Early-mid 70s Sierra Designs 60/40 Mountain Parka

Early-mid 1970s Sierra Designs 60/40 Mountain Parka

The original 60/40 mountain parka by Sierra Designs. Constructed of the fabric famed for its day as the superior protector against the elements. In a time before Gore-Tex and other such membrane backed fabrics, this blend of Nylon and Cotton loomed with a tight weave was the number one choice of outdoor enthusiast against rain, snow and wind. Prior to its introduction in 1968 most parkas of this style were made of a Polyester and Cotton blend which was much more permeable to the elements. This particular example is an earlier version evident by the sparse labeling and lack of embossed buttons.

The parka is constructed of a Navy Blue shell made entirely of the 60/40 material. The classic construction includes two hip pockets with side entry and Velcro closed top entry. Two bellowed chest pockets also with Velcro closure. A single zip closed back pocket which opens up to the entire upper half of the jacket body. Closure consists of a large gauge YKK zipper with extended pull for ease of use while wearing gloves. Also a snap close-storm flap. Features an integrated hood with offset seams to prevent pooling around the neck and shoulders. Inside the khaki liner is made from 60/40 up top and through out the sleeves and hood to further guard against the elements where it matters most. Then a lighter nylon lighter around the lower allowing the jacket to slide easily over the hips. Nylon cord cinch runs through the hood with leather lace locks. Also a Nylon draw cord at the waist which most likely also had the leather locks at some point, but are now missing.

 

California Sportswear ‘Californian’ Leather Motorcycle Patrol Jacket

California Sportswear Company Californian Motorcycle Patrol Jacket

Highway patrolman style jacket by California Sportswear Company of Los Angeles, CA. The jacket is cut from “Selected Steerhide” which is “California Chrome Tanned” All this according to the label. Tan job is exceptional. Nice sheen on this heavy leather.

Very similar in style to the California Highway Patrol jackets but is lacking snaps at the collar for a fur add-on as well as the zippered cuffs. Instead has button close cuffs and epaulets. Has snap close loops for a belt and lace up side gussets, which are missing laces. Has stitch holes on left breast where an emblem of some type was one sewn.  Talon zipper. Probably of a 60s vintage.

Brown Label Gregory Day Pack Backpacks

Vintage Gregory Day Pack Backpack Day and a half pack brown label

A couple older Gregory day pack backpacks. These packs feature many of the quality workmanship and design marks that made Gregory famous. One large main compartment with full arching YKK zipper. Smaller diagonal front zip pocket with YKK zippers. Original large leather pulls on all zips. All zips shielded by large storm flaps. Softer black nylon blend material makes up the bottom of the bag. Padded shoulder straps. Chest strap and waist strap with Fastex buckles.

I believe the orange, larger version is known as the “day and a half pack” a style that is currently being reproduced by Gregory.

Alpenlite Internal Frame backpack – Ventura, California

Alpenlite Internal Frame backpack - Ventura, California

You are looking at a nice Alpenlite internal frame pack. Alpinlite, I believe originated in Claremont, California and plenty examples of earlier goods can be found bearing that city name under their mountainous logo. Based on this design and the city of Ventura, I would guess it’s a later label circa late 70s or 80s. Similar to some JanSport packs this Alpenlite maintains a day pack type look and feel, in a larger reinforced package.

This pack has an interesting ‘X’ braced frame structure and suspended strap rigging. Pack construction consists of one large main compartment, two side canister type pockets, one front pocket on the flap of the main compartment, and a small top pocket above the shoulder straps. I added the red lashings I had lying around and they will come with it. My guess is the original would have been yellow like that of the loop. It’s a little hard to tell in the photos but the bottom is khaki, loop is yellow which make for a nice color combo. Leather lashings top and bottom with the metal D rings on the front. padded waist strap as well.

 

 

Small Gerry Day Pack

Small Vintage Gerry Day Pack

Neat little late 70s early 80s Gerry day pack. Single main top zip compartment with leather pull-stays. Front zip bellowed compartment. Single contrasting blue seat belt webbing shoulder strap with gold nylon lower strap. Perfect for packing in your overnight bag for a day trip.

