A Tour of Varusteleka: Outdoor and Military Specialists

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  • Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
  • The time for me to give a proper callout to Varusteleka is frankly long overdue. I've been working with them for years now, and they have never asked for anything in return for hosting Karl and I for three annual Finnish Brutality matches. In a world where most surplus stores have turned from actual surplus to mediocre Chinese airsoft-tier kit, Varusteleka continues to find lots of actual surplus from all over the world (complete with ACTUAL USABLE SIZING GUIDES), and has eschewed the cheap gear in favor of creating their own brands of top-quality clothing and equipment.
    Intended to serve both the general outdoor enthusiast and the Finnish military (both active duty and reserve), their Särmä TST line is as good as it gets. Every item is deliberately designed to give the best service, in ways that only real field testing can inform. The non-military line is just as good, with copious use of luxurious merino wool and wonderfully practical designs like Woolshell and the Särmä merino wool hoodie. It's not cheap, but it is worth every dollar, and I have found myself replacing most of my own wardrobe with their products, at my own expense (although they don't have a good line of hot weather clothing yet, for some reason!).
    If this be shilling, I am happy to be guilty of it. I filmed this at my own behest, and without any remuneration. It is wonderful to find a company that has the mindset, integrity, and quality that Varusteleka does, and I look forward to watching their further progress towards Total World Domination!
    www.Varusteleka...
    My particular favorites:
    Woolshell: www.varustelek...
    Merino hoodie: www.varustelek...
    Tactical jeans: www.varustelek...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 882

  • @Getn35
    @Getn35 3 роки тому +578

    Pretty sure Ian flies home with double the Luggage he came with.

    • @mattfleming86
      @mattfleming86 3 роки тому +16

      After seeing this, I would fly over with one shirt, one pant, and one very.. squishable.. fleece.

    • @JiSe6669
      @JiSe6669 3 роки тому +18

      Smart way is to just wear everything you bought :P No need to pay the extra Luggage fees.

    • @gierhedd75
      @gierhedd75 3 роки тому +7

      @@JiSe6669😆 I really would love to see someone do it just once. Reminds me of that friends episode when Joey wore all of Chandler's clothes at once.

    • @justinwilliams9452
      @justinwilliams9452 3 роки тому +1

      Triple 4 me.
      Camo fetish

    • @justinwilliams9452
      @justinwilliams9452 3 роки тому +1

      @@JiSe6669 he lives in Arizona knuckle head. Are trying to kill my guy or what.

  • @tsk9277
    @tsk9277 3 роки тому +637

    It was nice of the cameraman to help Ian commit corporate espionage.

    • @Kar4ever3
      @Kar4ever3 3 роки тому +44

      Then again. Anyone going into corporate warfare with the Finns need to read up on their history

    • @camrongray3406
      @camrongray3406 3 роки тому +4

      My favorite kind of espionage

    • @rustyspurs771
      @rustyspurs771 3 роки тому +24

      @Aft3n21 Generally speaking, countries do not inspire me. Finland inspires me. And if I may be so bold, I would posit that the vast majority of people who aren't inspired by Finland, don't know the first goddamn thing about Finland. Sisu.
      (I'm niether Finnish, nor of Finnish descent. Finland is just straight up fuckin' baller.)

    • @Sman7290
      @Sman7290 3 роки тому +2

      Mike running the camera. That bottle of KYRO rye gin looks familiar for some reason. I wonder where I've seen it before.

    • @jwhiskey242
      @jwhiskey242 3 роки тому +1

      @Aft3n21 "based" ? Seen what has been immigrating there lately?

  • @TaterPictures
    @TaterPictures 3 роки тому +768

    Office Dog is clearly the reoccurring Employee of the Month.

    • @SekruTheGreat
      @SekruTheGreat 3 роки тому +19

      Rightfully so.

    • @chrisronan676
      @chrisronan676 3 роки тому +14

      Points out office dog and says "now to important stuff"?

  • @FireflyActual
    @FireflyActual 3 роки тому +546

    I laughed out loud when I saw the guy with the accordion. "Go on".

    • @lukum55
      @lukum55 3 роки тому +67

      Ah yes, I worked at Varusteleka for a couple of weeks as an intern years ago and I can tell you that guy is an...interesting personality.

    • @rathernotsay8185
      @rathernotsay8185 3 роки тому +12

      2:14 for you ADD bois

    • @swj719
      @swj719 3 роки тому +16

      Had a "banjo in the woods" vibe.

    • @meriksson1981
      @meriksson1981 3 роки тому +11

      Sometimes it gets a bit wierd.. laughed my ass off

    • @johnjordanakajoejordanwhen2295
      @johnjordanakajoejordanwhen2295 3 роки тому +1

      SO DID I

  • @seanleonard9381
    @seanleonard9381 3 роки тому +636

    Gun Jesus giving a tour of surplus heaven.

    • @aaronwilliams007
      @aaronwilliams007 3 роки тому +20

      ...and blessing random surpluses!

    • @seanleonard9381
      @seanleonard9381 3 роки тому +3

      @@aaronwilliams007 Blessed be!

    • @mrking7342
      @mrking7342 3 роки тому +9

      He is just showing us the way to the promised land.

    • @Chiefpigloo
      @Chiefpigloo 3 роки тому +4

      Saint karls at the pearly gates

  • @ashplustwo8825
    @ashplustwo8825 3 роки тому +400

    Apparently all I have to do to get a panzerfaust is join the marketing department. College should lead with that

    • @G-Mastah-Fash
      @G-Mastah-Fash 3 роки тому +27

      "Panzerfaust, when you really want to get through to the consumer!"

    • @sawyerawr5783
      @sawyerawr5783 3 роки тому

      I feel like I got played just a bit...

