My bundle used clothing adventures.

Jack Wolfskin sleeveless vest, size M

2009-01-30T09:57:00.001+08:00

Hi everyone...

Great news...I am moving my blog on all things bundle to a new site. I will keep updating short excerpts of my entries here but the full entry will be at this new site.

Jack Wolfskin is an outdoor brand. They make all sort of products for adventure. This is the first product from this brand that I own. Its a vest...size M. Click here to read my review of this vest.

Used, American made Mountainsmith Tour Pack waist pouch

2009-01-19T20:46:00.006+08:00

Here I have a used (not abused) American made Mountainsmith Tour Pack waist pouch. I got it used (second hand) from an ebay guy a number of years ago. I paid very little for it using the ‘Buy It Now’ feature. But with shipping, I remembered I paid like RM100 for it. Yup…a little too expensive compare to the normal prices I could have paid through the local ‘baju bundle’ shops but finding one like this is really not easy. What’s more, during one of the trips to Chatuchak market in Bangkok, Thailand, I saw a similar item (different color) going for around RM220. So, I think I still got a good price for it.

Before we go any further, most important thing I need to mention is that this Mountainsmith Tour Pack waist pouch is an old model and probably made in Boulder, Colorado, USA. A similar model (not sure what model) can be found in some of the sporting shops in Singapore already. The newer models now are mostly made in either Taiwan or Korea (I think). Having their products made overseas does not necessarily mean that the quality has declined but perhaps having an item that is made in the country of it’s origin has an ‘authentic’ feel to it.

The Mountainsmith Tour Pack lumbar / waist pack

Mountainsmith is not big in Malaysia. This outdoor equipment brand is almost unknown here. It is however very popular in US but of recent years, I think their popularity has somehow declined. Like many other outdoor equipment brands, I personally think they have gone long too much with meeting the mass market’s demands, creating too many models that are more designer than functional.

Like many other products of American outdoor equipment brands, this lumbar pack comes with all the bells and whistles you can imagine. I got confused (still am to be honest) with all the straps, bungee and attachments on the pack. I just can’t figure out what they are used for (except for the side compression straps). The rest are mind boggling (is there such a word??).

The waist straps are not rocket science nor are they padded to the extreme. Just a simple double layer of what seems to be cordura material. The good thing though is that the waist straps can be packed away in a small Velcro pocket. To carry it then is just by using the sling straps.

The waist straps are simple, almost no padding at all

The waist straps on the Mountainsmith Tour Pack tucked away in the pocket behind

There are only two white tags I can find on this pack. The first one is sewn onto the waist strap. This tag has a Mountainsmith logo with the words ‘ U.S Patent No 5025965’. Well, at least its not ‘Patent Pending’ like most other products.

The white tag label on the waist strap

I have used this Tour Pack a couple of times. I honestly prefer to sling it around my shoulders rather than having it around my waist. I have packed it to the brim. Works find and the seams seems to be holding on well. But fully packed and weighing in a bit, the pack is not the most comfortable thing to have clinging around the waist. In terms of pockets, this pack offers 3 pockets. One on the front of the pack, and a small one whish is located inside the main pocket.

The small pocket inside the main pocket of the Tour Pack

The zippers used are from YKK. Big strong zippers and yellow colored pullers are attached to them for ease of use. I really do find them useful. And the colors help to identify where they are as well and this can be useful in the dark.

In terms of use, I would say that this Mountainsmith Tour Pack lumbar / waist pack is okay. Not extremely comfortable fully loaded but it can really take in a lot of gear. I have another lumbar pack from this same brand called the ‘Day Pack’ model. Its probably double the size of this pack.

I guess the availability of the pockets really helps in organizing my stuff. Then again, the more bells you have, the more places for it to go wrong. I can really use the pack to be simpler, less straps. The straps confuses me and God know what they are for. Love the ‘pack away’ waist straps though 

If someone wants to buy this pack, chances are I will sell it off. For a reasonable prices that is. I hardly use it and it sits in the store room with the rest of the packs most of the time. For short trips, I still prefer to just use a small daypack.

Ini bag pinggang (waist pouch) dari Mountainsmith. Modelnya ‘Tour Pack’. I dapat dari ebay beberapa tahun dahulu. Sekali hantar dalam RM100 (lebih kurang laa). Brand outdoor ni take popular sangat kat Malaysia. malah ada yang tak pernah dengar pun. Tapi kat US dan Jepun, boleh tahan la.

Beg outdoor ni satu saje yang I kureng minat. Tali menali dia banyak tak terkira. Boleh naik gila nak guna. Entah apa gune (kecuali compression), entah apa guna tali banyak-banyak. Mungkin untuk ikat atau kepit barang kat luar tapi I jenis yang tak minat letak barang-barang tergantung kat luar. Itu zaman koboi beb.

Beg ni I betul-betul jarang guna. Guna pun sekali dua. Kalau ada orang yang minat nak beli, boleh contact I, bagilaaa offer. Kalau okay, I let go je. Nak clear stock katakana.

Old, used and abused The North Face pack able 22L daypack; beg bundle

2009-01-10T19:53:00.006+08:00

I found this old, used and obviously abused 22 litre daypack by The North Face in the pile of used items I have been keeping all this while. This daypack was in the same hidden and forgotten pile of used items where I found the old (probably) vintage Lowe Alpine (will post this later)

This TNF 22L daypack has certainly seen better days. It’s used, abused to the extent of needing stitches and patches to be useable again. Anyway, at one time in the baju bundle or used clothing craze in Malaysia, enthusiasts would just grab any TNF item that falls out of the used clothing bale. It’s like the item to have. So, not wanting to miss any part of the action, I too had my own collection of TNF items. From daypacks to shirts and shorts, I had to have some pieces too!

I probably got this item from Thailand. If not mistaken, from the town of Aran at the border of Thailand-Cambodia. I did a trip there with Meun (now my wife!) and she insisted that we go there. It was her ‘surprise’ for me that trip. What a surprise it was. The place was baju bundle heaven!

Anyway, with its condition, I don’t remember paying much for it. Probably around RM20. At that time, it is really hard top come by a TNF item, more so a pack. Despite the damages and abuse, I felt that it can be repaired. Some needle work and a bit of washing should get the pack back in shape.

One main compartment, drawstrings on the outside. I found a small pocket on the inside (top) which turns out to be the pouch that holds the pack together when packed in. See picture below.

The harness for this pack is…simple. Very thin padded shoulder straps with no funky back system. They can’t have any padded or frames since the model is the pack able type. There is a small rip right where the shoulder straps joins the main pack. I can get that sewn back easy.

This pack is old. More than that, it’s abused but not beyond repair. I would call it the old, used, abused but loved The North Face pack able 22L daypack. I bought it from a kedai bundle (used clothing store) and that is what makes it even more special!

If you are into The North Face brand, click on the following to see more of the items that I have.

Old TNF shorts
Rock solid TNF pants

I jumpa beg The North Face (TNF) ini dalam himpunan barang-barang bundle lain kat rumah. Barang-barang ini tersembunyi sekian lama didalam alm ari, I pun dah tak ingat yang mereka masih wujud!

Beg TNF I rasa-rasa I beli dekat pasar besar bundle di Aran, satu tempat di sempadan Thai-Kemboja. Fuiyoooh…giler betul la barang-barang kat situ. Banyak sampai kena sewa basikal nak kayuh untuk tengok semua barang. Beg, walaupun tak banyak kedai yang jual, memang popular. I dapat beg TNF ini kalau tak silap dalam RM20 kut. Tapi memang banyak rosak. Pakai jarum ngan benang, semua settle.

Bag North Face ini jenis yang boleh lipat dan sumbat masuk poket. Ada sato kocek kecik dalam bag ni yang boleh zipkan keseluruhan bag itu. Oleh kerana bag ini jenis ‘pack able’, maka reka-bentuknya pun simple. Tak ada tali menali dan ‘padding’ lebih-lebih yang menyemak. Semuanya simple belaka. Tengok gambar atas.

I rasa beg ini jatuh dari bundle Jepun. Tak pernak lagi I nampak beg jatuh dari bundle US. Mungkin sebab tak ada bundle beg dari US kot. Macam bag Lowe Alpine satu lagi, beg ini ringkas, tak banyak songeh tapi mungkin design lama. Dah tak kluar lagi. Mana nak cari beb?

