By Nick Mann

With the new year here, many customers will be looking to upgrade their military surplus gear with the latest, most cutting-edge products. That makes it the perfect time to spice up your inventory with today’s top military surplus/tactical/outdoor gear. We went ahead and did the research to spotlight some of the most in-demand items your customers will love, along with the specs, features and pricing information. Let’s jump right in. 

Red Rock Assault Pack

One of the most fundamental yet important pieces of gear is a strong, sturdy backpack. While there are countless backpacks on the market, the Red Rock Assault Pack from Red Rock Outdoor Gear has the “it factor” in spades. Some of the main specs include 28 liters of total storage, four expanding compartments with a clamshell design, a mesh ventilated padded back panel, two front external utility pockets, six quick-release compression straps, MOLLE webbing, fully adjustable contoured and padded shoulder straps and a reinforced carry handle. As for materials, the Assault Pack is made of 600D polyester, and it’s 9.5 inches wide, 18 inches tall, and 9.5 inches in diameter, making it the perfect size for most users. And clocking in at just 2.6 pounds, this is a lightweight backpack that’s still tough as nails and capable of withstanding whatever gets thrown at it. Pricing ranges between $58.99 and $64.99 retail, which makes it a reasonable investment, especially given the toughness and robust features. If you’re looking to add an ultra-quality backpack to your store’s inventory line in 2026, this is an excellent choice. 

Leatherman Skeletool CX

Multi-tools are nothing new, but the sleek, lightweight and rugged Leatherman Skeletool CX has taken traditional multi-tools to the next level. One look at the impressive design and you can instantly tell that this product clearly has something special about it. For starters, it offers seven different tools, including a 154cm stainless steel straight-edge blade, needle-nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, a carabiner/bottle opener and a large bit driver. The dimensions are as follows – 141.75 grams in weight, 4 inches closed length, 6 inches open length, and 1.24 inches wide. It’s simple, but it has all of the essentials that campers, backpackers or any other adventurer needs to get the job done. Or, if someone just wants a handy, all-in-one tool for around the house, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is perfect for that, as well. It comes in seven stunning colors and retails for $89.95.

USGI M81 Woodland Enhanced Load Bearing Vest

While this enhanced load bearing vest from Kommandostore may seem like overkill to your average civilian, almost any diehard military surplus enthusiast will love it. It’s been intentionally designed with a retro camo look from the ‘80s and ‘90s that pops aesthetically but doesn’t skimp an ounce on functionality. “The vest is constructed with a breathable mesh, ITW Nexus Fastex buckles on the front and a corset-style field repairable back,” Kommandostore explains. “The shoulder hardness is a padded, slightly-angled H harness with loops for routing radio cords/antennas, but also comes in handy for routing hydration if you’re using a more modern pack/carrier. Lastly, with an ALICE belt, you can loop it through the snapped loops on the bottom of the vest and even attach an M81 buttpack.” It’s American-made and super tough, yet the breathable nylon mesh material and ergonomic design make it comfortable for long-term use. And although the retro camo look isn’t for everyone, there’s almost guaranteed to be a solid fanbase among some of your customers. It retails for $49.99 and can be an epic addition to your line of 2026 military surplus gear. 

Rothco M-65 Field Jacket

“Crafted for the harshest environments,” the Rothco M-65 Field Jacket is built to handle anything freezing winter conditions can throw at it. It features a removable, quilted button-in liner that offers amazing insulation and a water-repellent outer shell that protects from rain, sleet and snow — all while being designed to government specifications. Besides that, it’s loaded with well-placed cargo pockets (two on the chest and two on the waist) that make it perfect for storing a variety of gear. And it’s easily adjustable, with an incredibly strong brass zipper, adjustable wrist cuffs, and an interior waist draw cord that keeps heat in. But what makes the Rothco M-65 Field Jacket even more impressive is that it can quickly transition into different seasons. So once winter has run its course, you can remove the quilted button-in liner and use it for more of a lightweight rain or wind jacket. Whether it’s for casual day hikes or extreme outdoor adventures, this jacket is versatile enough to keep you warm and dry while also looking stylish. It comes in 15 different colors, including multiple types of camouflage, and retails for $109.99. While you likely need to be selective about the jackets you stock to account for store space, this is definitely one to consider. 

Stocking your store with top-tier gear

A big part of driving new customers to your military surplus/tactical/outdoor store and keeping existing customers coming back is refreshing your inventory line. And there’s no better time to do that than at the start of the new year. From an innovative backpack to a ground-breaking multi-tool to a retro load bearing vest to a one-of-a-kind all-weather field jacket, there is a wide range of options to choose from. Hopefully, this list of gear sparked some ideas for new products to carry and will help you get 2026 started out on the right foot.