  • @kfeltenberger
    @kfeltenberger 3 роки тому +280

    I have an M05 field jacket and a wool jacket and the fit, finish, overall quality and wearability is absolutely through the roof. The responsiveness, not just in shipping/delivery, but when I sent questions about sizing was quicker that pretty much any Stateside vendor.

    • @Sigismundssword
      @Sigismundssword 3 роки тому +12

      Also for something coming from Finland, it gets to the US much faster than most US manufacturers

    • @wolfMetall
      @wolfMetall 3 роки тому +19

      Probably faster than anything else in Finland also. These guys do their stuff incredibly well and take customer service seriously.

    • @TheNiittylahti
      @TheNiittylahti 3 роки тому +3

      @@killdizzle Pandemic made even finish people to buy more Quality camping/outdoor stuff. Hope atleast it made positive outcome to Varusteleka and maybe even their production :)

    • @katarn999
      @katarn999 3 роки тому

      @@TheNiittylahti „finish people“? Ah... it‘s finnish people. Unless you meant people that are „finished“. But let‘s just pretend that this was your autocorrection, ok? 😂

    • @TheNiittylahti
      @TheNiittylahti 3 роки тому +1

      @@katarn999 autocorrection would not Typo. That was all me. I'm ass of writer. Ei ole helppoa kirjottaminen :D Maybe I should install autoc. to my PC

  • @andreipopescu9197
    @andreipopescu9197 3 роки тому +232

    "The marketing department sometimes takes over the sauna"
    Well, they've got a panzerfaust, I wouldn't mess with them either XD

    • @R0ck4x3
      @R0ck4x3 3 роки тому

      Ikr XD

    • @lancekilkenny721
      @lancekilkenny721 3 роки тому +5

      Having images of beautiful Finnish women in the marketing department in the sauna.....

    • @taavihorila3726
      @taavihorila3726 3 роки тому +13

      @@lancekilkenny721 please remember, they got a panzerfaust! :D

    • @richieb7692
      @richieb7692 3 роки тому +11

      @@taavihorila3726
      Well if you've got to go,
      Being taken out by a Finnish Lady, in a Sauna, with a Panzerfaust, sounds pretty good to be honest...

  • @tomplevey8265
    @tomplevey8265 3 роки тому +219

    Varusteleka x Marimekko gear WHEN?! I want a chest rig made from a whimsical floral print. Go Full Finnish.

    • @sdlabs
      @sdlabs 3 роки тому +13

      @Lassi Kinnunen 81 As the same, the more abstract Marimekko designs would be just awesome. Like WWI dazzle camo.

    • @mikkoolavijarvinen3653
      @mikkoolavijarvinen3653 3 роки тому +24

      Unfortunaly Varusteleka x Marimekko sounds like something Varusteleka would absolutely do and Marimekko would never do.

    • @RandomButtonPusher
      @RandomButtonPusher 3 роки тому

      That would be outstanding.

    • @Ahex75
      @Ahex75 3 роки тому +7

      Don't hide your interest to get Tom of Finland snow camo suit.

    • @Chumppi
      @Chumppi 3 роки тому +3

      Marimekko isn't really Finnish anymore. They use 3rd world country slave labour to make their products. Only design had stayed in Finland. Ian specifically said all products made for Varusteleka are made in Europe.

  • @Sigismundssword
    @Sigismundssword 3 роки тому +146

    I bought one of their winter coats and absolutely love it, its like the greatest winter coat ive worn, not too heavy but very warm. Also when I got it, the shipping took way longer than expected and they called me, in Finnish to apologize, and got to listen till the guy said "oh wait youre in US, I'll speak English."

  • @KevinHallSurfing
    @KevinHallSurfing 3 роки тому +269

    Knew a sauna was coming. Not disappointed 😎😆

    • @berryreading4809
      @berryreading4809 3 роки тому +6

      We didn't get to see the women's sauna, so much like thier bathrooms we'll never understand the secret of the universe! 🤔 Maybe someday.

    • @StPaul76
      @StPaul76 3 роки тому +18

      @@berryreading4809 There are no separate sauna's for females here in Finland. In a working environment for an example men and women might do separate shifts but then again might not.

    • @berryreading4809
      @berryreading4809 3 роки тому +2

      @@StPaul76 I was just making a child minded joke 😁, but I did notice the first door in the hall was labeled ladies, and the sauna door Ian opened further down the hall was labeled gents, so I just assumed they have two separate saunas? Question: do many large businesses in Finland have a company sauna? Or just the the type that would also have a company gym?

    • @StPaul76
      @StPaul76 3 роки тому +4

      @@berryreading4809 I know you were. I just always try to do my best in explaining our everyday life things that might seem odd to people from different cultures.
      The "Gents" and "Ladies" were toilets. I'd say that most companies that actually have real estate to operate from often have sauna arrangements for their employees. My employer has both sauna and a swimming pool in our office.

    • @jackboomslang5646
      @jackboomslang5646 3 роки тому +2

      @@StPaul76 There certainly are separate saunas, and changing rooms for women in Finalnd..

  • @marlin2996
    @marlin2996 3 роки тому +133

    That is not an office, that looks like a hang out place with cool long hair guys, I suspect Ian is also an employee

    • @albatross8361
      @albatross8361 3 роки тому +5

      maybe it was just the lighting, but Ian's hair seemed to have a particularly healthy shine to it during this vid.

  • @BrianRRenfro
    @BrianRRenfro 3 роки тому +71

    I don't know if Ian said it and I missed it BUT they have $10 Flat Rate shipping to the USA! So it's not like you buy a $20 pack and end up paying $184.29 shipping.

    • @MMCXCon
      @MMCXCon 3 роки тому +14

      Sadly doesn't work the other way around with u.s. vendors 😑

    • @BrianRRenfro
      @BrianRRenfro 3 роки тому +13

      @@MMCXCon for sure! It costs like 500 units of currency to ship a grain of rice OUT of the USA!