Chick Hysteric Glamour Kinky Click shorts

2009-01-04T16:55:00.011+08:00

Yeeeehaaaaaa…I never thought I’d find this hysteric Glamour Kinky Click shorts in a bundle shop. Was out to Kuala Selangor recently with a friend and we stopped at a bundle shop there. After going through all the men’s stuff, I came out empty handed…disappointed. Then I thought, what they heck, lets look through the ladies stuff. Maybe I can get something for me missus.

And I found it. This is a really nice pair of Hysteric Glamour (HG) shorts still in very good condition. Its definitely used but not abused. A quick check and I was walking out of the bundle shop a happy man.

This pair of HG shorts is really chick. Very petite, it IS a Japanese brand after all!. For all I can remember, this is the first piece of HG clothing I have ever purchased. And I am sure I paid just peanuts compared to what it’s retail price would have been in Japan.

This pants is button fly with a ‘tie-in’ string at the top. Two rear pockets, both zippered.

There is also a side pouch pocket on the right hand side of the shorts.

The right side pocket

A rather ingenious way to put functionality in the string to snap open the button

Now…the part I like best. The tags. Check out the heart shaped Hysteric badge sewn into the pants of the left side. Isn’t it nice? I think its really chick.

VERY nice!

Then of course there’s the inside tags. The small tag where most tags are located springs a surprise to me when I turn it over.

The inside tag is beautifully chick

Then there is the white tag as well. I don’t read nor write Japanese but I believe it is ‘free size’. How can this be free size? It is sooooo tiny.

I washed it and presented it to my lady for a try. It fits her all too well and true enough, this Hysteric Glamour Kinky Click really turn things on. Its cute, chick, sexy and the rest is history….

Happy New Year everyone!

2009-01-01T11:27:00.001+08:00

Its 2009! Another year to explore more baju bundle in Malysia! Love it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Long live bundle!!!!

Uniqlo Quick Dry shirt from used clothing stalls

2008-12-25T14:54:00.006+08:00

I have began to replace most of my shirts with these Uniqlo Quick dry shirts. I first discovered this shirt in Langkawi when I was working there. I bought a piece for RM10 at a shop (kedai) bundle in Kuah town. I have officially fallen in love with them ever since.

The Uniqlo brand is a popular and affordable clothing manufacturer from Japan. I am not sure if the manufacturer them clothing in Japan (I doubt so) but the colors, designs and material are all very up to date. One can find Uniqlo products including jeans, shirts, jackets and some hankie as well.

Catering to the Japanese market, it is only natural that their sizes are a bit tad smaller compared to the usual baju bundle, especially those from the US. I can fit a L nicely but with any brands from Japan, it has to be anything bigger than XL.

Thank God these quick dry shirts are rather stretchable. I like them cause they don’t absorb sweat all too much and they also do not retain them. The tiny holes that makes up the fabric allows for air to flow in between, especially helpful in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate.

Uniqlo not only produces a lot of clothing but they also come up with all sorts of different ‘presentations’ for their products. These quick dry shirts for example, some in many designs. I have at least 5 different designs but each of them have a different ‘presentation’ in terms of label or tag used. The picture below shows the labels on 3 different types of quick dry shirts from Uniqlo.

All of the above are from uniqlo. Notice that the tags does not indicate that at all. The middle shirt’s tag is a typical tag for shirts from this Uniqlo brand. One can find it not only on quick dries but also on cotton shirts and round neck.
The bottom ‘body tech’ shirt is one of the most current I think. They are made to look very trendy and ‘hi-tech’.
The top shirt has no labels or tags. The shirt’s size etc is printed, most probably through heat transfer onto the shirt. The printings have mostly peeled off though. But this particular shirt has a small loop stitched to it. I have not a clue what it is for but a friend said it would probably be used for hanging the shirt up.

I paid anything around RM5 to RM10 for one of these shirts. They can be found at most bundle shops.

I sekarang dah naik gila dengan baju jenis quick-dry (cepat kering). Material macam sikit dengan jersey bola. Baju jenis ni sedap pakai, tak serap peluh sangat tapi yang paling best, cepat kering. Walaupun berpeluh, dalam keadaan ada angin, sejuk aje rasanya. I dah boleh dapat banyak dari kedai bundle. Dari belah Kedah sampai belah K.L, kalau ada singgah aje mesti usha baju quick dry.

Begitu banyak I dah rembat, sampai orang rumah pulak buat bising. Baju lama yang cotton semua dah bungkus boleh jual (kedai bundle kononnya!). Takdelaaa…saying laa baju lama lain. Semua ori bundle belaka.

Brand yang I carik ialah brand dari Uniqlo. Tapi banyak baju cepat kering Uniqlo tak ada ‘label’ uniqlo. Yang ada cuma label saiz. Nak tau brand, kena selak baju label dalam dekat pinggang. Baju cepat kering Uniqlo sedap pakai, design pun sempoi, jarang pulak ada printing benda pelik-pelik.

Cuma satu saje I songeh. Saiz orang Jepun memang kecik. Maklumlah Uniqlo ni brand Jepun. Aku ni dah laa tough sikit, saiz XL pun kena sumbat gak. Tak kire!

Mana nak cari? Kebanyakan kedai bundle ada. Cuma nak kena rajin selak. Tapi baju jenis ni jarang jatuh bundle baju t-shirt. Jenis ni banyak jatuh dalam bundle jersey. Okaylaa…orang sibuk kutip baju jersey bola, durian runtuh laaa bagi aku…

Old The North Face (TNF) shorts

2008-12-22T20:11:00.009+08:00

Ha...ha...ha...I found yet another pair of The North Face short pants. This one I think has got to be one of the oldest I have ever seen. I was in Kulim a few weeks back and saw this kedai bundle. Waaa...cannot tahan. Just had to make a quick detour. My mom, aunt and wife would have to bear with me while I browse through the racks.

An old TNF short pants
This pair of TNF shorts but have been hanging at the end of the rack like forever. The color has faded, there are small brown spots growing all over. I thought for a second, did some haggling and walked away with the TNF short pants for RM3. Bargain eh? The only problem is that I can't wear it!

Anyway...I am happy coz this item is sooo opposite to the TNF Rocksolid I posted earlier. This pair of TNF shorts doesn't come with many of the 'blings' of current models. Even the inside tag looks...'ancient'.

Old tag for an old pants. No fancy labels inside. Made in Bangladesh

Though it has a built-in 'belt', its a thread through. And note that there are no special TNF label on this threaded 'belt'.

Simple, basic design, unlike the more 'trendy' Rocksolid design...see below

Despite it's old looking design without all the blings, this old TNF shorts already displays the 'spacious' crotch. A signature design for most outdoor pants specifically for ease of movement.

The 'extra' spacious crotch allows ease of movement

Aaaaahhh...for RM3, I get to have a real close look at this TNF short pants. I am satisfied. Now, if only I can find a use for it...

X-Large brand shorts, from kedai bundle

2008-12-16T15:53:00.013+08:00

One of the brands that have always intrigued me is the X-Large brand. When I first heard about this brand, I thought they were referring to clothing sizes but it became apparent that this brand is in a league of its own.

This is a pair of X-Large shorts that I got from a used clothing store (kedai bundle) in Perak. For RM15, my gut feeling is that the seller doesn’t really know his brands. He even sold me a Prana used shirt for RM10 only.

Then again, this pair of X-large shorts could be selling at this price due to the fact that it is originally a long pants being cut into shorts. The stitching are not all that great and the thread doesn’t match the rest of the garment. Anyway, I have never owned a X-Large item, so RM15 is okay I suppose.

Over the years, I found that many of these skate brands and perhaps also ‘alternative’ brands like to use pictures of apes or big apes as their logo or trademark. A quick glance through Xlarge website and you will know what I mean. Other brands that uses apes or monkeys that I know of includes Ben Sherman, A bathing Ape and Milo.

Unfortunatelly, there are no monkey or ape faces on this pair of shorts. The is an Xlarge label stitched on the right pocket.

Xlarge is popular in US but even more in Japan. At one point, used XLarge tees and other clothing products can easily fetch over a hundred ringgit, even in pasar malam. They are so rare and baju bundle sellers considers finding one like hitting a gold mine.

But the value and also the prices of XLarge items in the baju bundle community has dropped rather sharply I think. In big cities like KL, the prices may be higher but in smaller towns, one can really get a bargain for them.

