 

Mission Kidpossible. Hersheypark and the Propper Ice Polo!

I will not tell a lie. I am not fond of amusement parks. I love rollercoasters, all the wicked cool rides and stuffing junk food into my mouth when the opportunity arises. However, I do not enjoy hords of hot sweaty people pushing and shoving their way past me to be first in line at the new roller coaster. So, yesterday when my wife informed me that we would be taking the two younger children to Hersheypark to make use of their season passes, I immediately went into mission mode. How could I best gear up for this mission and make it back alive to serve the Patriot nation’s needs?

The first thing that came to mind was how hot and muggy it has been here in central Pennsylvania lately. My mind then started wandering to all the hot sweaty bodies pushing past me, the water rides my kids would want to ride and the water misting fans that all amusement parks have these days. What apparel would best fit the mission? Two items we carry came to mind. The Propper Ice Polo shirt and the Rothco Khaki Vintage Paratrooper Cargo Shorts. Two of my go to items for both comfort and style.

Rothco Khaki Vintage Paratrooper Shorts

Vintage Paratrooper Shorts.

When your mission is to survive the battle of the coasters, two things are essential to me, comfort and functionality. These two items meet the need on both levels. First, I will address the Propper Ice Polo tactical shirt. When I first tested these out, I was a bit skeptical. I mean, come on every tactical gear manufacturer out there is pushing their polo as the best thing since sliced bread. My Propper sales rep is always rocking his, but I thought it was probably because he gets them for free! However, when I tried mine on, I was instantly hooked. Not only are they lightweight, but they feel great. The material is an advanced wicking fabric that dries much faster than cotton. According to Propper, it dries 125% faster. I’m not sure how they came up with that number, but hey, what do I know! I own several of these shirts and they have been washed many times. They have not faded or shrunk at all. The one thing I really like is how wrinkle resistant they are. My wife takes them from the drier and hangs them up in my closet. They do not require any ironong at all. I highly recommend these shirts when you are battling the park in hot muggy weather!

The vintage paratrooper cargo shorts from Rothco have been my go to shorts for years. Not only are they super comfortable, but for a gear head like me, the six storage pockets are perfect for storing all the little goodies kids require on a trip to Hersheypark. I can easily stow my wallet, keys, water bottles for the kids and even my wifes wallet. She hates carrying anything in the park so I get to be the pack mule! The button down pocket closures also keeps everything in your pockets when you are challenging gravity on Skyrush, Hersheypark’s latest and greatest death defying rollercoaster. The shorts are also super soft and durable since they are made from a cotton twill blend. The other thing that is nice is the zipper fly. A lot of BDU shorts tend to have a button fly and can be a pain when you have twenty dads lined up at the head (urinal for all you civilians out there). Not only will you feel great in these, they will last because of their durability.

So, I survived my mission and am back on base here at Patriot Surplus. The next time you are leaving the safety of the wire and heading into the trenches of the amusement park, don some Rothco shorts and an Ice Polo from Propper. Not only will you be cool, functional and dry. That punk kid rocking Chuck Taylors will think twice about butting in line because of how badass you will look! Rock on Patriots and head out to the amusement park trenches.

Propper Ice Polo

Don’t trade style for performance. Get both with our Ice Polo Shirts.

 

What Would Captain America Wear?

Aww, yeah. Captain America is on the move.

Aww, yeah. Captain America is on the move.

Recently, I got the chance to see Marvel’s The Avengers in theaters (if you haven’t gone to see it yet, definitely do so – it was great!). But it got me thinking – if Captain America, a.k.a. Steve Rogers, was to take a gander around PatriotSurplus.com, what exactly would he buy?