  • @redlock4004
    @redlock4004 3 роки тому +42

    You mention that Jari and Varusteleka have never asked for anything from you. I believe that inrangetv/Forgotten Weapons and Varusteleka have one of those rare combination friendship/business relationships. I first heard of Varusteleka when Karl did his Scho-Ka-Vola video four years ago. Since then I have spent thousands of dollars there and even traveled to Finland to see Varusteleka (amoung other things), so it is good for business. Jari seems like a very sharp businessman. But there is no faking the mutual respect and friendship that all of you feel for each other, so I guess it is the best of both types of relationships without the draw backs. For me (and maybe us, if I can speak for other fans) I am a fan of all concerned and thank you for bringing this content to us :)

  • @blank557
    @blank557 3 роки тому +76

    Camo Kilts? The ears of Scottish war reenactment enthusiasts perk up everywhere.

  • @Schlabbeflicker
    @Schlabbeflicker 3 роки тому +93

    Hard to get some kinds of European surplus stateside. We appreciate Varusteleka offering shipping on this side of the pond.

    • @thesmallestminorityisthein4045
      @thesmallestminorityisthein4045 3 роки тому +9

      With affordable shipping, too. It won't get here overnight, but DHL does their best.

    • @mikkoolavijarvinen3653
      @mikkoolavijarvinen3653 3 роки тому +4

      Unfortunately it seems that many sources have depleted. The range of products available (in Varusteleka and in similar stores generally) at the moment is a pale shadow compared to what was available ten years ago.

  • @anantabhirawa6890
    @anantabhirawa6890 3 роки тому +120

    I bet Ian felt like a child in a candy store

  • @sotkahistory4920
    @sotkahistory4920 3 роки тому +75

    Varusteleka is really good place to visit, unfortunately i might still have hangover from their mega grand opening.

    • @Finwolven
      @Finwolven 3 роки тому +7

      Whenever I go there, I end up at least 100€ thinner in the wallet area...

    • @jayschafer1760
      @jayschafer1760 3 роки тому +1

      @@Finwolven That's all? I'm in the US, and it seems like I end up 300 USD thinner every time I visit their web site.

  • @RalphReagan
    @RalphReagan 3 роки тому +66

    "What marketing dept. doesn't need a panzerfaust?" LOL, indeed!

    • @mrcasioak1521
      @mrcasioak1521 3 роки тому +5

      How else can they take over the sauna?

    • @Kaivukonku
      @Kaivukonku 3 роки тому

      Sometimes you just need faust some panzers

  • @peltimies2469
    @peltimies2469 3 роки тому +60

    I recently bought old german military boots from Varusteleka, and i do gotta say their gear is good. Would recomend.

  • @davejob630
    @davejob630 3 роки тому +54

    Any Finnish Clothing/surplus store with a bar and an in-house accordianist gets my money! I just hope they're not sold out....

    • @patterisepi
      @patterisepi 3 роки тому +5

      The owner seems to be 100% on the Good side and selling out would be the opposite of that. Lets hope Jari does a good job and there is no reason to sell out.

  • @keanur6541
    @keanur6541 3 роки тому +43

    Varusteleka is A+. I wish them many more years of success especially with their own clothing line.

  • @emergingloki
    @emergingloki 3 роки тому +31

    Lifted directly from their website...
    "Well done! Are you ready to put on some CCR and stare at the ceiling fan? Yeah, me neither."
    Never looked closely at their site before, but now I Fuckin' love these guys!

    • @jayschafer1760
      @jayschafer1760 3 роки тому +8

      The personality and attitude in the text for their item descriptions is great. They will often trash or insult items they sell, only to finish with something like, "At this low price, however, we're sure you'll be able to find a valuable use for such a crappy item."

    • @Sibula
      @Sibula 2 роки тому +2

      @@jayschafer1760 Yeah, especially for really niche surplus stuff they just happened to find at the bottom of a random container. Like some crappy Swedish backpacks that were most likely used by Rhodesian police forces at some point...

  • @theafflictionvhs17
    @theafflictionvhs17 3 роки тому +29

    Ian perfectly blends in with the employees,
    No wonder he was successful in infiltrating surplus headquarters.

  • @dogwiththeteeth3135
    @dogwiththeteeth3135 3 роки тому +104

    I have their wool shell pants, and these things are indestructible. Warm, roomy, tough zipper, massive pockets and the leg cuffs are very tough. I have logged probably 3,000+ hours in these (I work outside) and I have yet to see any type of damage to them. My government (Canada) should give a pair to every citizen once they turn 18. Thank you Varusteleka!

    • @UmamiJarate
      @UmamiJarate 3 роки тому +7

      What other woollen Varusteleka goodies have you had experience with? I've used their L1 balaclava and liner gloves to good effect when temperatures hit single digits and below; the combined comfort and breathability of merino wool is something you have to experience to fully understand. I'm especially impressed by their new Hardshell Jacket (as seen in 11:51 and 12:06). Despite ordering one without ever trying, it fit me well regardless of whatever combination of layers I wanted to use. It lives up to its name as a fully weatherproof but still potentially sweat-inducing garment, yet the armpit zips give the jacket all the ventilation one could want to balance out the weatherproofing, even if you've got just short-sleeved garments under it.

  • @fishook96
    @fishook96 3 роки тому +51

    I wish my marketing department had a panzerfaust :(

    • @RalphReagan
      @RalphReagan 3 роки тому +3

      My thoughts too. Especially to break up sales meetings.

    • @not-a-theist8251
      @not-a-theist8251 3 роки тому

      i wish i had a marketing departement

  • @JimFortune
    @JimFortune 3 роки тому +63

    "Got one, got one, got one, need one..."