What more with so many fake items in the market these days. Brands like XLarge and A Bathing Ape especially has been targets as fake items due to their high demand and price. I sometimes feel that the best possible way for a person to get an original item is to actually head down to a baju bundle shop.

Ini sehelai seluar pendek jenama XLarge yang I dapat dari sebuah kedai bundle kat Perak. Boleh tahanlaa…walaupun design simple, tak banyak songeh. Seluar ini I rasa asalnya seluar panjang tapi dah dipotong jadi seluar pendek. Tak kisahlaaa…janji ori.

Bison Belts soft peak cap for the outdoors; barang outdoor bundle

2008-12-08T20:03:00.007+08:00

I recently bought an interesting cap to add to my collection of barang outdoor bundle. He..he…I was actually looking for a kavu cap but stumbled upon this one instead. I was looking for a cap designed for adventure use, especially one that does not have that pesky button on the top. The button is really irritating, especially when having to put on a helmet.

This cap is really suitable for adventure stuff I think. The color I would say is nice, plus the trimming of colorful band really adds a sense of ‘coolness’ to it. There’s ventilation meshes on both sides…without the button definitely.

The best thing about this cap is the peak. I donno what else to call it since that is what they refer it as when I did my short (and painful) stint with the Navy long time ago. Unlike most caps, the peak is hard. Normally produced with a hard piece of plastic inside to hold its shape. This Bison Belts cap however is soft, flexible and still does its work. It doesn’t droop down when in use. But I can literraly crumple it up and stuff it into my pocket without having to worry about the peak breaking into pieces. To prove to you, I bundle up this Bison Belts cap into a smallest bundle I can and held it with a rubber-band to hold it in place.

Now, I have not seen many caps that can do that. This is more common with wide brim hats like the ones made by the brand Columbia. But for a cap, this is the first time ever I see a design like this. This adds well into my stash of ‘barang outdoor bundle’.

There are no internal tag.

The only tag available is attached to the cap size adjustment strap at the back of the cap. Perhaps they have done their homework and realize that a tag on the inside of a cap can sometimes cause irritation to the wearer. So, I think the label on this cap is placed well.

The tag on this Bison Belts soft peak cap is located on its adjustable strap

Overall, I would say that this is a great cap for use in the outdoors. If one wear to wear a hat underneath a climbing helmet, one does not have to worry about two things. One is the pesky little button on the top. The other is a hard peak cap that will obstruct a climber from getting real ‘close’ with the wall. Something that I believe many climbers would appreciate, especially in sunny and hot Malaysia

Ini topi Bison Belts (US) yang I beli dari satu kedai bundle baru-baru ini. Yang best pasal topi ini ialah 'peak' topi ini jenis lembut. Bukan macam topi biasa yang ada 'peak' keras berplastik di dalam. Ini mungkin sesuai untuk aktiviti lasak/ outdoor seperti wall climbing dan main kayak jeram dimana pemakai mungkin perlu rapat pada permukaan yang keras. Kalau pakai topi dengan 'peak' keras, mesti susah nak bergerak, malah boleh menyakitkan kalau terhantuk.

Bag outdoor Gregory Crux from kedai bundle; outdoor gear

2008-11-30T16:05:00.006+08:00

This is the used Gregory Crux daypack that I recently purchased from a kedai bundle in Gombak town, not very far from K.L. I think this pack looks great and it’s very rare and old (based on what I know that is). I thought the days of branded packs from bundle shops are over man. With so many more people into packs, pouches etc, I consider this as a superb find. I’d never expect to find such a bag at any bundle shops these days. The overall condition isn’t great. The internal layer of waterproofing is mostly gone. Color has faded much. The stitching are still good but some edges of the material (probably cordura) type are starting to fur up.

My guess is that this Gregory Crux daypack is somewhat 20 litres or so. Perhaps 1 tenth of the Osprey Ariel I sold a couple of month back. It really is a simple design. A typical stiff sheath keeps the pack in shape with no fancy padding. The shoulder straps are just the straight type, not even a chest buckle. Can’t say much with the waist strap as well. Just a piece of webbing. From the pack’s design, I would say that this Gregory Crus is made to hit the commuters rather than the technical outdoorsman. I tried google this pack and the model but didn’t find much except for a Japanese website with several Gregory packs for auction. There are several hits on the keyword Crux backpack but it came from brands like Mountainsmith and even Boreal!

The Gregory engraving on the front buckle

Below are some pictures of parts of the pack. This pack even comes with a special slot for mineral water bottles (at least that is what I think they are for). The cool think about this pack that I like is perhaps the kangaroo like pouch that’s between the small front pouch and the main compartment. It allows objects of different objects to be stashed away. Even a bike helmet. I think that’s useful.

The water bottle 'slot' on the Gregory Crux daypack

The 'kangaroo' slot is useful and practical

Now …as for the origins of this pack. I strongly believe that this particular rare and obsolete Gregory pack is designed and produced specifically for the Japan market. The Japanese are mad about Gregory products and being a smart brand, Gregory of course would cash in on it. Below is the only internal label that I can find.

This pack is old. Probably not made for the ‘real’ outdoors. But I think I will put it into good use, starting with replacing my old Eagle Creek sling pack with this Crux for work! My Eagle Creek (by the way, also bought from a used clothing store) can really use a break after so many years of service.

Ini bag Gregory Crux I dapat dari satu kedai dekat Gombak. Itu pun tak sengaja. Tengah dalam perjalanan ke Batu Caves, Nampak tepi jalan satu kedai bundle. Singgah kejap…tak sangka boleh jumpa bag outdoor bundle. Gregory, jenama Amerika Syarikat yang memang mahal gile. Orang US gila habis jenama ni. Kat Malaysia, tak banyak rasanya orang yang pakai barang outdoor Gregory. Mahal.

Bag bundle ini tak besar saiznya. Lebih kurang 20 liter. Kemuningkinan besar bag ini dibuat lebih pada gaya, bukan untuk mendaki atau outdoor yang ekstreem sangat. Tapi design I rasa cantik. Cukup cantik untuk I ambik bawa gi kerja. Dah sampai masa untuk bagi bag silang Eagle Creek yang dahg bertahun lama untuk berehat seketika.

Bag outdoor bundle ni taklah elok sangat. Tapi sekarang memang susah nak cari bag bundle. Jarang nak jumpa. Ada pun ekor-ekor. Entah apalaa nasib saya hari itu, boleh juga jumpa bag Gregory. Mana nak cari?!!

Minat bag outdoor bundle? Jenguk-jenguklah koleksi bag outdoor bundle yang saya ada.

Baju bundle The North Face, ROCKSOLID; Used outdoor gear

2008-11-29T09:39:00.010+08:00

I was digging through a pile of old baju bundle and found this The North Face (TNF) half pants. This TNF of course I got from one of them kedai baju bundle. Can’t remember where exactly but could be in a pasar malam back in Penang. This was years ago. That time, TNF is barely heard off and many people pass it as just any other crappy brand. Anyway, having subscribed to the Outdoor magazine back then, I had a bit of heads up on what brands to look out for.

I have been a big fan of outdoor gear for many years. A fetish some say but heck with it. Outdoor gear are normally made with purpose, with materials and designs that sometimes would blow your mind away.

Coming back to this TNF seluar pendek (seluar-pants, pendek-short), I assume that it is made more for fashion rather with technical use in mind. It’s always so for designs and models for the Japanese market. The internal tag gave it away. It’s a piece that is designated to target the Japanese and this comes as no surprise as many used bundle clothing comes from Japan as well.

I cannot fit into this pair anymore. Yup, has put on quite a bit since then and Size M doesn’t really cut it. But I like the ‘branding’ so to say on this item. Check out the picture below. The keychain loop is an added plus as well. Then again perhaps a real adventurer wouldn’t want ‘chains’ hanging around as well. Unless the loop is used to attached something they need and can’t afford to lose, like the Leatherman tool.

The loop for keys or the essential tools?

The 'extra' patch at the crotch area
This Rocksolid North Face shorts is probably designed for climbers as well. Besides the model name (Rocksolid) and rather tough cotton construction, the ‘extended’ crotch area also allows for flexibility. Something that has been the hallmark of most adventurer pants, to allow comfort and ease of movement. Oh…trust me…this ‘extension’ makes a whole lot of difference. Especially when squatting and kneeling. No need to worry that something will go ‘crack’. For climbers I believe this would really allow them to ‘hook’ (or whatever term they call it) their feet up high without having to pull up the pants for more slack.

Well, I will be starting a new category now, called the Outdoor Gear. Since most of my outdoor gear are either bought second hand or hand downs, I thought it is good to put them up on my blog too 

A rare military-like pant (82857382) from used bundle clothing

2008-11-09T14:22:00.020+08:00

This is one military-like pant I recently purchased from a used bundle clothing seller. I honestly don’t fancy military stuff, especially those in camouflage design and color but again at times, can’t help but get very fascinated with the design and material used to make them.

I am not sure if this is really a pair of military pant. Or it could be just a replica. Anyway, I actually walked pass it once, had a quick look but decided not to buy because it looks very military. But, the second time around I was there, this little voice in me was telling me to have a second look. The next thing I knew, it’s already in my pack on the way home.

I find this pair of pant interesting. I can’t tell for sure where it is made or for which army (if it is an army pant to begin with). The reason for the number title above (82857382) is because it’s the only indication/ markings I can find on the pants. Nothing else. The general army type of used clothing you’d find in bundle normally has a green tag indicating things like ‘NATO number XXX’, size range etc. This one is different.

Some peculiar observations…this pant have the usual two (slit) pockets but it also has this small pocket patch pocket on the right side at the front. It cannot be a watch pocket because of its size (big) and it’s weird also to be on a pair of army trousers. Wouldn’t the wearer loose items easily with a pocket like this? Especially when there is no flap covering it.

The same goes with the back pocket. It’s a really unsecured kind of pocket to be on a military pant if you ask me.

More interesting stuff…like all cargo and most military pants, side pockets are a must. This pair has side pockets with buttoned flap on both sides.
However, while most military designs that I have seen, they are rather wide and the designs normally allows the pocket to extend (folds at the side expand) when stuffed with things. This pant has like a patch pocket with a flap but it is deep and narrow. It seems to be built to contain certain items that are long but rather thin. My Garmin GPS76CSx would slide in perfectly but stuffing wide brim hat in would be a challenge really. It will still fit but will be uncomfortable I reckon.

Let’s hypothetically say that it’s a replica or a designer pant. How about the padded knee pads? Not only are knee pads double layered but they actually have a certain added material inside for that extra protection/ cushion. You can see the wave pattern of the inside material of the knee pad clearly in the picture below.

The pant’s knee pad

Picture of the knee part with the pant turn inside out

Note also that the knee pad is sewn up and there is no way I can remove out whatever is in the knee pad without undoing the stitching.

This pair of pant comes with button fly. The same buttons are also used as suspender’s attachments point.

Button flies

The suspenders buttons

If this pair is a replica and it comes with suspenders, probably this pair is from Japan I think. Suspenders are popular in Japan fashion. Especially among the skin and the mods.

There are a number of oddities to this pair of paint. On top of all the above, noticeably are also the double layered bum. Bviously for additional toughness. The material of this pant in itself I would say is already heavy. Doubling it at the bum area is rather overkill but perhaps the makers expect the users to do a lot of bum rubbing. I wonder…

Already the material is really tough, they also made double layered bum

It is also worth mentioning perhaps is the ends of each leg of the pant. It has this female button slot. When I fold the ends of the pants, I find a button that can be used to keep the folding in place (so that it does not unfold itself all the way). See pics below.

There are plenty of repairs done to this pant. Patches and zigzag sewing was used to patch probably holes and tears. But the workmanship is quite good. The thread used is almost of similar color to the pant itself. Whoever did all these repairs obviously invested time and resources getting it done.

This 82857382 military-like pant is unique. I like it and I would probably keep it as part of my collection. I may or may not wear it but until I find out really where it came from, I think it will just sit among the pile of ‘rare’ collection that I have. I just hope the repairs done on it are not due to bullet holes (someone died in it?) but more of its sentimental value and uniqueness. If it turns out to be a replica, then I would gladly shift it into my ‘bust ‘em’ pile of clothes.

So…anyone out there can help me identify where or which army this pair of pants belongs to?

Fuh…menarik habis seluar ni. Tapi I betul-betul tak tau samaada seluar askar atau tidak. Kalau-pun seluar askar, entah dari mana. Banyak cirri-ciri pelik seluar ni. Kalau seluar askar, taka nada poket depan dan belakang yang tak boleh ditutup? Jatuh la barang. Tapi kalau cakap seluar fesyen pun pelik gak. Buntuk dua lapis, tebal gile. Lutut pula dua lapis, ada pulak disumbat dengan entah apa dalam tu. Seluar pakai cerut, tapi ada pulak butang untuk pakai ‘suspender’. Macam pulak gaya skin. Ai…pelik. Cuma ada label nombor je.
Okay…kalu kawan-kawan tau apa seluar ni, bagi tau. I teringin nak tau.

Baju bundle…citarasa ramai rakyat Malaysia.

2008-11-09T08:24:00.001+08:00

Hmmm…dah sampai masanya saya blog baju bundle pulak dalam B.M. Asyik mat salleh pun takleh gak. Okay…baru-baru ni, I jumpa member sorang kat Chow Kit. Tengah selak baju bundle gak. Entah camana, kami start sembang. Terpegun gak si Mamat ni bila tahu yang I orang Cina. ‘Eh…orang Cina pun gila bundle ke’. Eleeeeh…Cina tak Cina, baju bundle I dah pakai sejak I pergi skolah lagi beb.

Lagipun, member semua Melayu, mesti terpengaruh kan? Sempoi pa. Baju bundle bukan saja murah, kualiti pun secara amnya lagi bagus dari beli yang baru. Tengok baju murah-murah skarang yang dibuat di China. Dah la kualiti teruk, design pulak hodoh. Murah tu murah laa…tapi dalam RM10, RM5, baik beli bundle. Design sempoi, brand pun sempoi.

Kenapa minat bundle? Macam-macam sebab. Murah satu hal, brand takyah cite la…tapi mungkin ‘keghairahan’ mencari sesuatu yang cun dalam longgokan baju bundle atau dalam barisan pakaian tergantung membuatkan aku tak tahan. Macam pergi tresure hunt setiap kali. Ada saja yang best nak beli. Beli aje laaa…brapa ringgit baru. Beli baru dahlah mahal, dapat sehelai. Tak berbaloi.

Hmm…mungkin juga I gila bundle sebab bau baju yang baru diggantung. Bau memang tak lari. Pejam mata pun boleh cam. Bau memang lain dari lain. Pernah cium tak bundle baru pecah? Oh…best habis. I dulu pernah berniaga bundle, tiap kali nak pecah bundle macam nak kena nombor ekor. Bila dah bukak, cium dulu…terguling-guling bijik mata membaunya. Bau baju bundle…fuiyooo!

US GI Army Medical Kit/ Pouch; Vintage but nice looking

2008-10-23T20:06:00.010+08:00

Recently I got a call from a friend about a US Army pouch he saw in some kedai bundle in Sungai Buloh. I was a bit busy (more like lazy) to go all the way there for a pouch but I remembered having something like that.

So…in I went into the pile of stuff I have tucked away in the big carton box under the windows. Oh…that box is a treasure chest!

Anyway, one thing that caught my eyes was this military medical pouch. I got it from one of them baju bundle shops in Penang many years ago. I had a feeling I already have something of this kind. I just can’t remember where I left it.

Back to the pouch. To be honest, I am not sure if it’s a pouch, a bag or to call it a kit. It looks significant enough to be called a kit. Here’s a picture of the pouch with a small drinking water bottle beside it. I tried looking it up the internet for something similar. There are a few similar designs but perhaps this one is old enough to fall into the ‘vintage’ category.

The pouch is obviously used. It’s rather old actually with metal buckles and the heavy canvas material. There are two badges on the lid of the pouch. Both of the badges are black in color with one depicting the ‘medical’ logo. See pictures below:

These badges can be removed but I have not touched them ever since I bought them. Okay, have a look inside. There are a total of 3 main zippered compartments. The zippers are all made of steel. Initially I thought they were going to be ‘ideal’ zippers, a brand that is rather common among vintage jeans. This pouch however uses zippers from ‘Éclair’ Kind of funny name for zippers. Reminds me of a brand of chocolate candy available here in Malaysia. Have a look at the zippers below:

Coming back to the main sections of the pouch. There is one main compartment. The other two zippered compartments are roughly of the same size but the upper one folds down to create something sort of a ‘chair’ shape.