Well, patriots. We’ve put together a shopping list for those who want to channel their own inner Captain America. Here’s what we think the first avenger would buy from our selection:

WW II Vintage Khaki Sweater: Steve Rogers looks good in pretty much everything. Really, with guns like those and his charming good looks (as portrayed by actor Chris Evans), there’s no way that Captain America would show up to save the world without looking polished. Staying true to his own style, we think he’d love this WWII Vintage Khaki Sweater. Made from 100% knit cotton, this basic yet super soft and well-made sweater would be a staple in Captain America’s closet. It’s simple, clean, and has a classic, old-fashioned look that’s big in the guy’s fashion scene right now. He could wear it with trousers and of course, his leather jacket on cold days. Elbow patches, a button placket, and ribbed cuffs, collar, and waist give this sweater a flattering fit.

US Army WWII Commemorative Zippo Lighter: Made in the USA, this commemorative WWII Zippo lighter would be found in any WWII veteran’s pocket, including Captain America’s.

Vintage Canvas Explorer Shoulder Bag: Captain America’s got to carry stuff too – just like the rest of us. When he’s not toting his shield, he can carry around his S.H.I.E.L.D. files in this vintage-style canvas messenger bag with leather straps and plenty of storage.

WWII Olive Drab 1/4 Zip Acrylic Commando Sweater: Let’s say Captain America wants to head out for the day. You know, grab a beer with the guys, maybe go on a date with Scarlett Johansson, you know – the usual. For that, we think he’d pick this Olive Drab 1/4 Zip Acrylic Sweater. It’s a bit more updated but still has a look that’s classic and true to his all-American sense style. It’s really comfortable and models the US military commando sweater from WWI and WWII. An 11 inch brass neck zipper, triangular leather accent patch, and suede type patches on the elbow and shoulders add just the right amount of character. Works great with jeans and is all around, a solid casual sweater.

Oscar Mike Vintage Army T-Shirt: Uncle Sam has been making heroes like Steve Rogers join up since he first appeared in those recruitment posters. In this vintage-style military tee, Uncle Sam’s image is featured on a super soft, well-made shirt that we know Captain America would approve of. Best of all, it’s a shirt from Oscar Mike, which means a percentage of the proceeds goes to benefit disabled veterans through the Oscar Mike Foundation.

Army Grey Physical Training T-Shirt: Everyone loves a classic and that goes especially for Steve Rogers. Captain America would wear this Army t-shirt while busting through yet another heavyweight bag during his daily workout. You know, that’s just how he rolls.

What do you think the great American superhero would love about Patriot Surplus?

Introducing Magnum Boots

Magnum Spider 8.1 Hpi Multicam #5380

Magnum Spider 8.1 Hpi Multicam #5380

Those in the military and law enforcement fields have long heard about Magnum boots and finally, we’re proud to announce that we’ve added Magnum boots and Magnum tactical footwear to the selection at Patriot Surplus.

Magnum boots were designed in the field, so they know what you’re looking for from the right boot. Designed to get the job done, Magnum boots come in military styles, as well as in options for women, work, safety, and law enforcement. You can see a full run-down of the Magnum boots and Magnum tactical footwear in our selection here.

Why choose Magnum? Well, they’re sexy for one thing (these boots look awesome), but for the other, they really do offer some amazing performance. Here are some features you’ll find built into Magnum boots:

OrthoLite Insoles: Comfortable foam insoles are key to keeping you moving in your boots. Luckily, Magnum boots use OrthoLite footbeds to give you comfort from the inside out. OrthoLite footbeds offer long term cushioning, anti-microbial protection, moisture management, breathability, and lightweight performance. Plus, they’re washable – just throw ‘em in the washing machine and they come out like new.

Vibram Rubber Soles: We’ve all heard about the superior grip, comfort, and durability of Vibram rubber soles, and now, you can get this world-famous performance in Magnum boots. Vibram rubber soles can be found on many Magnum boots options, including the new Sidewinder line which has fast rope portection built right into the outsole.

Ion-Mask Technology by P2i: Ion-Mask technology is an award winning ultra protective surface enhacement that works at the molecular level to deliver supreme protection when you’re in uniform. After all, this technology was originally developed for military clothing to protect against chemical agents.

