★Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters★

Google Bikes

2010-03-10T16:54:00.001-05:00

According to CNN, Google will be adding bike routes to Google Maps. So, bikers can now find safe routes to avoid heavy traffic. In a city like New York, this should be a really handy addition, I see so many bikers in all 5 boroughs. The timing seems perfect for this with the weather starting to get better.

image found at CNN.com

Tiger Rumors

2010-03-10T16:16:00.000-05:00

There's rumors swirling around that Tiger Woods may be returning to golf and the PGA Tour in the near future as we creep closer to the seasons first major tournament, The Masters. I thought it would be good to give Tiger some pointers for his return to the course. First, maybe it would be a good idea to play through the first round in a ghillie suit, it will help him blend into the course and maybe dodge some of the media. If he plays well with the ghillie suit, he can wear it the rest of the tournament and the staff here at Uncle Sam's could dye a ghillie suit red for Tiger, so he can honor his tradition of wearing red on Sundays. Another item that may come in handy for Tiger when he returns would be a plate carrier vest, not for fear of fans, but for fear of stray balls from the competition. Plenty of these guys will be upset to see the best in the world back on the course, so they may aim some golf balls his way (hopefully this is not the case). Finally, I think the best, most practical, piece of equipment (aside from his clubs) would be some form of ear protection. He's going to hear it all upon his return, disgruntled parents, angry women, media...everyone feels like they deserve a piece of Woods. I say, just let him play golf and the rest will fade away. But Uncle Sam's has all he'll need to protect himself when he decides to return.

Meet Our Staff

2010-03-10T15:29:00.000-05:00

Week number 2 of our newest feature, Meet Our Staff, introduces us to part of the Managerial team at Uncle Sam's:
Shannon-
1) Time spent with Uncle Sam's: 6 months.
2) Favorite Surplus Item: French Field Shirt (found in NYC store), but the Italian Wool Dress shirt is available online.
3) Favorite New Item: M-51 Engineers Field Bag
4) Celebrities he's helped in the store: Shaun White
5) Favorite places in the city: Shebeen
6) Favorite restaurants: Diner and Walter Foods
7) Song that best describes him: Patsy Cline - "Three Cigarettes in the Ashtry"
8) Word or Phrase that best describes him: "Woohoo!"

Military Fashion Finds It's Way To Paris

2010-03-10T14:57:00.000-05:00

Here's an excerpt from the TMagazine blog about Paris Fashion Week:
Two days ago, Junya Watanabe held a military parade of long green coats and parkas, not unlike the ones seen at Dries Van Noten a few days before. Then, all of a sudden, as if possessed by some primordial, unspoken understanding, every fashion editor and her assistant’s assistant began wearing — you guessed it — olive green, military-inspired gear. Some have already sunk their manicured claws into pre-fall samples; others scoured their closets for long-forgotten fatigues; one editor drove to a vintage military store in Montparnasse immediately after the Watanabe show, and handed the second-hand loot to the driver, so that he could throw it into the washing machine to achieve that elusive degree of casual distress.

found at tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com

Gas Mask Shower Head

2010-03-10T10:38:00.000-05:00

This is easily one of the scariest/coolest/scariest things I've ever seen. I know I said scariest twice, it's a gas mask coming out of a wall like Freddy Krueger! But, it's so cool because it's a fully functioning shower head using the eye holes for storage. So if you're into being creeped out every morning (I know I would forget it was there regularly and scare myself) this is total for you.

Big East Tournament is in Town

2010-03-09T16:43:00.000-05:00

If you're a college basketball fan then this is your time of year. March Madness has begun and the Conference tournaments are underway, one of the biggest being the Big East Tournament. The Big East has 6 teams which are already guaranteed spots in the NCAA tournament later this month, but there are a few other teams looking to punch their tickets to the "big dance" this week. Make sure you head up to Madison Square Garden and try and catch a game or two, it's the best way to see up and coming talent at a discount rate. Plus, you get to search for our awesome flyer team, which will be around all week, passing out coupons for Uncle Sam's. The same blue haz-mat suit you saw at Fashion Week will be back in action adding to the madness of March.

Our flyer team, hard at work. Keep your eyes peeled for this crew.

Uncle Sam's Featured on NY Mag

2010-03-09T15:54:00.000-05:00

Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters

37 W. 8th St., New York, NY 10011

nr. Sixth Ave. See Map | Subway Directions

212-674-2222 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
10.0 out of 10
|
2 Reviews | Write a Review
Price Range: ($) Budget
Type: Consignment/Thrift Shop
Products & Services: Camping/Hiking Gear, Men's Hats, Men's Shoes, Vintage Clothing, Women's Hats, Women's Shoes

Check out that Reader Rating, 10 out of 10!!! They did a full profile on us, which I put below...