As you can see, most of the buckles are made of metal. Some has already started to rust. The pouch’s lid is closed by a strap that deploys two methods of open/ close. One way to open the lid is to use the snap link. The other is using the feed through buckle. However, I believe the feed through buckle is for strapping the pouch tight. To access the contents of the pouch by feeding out the strap via the ‘feed through’ buckle would take too long.

Why I think this is a military first aid kit/ pouch? Well, for starters the green color is unmistakably very army and the ‘medical’ badge makes more sense to the pouch. I can not imagine what use the pouch would have except for being a first aid kit to the army people.

The printed numbers on the lid is another giveaway. Why would any civilian want to print such gibberish number on their bags without specific reasons? The one organization that often name their products would be the army.

So, what am I gonna do with this GI Military kit? I have not a clue. I like the idea of using it as my daily pouch to carry my stuff but its just a bit tad too big. The metal buckles, snap-ons etc are just too prone to rust and that’s another downside. Other than that, I think I have a rare collector’s item here. Even if its not, I doubt if I will ever throw it out any time.

I wear used clothing to work everyday!

2008-10-15T13:30:00.009+08:00

I wasn't feeling very well today so I took a day off from work. Rather than idling aimlessly, so I decided to write a bit about the clothes I wear to work. Unfortunately I am required to wear the monkey suit to work. I have no idea why on earth people in tropical climate would actually wear long sleeves with neck tie, slacks and sometimes coat when necessary. Perhaps because I happen to work with a company that's into the hospitality industry. They pay me at the end of the month, so monkey suit it is.

When I first got the job, my wife actually suggested that I get some new clothes off the shelves. I fiddled with the idea, on the pretext that perhaps I would look a bit more presentable (not that I care) but I threw the idea out the window when I saw the prices in the supermarket. They are ridiculous. Man, they are so expensive I'd rather use the notes, glue them together and turn them into shirts. Some were like RM200 for a shirt. Keep them away from me! For that price and that brand, I'd rather go topless.

F%#* it...off to my favorite kedai bundle. Nothing beats bundle used clothing mate! So...I found this pasar malam baju bundle stall that sells a lot of nice looking shirts. Better still, his bundles are from US mostly. It was God sent.

I think I spent an average of RM10 per piece. RM freakin 10 per piece of good looking shirts. Here are some that's washed and pressed.

For around RM10 per piece, I couldn't care less what brands they were gonna be. They are still monkey suits. But walaaaa...I got me self some Dockers, Van Heusen, Sportif and American Eagles. Spot on!

My favorite so far has to be that Dockers shirt. Its 60% cotton, 40% Polyester, Made in Hong Kong, size 17-17.5. Nice fitting, nice cutting, nice feeling. Can't ask for anything more.

What else? Plenty. I even got my monkey coat from bundle. Not to mention all my 'slacks'. I'll find another day and time to write about those though. In the mean time, I think I will savor this 'off' day of mine from having to be in a monkey suit (YES! I HATE IT!)

Mr. Bean's suitcase at a used store!

2008-10-12T15:16:00.009+08:00

I was cleaning up my 'junk' storeroom the other day and found this suitcase which I bought a few years back in Penang. I think it was the Salvation Army shop that I got it. Anyway, I paid like RM120 for it. I think its a bargain anyway.

Here is what it looks like.

I remember seeing this suitcase tucked away in the corner of a top shelf in the Salvo shop. I didn't think much of it initially. Until I spent like 30 minutes in the store without finding anything interesting. So, I decided to investigate the suitcase closer. The suitcase is really had. Most of the metal buckles have all rusted but they still work. The bag comes with locks but of course the keys are missing. The inside patterns of the bag reminds me of Mr. Bean's picnic towel.

Check out also the 'Made In England' pattern on inside of the suitcase lid.

There are some masking tape stuck on the bag when I git them. I peeled them away only to realize they did not leave any 'sticky' glue bit they actually took away a layer of the suitcase material. Which is a shame really.

What am I doing with it these days? I use it now as part of my study's deco. It gives the study this classic yet classy look. Especially when it is stacked up with a black Hand Made Condotti brief case. And yes, the Condotti too I got from a used store.

Baju bundle in Tioman Island??

2008-10-06T23:09:00.006+08:00

Now...one thing that I cannot help myself when traveling (pleasure or work) is to lookout for used clothing bundle shops. Even while traveling at 120km/ hour in a car, my eyes will always be scanning the side of roads for kedai bundle.

So...I was in Tioman island again recently, unfortunately this time it was for work. Anyway...me and the crew were out in town when I spotted the below poster stapled to a tree. The posters were everywhere!

Let us not comment about the poster's design but the word 'bundle' surely captured my attention. My first instinct was to race to the shop. I can't imagine how a kedai bundle in Tekek, Tioman would be like. I wonder what items they would have. Would they have quick dry shirts (that I am now dying to find more)...or do they have the same old stuff of jeans and t-shirts.

My excitement however was short lived. Not only does the poster says that the whop will only be opened in the evenings after 830pm but I was there on the second day of Raya Aidilfitri. There is not way on earth the shop will be opened. And I can't come back top the shop as I will be working again.

Sigh...I was soooo excited on the prospect of checking out bundle in Tioman but I guess that will have to wait another time. Can't be that long before I have to make a beeline again to Tioman island for work. Perhaps then the shop will be opened. Perhaps also by then they would have a better looking poster stapled all over Tekek!

Used American military medical pouch

2008-09-27T13:13:00.004+08:00

A friend just called to tell me that he saw a used clothing (kedai bundle) shop somewhere in Sungai Buloh that has some bags, pouches and such. He saw a particular green pouch, that looks like a military pouch. he also told me that the seller wants RM120 for it. He did not ask further.

Anyway...hmmm...perhaps its worth check out. I like bags. Not handbags though. Any bags that has to do with the military or the great outdoors is fine. In Malaysia, these stuff are better off buying from bundle stalls as its probably more real (original) than buying them from stores (many are replicas).

I hope its not one of them replicas. I'd have to go see myself. Cannot tahan liau.
Now I need to convince my friend to bring me to that shop. Will update then...

Used military clothing from bundle

2008-09-25T20:35:00.001+08:00

I have mixed feelings about military clothing. They look and feel rugged but at the same time they project this ‘brutal’ and to a certain extent ‘unnecessary ego’ to me. Nevertheless, I know I have to have some of ‘em goods in my kit. So far, I have the Alpha bomber jacket. Which I guess can be considered as a military kit.

But of course the larger perception of military gear would either be camouflage or in black color. Very tough and rugged is always the military image. I have some military kits in my possession. All of them of course are second hands or used. I have used military pants, Some I am using, some I have not the slightest idea why I am bought them in the first place!

But I know for a fact that there are enthusiasts groups who go gogo gaga over military stuff. From miniature mock-ups of real weapons to kit bags and shoes. It’s a real hobby to some.

Perhaps I will showcase some of my military collections soon. Might be interesting aye!

Colorful used clothing stalls

2008-09-20T08:43:00.005+08:00

I decided recently that I should share some pictures of the bundle stalls that I usually visit around K.L. What's more important is that I try to show the colors of these used clothing stalls. So that perhaps it will somehow explain partly why I love them so much.

Used clothing or baju bundle in Malaysia comes in a variety of colors and mixtures. Though they were all pre-processed into bales of clothing types (jeans, shirts, sweaters, shorts etc), their color, smell and variety is simply amazing.

Check out this store that's near to the place I stay in P.J area.

There's this one particular baju bundle stall in Chow Kit that i simply must take picture of. They specializes in boxer pants. Yup...used boxer pants has somewhat hit the streets and they seem to be really popular. As much as I adore used clothing, this is the one thing that perhaps I will stay away from.

Stay tuned. More bundle pictures to come.

Found it! My Alpha Bomber Jacket

2008-09-08T09:46:00.005+08:00

Yes…I found it! My bomber jacket from used bundle clothing! It was not easy looking for this jacket, due to its size and color mainly, but I manage to find it anyway!

The brand is Alpha Industries. Size fits me well, it’s a XX-Large. He…he…told you it wasn’t easy to find. Anyway, the black label inside the left pocket says that it is made in Knoxwille, Tennesee USA.