    • @allwaysinquire6212
      @allwaysinquire6212 3 роки тому

      Need only one🤔

    • @sawyerawr5783
      @sawyerawr5783 3 роки тому +1

      literally me at my old, local gun shop. they were fudd as hell but holy crap they had a full wall of class 3 stuff. I was having an emotional affair with a freaking BAR for like a year.

  • @nelsonnoname001
    @nelsonnoname001 3 роки тому +22

    I work in a warehouse for a billion dollar corporation here in the US, and we are lucky if the bathroom gets cleaned everyday

    • @mikoajgajda7518
      @mikoajgajda7518 3 роки тому +3

      Usually small companies care - yes they care for their workers becz happy worker is an efficient one, multi-billion ones dont care, they will have $$$ even if work is inefficient...

  • @kenb7051
    @kenb7051 3 роки тому +30

    Varusteleka gets free advertising on youtube all for the cost of a plane ticket and rye. Seems like a good deal for both of you.

    • @DuBstep115
      @DuBstep115 3 роки тому +3

      Yeah when he said "Never asks anything for exchange" I mean Ian you have 2.1 million subs whereas varusteleka has 23k in their yt channel.
      Any marketing deal would kill for a advertisement that gets potentially millions of views for like 500 bucks.

  • @danielvaldes1559
    @danielvaldes1559 3 роки тому +51

    As of now, I've purchased some kalakukko and a couple other assorted things from Varusteleka, and I have you and Karl to thank for that hole in my bank account, and now I feel that another hole may appear because of this video. Damn it. At least a jacket or two would be easier to explain than fish cock...

    • @danjohnston3422
      @danjohnston3422 3 роки тому +3

      Ian was the first person to let me know that delicacy existed, and now my addiction to fish cock is the only thing P. Diddy and I have in common.

    • @Afrohare
      @Afrohare 3 роки тому +1

      The gay fish in Kanye, not Diddy.

  • @tonyisepik1203
    @tonyisepik1203 3 роки тому +99

    This is nuts , that store is right next to my house. I have been there many times, AND IAN was there too. This is crazy

    • @lukum55
      @lukum55 3 роки тому +13

      I was there in 2018 in their mega grand opening and so were Ian and Rudy Reyes from Generation Kill AND I met them both and shook their hands.

    • @J069FIX
      @J069FIX 3 роки тому +4

      As soon as I saw that Ian had visited Varusteleka in Helsinki I thought:"Seriously?! Gun Jesus had come so close to my home and I failed to see him!" I live just over a kilometre away from that store! Oh, the misery!

    • @deltavee2
      @deltavee2 3 роки тому

      Tony Ice Pick 1 - That's a helluvva handle! Good one.

  • @BarkyLondon
    @BarkyLondon 3 роки тому +31

    Varusteleka makes clothing that is quality, ethically made, and meant to last. Very, very rare qualities in a manufacturer these days. Their Särmä jeans are amazingly comfortable and feel like they will last forever.

  • @bolbarazvan
    @bolbarazvan 3 роки тому +18

    Random fact: the bags at 10:36 are Romanian soviet era (RSR) backpacks for aviation troops (hence their color, regular ones are khaki), and they are a slightly modified version of the Romanian ww2 backpack.

  • @Blazerri
    @Blazerri 3 роки тому +34

    Did he just pronounce sauna the right way? O.o

    • @anttitheinternetguy3213
      @anttitheinternetguy3213 3 роки тому +6

      He also had improved with pronounciation of "varusteleka". I guess varusteleka-guys gave ian some schooling about that 😂👏🏼

    • @1982rrose
      @1982rrose 3 роки тому +8

      @@anttitheinternetguy3213 after 4 years you improve.

    • @keepyourbilsteins
      @keepyourbilsteins 3 роки тому +1

      Sow-nah. Is beautiful.

  • @cre8ivecat23
    @cre8ivecat23 3 роки тому +77

    Was really expecting Jari to show up with two suomis and ask what you thought you were doing

  • @mrg315
    @mrg315 3 роки тому +28

    that looks like a brand new building. The internets have been good to Varusteleka.

    • @Suikanen
      @Suikanen 3 роки тому +13

      Our old building was literally breaking apart around us, so we're really glad we got offered the chance to relocate. While there were considerable new building problems, we've now settled in and our vision of Total World Domination is chugging along nicely thanks to the practical and larger-than-before base of operations!

  • @oscarn-
    @oscarn- 3 роки тому +30

    I hope you liked the bar as well! I had my hand in the design and building of that (or at least the stuff that was carried over from the first Sotima)! 😉

    • @Finwolven
      @Finwolven 3 роки тому +3

      Seemed to be 'most of it', really.

    • @oscarn-
      @oscarn- 3 роки тому +1

      @@Finwolven a lot of stuff was made specifically for that one and some things were mostly left out (like the wooden walls that took us a fair amount of work to do, and one donor barn somewhere in the countryside). The huge log in the middle of the table I'm personally proud of, sourcing that was surprisingly difficult - and making it stand rigidly was another fun thing to solve. 😃

    • @Finwolven
      @Finwolven 3 роки тому +1

      @@oscarn- At least some of the wall and the table are still there.

  • @VonRichtburg
    @VonRichtburg 3 роки тому +37

    RPK casually lying around.
    Love it.

    • @sanguinemoon9201
      @sanguinemoon9201 3 роки тому +3

      Doesn't everyone have light machine guns lying around?

    • @sawyerawr5783
      @sawyerawr5783 3 роки тому

      @@sanguinemoon9201 if they do I didn't get that memo. who do I talk to to get mine?

