Where I Shop for Clothes & Gear (and why it's Varusteleka)

Published on September 23, 2025
Duration: 12:00

This video explores Varusteleka, a Finnish military and outdoor goods company, highlighting their focus on quality gear for reservists and outdoor enthusiasts. The presenter, Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, showcases his personal shopping experience on their relaunched web store, emphasizing the durability and European manufacturing of their products, including their house brands Sarma and Sarma TST. The review covers various items like worker pants, a tactical denim jacket, and adventure leggings, underscoring Varusteleka's commitment to providing reliable equipment.

Quick Summary

Varusteleka is a Finnish military and outdoor goods company known for its high-quality, durable products, with virtually all manufacturing done in Europe. They offer a range of gear under their own brands, Sarma and Sarma TST, focusing on equipment for military reservists and outdoor enthusiasts.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Varusteleka
  2. 00:26Varusteleka's History and Growth
  3. 00:47House Brands: Sarma & Sarma TST
  4. 00:53Focus on Finnish Reservists
  5. 01:39Personal Use of Varusteleka Gear
  6. 02:22European Manufacturing Commitment
  7. 02:37Relaunch of Web Store
  8. 03:15Shopping Experience: Website Navigation
  9. 03:31Selecting Apparel: Worker Pants
  10. 04:03Gear Selection: Dump Pouch
  11. 04:46Gear Selection: Tactical Denim Jacket
  12. 05:36Gear Selection: Adventure Leggings
  13. 06:04Gear Selection: Heavy Duty Belt
  14. 06:30Forgotten Weapons Merchandise
  15. 06:53Checkout and Shipping Options
  16. 07:12In-Person Store Pickup
  17. 07:35Varusteleka Store Tour Recap
  18. 08:24Unboxing in a Finnish Forest
  19. 08:39Surprise Item: Tiny Ian Pat Pig
  20. 09:09Review: Dump Pouch
  21. 09:31Review: Tactical Denim Jacket
  22. 10:12Review: Worker Pants
  23. 10:21Review: Adventure Leggings
  24. 10:28Review: Heavy Duty Belt
  25. 10:50Finnish Cultural Item: Salmiakki
  26. 11:20Conclusion and Recommendation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Varusteleka and what kind of products do they offer?

Varusteleka is a Finnish military and outdoor goods company founded in 2003. They offer a wide range of products including surplus military gear, new military and outdoor equipment, and apparel. They also manufacture their own gear under house brands like Sarma and Sarma TST.

Where is Varusteleka's manufacturing based?

Varusteleka has made a deliberate effort to reshore its manufacturing operations. As of the video's production, virtually all of their manufacturing is conducted in Europe, emphasizing quality and ethical production standards.

What are Varusteleka's house brands?

Varusteleka has two primary house brands: Sarma and Sarma TST. These brands are used for their own manufactured lines of military and outdoor gear, reflecting the company's commitment to producing high-quality equipment.

What is the general price point and value proposition of Varusteleka gear?

Varusteleka products are generally considered expensive, but this is attributed to their high quality, durability, and long-lasting nature. The company emphasizes that their gear is well-made and designed to last, offering good value over time.

Related News

All News →

More Tactical & Gear Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →