Russian Outdoor Jacket, Surplus

3.3(4)
See more reviews
31,99 €
price excluding VAT
Product description

In Russia, they have more than enough of this fart-brown fabric, thanks to the numerous factories making it for the military. Apparently, they also made other garments from this stuff, like this light hooded jacket from the Yeltsin era. If zippers, velcro, softshell, and Gore-Tex-Mex things give you an ulcer, try this for a change. It will bring you other kinds of pain

Features

This is actually a pretty nice light, unlined, hooded jacket with pockets and buttons. The hood is too small to accommodate the ushanka hat or a helmet but otherwise perfectly ok. Not waterproof at all. There’s an elastic band at the waist. It's like a Gorka jacket for civilians. So really cool in this Soviet kinda way.

This doesn’t appear to can be a military garment. So it is either a civilian jacket or maybe issued gear for railway personnel in Far-Uzikistan. Could be anything.

Materials and care

The materials may vary, but at least some of these are 100% synthetic. No further details are given so it can be anything from coprolite to plutonium. In any case, the feeling is very cotton-like. The tags say you should only hand wash this at 30 degrees Celsius (86 F), but that may vary in case the material varies. Normally we would recommend machine washing at 40 degrees Celsius (104 F) for a garment like this, but since these are Russian, we don’t dare to do so. The jacket might shrink or expand, the buttons could melt, or the whole thing could turn radioactive. Maybe everything you wash after this will also get this lovely brown shade.

Size info

The sizes are in the GOST system, which is standard stuff for every enlightened Westerner. In short, there are six possible heights for people, and the chest circumference is provided in the standard EU system. In case you have lived in a barrel, we converted these to the recommended height and chest circumference of the wearer. These are quite large, with relatively long sleeves. If you pick by your own measurements, you can fit a couple of thick sweaters underneath. The sleeve cuff can be adjusted by removing and re-sewing the button to a more suitable tightness.

Technically you can take a smaller size if you don’t want thick warm stuff underneath. However, bear in mind that the elastic band on the waist shrinks the waist to some extent. So, if you have a bigger belly, the smaller jacket can fit nicely on the shoulders but feel like a corset on the waist. Removing the elastic band will help.

Condition

These have never been used. But they have been stored in some dark warehouse all these years, fortunately in insect- and lightproof bags, so they're surprisingly fresh. The only surprise you might encounter is the buttons, which might be brown plastic, bright metal, or blackened metal. We won't pick, you can change them into pink wooden buttons or whatever you like.

If you return this, please keep the cardboard size tag with to the jacket, because it's the only place where the size can be found.

Reviews
3.3(4)

Raiden H. en

03.11.2022Verified purchase
The elastic at the waist is a bit much, but nice S.T.A.L.K.E.R.ish jacket. Made in what I believe says Oct. 1986

Stephen S. en

24.10.2022Verified purchase
What you see is what you get. The jacket is a bit pricey for what it offers compared to other surplus, but perhaps this is a tariff issue. It is thin and unlined, but makes a decent jacket for more temperate climates, and you can wear warmer clothes underneath, like a sweater. I'm 178 cm tall or 5' 10" with a 104cm chest or 41" with an athletic build, so the elastic complements my v-tapered torso quite well. I should mention that I bought the 50-4 (176cm/100cm) jacket for a bit tighter fit. I like the jacket, and I like the look, so it was worth it to me. I've also gotten a few compliments in the week that I've been wearing it, surprisingly. The jacket has character, but it seems to be held together well. Hope this helps somebody.

Andreas B. en

18.10.2022Verified purchase
I really love Varusteleka, but in this case the review will be a bit of a rant. <br /> <br /> I can absolutely not recommend this jacket. Not at all and definitely not at a price of 40€. <br /> <br /> The jacket is about as simple and cheapish as it gets, only that it isn't cheap. The fabric is very thin, the sewing is rough at places, the only extra it has is that rubber band in the back and you're gonna remove that instantly because it's way to tight. <br /> <br /> Overall this item is on the same level quality wise as that infamous green shoulder bag Varusteleka sells for 4€ every now and then. However, that one is good value, this jacket just isn't. Varusteleka is making a great cut on this, I'm certain. <br /> <br /> Sell this damn thing for twenty and it's ok for when you feel like a hobo and want to dress like one. 40 just isn't. <br /> <br /> Would return but Varusteleka guys forgot to put it in my order the first time and therefore had to send second package. Don't want to hurt the environment any more with this. <br /> <br /> Good news if you have a chest circumference of more than 100 and still want this thing, though: I have 116 and can still easily wear a sweater underneath.