Cambrelle: Cambrelle linings in Magnum boots offer comfort, durability, and moisture management that you demand in your tactical footwear. Cambrelle keeps your foot comfortable, cool, and dry all day long, making it ideal for use Magnum tactical boots and Magnum military boots.

SuperFabric: There’s a reason this is called SuperFabric. This unique material is the ultimate in performance, protection, and comfort and you’ll find it in Magnum footwear. Featured in the Magnum Spider and Magnum Sidewinder, SuperFabric protects your uppers from abrasion damage caused by fast roping, as well as cuts and punctures while remaining super flexible.

Agion Antimicrobial Treatments: Agion is a slow-releasing compound with antimicrobial properties that uses silver ions to help counter bacterial growth that usually occurs with increased humidity and temperature. As you wear your Magnum boots all day long, Agion will work to keep you protected from bacteria and odor.

Hextraction: Magnum’s indoor collection of slip resistant footwear uses a new technology that protects you from slipping at a microscopic level. Each boot or shoe with this technology has been tested on sleet, quarry tile, chequer plate and other surfaces with water and glycerol. It’s one of the best lines of defence against slips, trips, or falls.

And these are just a few of the things you can expect from Magnum. Ready to give Magnum boots a try for yourself? Check out our newest additions. You’ll find options for the police officer, professional, and soldier. You name the job and there’s a Magnum boot that’s the perfect fit.

Our Top Picks for Spring: A Patriot’s Guide to Spring Fashion

Army Graphic TeeAlright, it’s February. I know it’s early, but when it comes to spring fashion, now is the time that you start thinking about such things. But I digress. Springtime for patriots is an exciting time. There’s more time outside, more daylight, and clothing that can keep up with your thirst for adventure. What exactly am I talking about? I’m talking about some of the top picks for spring in our selection.

At Patriot Surplus, we give patriots the gear they need to get the job done, whether it’s actually being on the job or just enjoying your day off. This spring, we’re really excited about some new and classic items in our selection and we’d like to share our predictions for what we think will end up being hits with our customers:

Vintage Military Graphic T-Shirts: Vintage-inspired graphics are going to be huge this spring, especially on t-shirts. We’ve already started stocking our shelves with Oscar Mike Foundation military t-shirts and other military graphic tees that showcase retro-inspired designs honoring the Navy, Army, Marines, and Air Force.

Hiking Boots: The weather is getting nicer and you know what that means: time spent outdoors! As more people return to the trails this spring, we’re stocking up on men’s hiking boots and women’s hiking boots from top brands like Converse and Daner to get you ready for your next adventure.

Women’s Combat Boots: We saw this trend start up in the fall and we’ll see it transition into spring as the ladies pair light and airy dresses with some truly badass boots. Our pick? Corcooran Women’s Leather Jump Boots.

Wiley-X Sunglasses: Stylish, durable, and ready to take on anything. That’s what we like to hear. Wiley-X sunglasses are always a popular pick during the warmer months of the year, but if you want to take advantage of some great deals on this spring and summer staple, now is the time to start shopping. We have a great selection of Wiley-X sunglasses ready for wear.

Women’s Paratrooper Fatigues: These pants are all about form and function. They’re comfortable, durable, and even on par with this season’s utility clothing trend. One of our favorite pairs from our selection is the women’s vintage paratroooper pants in stone. With a really flattering color and great fit, these paratrooper pants are great for transitioning you – comfortably – into spring.

Alright patriots, so tell us: what spring clothing are YOU most excited about?

Stay on the Lookout for New Camouflage Patterns

MultiCam Propper CoatMilitary.com is reporting that Army uniform officials have tapped five companies to develop a new family of camouflage patterns as part of the Phase IV Camouflage efforts. A January 10th announcement from military officials notes that these vendors will develop camouflage-patterened material for both uniforms and equipment. Final products will be field tested later this year and evaluated for their performance.

The five companies chosen are solid. One is Crye Precision LLC, which developed MultiCam, a camouflage pattern that the Army chose in 2010 to replace the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) in Afghanistan. As we already know, MultiCam is of incredibly high quality and in our store, we offer a full selection of MultiCam gear. Other companies chosen to make the new camo include ADS, Inc. (in conjunction with Hyperstealth, Inc.), Brookwood Companies, Inc., and Kryptek, Inc. Also included in the race is a government pattern that was developed at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center.

“These selectees were chosen following a rigorous technical evaluation backed by solid scientific analyses and incorporating critical Soldier input from the field,” Program Executive Soldier spokeswoman Debi Dawson said in the media announcement.

We know that back in the fall, Army uniform officials wrapped up tests in which 900 soldiers completed digital picture surveys of camouflage patterns under consideration. We’ll be curious to see what happens with the patterns and with MultiCam in the running, it’s sure to be interesting.

Stay Warm, Patriots! Our Top Picks for Winter Hunting Gear

Lacrosse Hunting Waders

Lacrosse Hunting Waders

Brrr. Just thinking about being outside at this time of year is enough to chill anyone to the bone. But hey, if you’re a hardcore hunter, this is one of your dream seasons. This is the time of year when you go out to do what you enjoy most. So, when you’re chilling (literally) in the woods waiting for your game, consider some of our top picks for staying toasty this winter while hunting:

Lacrosse Brush-Tuff 1200G MO Break-Up Waders: These tough, feature-packed hunting waders from Lacrosse are a great way to stay warm and dry, even on the coldest of mornings. Not to mention, who doesn’t love a good pair of sturdy waders? These Lacrosse Brush-Tuff hunting waders feature a construction of heavyweight 5mm fleece-lined neoprene with abraison-resistant facing. Thinsulate Ultra Insulation in the boot keeps your feet toasty while the deep set hand warmer pockets ensure that you can always tuck along a few hand warmers for the trip. Available in Mossy Oak camouflage.

Performance Polypropylene Thermal Underwear: A patriot has to stay warm and dry, right? So, when you’re getting dressed for your next trip, consider starting off with a solid base layer that can wick awawy moisture from your body while offering cold weather comfort. Our pick? Performance Polypropylene Thermal Underwear in black, sand, blue, or brown.

G.I. Neck Gaiters: Freezing your you-know-whats off? Not to worry, you can get one step closer to toasty with a neck gaiter from our selection of military thermals. These fleece lined neck gaiters are adjustable to cover the neck, mouth, and ears. Available in black, brown, and foliage green.

Camouflage Thinsulate Hunting Gloves: Elasticized wrists, suede leather palms, and a whole lotta warmth make these hunting gloves a solid pick. Available in classic camouflage, these hunting gloves are great for any outdoor activity.

And of course, a good pair of hunting boots goes a long way. What are some of your hunting wear must-haves? Have a favorite pair of hunting waders or hunting boots? Have a tip for staying warm in the woods? Share it in the comments!

Patriot Surplus Proud to be an Authorized Distributor for Oscar Mike Foundation Apparel

I AM OSCAR MIKE from OSCAR MIKE on Vimeo.

If there’s one thing we’re always up for supporting, it’s our military. C’mon. It’s a no-brainer. We’re veterans and we know what veterans have sacrificed for this country. So, when we heard about The Oscar Mike Foundation, we couldn’t wait to do our part to help this amazing cause.

The Oscar Mike Foundation is a charitable apparel line and foundation founded by a former U.S. Marine named Noah Currier. Now, Noah is an amazing guy. After a tragic accident left him paralyzed, Noah went on to found this organization, which is completely supported by veterans. The mission? Use comfortably engineered materials, better fitting apparel, and fresh designs to build a powerhouse military clothing brand that’s designed to help disabled veterans.

Today, the Oscar Mike Foundation is a proud supporter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and Disabled American Veterans. Its hallmark is an extensive veterans apparel line that’s designed to take military clothing to a whole new level. These military t-shirts and sweatshirts feature fresh designs that stay true to the organization and our military. The best part is that 10% of the proceeds from the sale of any Oscar Mike Foundation t-shirt, sweatshirt, or item goes directly to The Oscar Mike Foundation, which uses 100% of its donations to help disabled veterans. This is more than looking good in military apparel. This is about doing good – real good – with made in the USA clothing by veterans. That’s right. Not made overseas. Made in America – with quality in mind.

