I had another go around with SURPAT camo from Survival Corps/SRVV in Russia, this time a full uniform and some headgear among other things.  I’d previously gotten some of the SVD pouches to try out a few months ago and while I wasn’t happy with how quiet they were(n’t), I was happy with the company itself and the quality of the gear itself was very good, so I was ok with getting more stuff in the future. This time around I wanted to try out a couple of IFAK/medical/utility molle pouches along with what they call a suit/smock uniform, mainly because the smock has a hood vs the other BDU style uniforms that don’t. After using the SPOSN Gorka and Partizan uniforms all summer I really ended up liking having a built in hood partly for weather but mostly for extra camo, so that was the deciding factor with the SRRV choice of uniforms.

I have to say the quality of the uniform is really good. It seems like it has the same kind of attention to detail that SPOSN puts into their gear which is probably to be expected since like SPOSN, Survival Corps is an aftermarket company who sells to the military. To me the uniform seems to be as good quality as the US woodland BDU’s that I was issued in the Army and pretty close to the same feel as the USMC desert MARPAT’s that my Marine BIL sent me.


SURPAT is an interesting color pattern and one that IMO is probably a good all-around choice of camo, it seems to blend well in a wide range of environments. (For reference, SURPAT/Survival Pattern is the Russian version of MARPAT or CADPAT and seems to work really well in the pictures that I’ve seen, plus my own experiments so far)

SRVV Suit ‘Smock’ and Trousers
http://www.srvv.org/en/catalog/1294/28647/
50/50 cotton/nylon riptstop
Similar to Gorka in design but lighter ripstop BDU weight fabric , not exactly designed for winter or mountain use specifically IMO but these are well made though and very comfy. The trousers are also 50/50 ripstop and are pretty lightweight, similar to summer BDU’s but softer feeling.






Has a nice array of pockets too


Headgear is really nice, the patrol cap is exactly the same cut and style as my old US Army BDU cap


SRVV/Survival Corps Medic/Utility pouches on the BCS/Behind Lines SVD chest rig
(SRVV doesn’t make the rig but I was able to find the cordura material to send to BCS)


NDM86 with homemade SURPAT wraps


And the SRVV SVD pouches I had from earlier this year:
(OD pouch is actually SPLAV, another Russian gear manufacturer)



Some rare-ish SVD pouches I've been looking for, might as well throw these in while we’re talking about SVD pouches
(thanks to Hark  from theakforum.net    )

SPOSN SMERSH SVD pouches and SPOSN 2x SVD mag single pouch
These do seem to fit US LBE pistol belts, it's tight but you can get them wiggled on if you need to. Each pouch holds a total of 4 SVD mags and 2 grenades







For reference SMERSH is an LBE style webgear basically inspired by the older USA LBE/ALICE system but with some changes from what I can see. One thing that SPOSN is good at is not reinventing the wheel…if a proven system works they don’t have a problem using it (from the US LBE gear to former German SS camo patterns, they don’t seem to mind where things originate) and when the produce it the gear is high quality and well made. I’m tempted to pick to pick up a full set of SMERSH SVD gear but I haven’t yet since I still have my perfectly functional LBE from my Army days. It’s interesting enough to make me consider it for the collection though so we’ll see.

Pack can be moved from the back to the waist and there are modern versions in newer color patterns also. The basic rig can be configured for AK/RPK, PKM or SVD pouches





And for comparison my  older Russian camo thread about Gorka and Partizan (the other thread seems to have vanished into the archives):



These are from Justin at Skippers Military Supply and Dmitry from Soviet-Propaganda.com


As labelled these are all SPOSN after market uniforms, not general issue but apparently available for individual soldier purchase and in some cases issued to certain units, from what I understand. SPOSN makes really high quality uniforms, I am really impressed with all of these and have already commented that I wish I had a Gorka when I was in the US Army. The Partizan is a tad light-weight for my taste (though heavier and more durable than the Modoks KZM Partizan I recently sold), but the Partizan-M is ultra comfortable. And you really can't beat the comfortable feel and fit of the Gorka series, seriously.

Partizan's are interesting uniforms, big, comfortable and fully reversible including all pockets. Buttons are designed to push through to the other side and you can run the strings through holes after you reverse too. Partizan has a mesh for better hearing, Partizan M doesn't but has an extra set of pockets on the front and is a heavier and nicer feeling uniform. They also include a face net for better camo and have plenty of attachment points for adding foliage to the uniform.