Profile
Patrol caps, duffle bags, and everything camo report for duty in this West Village stockpile, formerly housed in the Manhattan Mall. Uncle Sam’s flagship in (of all places) Toronto began by buying their new and secondhand military apparel straight from government surplus warehouses—and sometimes straight from discharged servicemen—and the tradition continues here. Both employees and clientele lean toward the young, tattooed, and pierced variety, including NYU undergrads, street performers, and local loiterers. Fatigues and combat boots are the biggest draw; but many customers stop in with frequency to peruse the enormous bucket of patches near the front counter or to beg the staff to sell them the Soviet–era G4 suit hanging from the ceiling. Camping equipment displayed along the back wall includes tents, canteens, ration meals, and thick, Army-issue sleeping bags, while the array of backpacks nearby incorporates everything from East German rucksacks to Swedish camouflage bags. Although a vintage dog-tag machine perched in the corner is only partially operational, the staff can inscribe your name, rank, or quote of choice on stainless steel using another machine downstairs ($6-$10). Make sure to check your vintage purchases thoroughly when you get home—stray cigarette butts and old love letters are among the items that have been discovered tucked away in pockets.
— Lauren Salazar

found at NYMag.com

Uncle Sam's and Sam Harvey...

2010-03-09T13:49:00.002-05:00

Here's an excerpt from the Sam Harvey blog by Lara Serbin, mentioning Uncle Sam's!

"I actually made this entire outfit in the course of one day! With lining might I add. I whipped out the tee while watching the Academy Awards. I must say Robert Downey Jr. looked square and cute in his blue blow tie and blue tinted shades. The jacket is real Army surplus. Yes, the one I bought from Uncle Sam's in New York. I can't cut the sleeves off. I don't know. What do you think? The skirt could be shorter. I am so modest."

found at Lara Serbin's blog

One of Nigo's Toys

2010-03-08T18:19:00.005-05:00

BAPE is a well known brand here and overseas. The founder of BAPE, Nigo has worked with my style favorite, Pharrell Williams from N.E.R.D. Which he is partners with on Pharrell's Clothing Brand, Billionaire Boys Club (BBC). Nigo's collection has lots of great color ways and bright over the top styles. A dominant pattern that they have is there signature logo, which is the Ape (from Plant of the Apes) mixed in with Camouflage. Not only do they have this on Hoodies to Bags, but he even made this design on his Mercedes Benz AMG 300SL. Now that's dedication to your Brand Name.

Breezy in Paris!

2010-03-08T13:40:00.000-05:00

Uncle Sam's own, Breezy is on vacation in Paris and she's sporting a navy Pea Coat she picked up from our store.

AmmoPod?

2010-03-08T13:18:00.000-05:00

The iPod A-Box Speaker: I’m Assuming The “A” Stands For “A-Team”

Thodio’s new A-BOX integrates a high quality speaker into a ’50s style military ammo box—so load up that MP3 player with songs like the theme from the A-Team and the Rolling Stones’Paint it Black.

the A-BOX is made of 1mm steel plate fortified from the inside with 6mm trespa and made as inert as possible with vibration dampening material to ensure a ridiculously good sound for piece of metal.

the A-BOX comes in 2 models: the light version with 2 x 25 watts rms amplifier and woven glass fiber speakers (carbon color) this model will cost 350 euros. and the heavy version sporting 2 x 70 watts amplifiers and woven kevlar speakers (the yellow material used in bullet proof vests) this version will be selling for 475 euros.

both versions have indication lights in the bass tube which will indicate the status of the battery with white, orange and red colors. the heavy version however has an extra feat, indication lights behind the speakers which will warn against distortion when driven too loud. this gives a funky disco effect when driven slightly to loud

The A-Box also features a rechargeable battery and the ability to connect your MP3 player on the outside or the inside of the box.

The best part about this is that it's something you can do yourself, if you have the means and know how. You can save yourself some serious cash.

found at NerdApproved.com

Get Ready for St. Paddy's Day

2010-03-05T15:49:00.000-05:00

With the greenest of holidays creeping up on us, who better to shop with than Uncle Sam's? Green is a color we do very well, whether it be BDU Jackets, Fatigue Caps, Boots, or pants...we've got you covered. Make sure you stop by our NYC, Buffalo or Toronto stores to pick up your St. Patrick's Day garb.

Get Crazy

2010-03-05T15:33:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen this yet and you enjoy a good horror/thriller...do yourself a favor and check it out. It grabs you from the start and the tension throughout keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. Plus the promo poster uses a gas mask you can find on our site.