This jacket comes with the ‘Ideal’ brand zipper. Which I believe is rather rare among all general clothing. The inside is orange in color. There are some minor scuffs and stains on the jacket but overall, everything is in good condition.

Like any other authentic bomber jacket, this one comes with the left arm pocket as well. And guess what? It has that two plastic bullets in it! See pics below.

I got this jacket from one of them bundle stalls in Chow Kit area. Paid RM80 for it. A bit on the steep side as well but for such an item, especially one that fits me, I’d say it’s a bargain.

Update on my bomber jacket.

2008-08-25T08:54:00.001+08:00

Just came back from Sungai Petani, visiting my parents. Of course I took the opportunity to visit some of the kedai bundle there selling used clothing. I am still hunting for my bomber jacket. One of the bundle shops did actually have a nice Alpha bomber jacket but the size was M and color green. Yikes...I would really like to try to stay away from green. To military like in a way.

There's another shop that I went to. Surprisingly, they do not have any jackets but a bomber pants. Now I really wonder if this is a real article or one of them spin offs you'd find as soon as something gets over popular. Its green as well. rather thick. No way am gonna wear it in Malaysia.

I am focused, so bomber jacket is still what I am looking for. Was very tempted to buy a few pieces of short and shirts but told myself that I gotta stay focused on the bomber jacket or otherwise I am going to forget about it soon.

Now that I am back in KL, have to start planning visits to my favorite joints to find my stash!

Currently looking for Bomber jacket!

2008-08-23T15:27:00.004+08:00

Okay...I admit. One of the most difficult item for me (because of my size) is a pair of bomber jacket. Bomber jackets can be found in most kedai bundle but the 'real' ones are not easy to come by. What's so special about bomber jackets?

Well, I am not sure of its actual history but I am sure somehow these where the designs of the original jackets worn by the flying pilots who flew the bomber plans during one of the world wars. Someone once told me that the original ones were mostly made of leather. Famous brands include Avirex and Alpha.

In Malaysia, bomber jackets are popular among the skins and the mods. I am NOT any of them but I think the bomber jackets are unique. They are puffy yet retains that tough look. Oh...also, bomber jackets must have that little patch pocket on the left arm. The pocket patch is zippered and there are two inserts where (as it was told to me) originally used to keep bullets. Cool huh? Also, some bomber jackets are reversible. Below is a sample picture of a bomber jacket I got from ebay. I hope they won't come after me for 'borrowing' this picture.

So...my target? A bomber jacket, preferably not green in color, my size (XL or XXL), brands of either Alpha or Avirex, with the signature left hand patch pocket. Hopefully I will find the plastic bullets that they normally keep in there as well. Zippers of the jacket should either be scovil, ideal or gripper. Budget...I reckon I can get it for less than RM100. My biggest challenge would be more of the size.

Wish me luck!

My Reyn Spooner Hawaiian shirt...for sure bundle!

2008-08-12T21:42:00.011+08:00

Check this out! I just got this Hawaiian shirt from a 'kedai' bundle shop in Langkawi on a work trip recently. Hawaiian shirts are like a must have, even if you don't have an occasion to wear them to. They are like one of those must have accessories. I have friends who'd think otherwise. They adore Hawaiian shirts as they are cool, sort of like everlasting and gives you this 'relax' kinda of feeling.

Anyway, back to my Reyn Spooner...this brand is NOT common, even in bundle shops. They are sort of like a collector's item, especially among some of the Hawaiian shirt enthusiasts in Japan. Why? Well, to start with, check out the brand label below:

A bit obscene but hey, its unique right? Its 100% made in USA and the overall design to my opinion fits the best 'Hawaiian' shirts criteria around. First is the buttons. Made of coconut shells. These shirts have gotta have its character. Normal buttons won't do it. Coconuts shells are the best, some come with pearl buttons...but i think those are a bit out of place. Check out this shirts button...

Next, we move on to the chest pocket. See if you can spot the pocket in the picture below...

Can't find it? That's because the maker has cut out an identical piece as the background and then sew it on to add the pocket. This is definitely dedicated workmanship mate! The common Hawaiian shirts will just use any patch of the same design to make the pocket. But uh...uh...not on this Reyn Spooner!

Below is the overall picture of the shirt.

But the best is yet to come. Well, at least that is what I think. Know how jeans have redline? Or kepala kain? Well, part of this shirt is made using the start (or end) of the cloth. And I believe it was purposely done that way. Have a look at this picture. Check out the inside folds of the shirt. Notice the while line with the color spots? Those are the end/ start of the cloth. Awesome! I donno about you but I know for a fact that this is not common in all the normal clothes we see in shops anywhere. This is unique. This is special. This is a keeper!

Starting my own kedai bundle maybe?

2008-07-30T10:08:00.001+08:00

My wife (to be) recently suggested something to me that to be honest has crossed my mind several times. And that is why not I start my own bundle or used clothing store. Hmm…I actually had a ‘kedai bundle’ before but I have to say it didn’t do all that well.

My first shop was about 500 square feet in Sungai Petani, Kedah. It’s in a shopping mall call SP Plaza. The mall is still there. My shop was called Seconds Bundle. I would say that it was a really nice looking store. Bright colored walls (orang to be exact) and nice layout. Had the store for about a year. That time I was working in a factory in Penang and though perhaps having a shop in my hometown with my dad looking after it would be a good idea. What a bad idea it turned out to be.

Business initially was okay. But having to pay rent of RM700/ month, almost all my profit went into the rent. Thank God it was my dad taking care of the shop, otherwise I’d be paying salaries as well. There was little left after every month. After a year, I would say that I barely break even. There were tones of goods and equipment left. Most of the clothing leftovers are not able to be sold. They were either given away or turned into rags.

Anyway…coming back to my wife’s suggestion. Perhaps now I am more matured and perhaps I can plan and execute better if I do decide to open a kedai bundle. Perhaps I should use this opportunity to talk myself through and see where I end up with this longing idea of owning my own shop again.

My second hand Doc Marts

2008-07-24T21:23:00.005+08:00

This is the pair of Doc Marts that I am currently wearing everyday to work. Its actually a used pair. Kasut bundle kononnya. Got is used in Penang at Lorong Kulit. Lorong Kulit is a flea market in Penang island. Used to be my favorite haunt. Its the one place that you can find almost everything you need. From fruit stalls to stolen birth certs...its all there! Its located behind the old Penang football stadium near Sungai Pinang road.

I paid like RM40 for it if not mistaken. Fake? I don't think so. Stolen goods? Definitely I think. When I got the pair, it was all done up again. Polished, stuffed with news papers etc. The initial open price was RM80. F**k it. Where got people sell stolen shoes for that much. Anyway, it was obvious that they guy was in a hurry, so offered him RM40, he quickly took it. I slipped it into my daypack and shot off. Happy indeed.

Well...now I am putting into good use. Wearing it everyday. Really comfy this pair of shoes. I cannot imagine how much it would cost new. A couple hundred ringgits I reckon.

Check out the soles. I would say they have at least 80% life still to go. The design quite casual yet good enough for work wear.

At least it goes okay with my monkey suit. Oh yeah...that's another thing I will share later. Even my daily monkey suit that I am wearing now are all used / recycle clothing. For fraction the price that I pay...I still dress up like a monkey...just like everyone else in the office!

A hobby or a lifestyle

2008-07-22T22:18:00.006+08:00

My lovely partner once asked me whether my fascination with used clothing a hobby or a lifestyle. Pak Abu recently commented that it may be a fetish.

Am not sure about being fetish, but its definitely both a hobby and a lifestyle for me. I practically live my life on all things used if I can help it. My furniture are used, by clothing are used, my adventure gear are bought used...except maybe for my climbing harness. I have never owned a new car even!

Its not really an environment issue thingy. I guess its because this thing called baju bundle is like a treasure trove. Each time I decide to go shopping for bundle, I can't help but ask myself what interesting thing will I find today? A rare shirt? A branded shoe? A backpack perhaps? Or maybe the pair of cycling tights that can fit me! What will it be?

But of course I don't go shopping for bundle everyday. If that is the case, then Pak Abu is right to label me as a fetish. I go occasionally, just when I feel like it and when I have the extra cash I suppose.