  • @MarkHansen1990
    @MarkHansen1990 3 роки тому +20

    I agree and have been buying and wearing them for 4 years... because of your collaboration shot show videos. They are inviting you to come because they want to see you walk on water... well I guess it is easy in Finland because it is frozen. 😉

  • @MuddahFukkah
    @MuddahFukkah 3 роки тому +12

    ROFL!!...
    Simo Häyhä picture on the wall... Corporate dog... Guns nonchalantly lying around the office... Random guy with accordion.... LOL. That must be the dopest company ever. :D
    Greetings from the Czech republic. Awesome video. :)

    • @Finwolven
      @Finwolven 3 роки тому +8

      To be a little frank about the guns, they're all deactivated (at least if anyone asks) to legal standards in Finland. It's not just firearms casually scattered about. Any active firearms in the premises would be in a proper gun safe for safety and legal reasons.
      Just so nobody thinks they scatter guns about and handle them haphazardly.

  • @mistakenotou7681
    @mistakenotou7681 3 роки тому +28

    They also have some decent and good value in house brand outdoor knifes that I'm not even going to try to type their name .

    • @irual123
      @irual123 3 роки тому +16

      You mean the Terävä brand? It literally translates to Sharp in english.

  • @anttitheinternetguy3213
    @anttitheinternetguy3213 3 роки тому +20

    8:17 "Who knows what fantastic, greasy, smelly stuff lives in those boxes" So you are saying my high school room mate lives in those boxes nowadays?

    • @Finwolven
      @Finwolven 3 роки тому +1

      Probably, if they're army surplus :D

  • @ewilson9650
    @ewilson9650 3 роки тому +36

    In house sauna?!? Employee dog?!? Random assortments of firearms?!? Where can I sign up 😂

    • @sammya7745
      @sammya7745 3 роки тому +3

      there's 2.7 million saunas in Finland so it's harder to find any building without sauna.

    • @Hairysteed
      @Hairysteed 3 роки тому +3

      In Finland most two-room apartments or bigger have their own saunas.

  • @anarcowhatever
    @anarcowhatever 3 роки тому +36

    Best surplus store in europe. The austrian and swiss stuff is unbelieveably good. Add their unique sense of humor, and there you go...

  • @bsmithhammer
    @bsmithhammer 3 роки тому +57

    Is it weird that on my list of top 3 reasons to visit Finland is to spend a full day and several thousand dollars in the Varusteleka store? Hopefully the bar will be open again by then.

    • @winterwinter7505
      @winterwinter7505 3 роки тому +8

      Then u go to our state owned liquor store called Alko, then make the mistake to try to bribe our cops when they stop u for something. Maybe bn to sauna before that. Then visit the mattrress. That's basically Finnish expirence in a nutshell. :D or u can do almost all these things in My Summer Car.

  • @THEfamouspolka
    @THEfamouspolka 3 роки тому +39

    Why has no one commented on the "OLD JOKES" department. I freaking love these guys!

    • @engineeredlifeform
      @engineeredlifeform 3 роки тому +2

      I knew I wouldn't be the only one! I recall Luke from 'The Outdoor Gear Review' channel being sent one of those items : -)

    • @rishi-m
      @rishi-m 3 роки тому

      This (reference?) went whoosh over my head, someone please explain

    • @engineeredlifeform
      @engineeredlifeform 3 роки тому

      @@rishi-m visit the website?

    • @rishi-m
      @rishi-m 3 роки тому

      @@engineeredlifeform I have, many a times, is it a section there or something?

    • @braydenlangham5154
      @braydenlangham5154 3 роки тому +2

      @@rishi-m yes, look around for a bit and you should find it.

  • @infin1ty850
    @infin1ty850 3 роки тому +30

    I need far more videos of the office dog

    • @DavidCowie2022
      @DavidCowie2022 3 роки тому +1

      I am a cat person and I support this comment.

    • @varusteleka
      @varusteleka 3 роки тому +10

      For more videos and photos, follow her on Instagram @sirusirius. She only speaks Finnish though.

  • @thatmckenzie
    @thatmckenzie 3 роки тому +52

    I used to wear their stuff before I got fat. They're good people.

    • @R_Forde
      @R_Forde 3 роки тому +9

      They need more American sizes. =)

    • @Finwolven
      @Finwolven 3 роки тому +24

      @@R_Forde You just need to pick American sizes from the selection. They are there. There's a jacket that goes up to 8X. When I worked there, I never had a customer I couldn't outfit, and trust me, there were some 'Oh Hell No!' (thanks Fluffy!) sized folks coming to ask for something that fit.
      'Course, if you're looking for 'american sized' East German Army surplus, you're pretty much out of luck, as the saying was 'they must be all child soldiers because none of this kit would fit an adult!'...

    • @R_Forde
      @R_Forde 3 роки тому +8

      @@Finwolven Thanks for the information. I was just making a joke comment about our issue with obesity om the US. ;)

  • @vincentkermorgant
    @vincentkermorgant 3 роки тому +13

    I'm from Finland and most finnish companies provide similar facilities for the employees (without the M39s and Panzerfausts obviously). I used to shop at Varusteleka when they were 2 guys in a dark basement

    • @varusteleka
      @varusteleka 3 роки тому +21

      There might still be 2 guys in a basement.

    • @vincentkermorgant
      @vincentkermorgant 3 роки тому +1

      @@varusteleka Lol. I have shopped at your place for over 15 years now and my son is also a big customer

  • @rickardspaghetti
    @rickardspaghetti 3 роки тому +10

    6:20 Obviously fake. A real Finnish sauna would never be unoccupied.

    • @MrVenne73
      @MrVenne73 3 роки тому

      Nope, Finnish employees need to have their coffee break :)

  • @craigevans6156
    @craigevans6156 3 роки тому +17

    It’s worth looking at their website for all the wacky comments on their stuff. The Finns are a mad bunch! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇪🇺🇫🇮

    • @RoyalMela
      @RoyalMela 3 роки тому +6

      Their marketing has been in court few times because some Karens find the humour too much for them. Good thing Varusteleka has a great way to reply to all charges and have won all cases.