Patriot Surplus is the only authorized distributor of Oscar Mike Foundation apparel besides the foundation itself. We are proud and excited to work with Noah and his foundation as we offer service members, veterans, and their supporters high-quality clothing that honors our own. To shop the selection and help disabled veterans, just visit our Oscar Mike Foundation Apparel brand page.

To learn more about the mission of the Oscar Mike Foundation and Oscar Mike apparel, check out OscarMike.org.

 

We’ve Been Busy. Flyweights, Bloopers, and Holiday Gifts – Oh, My!

We’ve been busier than Santa’s elves during the past few weeks at Patriot Surplus. Let’s talk about some of what we did:

1.) We made lots of videos.

You’ve seen our boy Patrick do his reviews, but did you see the bloopers? That’s right. We made (and kept) a blooper reel. Enjoy with our sincerest compliments. (Oh, and if you haven’t seen the rest of our video reviews, you should definitely check them out on the official Patriot Surplus YouTube Channel.)

2.) We got in our shipment of Belleville Flyweights.

For those of you who know and who preordered, this was a big deal. We’ve been waiting on these boots since November and we’re proud to say that they are here, they’re in our warehouse, and they’re being shipped out to our happy customers. Thanks again for all of the preorders! If you didn’t get a chance to preorder, no worries. We have Belleville Flyweight Boots in stock and ready for purchase, baby!

3.) Steve put together his Holiday Gift Guide for 2011.

The holidays never looked so good.

We’ll be posting more about this on the blog next week, but in the meantime, stay tuned. Your inbox will be graced with the sweet sounds (er, words) of your main man Steve and his gift picks for this holiday season. Also, there may be a coupon for you to enjoy (hint, hint).

4.) We hit 5,000 fans on Facebook!

That’s right. You guys are amazing. You came out in a major way and showed your support for a small business that is dedicated to giving you the best. Thank you. (If you haven’t already, find us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/patriotsurplus)

Also, today, we’ve had some pretty nice compliments from our customers roll in. One guy even shared our special power of helping you wrestle sharks right out of the Chesapeake Bay. That’s right. Sharks. Wrestled. Out. Of. The. Bay. 

Ladies Military Halloween Costume Ideas

GI Jane

GI Jane

In our last post, we gave you lots of ideas for the guys, including a group costume that’s sure to be a hit at your next Halloween party. But don’t think we forgot about the ladies. Women who want a badass costume this Halloween can check out some of these great costume ideas using Patriot Surplus gear. Trust us – you’ll have the rest of the party saluting when you rock one of these awesome women’s military Halloween costumes:

Top Gun Hottie: Ladies, you can have all the attitude of a Maverick without having to wear the flight suit. All you’ll need is a pair of olive drab womens shorts, flight jacket, aviator sunglasses, and a pair of jungle boots. Simple but sizzling.

G.I. Jane: Get ready to kick some serious ass at your next Halloween party. Slip on a pair of woodland vintage paratrooper fatigues, an army tank top or t-shirt, dog tags, black jungle boots, and a fatigue hat. You’ll be putting the rest of the party guests through drills in no time.

Pinup Girl: Everyone loves a pinup and if you’re looking to capture a vintage classic, well, channel your inner Betty Grable with a white halter (or a white button down tied at the waist), a pair of blue sailor booty shorts, women’s military boots, and a classic sailor hat. Anchors away, baby.

Warrant Officer Ellen Ripley from Alien: Sigourney Weaver showed us that women can kick an extreme amount of extraterrestrial ass. Channel her with dog tags, a military tank top, a pair of women’s military boots, olive drab paratrooper fatigues, a short curly wig, and a look of pure steel. Accessorize with a large gun if possible (artificial, of course).

Which military maven are you planning on going as for Halloween? Have some other costume ideas? Be sure to share them with us in the comments!