A Tour of Varusteleka: Outdoor and Military Specialists
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- čas přidán 6. 03. 2021
- 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.com
My particular favorites:
Woolshell: www.varusteleka.com/en/produc...
Merino hoodie: www.varusteleka.com/en/produc...
Tactical jeans: www.varusteleka.com/en/produc...
Office Dog is clearly the reoccurring Employee of the Month.
Rightfully so.
Points out office dog and says "now to important stuff"?
I laughed out loud when I saw the guy with the accordion. "Go on".
Had an Aki Kaurasmaki vibe
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.
2:14 for you ADD bois
Had a "banjo in the woods" vibe.
Sometimes it gets a bit wierd.. laughed my ass off
It was nice of the cameraman to help Ian commit corporate espionage.
Then again. Anyone going into corporate warfare with the Finns need to read up on their history
My favorite kind of espionage
@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.)
Mike running the camera. That bottle of KYRO rye gin looks familiar for some reason. I wonder where I've seen it before.
@Aft3n21 "based" ? Seen what has been immigrating there lately?
Pretty sure Ian flies home with double the Luggage he came with.
After seeing this, I would fly over with one shirt, one pant, and one very.. squishable.. fleece.
Smart way is to just wear everything you bought :P No need to pay the extra Luggage fees.
@@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.
Triple 4 me.
Camo fetish
@@JiSe6669 he lives in Arizona knuckle head. Are trying to kill my guy or what.
Gun Jesus giving a tour of surplus heaven.
...and blessing random surpluses!
@@aaronwilliams007 Blessed be!
He is just showing us the way to the promised land.
Saint karls at the pearly gates
Apparently all I have to do to get a panzerfaust is join the marketing department. College should lead with that
"Panzerfaust, when you really want to get through to the consumer!"
I feel like I got played just a bit...
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."
"The marketing department sometimes takes over the sauna"
Well, they've got a panzerfaust, I wouldn't mess with them either XD
Ikr XD
Having images of beautiful Finnish women in the marketing department in the sauna.....
@@lancekilkenny721 please remember, they got a panzerfaust! :D
@@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...
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.
Also for something coming from Finland, it gets to the US much faster than most US manufacturers
Probably faster than anything else in Finland also. These guys do their stuff incredibly well and take customer service seriously.
@@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 :)
@@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? 😂
@@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
That is not an office, that looks like a hang out place with cool long hair guys, I suspect Ian is also an employee
maybe it was just the lighting, but Ian's hair seemed to have a particularly healthy shine to it during this vid.
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 :)
Knew a sauna was coming. Not disappointed 😎😆
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.
@@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.
@@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?
@@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.
@@StPaul76 There certainly are separate saunas, and changing rooms for women in Finalnd..
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!
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.
Varusteleka x Marimekko gear WHEN?! I want a chest rig made from a whimsical floral print. Go Full Finnish.
@Lassi Kinnunen 81 As the same, the more abstract Marimekko designs would be just awesome. Like WWI dazzle camo.
Unfortunaly Varusteleka x Marimekko sounds like something Varusteleka would absolutely do and Marimekko would never do.
That would be outstanding.
Don't hide your interest to get Tom of Finland snow camo suit.
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.
Varusteleka is A+. I wish them many more years of success especially with their own clothing line.
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!
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."
@@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...
Hard to get some kinds of European surplus stateside. We appreciate Varusteleka offering shipping on this side of the pond.
With affordable shipping, too. It won't get here overnight, but DHL does their best.
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.
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.
Sadly doesn't work the other way around with u.s. vendors 😑
@@MMCXCon for sure! It costs like 500 units of currency to ship a grain of rice OUT of the USA!
Camo Kilts? The ears of Scottish war reenactment enthusiasts perk up everywhere.
Ian perfectly blends in with the employees,
No wonder he was successful in infiltrating surplus headquarters.
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.
Varusteleka is really good place to visit, unfortunately i might still have hangover from their mega grand opening.
Whenever I go there, I end up at least 100€ thinner in the wallet area...
@@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.
I bet Ian felt like a child in a candy store
I was waiting for Ian to stop, look at something, put it under his arm and say, "I'll pay for it, but it's going into my luggage..." at least twice!
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.
RPK casually lying around.
Love it.
Doesn't everyone have light machine guns lying around?
@@sanguinemoon9201 if they do I didn't get that memo. who do I talk to to get mine?
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
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.
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!
Tony Ice Pick 1 - That's a helluvva handle! Good one.
"Got one, got one, got one, need one..."
Need only one🤔
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.
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.
I recently bought old german military boots from Varusteleka, and i do gotta say their gear is good. Would recomend.
I work in a warehouse for a billion dollar corporation here in the US, and we are lucky if the bathroom gets cleaned everyday
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...
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).
"What marketing dept. doesn't need a panzerfaust?" LOL, indeed!
How else can they take over the sauna?
Sometimes you just need faust some panzers
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!
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.
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.
Thank you for this video. I bought a M05 kilt because of it.
Awesome!
Best surplus store in europe. The austrian and swiss stuff is unbelieveably good. Add their unique sense of humor, and there you go...