Call to Arms

2010-03-05T13:38:00.000-05:00

Soldier girls march straight to World Expo

By Yang Jian and Jia Feishang

AROUND 2,000 young women have traded their fashionable civvies for combat fatigues, hand bags for duffle bags. They chopped off their long locks and hung up their cell phones and iPods.

Now they spend their days drilling and training in preparation for some missions at the upcoming World Expo 2010 Shanghai.

"Welcome to Shanghai." "China Pavilion is on your right side." They repeat these lines in perfect English - and also in Shanghai dialect and in international sign language for the hearing-impaired.

The women in baggy green battle fatigues with red epaulets and identical boy-haircuts are the females recruited for the Shanghai Armed Police.

After long hours in the sun, their faces and hands are tanned and they look strong and fit - quite unlike most young women who shun the sun, constantly strive for a white complexion and seldom break a sweat.

They are now in basic training, a three-month boot camp (but not too rigorous) for females, before deployment at the Expo opening on May 1. Officials decline to specify their assignments or where they will be posted around the site.

The young women have higher academic qualifications than most recruits, and many already have studied English. More than half are university seniors or fresh graduates from 60 colleges and universities around China.

They will serve for two years and then be able to resume their studies if they wish. They will receive preferential treatment, including tuition reimbursement and help in finding jobs.

"Attention," shouts a female squad leader at the armed police garrison. The women stand in formation, all serious.

"Three months in military camp are very different from campus life," says Chen Juhong, a 20-year-old freshman from the Medical School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She is flushed and perspiring a bit from exercise.

"Describe your life in camp to the reporter," says a male officer.

"Yes, sir," Chen says.

Her day, and that of all recruits, begins with 6am bugle wake-up - if she were still in college, she would be asleep at that hour. Then she washes up in 15 minutes and runs to the field for morning assembly.

The first exercise is to run 500 meters on the track, a big change for young women who seldom exercised or broke a sweat before.

"We hated running at the beginning," says Chen. Some recruits gulp down a popular energy drink before the run.

After building their muscles and endurance, a 3,000-meter run is a piece of cake.

Hard training brings a hearty appetite and the recruits wolf down their breakfast, some eating as many as 10 steamed buns.

"Almost all of us have gained several kilograms since entering the camp," says Chen.

Morning training - fitness and armed police skills - begins at 8:45am. They get breaks every few hours.

One of their exercises, to strengthen the lower back, involves bending from the waist with straight legs to pick peanuts up from the ground. This is repeated dozens of times, rapidly and at a steady pace. Each recruit is expected to pick up around 3,000 peanuts by the time the Expo begins.

Lunch begins at 11:30am, they can nap at noon and begin afternoon training at 1:15pm. At 4pm there's more physical training, including long-distance running, walking races and "four people racing with five feet."

At 7pm they watch CCTV news, especially like the channel's military affairs report.

After dinner, the evening is free. The recruits eat snacks, play games, chat with instructors or read in their dormitories.

Six recruits live in each dorm room in neat, military fashion. Clothes are hung in an orderly way, beds are made military-style, quilts are folded in perfect, regulation cubes. In the bathrooms, all the towels, toothbrushes and cups are neatly lined up, as if measured by a ruler.

Each room has a long desk, air-conditioner and a 20-inch LCD TV on the wall.

found on ShanghaiDaily.com

Combat Ready....

2010-03-04T21:44:00.002-05:00

Women's Fashion

By JEAN-BAPTISTE MONDINO

| February 25, 2010, 8:39 am

Jean-Baptiste Mondino

When two trends — lingerie and military — go to war, fashion deploys for action. Forward march!

Spotted!!!

2010-03-04T18:07:00.002-05:00

This is gonna be a new thing that i'm gonna be doing. My co-workers know me as always being out in the city somewhere. At anytime, day or night i'm out and about. I see a lot of surplus looks and take pics of it with my iPhone. I decided to post them up here to show you the "looks of the city". Above we see a couple from Japan. The girl is sporting a Parka and the guy has black wool gloves and a Camouflage Rucksack.

Getting To Know Us

2010-03-04T17:02:00.000-05:00

Due to positive feedback from our employee feature, we've decided to share one per week instead of one per month. So keep an eye out as you get a chance to meet the staff here at Uncle Sam's. If there's any fun questions you think we should add to the ones we already ask, let us know in the comments section.