Lifestyle because it is part of me. Many of my close friends know me as the Apek Bundle. This crazy Chinese guy who is nuts over used recycled clothing. I take it with a pinch of laughter and truth is I accept it rather proudly! I am proud of my collection and I am proud to be able to tell people that I owned a pair of vintage Big E Levi's jeans which I only paid RM50 for! best still, its real!

How far does it effect my life? Well, the only off the shelf (new) pair of shirt that I ever got in the past few years came only during Chinese New Year. Someone will usually buy me one. Perhaps its the 'all things must be new' mentality or perhaps its just to piss me off.

Now that I am working in an formal office environment, I have no choice but to put on a monkey suit. Long sleeves, khakis or slacks, proper shoes etc. #*ck! hate it. I even have to have a coat on standby! I had to basically revamp my wardrobe. Most of the old clothes had to be packed away to make way for this new generation of clothing. But I am not complaining, I still go out and do my same old bundle shopping...every piece of it!

All baju bundle on a trip to Jeram Perlus

2008-07-18T21:55:00.009+08:00

It was a Sunday an my waterfall addict friend invited me to hike into the jungles of Hulu Langat to look for Jeram Perlus. It's suppose to be a really pristine waterfall. I have to agree that it really is. Anyway...this entry is not about the trip or the Perlus waterfall. Its more about what I wore and brought with me on the trip.

I had on me 100% used items on me for the trip. Except perhaps for my socks and my undies I suppose. Here is a picture of me halfway through the trek.

The orange shirt is actually my work shirt. Its actually one of them Uniqlo (Japanese brand) quick dry shirt. I love them totally. Try getting a similar product brand new as compare to just RM10 from bundle. Coolest thing. The pants I wore is still the FSS pants like in the previous entry. It really surprised me that pants. Really comfortable to wear, easy for me to move and really tough. The only downside is perhaps it gets a bit hot inside!

Also had my jungle boots on. Bought them from a bundle stall in Chow Kit a few months back. Did not have the chance to break them in until this trip. The soles pattern are rather similar to those of brands like Altama and Wellco but the only marking on the soles are 'RO Search'.

No brands indicated but one hell of a dam good pair of jungle boots I would say. I paid RM60 for them if I remember correctly. Good ankle support, good grip on muddy surfaces. The soles are a bit hard for the feet but I guess for the protection and sturdiness they provide, I think its worth to suffer a bit. My mates on the trip slipped and fell countless times and I didn't. Not once!

The only thing that went wrong on the trek I would say is the pair of socks I had on me. They are cheap as and naturally the fibers are rather spaced. I had plenty of leech bites during this trip. The leeches made it through the fibers of the socks. But heck, for a waterfall of such magnificence and beauty, the tiring trek and leeches is all worth it!

Oh...even my backpack is a second hand pack. I will write another time on that special pack. That pack is a beauty and I think it deserves to have a post of its own :)

Nite...

What I wore today...

2008-07-12T19:02:00.008+08:00

I was up early today morning. Me and some mates are helping out with a group of children who is going into Kota Damansara Komuniti Park for a short walk. Organized by some mates in MNS, I thought swell...why not help out.

I actually decided early yesterday evening what I was wearing and bringing. of course there will be the usual backpack loaded with all the basic essentials like First Aid Kit, knife, another knife and a parang. Drinking water and of course my trusty hat. The pack was a Wilderness Equipment pack. Bought while I was back in Perth. Nice pack, sewn proudly Australian and design a bit old but fits comfortably still.

It was John who commented on the pants I was wearing. Its actually a green cargo pants. I was a bit apprehensive about wearing it in the beginning as I thought it would look too much like a sekolah menengah boys pants or even like a military guy. In actual fact, its actually an American firefighter's pants. Its made up of some material called Aramid. Well the labels said 98% Aramid and 2% carbon core. Made by a company called Terry Manufacturing in Alabama, USA. Have a look below:

Perhaps the inside label explains the reason why the pant's button has the letters F.S.S engraved on it, Forest Service Specification. Perhaps...

Its one of those old style looking pants that your dad may have owned but once you look closer you'd realize there's much more to it. The pant's cutting is good. Its easy enough to move around with. But hell...is it hot! Its not thick but perhaps the Aramid material is like an insulation. I remember buying this pants from a bundle stall at the Pasar Malam nearby. Paid like RM30 for it. A bit pricey I think but at that time, its unique enough for spending.

No...no...its not going into the washer yet. Am heading out to Ulu Yam tomorrow morning for a hike up to Jeram Perlus (a waterfall) with Jan, John and not sure who else. Should be a good hike. I remember seeing a few cool bundle shops along the way last time. Maybe I will have time to stop and do a bit of shopping :)

Am selling off my Osprey Ariel 75...sob...sob...

2008-07-10T22:02:00.007+08:00

I decided that I ought to post something about one of my packs that will be sold very soon. Its an Osprey Ariel 75 which was bought in the US for my lady about 3 years ago. Osprey pack is one of the most popular pack in US I think. Some of its designs won awards and its one of the popular brands used by many of the contestants on Amazing Race.

Anyway, I paid close to USD$250 back then for this pack. Its a lot of money I think and now I am letting it go for close just RM350. That's like less than USD100 I think. The pack was used once by my lady and have been kept in the cupboard since. Sad but true. Not because she decided to stop going out to the bush but because I bought her other packs that she fancied more. Anyway, it is one of the better Osprey models made specially for women specific. Though its women specific, normally they will do fine for Asian men as well cause Asian men tend to have smaller body frames.

Don't believe me? Read this well written thread backpacks by a Malaysian guy who is a self professed gear geek. I know him personally and I tell you, he knows his stuff.

http://outdoordynamics.reaper.ws/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8try

I am going to post the pack on www.mudah.com.my and will try to get in posted on Gunung online as well. Both are local Malaysian websites.

Why the sudden move to sell? Well, rather than keeping it to rot in the closet, perhaps its best that the pack changes master. Hopefully it will see more daylight and adventures. Something that it is meant to do in the first place. Feel sad but seriously...there are just too many packs. Cloths I can keep coz I would be able to wear them one day, sooner or later but not with packs. It has got to b used, otherwise it will rot away.

So...while I sit and consider this move of selling this beautiful pack is the right thing to do, I sincerely do hope someone buys it up before I change my mind. Yike!

What to wear for this weekend hike?

2008-07-09T23:17:00.002+08:00

Two of my friends coincidentally emailed and called me up today about trips this coming weekend. Nothing to do with baju bundle but to join them on outdoor trip. Jan invited me to a waterfall in Ulu Langat while John asked if I am free to head to Kota Damansara for a hike. Well, naturally I said yes to both :)

Okay...the plan is to see what baju bundle I will be wearing this time. I have already made up my mind that I'd be wearing for the first time my jungle boots. Yeah...never thought I'd buy an army type jungle bots but according to a friend called Pak Abu, its the best shoes for the Malaysian bush. So the jungle boots it is. Will wear them to try to break them in. And YES, it is a pair from bundle :) Of course laa...what else. Brand new, looks like an American production, paid RM65 for it. Good bargain I suppose. I have a feeling the seller got the pair of boots from a supplier either in Port Klang or up north in Perlis. These are the two most common places for bundle shoes or kasut bundle. I'll put up the pics tomorrow.

There a few well known brands of jungle boot makers. While many still worship Hitec's renown Magnums, I feel that there are a few other brands that deserves mentioning as well. Among them are the Altama and Wellco. I have come across these brands in bundle but the problem is most of them are lined with Goretex. I know how much Malaysians outdoor kaki like Goretex but through experience, they just don't work in the Malaysian climate. There's a host of reasons for this but the humidity and the heat are the major setbacks for Goretex lined boots. Anyway, kalau dah beli kasut bundle Goretex, pakai ajelah

Okay...I am waaay to sleepy to continue. Gotta go and sleep and dream...perhaps I will dream a nice baju bundle.

Auscam daypack from my backpack collection!

2008-07-07T21:29:00.011+08:00

Oh...this is one of my daypacks that I carry often. Its an Auscam daypack. Got it from Perth when I was posted there back in 2006. Another item to my backpack collection! The pack is simple, no frills like any well made Australian army pack. Before going to Australia, I did some homework over ebay Australia on their military packs. No chance of buying them online ebay.com.au as anything to do with outdoor gear in Australia is so expensive.

