British Army surplus grades describe how much wear an item has had. Brand New or Unissued stock has never been issued. Super Grade is the cleanest issued kit in a batch, with minimal signs of use. Grade 1 is good serviceable condition with light, honest wear. Grade 2 shows heavier wear and marking but is fully usable, and is the cheapest way to own genuine kit.
- Grades describe cosmetic wear and remaining service life, not whether an item works. Every graded item is wearable and functional unless a fault is stated.
- The order, from best to most worn, is Brand New / Unissued, Super Grade, Grade 1, Grade 2.
- At Raid Supply the grade you choose is the grade packed. Items are graded by hand, one at a time.
- Grade 2 items may carry minor professional repairs, and Grade 2 boots may come with replacement laces.
- Product photos show a representative item. Exact colour tone and markings vary from piece to piece.
What do the grades on British Army surplus actually mean?
Military kit comes back from units and stores in mixed condition. Some has never left the shelf, some has done a single exercise, and some has seen years of hard use. Grading sorts that mixed stock into bands so you know roughly what you will receive before you order.
There is no single official civilian grading standard, so each retailer applies its own. The grades below are the ones Raid Supply uses across its British Army surplus range, and the full definitions sit on our sizing and condition guide.
How do Super Grade, Grade 1 and Grade 2 compare?
| Grade | Condition | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand New / Unissued | Never issued stores stock | No wear. May show storage creases or shelf marks from packing. | Collectors, gifts, anyone wanting the full service life |
| Super Grade | Cleanest issued kit from a batch | Minimal signs of use. Colour and fabric close to new. | Everyday wear where appearance matters |
| Grade 1 | Good serviceable condition | Light, honest wear such as mild fading or small marks. | Regular outdoor use, walking, camping, work |
| Grade 2 | Heavier wear and marking | Visible fading, marks or scuffs. May have minor professional repairs or replacement laces on boots. Fully usable. | Hard use, work kit, bushcraft, tight budgets |
What is Brand New or Unissued surplus?
Unissued items were bought for the forces and held in stores but never handed out to a soldier. They have had no field use at all. Because they are old stock, they can still carry fold lines, storage marks or labels from the depot, but the fabric, stitching and hardware have not been worn.
Choose Unissued when you want the longest possible service life, or when the item is going to be displayed or collected rather than used hard.
What is Super Grade?
Super Grade is the best of the issued stock. When a batch of used kit is sorted, the pieces that look almost new are set aside as Super Grade. They have been issued and may have been worn, but signs of use are minimal. For most people who want issued kit that looks smart, Super Grade is the sensible choice.
What does Grade 1 mean?
Grade 1 is good serviceable condition. Expect light, honest wear: a little fading on camouflage, small marks, or softening of the fabric from washing. There is plenty of service life left. Grade 1 is the usual middle ground for anyone buying combat trousers or jackets and smocks to use outdoors.
Is Grade 2 army surplus worth buying?
Yes, if you want genuine kit for hard use and do not mind how it looks. Grade 2 has heavier wear and marking, and some items carry minor professional repairs. On boots, laces may have been replaced. None of that stops the item doing its job: Grade 2 is fully usable and is the cheapest way to own genuine British Army equipment.
Grade 2 suits work clothing, bushcraft, airsoft, fishing and anything that will be muddied or torn again anyway. If an item has a specific fault beyond normal wear, the listing will say so.
Does grade matter more for some items than others?
It does. Grade matters most where wear affects comfort or lifespan, and least where the item is simple and tough.
- Boots. Leather boots mould to the previous wearer's foot, and sole wear varies. If comfort is the priority, go for a higher grade. See our guide to the best British Army combat boots and browse combat boots.
- Waterproofs. Membranes and taped seams age with use, so a higher grade gives more remaining life. Browse waterproofs.
- Webbing and bergens. Nylon webbing and packs are built to take punishment, so Grade 1 or Grade 2 is often perfectly adequate. See PLCE webbing and bergens.
- Base layers and fleeces. These are worn next to the skin and washed often, so many buyers prefer Super Grade or Unissued.
Why does my item look slightly different from the photo?
Surplus is not mass-produced retail stock. Each piece was made in a particular production run and then used, washed and stored in its own way. Product photos show a representative item of that grade. The exact shade of camouflage, the position of marks and any name tapes or stamps will vary. The grade, size and product are what we guarantee.
How do I choose the right grade?
- Want it to look as good as possible and last longest: Brand New / Unissued or Super Grade.
- Want reliable kit for regular use at a fair price: Grade 1.
- Want genuine kit for hard, dirty work at the lowest price: Grade 2.
If you are unsure, check the size first using our NATO sizes guide, then pick the grade that matches how you will use the item. Returns are accepted within 30 days under our refunds and returns policy.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Super Grade or Grade 1?
Super Grade is better. It is the cleanest issued kit from a batch, with minimal signs of use. Grade 1 is good serviceable condition with light, honest wear. Both are fully functional, so the choice comes down to appearance and how much service life you want left.
Is Grade 2 army surplus damaged?
No. Grade 2 has heavier wear and marking, and may have minor professional repairs or replacement boot laces, but it is fully usable. Grading describes cosmetic wear and remaining service life. If an item has a genuine fault, the listing states it clearly.
Is unissued the same as brand new?
Yes. Unissued stock was bought for the forces and held in stores but never issued to anyone, so it has had no use. Being older stock, it may show storage creases or depot marks, but it has never been worn in the field.
Will I get the exact item in the photo?
Not usually. Photos show a representative item of that grade and size. Because every piece of surplus has its own history, the exact colour tone, marks and labels will vary. You will receive the product, size and grade you selected.
Is grading the same across all army surplus shops?
No. There is no single civilian grading standard, so each retailer sets its own definitions. At Raid Supply every item is graded by hand, and the grade you choose is the grade packed. Definitions are published on our sizing and condition guide.
Can I return surplus if the grade is not what I expected?
Yes. Raid Supply accepts returns within 30 days, so if an item is not right for you it can be sent back. The full conditions and how to start a return are set out on the refunds and returns page.
Written by the Raid Supply team, who grade every item by hand in Buckinghamshire.