Autumn Pattern on the reverse side:






Gorka trousers





Comparison of autumn trouser patterns




Partizan (left) and Partizan M summer colors





Autumn colors Partizan (left), Partizan M and Gorka-E Autumn


And TX-Zen junior (who prefers 'TX-Curbmonkey') with his favorite rifle trying out the Partizan-M




Gorka-E


Partizan oversuit


Small comparison of the autumn colors in the yard




The Gorka-R came from SkippersMilitarySupply and the rest from Soviet-Propaganda, both Justin and Dmitry have been excellent to deal with and I'm really happy with the quality of service from both.


Some pics of the Modoks KZM Partizan I sold

Not reversible, no foliage loops and no face net. Also feels like a track suit, I wasn't impressed...but then again I think this really is only an oversuit and not a uniform by itself. I wouldn't call it crap but it's definitely not as well made or versatile as the SPOSN Partizan.










Partizan-M autumn side in action in East Texas summer










With Chamelion SVD chest rig (holds 10 mags)



And BCS SVD Rig in A-TACS



BDU caps and boonie, SS Summer  and Autumn patterns. These hats are super lightweight, almost like a bandana with an attached brim. I feel like they are more for pure camoflauge than they are for keeping the weather off your head...comfy though. There's a decent amount of stretch to the fabric also so I don't think you have to get your size dead on.









Z

Interesting. Thank you for posting this!

Great pictures and description. I always enjoy reading your threads and looking through your pictures. Keep'em coming!

BTW, did you order through the US representative or direct from Russia?

I own a set of the SPOSN Smersh rig and am in the process of testing. It's very modular and versatile, although it's definitely for longer term engagements rather than the shorter term chest rigs. I'm definitely a fan of chest rigs and currently own 3 Russian variants. The SPVV camo is very interesting. I may have to look into getting a set. Right now I'm quite enamored with Polish gear and in the process of acquiring some equipment from them. I'm also looking to get a BCS chest rig for my AK-74.

Thanks for the post!

I really need to get some. I liked the plain stuff Marco wore at the class last year. What was that?

That was also a Gorka in OD but made by ANA not SPOSN. No worries though I think you can borrow mine



Z

sweet

I think that the "partizan" Russian camo is fantastic and I'm really impressed by how well it blends into its surroundings.  What still blows me away is how this is basically reverse engineered" Waffen SS "oak-B" pattern camo.  

хороший материал

I hate camo, but I dig your style Tx-Zen.  You definitely go full retard for this stuff.

Really I wear camo as regular clothes. I only have two pairs of pants that aren't camo. Thanks for posting your pics I always like looking at foreign camo patterns. The russians have some of the best in my opinion.


Some peoples kids.

I'm pretty sure this is meant as a compliment
 

Yes, I mean totally retarded... but in a good way.

Awesome post!

[Oddball] Take it easy Big Joe. Some of these people have got sensitive feelings [/Oddball]







Z

Wow, you get sick of collecting rare bad A$$ Russian optics or something?

TX-Zen,

Is that your NDM86 with homemade SURPAT wraps?  I had a chance to buy one a while back in .308 but it only came with one mag.

ETA:  People really need to knock it off with the negative comments.  This is a technical forum.  Save that talk for GD.

Excellent report Zen as always!!!!!

Thank you!

Wow, very cool post and great pics!
























 
 

Yep.  It immediately jumps to the eye - reminding me of that German pattern.

very nice post, thank you for taking the time to do so.

very nice zen...i just ordered my gorka e summer from soviet propoganda  about a week ago...do you know how long it should take to get it?

3-4 weeks has been my experience with Dmitry but I've gotten a few things in as little as 2 weeks.



Z

Great review as usual.  First thing I noticed was the big button as another member discussed.   Modern hood liner shows that Russian gear is finally "Catching up".  

The biggest question is, where to buy the Partizan camo's????

Interesting! Thanks.

hey what did shipping run you? i was checking out their website man some of those prices are very good.

Thanks Zen, really neat to see the different syles.

http://skippersmilitarysupply.com/category.sc?categoryId=2

http://www.soviet-propaganda.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4_44




Shipping is high from Russia, typically $35-$50 based on the various deals I've done with companies like SRVV, Soviet-Propaganda and other private sellers. Seems like they all complain about the rates that the RU post charges for international shipping.


Z