  • @OldschoolHIT360
    @OldschoolHIT360 3 роки тому +15

    I just bought one of their särma overcoats, I was amazed by the quality and practical features, and, being Finnish, it is perfect for Canadian winters!

  • @biggtoe90
    @biggtoe90 3 роки тому +20

    I love the Fins. They are like the perfect mix of modern aesthetic and viking badassery.

    • @JT-gk2uz
      @JT-gk2uz 3 роки тому

      Finns have nothing to do with the vikings.

    • @electricvaltteri
      @electricvaltteri 3 роки тому +2

      We even fucked the vikings up! Up until they had Jesus on their side. But now we have gun Jesus!

    • @drivernephi2212
      @drivernephi2212 3 роки тому +2

      @@JT-gk2uz First they say that Finns were vikings, which is wrong, and then they say Finns didn't have anything to do with vikings which is wrong as well.

  • @shooter575
    @shooter575 3 роки тому +11

    I had a big grin throughout this whole video. I will check out this company. BTW as a young lad in the boy scouts our leader was a Finish veteran of the winter war Eino Kainlauri. A Capt in the artillery. He was most happy in the conifer woods with fresh fish and flapjacks in the pan.

  • @atenachos6282
    @atenachos6282 3 роки тому +7

    I used to work at a Detroit area Army Navy surplus store and we would always be stocked with 1950-70's Finnish military kits. Everything from entrenching tools, clothing, and mess kits (Best mess kit ever).

  • @craigstockwell230
    @craigstockwell230 3 роки тому +35

    Thank you for this video. I bought a M05 kilt because of it.

  • @daskalbdashupfte
    @daskalbdashupfte 3 роки тому +16

    InrangeTV introduced me to them. Now they are my go to place for pretty much anything clothing related!

  • @adlerarmory8382
    @adlerarmory8382 3 роки тому +11

    Completely passes over the Tan Land Rover Defender in the Showroom.

  • @machintelligence
    @machintelligence 3 роки тому +27

    Where is the sauna?
    Ah! There it is. You can't have a proper sweat shop without a sauna.

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  3 роки тому +14

      Upstairs, next to the gym.

    • @dcrypter87
      @dcrypter87 3 роки тому +1

      6:13

    • @machintelligence
      @machintelligence 3 роки тому +1

      @@tommykirk3403 Just kidding around. I am not meant to be taken seriously.

    • @williamsohlstrom1530
      @williamsohlstrom1530 3 роки тому +1

      @@machintelligence Was the sweatshop pun intended or just a happy accident?

    • @machintelligence
      @machintelligence 3 роки тому +5

      @@williamsohlstrom1530 Nearly all my puns are intentional. I have a very low sense of humor.

  • @paulharting4042
    @paulharting4042 3 роки тому +8

    I've bought from these guys before. Shipping was economical but the package was rather rough - handled. Did not affect the product. ABOUT the only place to get metric sized products where you get the size you NEED! Other companies like Sportsman's Guide, Cheaper Than Dirt ect. have outside companies SIZE there items frequently bunching several metric sizes into one groupe. You just don't know what you're going to get. Varusteleka does an HONEST of CORRECTLY sorting clothes to their correct size! Keep up the good work! Thanks Ian for showing us their facility……. Was waiting to see there sauna and there it was! Thanks!

  • @AirplaneDoctor_
    @AirplaneDoctor_ 3 роки тому +9

    I live in Canada and have been dealing with them for years, never been let down once. The selection and quality of goods, low shipping charges, and excellent customer service can’t be beaten by any company in North America.

  • @hektonian
    @hektonian 3 роки тому +9

    3:28 Is that a RK-95 I see on the wall rack? Damn I wish Ian managed to get his hand for long enough to make a video about the RK-95

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  3 роки тому +34

      I have one filmed now; not sure yet when it will publish.

  • @Cal94
    @Cal94 3 роки тому +7

    "American, un-issued, snowshoes"
    ...sounds like a weird play on the 6 word story, "For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn."

  • @Markworth
    @Markworth 3 роки тому +19

    You just know that Ian is counting his money like a kid on an allowance.

  • @Roger_Stenning
    @Roger_Stenning 3 роки тому +12

    Their shop floor music is damn good taste as well - haven't heard Foot Tapper by The Shadows in donkeys ages :D

    • @SinisterGerbils
      @SinisterGerbils 3 роки тому +3

      Thanks for inadvertently answering the question I didn't ask about the music lol

  • @Blastmaster1972
    @Blastmaster1972 3 роки тому +56

    The only thing I don't like about Varusteleka is that they don't have bundeswehr flecktarn shirts in my size any more... ;) (But that's probably not their fault... )

    • @cre8ivecat23
      @cre8ivecat23 3 роки тому +12

      I crave flecktarn pants, and they never have any because I guess everybody else craves them as well

    • @kinglou0
      @kinglou0 3 роки тому +3

      More flecktarn. Shit sells out quick.

    • @deancosens5710
      @deancosens5710 3 роки тому +13

      That might be because the Bundeswehr completely cut surplus sales of their uniforms a few years ago. I think it was around the time the conflict in Ukraine kicked off and flecktarn was popping up on news reports everywhere, but I might be wrong about that. In any case, good flecktarn surplus is still harder to come by than it used to be.

    • @TheNorwegian
      @TheNorwegian 3 роки тому +6

      @@deancosens5710 It's something similar with Norwegian stuff. Some Norwegian camo stuff showed up somewhere down in Africa of all places, I think it was Kenya, and they stopped selling surplus altoghether after that. You DO get stuff like Crye Precision in Norwegian camo tho.

    • @grandloser28
      @grandloser28 3 роки тому +4

      @@deancosens5710 And because the canvelled drafting. After some months the surplus run out because the Bund buy a lot lesser stuff. Regular you can find Flecktorn on german ebay,

  • @JACKBLACKTOSE
    @JACKBLACKTOSE 3 роки тому +4

    God, I miss Finnish sauna...

