Not a good idea. Military gear is typically chosen because it is cheap and the contractor can comply with government procurement rules. Military officers that are allowed to bend the rules (e.g. special forces) are known to procure their own equipment and accessory clothing (e.g. boots, vests, sunglasses) because the commercial stuff is better quality. Indeed the commercial stuff is often made or endorsed by retired special forces who built a better mouse trap because the existing ones sucks so bad.
Endorsement? I suppose it could be. In my case I actually know some ex-marines and Navy SEALs, so I always just asked them what brands they recommend. But looking back, endorsement by people with actual combat experience seem to correlate well with quality.
Not a good idea. Military gear is typically chosen because it is cheap and the contractor can comply with government procurement rules. Military officers that are allowed to bend the rules (e.g. special forces) are known to procure their own equipment and accessory clothing (e.g. boots, vests, sunglasses) because the commercial stuff is better quality. Indeed the commercial stuff is often made or endorsed by retired special forces who built a better mouse trap because the existing ones sucks so bad.
http://lesswrong.com/lw/lxh/open_thread_mar_23_apr_05_2015/c6as
Is that useful way of finding good products?
Endorsement? I suppose it could be. In my case I actually know some ex-marines and Navy SEALs, so I always just asked them what brands they recommend. But looking back, endorsement by people with actual combat experience seem to correlate well with quality.