Measures about:
15″ high
11″ wide at bottom
7.5″ wide at top
5″ deep

The North Face Bullfrog Two Man Backpacking Tent

Vintage The North Face Brown Label Bullfrog Two Man Backpacking Tent

1980s The North Face Bullfrog tent.  This is a later “brown label” model, a label that was used into the early mid eighties. I would classify the tent as a two-man, three season tent. Tent is a three pole free-standing tent. Sometimes referred to as a “bent pole” model as the shock cord poles are not perfectly straight when linked together. Two poles crisscross from the corners with another looping from side to side around the front for an easy yet sturdy structure. The rain fly includes a decent size vestibule. Zippered opening into the vestibule and through the fly screen and nylon door. Inside venting flaps are closed by Velcro in a weight saving exercise.

Tent measures:
94″ head to toe
45″ high at entrance
54″ wide at entrance

Weighs approximately:
6 lbs.

1950’S “Cossacks” Wool Car Club Jacket

VINTAGE 1950'S "COSSACKS" CAR CLUB HOT ROD WOOL JACKET - GOLDEN BEAR M/L

The base is a Golden Bear, wool varsity style jacket. Faded burgundy patterned nylon lining, ribbed elastic cuffs, hem and collar. The jacket itself is a dark green with white snaps and accents. Would be a pretty cool jacket to have on its own, but that’s just the base. A fully embroidered back piece let’s you know this dude was one bad ass Cossack. Big top rocker spells it our for you in a cool font. The C trails off in the shape of a Cossack sword called the Shashka. Below that a real fierce-looking fella rides into glory, sword drawn, jockeying a V8 like a horse. Bottom rocker reads “Hayward Calif”. Chain stitched on the front left breast is “Jim”. Under that reads “FoMoCo” indicating this was a Ford squad, or at least Jim was partial to them.

I can’t find any information on the Cossacks car club. I am almost certain there is no relationship to the now famed motorcycle gang. Judging by this jacket, the car club predated the MC by quite a few years.

 

 

Gerry leather Bottom Day Pack

Gerry leather Bottom Day Pack

Early to mid 70s Gerry leather bottom backpack. Two compartments, stacked in the so-called “tear drop” fashion. Sturdy strap construction with thick padded shoulder straps and large D ring /leather top attachment. This model could be considered transitional from the earlier era of felt padded and leather straps. Front lashing with original nylon strap for holding poles or axes. Waist strap features the innovative Gerry two-pronged buckle.

Vintage National Park Service Windbreaker Jacket

Vintage National Park Service windbreaker Jacket

*Apologies if you were watching this on eBay. Apparently it’s illegal to sell there and the listing was pulled shortly before it ended.

National Park Service windbreaker. Picked up in Colorado, it may be from one of a number of national parks, but the closest being Rocky Mountain National Park.

Very lightweight, made of single layer nylon. Jacket features a stowaway hood, which can be rolled up and secured via loops and buttons around the lightly padded collar. Two zip close front pockets. Nylon draw cord at waist and hood. YKK main zipper.

Embroidered patch is stitched on to left sleeve. Patch measures about 3.75″ tall by 3″ across and is in nice shape.

Jacket is in nice shape save for a couple small holes in the back bottom of the jacket, most likely from sitting or leaning up against something.

Marked size larger

Measures:
24″ top of zip to hem
21.5″ pit to zip
24″ pit to pit

Duofold Norse-Net Insulated Long Underwear

Rare Vintage 60s/70s Norse Net By Duofold mesh thermal suit

No, this isn’t some new fetish man-gerie suit. Duofold’s Norse-Net was a Scandinavian-style knit underwear popular in the late 60s early 70s. It claimed to provide maximum ventilation in warm weather and maximum insulation (when air spaces are sealed by close-fitting outer garments) in cold weather.

The ad in the photos is taken out of Backpacker Magazine Issue 3, Fall, 1973.