  • @binarysic
    @binarysic 3 роки тому +17

    I get a feeling these guys are gonna have one hell of a busy day tomorrow..

    • @sawyerawr5783
      @sawyerawr5783 3 роки тому +2

      God help them when all of us fanboys descend on them, lol.

    • @deltavee2
      @deltavee2 3 роки тому

      I'm hitting their web site tomorrow thanks to Ian. It's 2 am here in Canada at the moment.

  • @Rasbiff
    @Rasbiff 3 роки тому +6

    2:15 - This is what 90 % of interactions with people that isn't your immediate family looks like in Finland. You stop what you're doing, stare at each other in silence until either of the party deems the situation too awkward and scurries off.

  • @markfergerson2145
    @markfergerson2145 3 роки тому +7

    I never watched a seventeen minute lo9ng commercial all the way through before.
    It's clear to me that this was a labor of love- mere money can not buy enthusiasm like that, and no ad agency on Earth would come up with that premise. Too bad for them!

  • @karipintakivi9153
    @karipintakivi9153 3 роки тому +12

    About that bar: The name is "Sotima", does basically does not mean anything. BUT, when you call your wife late in the evening and say "olen Sotimassa" (I am at Sotima), it means "I am at war". Same as bar "Iltakoulu" (evening class), from where you call and claim to be attending evening classes.

  • @johnlewis8165
    @johnlewis8165 3 роки тому +5

    I recently placed an order from Varusteleka on a Tuesday morning. The package was in my hands on Friday afternoon, and I live in Atlanta, Georgia! Amazing service, by Varusteleka and DHL.

  • @johnnypaty7284
    @johnnypaty7284 3 роки тому +5

    After watching this video, I ordered a British surplus rain jacket. It arrived in new condition, still in factory wrapper. Shipping from Finland to Tennessee took only two days. Looking forward to ordering more stuff from here.

  • @davidbrennan660
    @davidbrennan660 3 роки тому +30

    Marketing always needs a light A/T capability.
    Not have been around Surplus since September due to the Beer Bug ......this has made me “very well”.

    • @Romin.777
      @Romin.777 3 роки тому

      I miss the smell..

  • @sloth7ds
    @sloth7ds 3 роки тому +27

    I feel like someone needs to build this office as a GMod TTT/ Murder map

  • @jannerantanen5121
    @jannerantanen5121 3 роки тому +5

    I love their item descriptions. Like I was looking for surplus knives or whatever, and one of the item descriptions read something like "honestly kinda shit and not worth but if you're looking for something really cheap i guess this is fine" or something along those lines. Definitely honest in their reviews and descriptions. Also always quick to respond to emails etc.

  • @stephenhensley7004
    @stephenhensley7004 3 роки тому +5

    I viewed their site and placed a small order yesterday. I really enjoyed their product description humor, seeing the variety of military surplus from so many different nations and of course the Swedish "Commando" underpants, navy model, surplus. On the serious side, recommend viewing the World War Two UA-cam channel videos on the Soviet invasion of Finland in 1939 beginning with the title, The Winter War December 1, 1939. What the Finnish military accomplished in the defense of their homeland against such overwhelming odds is amazing. Hand Salute.

  • @ironwolfF1
    @ironwolfF1 3 роки тому +5

    This brings to mind an old cold-war era joke: Which Soviet (now Russian) units are tasked with invading Norway?
    The ones who survive getting thru Finland. 😉

  • @Name-so9ns
    @Name-so9ns 3 роки тому +5

    whoever does their copy is very amusing. on more than one occasion i've bought something just because the product description made me laugh

    • @jayschafer1760
      @jayschafer1760 3 роки тому

      Their product copy is legend. And I love how much they reveal about their business in their newsletters to customers, like the recent one where their logistics director explained how they managed to survive the huge spike in orders due to COVID.

  • @stephanematis
    @stephanematis 3 роки тому +5

    As a Canuck, with similar weather and landscape at my disposal, the Where-is-the-liquor Gear is perfect for my needs. And yes, Woolshell is one of those "why didn't someone do this before?"
    ps The US surplus snowshoes were Made in Canada in magnesium alloy and used extensively by our troops. As much as a cross country skier, there is certainly snow that works best with old bear paws, especially when loaded. Speed is an issue ...

  • @leftnoname
    @leftnoname 3 роки тому +15

    We need a free commerce agreement with Finland US should sell them pickup trucks, jeans and cowboy boots.

    • @GunnerAsch1
      @GunnerAsch1 3 роки тому +18

      Odd that you should mention that...I grew up in an American/Finn household and after WW2..Finland didnt have a lot of hip slick and cool modern American/high tech goods, so we would ship whatever our Distant Finn family needed to them, and in return they would ship Finn goods back to us in the States. I went to elementary school with a fur coat, Lapp mukluks', hunted and fished with Finnish knives and similar stuff. It made for interesting times when a big ol box would come from Soumi and we would crack it open.
      As a side note...Id not heard Finn spoken in years and lost most of the pigdin Finn we spoke in our Northern Michigan Finn community. I waltzed into the local (California) DMV one day and got whiplash when I heard an employee with a Finn accent. When it was my turn to get to the window, she was standing there and as I was ruffling through my paper work...said "Hyvää huomenta". I looked up and she was frozen like a Cariboo staring at me...and she said "Vat did you say?" and I repeated it "Hyvää huomenta"....and it was like a dam broke loose as she started spewing high speed Finn at me with an amazed look on her face. I smiled and said "Hitaasti!" and she froze again...and then we both started laughing. I explained to her that that was about all the Finn I remembered, and explained growing up in a Finn/American community and recognized her accent immediately despite it having been almost 50 yrs since leaving there. We have become good friends and always greet each other in Finn when I go in...which drives the usual Mexicans and locals crazy. Good times!!
      I took a 8 month walkabout in Europe in the mid 70s and visited Finland and our family there. Got to see Sako (family was on the engineering staff) and got to meet Simo Hayha, as a favor from my cousins, after mentioning Id been a 11B-4 in Vietnam. Very nice man. We spent a nice afternoon at his home discussing war.