Was really expecting Jari to show up with two suomis and ask what you thought you were doing
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.
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!!
I love the Fins. They are like the perfect mix of modern aesthetic and viking badassery.
Finns have nothing to do with the vikings.
We even fucked the vikings up! Up until they had Jesus on their side. But now we have gun Jesus!
@@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.
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. 😉
Any Finnish Clothing/surplus store with a bar and an in-house accordianist gets my money! I just hope they're not sold out....
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.
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
There might still be 2 guys in a basement.
@@varusteleka Lol. I have shopped at your place for over 15 years now and my son is also a big customer
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)! 😉
Seemed to be 'most of it', really.
@@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. 😃
@@oscarn- At least some of the wall and the table are still there.
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. :)
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.
that looks like a brand new building. The internets have been good to Varusteleka.
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!
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!
InrangeTV introduced me to them. Now they are my go to place for pretty much anything clothing related!
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 CZcams 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.
Why has no one commented on the "OLD JOKES" department. I freaking love these guys!
I knew I wouldn't be the only one! I recall Luke from 'The Outdoor Gear Review' channel being sent one of those items : -)
This (reference?) went whoosh over my head, someone please explain
@@rishi-m visit the website?
@@engineeredlifeform I have, many a times, is it a section there or something?
@@rishi-m yes, look around for a bit and you should find it.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
They are, by far, my favorite surplus supplier! Awesome items, fast shipping and great customer service.
Huge thanks for giving us this tour. I've been Varustelekas local Finnish customer for over a decade now but have never gotten a chance to see behind the scenes to the office and the warehouse.
I need far more videos of the office dog
I am a cat person and I support this comment.
For more videos and photos, follow her on Instagram @sirusirius. She only speaks Finnish though.
Thanks for showing us. I love that store!
Great show and I can't wait to check out the store
online. Thanks!
Thanks a lot! I ordered stuff from Varusteleka during the past few years and I've been always happy with their products and customer support.
Would really, really love to see some more Varusteleka stuff Ian.
:)
I wish my marketing department had a panzerfaust :(
My thoughts too. Especially to break up sales meetings.
i wish i had a marketing departement
Ian, this is fantastic! Thanks for the tour.
Thank you Ian
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 .
You mean the Terävä brand? It literally translates to Sharp in english.
Their shop floor music is damn good taste as well - haven't heard Foot Tapper by The Shadows in donkeys ages :D
Thanks for inadvertently answering the question I didn't ask about the music lol
i love that store and it's awesome to see one of my favorite youtubers hitting it up.
Jesus just the consistent camera quality and smoothness is amazing
I like these kinds of videos a lot. Love the main Forgotten Weapons and InRange stuff too of course, but it's interesting to see a lot of the behind the scenes stuff like this, as well as the one on Polaris Logistics and the one where you opened a giant crate of guns. Cool to see you branching out with another kind of content and I hope you make more.
Great review, thanks!
Brilliant video, I love these guys ,bought some lovely stuff over the years 👌
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.
Pretty cool beans! Thanks for opening up the possibilities!
Amazing content! Thank you.
Couldn't agree more...every time I purchase from them, it arrives promptly and well packed. All the products they produce have been first rate, and all the surplus has been better than advertised condition. All in all a first rate surplus /outdoor supply company!
Every second of this is funny snd wholesome and awesome , thank you Ian
I am a big fan of yours and your stuff from Germany. Great Video, thanks for that. I am also a big Star Wars Fan and enjoyed seeing the Original Movie Posters at the beginning!
Very cool tour, Ian! Thank you!
WHAT A GREAT VIDEO , I Thoroughly enjoyed watching this and seeing all the great products that they have , I copy down their website and will definitely pursue some products that I saw were available ! 👍👍👍👍👍
Love their stuff
thanks for the video ian i love their stuff as well
It's nice to see where all my goodies come from. Love this place!
Never disappointed me. Always quick on shipping and awesome pricing.
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.
Love this video
Discovered them through your channel and have received a number of orders from them as a result. Great products and excellent shipping. Thanks for the tour. I was trying to look at all of the shelfs as you walked through...
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.
Talk about feeling at home....excellent video Ian!
Thanks so much. Now to go shopping.
Nice to see ☺️ I have bought quite a lot from them. Awesome assortment of both surplus and new items.
What a cool walkthrough. Cool company will have to check them out.
AND THEY PLAY THE SHADOWS IN THEIR STORES MY GOD I NEED TO GO THERE
Excellent video
Best advertising is best! Thanks for all the gear Varusteleka.
Annnnnnnd, I will keep up my Patreon for 2021!! Thanks for keeping it fresh Ian.
I discover the brand by you, 2 years ago, and I love it
I used to wear their stuff before I got fat. They're good people.
They need more American sizes. =)
@@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!'...
@@Finwolven Thanks for the information. I was just making a joke comment about our issue with obesity om the US. ;)
Looks like you had a excellent trip and thanks for the walk around that surplus shop and thanks again for the link to it as well .
ian is embracing the memes that he sneaks into places to tour and review for us.
I feel this is the Ikea of awesome gear.