Broomball

2010-03-04T15:51:00.001-05:00

Because I mentioned it in the post below, I thought I would explain to some of you out there what broomball was. Think hockey, but instead of sticks and pucks you use a broom and a ball. There, that is the game of broomball. What? You want more...ok, it's played in boots, or shoes, usually on a sheet of ice (whether a rink or a pond), but can also be played in a parking lot or an open field. Broomball is a game played by beer league hockey players, hockey moms, people who can't skate, people who can skate, kids, adults, old, young...it's the most accessible form of hockey around, mostly because everyone owns a broom and you only need one friend with a ball...the rest is a mix of skill, stupidity, falling, hacking, and trying to sweep a ball into a net. So grab your friends and hit the ice, street, field and have some fun!

Maybe the staff at Uncle Sam's will throw together a team like these guys and take on all comers.

Buffalo's Power Keg Festival

2010-03-04T15:29:00.003-05:00

It may have taken a long time for Buffalo to create a winter festival, but they sure pulled out all the stops when it finally came to fruition. With the assistance of Uncle Sam's own, Rob Geist, the city of Buffalo has created an annual party for the cities families as well as visitors to take part in. With ice sculptures and ice mazes as well as broomball tournaments, tubing, tobaggon races, food from local businesses...they really knocked it out of the park. With 2010 being the first of what Buffalo hopes to be many Powder Keg Festivals, it looks like they started right. In a place where winter lasts a little longer, it's a little colder and receives much more snow than most of America, this is just what the doctor ordered...embrace your surroundings and join with your neighbors to make the most of the weather! Here's to the Powder Keg Festival...and many more!

The definition of Urban Camo is changing

2010-03-04T12:18:00.008-05:00

The definition of Urban Camo is changing…

It used to look like this:

But now it looks like this:

Ripped from the pages of Complex Magazine!

2010-03-03T18:44:00.003-05:00

I am an avid reader of magazines. I remember when I was in 6th grade my first subscriptions were to RollingStone and Details. I was in love with Music, News and Fashion. Now that i'm living in NYC I have a much more broader source of information. For one thing there is the internet. Unlimited resources at a click of a button. I still do it old school by buying the magazines to support the publications. On rotation right now is Details. I use this mainly to see what the high-end designers are doing. Then there is Nylon Guys which has a bit more affordable clothing and sneakers. They have sections dedicated to just hats, pants, hoodies, sneakers and so on. Antenna Mag is a magazine that comes our every season. It shows what's coming next before it actually drops. From food, technology, interests, clothing to even medicine they cover it all. The one magazine that I read the most is Complex. It's the only double cover magazine that I know of. You can flip the magazine over and read a whole different issue. It's pretty awesome. Marc Ecko has a huge network of sites linked with complex. The magazine has a great section on Sneakers (which I love!) From shoes to high end fashion he has all the bases covered. The issue always features "Humps & Dumps" Which shows what look you need to get rid of and what's gonna be in next. I was not surprised to see things that we have. All the items listed is what you can find in our store in NYC and online. Check it out!

(Click the image to Enlarge)

I found the items that are listed in the "Humps" section. Above us what we have in our Store in NYC. A Woodland Digital M-65 Jacket, Khaki Boots, Watch Cap and Fingerless Gloves.

Buffalovation

2010-03-03T14:42:00.003-05:00

The Buffalo Sabres played the Pittsburgh Penguins last night. It was Sidney Crosby's first game back in front of the Pittsburgh fans, who welcomed back their super star with loud cheers, in honor of his game winning goal for team Canada in the Olympics. It would make sense for this to be the loudest ovation of the night, win or lose. But there was another player on the Buffalo roster, one who played for the red, white, and blue...Ryan Miller. He didn't appear in the game, but he was on the ice and received the loudest ovation, welcoming him back to US ice for the first time since losing in Canada. It was a great display of sportsmanship on the part of the crowd and he definitely deserved it.

Miller wore a specially designed helmet during the Olympics, which had this cool image of Uncle Sam carrying the Olympic flame. I can't wait to see the ovation he gets tonight when his Sabres return to Buffalo for the first time since the break to face Russian superstar Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. I wonder if any of our Buffalo store staff will be in attendance? Let us know if you guys make it to the game, I'd like to hear a first hand account of the moment.

Sharp Jersey

2010-03-03T14:40:00.000-05:00

Here's a picture of Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks wearing the ACU jersey that the team wore during a pre-game warmup on Veterans Day to support the American troops over seas. The jerseys were then auctioned off to raise money for the USO of Illinois.

If you couldn't tell, I'm still all amped up from the Olympic hockey tournament, so I've been using it as an excuse to post all the hockey stuff I can.

2010-03-03T13:59:00.001-05:00

WEAR SOME HISTORY

Veteran Photography...

2010-03-03T10:22:00.000-05:00

This amazing picture of a group of US Veterans was taken by Randy, who works in our Buffalo warehouse.