    • @daudenfield2905
      @daudenfield2905 3 роки тому

      The pickup trucks are overpriced.
      The cowboy boots are smooth bottomed and useless in the snow and ice.
      Americans waists sizes are too fat for Finn's.

    • @GunnerAsch1
      @GunnerAsch1 3 роки тому +1

      @@daudenfield2905 Odd..I have a pair of Tony Llama cowboy boots with non skid Vibram soles, my pickup truck cost me $500 and I weigh 8lbs more than I did when I graduated HS in 1971. Funny that. But then..Im Finn, German, Black Irish and Native American.

    • @daudenfield2905
      @daudenfield2905 3 роки тому

      @@GunnerAsch1 yah,you're right.
      That is odd.....did you weigh 250 pounds in 1971?

    • @GunnerAsch1
      @GunnerAsch1 3 роки тому

      @@daudenfield2905 Nope. 200 when I graduated. I now weight 209. With my clothes on. Now that being said..when I got home from SEA in 1973.. .I weighed 169lbs. It took a year to heal up and put some body fat back on. Living with the 'yards wasnt easy. And you?

  • @ruaway
    @ruaway 3 роки тому +7

    AND THEY PLAY THE SHADOWS IN THEIR STORES MY GOD I NEED TO GO THERE

  • @chrissinclair8705
    @chrissinclair8705 3 роки тому +7

    To be honest, any firearm manufacturer that DOSEN'T have at least one or two pnazerfausts I get a littte skeptical on.

    • @jubuttib
      @jubuttib 3 роки тому +1

      Fair, but they're not a firearm manufacturer though.

  • @simonb.6192
    @simonb.6192 3 роки тому +3

    Man... you got me with Czekoslovakian work apron foto 😂😂😂 ...I know that well .

  • @keithallardice6139
    @keithallardice6139 3 роки тому +5

    Can I just applaud this ...? So nice to see good folk, working with good folk and making this place more bearable for the rest of us ... well done all of you!!

  • @ryanpeck3377
    @ryanpeck3377 3 роки тому +12

    1:10 Um excuse me “the important stuff” after skipping right over a good boy doggo! Get your priorities in order man. Puppers first, clothes second.

  • @josus6831
    @josus6831 3 роки тому +4

    Can confirm they do have really fast shipping

  • @pystykorva7114
    @pystykorva7114 3 роки тому +18

    I'm so humbled by the fact that Gun Jesus is currently walking on the same ground as I am.

  • @topcat5700
    @topcat5700 3 роки тому +5

    Varusteleka... Surplus... And Star Wars? Ian isn't the only in heaven there.

  • @garryclelland4481
    @garryclelland4481 3 роки тому +4

    Thanks Ian , really impressive company/shop/products for sure .
    ''Finland, Finland, Finland,
    The country where I want to be,
    Pony trekking or camping,
    Or just watching TV,
    Finland, Finland, Finland,
    It's the country for me.''

  • @novusordocitrorum772
    @novusordocitrorum772 3 роки тому +6

    ian is embracing the memes that he sneaks into places to tour and review for us.

  • @ollilehtonen6764
    @ollilehtonen6764 3 роки тому +21

    Imagine being there, just shopping for a surplus Ville ViisVee and you run into Ian McCollum testing out some jackets😳

  • @TheTrueNorth11
    @TheTrueNorth11 2 роки тому +3

    Would really, really love to see some more Varusteleka stuff Ian.
    :)

  • @AndrewB_M.D.
    @AndrewB_M.D. 3 роки тому +3

    I am really glad that you turned me on to this company. I have made several purchases over the past few years starting with some shockakola. the longjohns are fantastic. The tactical jeans are the most comfortable pair of pants I've ever owned. i just purchased some more wool items last week. Thanks for the heads up on the woolshell. I think I might have to snag a set. I only wish it were cool enough where I live to wear year round. I just spent last night camping and a combination of milsurp wool blankets, sarma, and woolpower kept me quite comfortable. Thanks for the video!

  • @AB-vd7ux
    @AB-vd7ux 3 роки тому +7

    Sometimes I just go to their site to read the descriptions.

    • @tarmaque
      @tarmaque 3 роки тому

      Isn't that kind of like a diabetic looking through the window of a candy shop?

  • @kevinfinney8237
    @kevinfinney8237 3 роки тому +4

    World's largest Man Cave :-)

  • @vaikkajoku
    @vaikkajoku 3 роки тому +7

    Doggo just supervising everything in the middle of the room.

    •  3 роки тому +1

      If you could just scratch behind my ear, that'd be great...

  • @polishroxxor
    @polishroxxor 3 роки тому +5

    I've considered buying from them before, but shipping scared me.
    But if it's good enough for ian count me in.

    • @varusteleka
      @varusteleka 3 роки тому +12

      If something goes sideways, we'll fix it. Usually it doesn't, so feel free!

    • @hanmies4804
      @hanmies4804 3 роки тому +1

      Im pretty sure you cannot get better customer service elsewhere. Varusteleka rockrock!

    • @jayschafer1760
      @jayschafer1760 3 роки тому +1

      $10 flat rate shipping to the US, usually delivered in less than a week. Can't beat that for international shipments; better than many US-based retailers and department stores.

  • @roughneckmp
    @roughneckmp 3 роки тому +8

    “FINLAND!!!!!!” Patrick Star

  • @enclavelover6527
    @enclavelover6527 3 роки тому +4

    Notice all of the HAIX boxes around the 11 mark... jesus christ.