I got mine from a swap mart in Perth. The Karrinyup (not sure if that's the right spelling though) swap mart in Perth. Happens every Sunday mornings. Oh...love the place. Got so many good used stuff there. Though some of them are stolen goods for sure. Got this pack cheap tough. I remember paying like AUS$20 for it. I consider that a bargain! The pack is almost in perfect condition except for the previous owner's name being written on the back. I used a permanent marker to just scribble stuff over it!

Back to this pack. It's small. I would say its about 15 or 20 liters max. Material is the hardy Australian canvas type. Good stuff really. It is fantastically durable. One main zippered compartment, top loading. It has an internal sleeve for foam padding but I have to say the padding doesn't do much help.

Check out the shoulder harness system. See how they are attached to the main pack using feed through buckles? I reckon the shoulder straps are interchangeable with other pack designs. Making the shoulder straps adaptable to other units of pack. There is a strap that also acts as a waist belt but I suppose it ain't much help for a pack this size.

Even the shape and contour of the shoulder straps are different from each other. I believe they are meant for either right of left due to the padding and our body contour. I left it as it is since I got it.

Oh...oh...check out the inside markings of the pack. I suppose 97 indicates the year the pack was made but the SOS part is anybody's guess. My guess is that the numbers above the SOS refers to some special code that the army personal can use in case of life threatening situations. Perhaps if you are an Aussie you can let me know :)

The pack also comes with a drain hole at the bottom. I think this is a necessary feature. Otherwise your spilt water in the pack is just gonna spoil everything.

The pack has gone out with me on some of the team building programs I run, definitely some short treks as well. A bit too small for longer treks. Overall, it exceeds my expectations and now I am currently looking forward to getting a larger Auscam...who has one to trade?

Door curtain from used clothing

2008-07-06T15:42:00.005+08:00

This is one of my favorite bundle used house hold item. Not a common item one would find in a bundle shop. Comes from Japan bundles only I believe. The characters on most of the designs are not Chinese as well (not that I write or read Chinese though :).

Donno what its called but I just called it the door curtain. If you know the its real name, perhaps you can share it with me? Friends tell me that it is very common to find this curtain in Japanese shops and restaurants. She even told me that some Japanese restaurants in K.L also do have them on their premises, especially into the kitchen. Am a friend of Japanese food but not a big fan of paying that big amount they charge for it.

This curtain can be found only in certain bundle stores. I got my collection mostly from some of the 'pasar malam' sellers in Penang and Kedah. This item comes through the curtain bundle. no hope of finding them in the clothing bundle. No hope at all. You'll have to find a bundle shop that sells some household items like curtains, bed sheets etc.

These curtains I have three types. Their differences is basically the length. Some are really short, like the one below.

However, the most commons ones are like the one in the picture above. They are about....5 or 6 feet I guess. I have a few of these, some in my hometown, some already hanging on the door and some still remains in the bag, haven't washed since they were bought!

Yikes!!...I wonder what things going around in the bag. The longest is about 2 feet off the ground. Found a few of these but the designs are not the coolest I would say.

My favorite would be the one below. Nice eh? The colors, the picture and the intense 'warrior' feel that it projects (to me) is unique. god knows what the wordings are. Have not a clue. Just hope its nothing bad.

Why do I like them? Well...for a start, the designs are cool. They also give sort of like privacy to the rooms at home. When you walk past rooms, rather than seeing the mess that's in there,. the door curtains 'hides' them away, giving me a (false???) sense of peacefulness and orderly! Anyway...most of my friends that have been to my place commented that they are cool. So...cool it is. I wonder how much it costs to buy them new off the streets of Tokyo or anywhere else in Japan. Must costs an arm. Well...all I can say is bundle....bundle...bundle!!!!!

My backpack collection

2008-07-02T21:31:00.005+08:00

This my friends...is my backpack collection!I have close to 20 pieces of backpacks. All outdoor brands. All original. None of them are fakes (thank God!). Below is a picture of my ‘collection’ being stacked in the store room. It’s the messiest room in the whole house but hey…it’s my den.

Many people say to me “Why on earth do you own so many packs?”. “What?? A backpack collection?”. Well, in reply I normally ask them why they keep changing hand phones or handbags or even their wardrobe for that matter. Same reason applies to me and my backpack collection. I like the designs, I appreciate the comfort and the functions that comes with it. Of course the brands as well.

Someone recently asked me to propose him a backpack for a mountain trip. There are many reasons why people go out to buy a backpack. Some buy it coz they look cool and rugged while others buy them because they are going on a trip. So…what is my advice?

Start by asking yourself what you plan to use the pack for. Different pack designs suits different uses. Today’s product range will offer something for everything, from trips to college classes to adventure racing and mountaineering.

Okay…which backpack to choose? I will describe MY personal understanding and preference to you and let you decide. Go to any outdoor gear shop and they will probably tell you otherwise. Perhaps my opinion is wrong but what the heck…this is my blog:)

I would conclude the world of backpacks into 3 schools of thoughts. One is the ‘bells whistles’ and the other ‘work horse’. The third one is the ‘Copycat’ group which is rather interesting actually.

The ‘bells and whistles’ (B&W) packs I think rules the market today. The makers and designers from this school of thought believe in meeting the user’s every need and demand of functions and extras. B&W packs usually come will all kinds of frills. You will find tonnes of zippers, pockets, straps and gadgets for everything under the sun. There will be zippered pocket for your MP3 player, a meshing pocket for your Nalgene bottle, a lid that can be used as a waist pouch, a kangaroo pouch on the front of your pack for ‘necessary items’, detachable shoulder and lumbar straps…you name it! In my opinion, these packs are great for the gadget conscious and users that prefer accessibility. I have a few of these packs. I would say most of the American brand packs are from the B&W category. What’s the downside? Well, the more gadgets you have, the higher you run the risk of the pack failing on you. There’s just more things to fail basically. And if you are like me…you’d probably never remember where things were kept as there’s so many pockets and pouches!

The ‘work horse’ (WH) category of packs interests quite a niche market I would say. WH packs are simple. No frills and extra gadgets for you. This is your typical work horse pack. It is build to withstand constant use (some say abuse as well) and are less likely to fail (well, that is what the makers claim). The Kiwis, OZs and some Brits brands makes some of the best WH packs around. Can’t blame them as they are either surrounded by very harsh conditions environment or they often venture too far out of their own territory. So…obviously they need WH packs. I identify WH packs by their simple and lean design. WHs are usually single loading (top load) and with minimal pockets and zippers. Some of the NZ and OZ made packs use really tough materials, heavier but definitely lasts. Built to last and unlikely to fail on you. Again, this is what the manufacturers claim but my experience tells me there’s a certain truth to it. The downside is that they are normally heavier, doesn’t look as flash as B&W packs and is definitely more expensive! And I have not seen many of these WH packs sold in Malaysia.

The ‘Copycat’ makers typically copies designs from well established brands and incorporate them into their own products. I mean, put aside intellectual rights and such BS but some of the products from this school of thought is pretty good actually. You my not get the same or better quality but you will definitely be able to afford it. There’s at least one company from our neighbor country down south that has managed to do this quite well. Initially I was a bit apprehensive about trying out their product but after buying one of their messenger bags, I am impressed. I would say that the design is good, material not bad and value for money? Definitely.

So…which pack is for you?

p.s...actually I have more than packs than the above pics..back at my parents place...yikes!

My used clothing buying impulse today!

2008-07-01T21:13:00.002+08:00

Oh…oh…oh…today on the way back from work, I decided to make a detour to a kedai bundle around Bukit Bintang area. No need to mention the name of the shop yet. Will wait till someone asks  It’s the beginning of the month, and like everyone else I got my pay. Well, actually it’s the first pay slip I have gotten for a few months since I have been most doing freelance work.

So…did I find anything interesting? You bet! There were more items hanging, possibly to target the early month spenders and you can see that they are fresh from the ‘compressed’ bundle as the clothes were mostly crumpled. Clothes that are fresh out of the bale are usually very crumpled because of the compacting process in making them. Other clothes that have been hanging for quite some time are usually quite straight and looks ironed (of course their not).

Anyway…my my…there’s so many new stuff. Jeans, shirts etc. But I told myself I have only 30 minutes to spend shopping there as it was getting late and riding a bike home in the dark is not the safest road practices in K.L.

I was honestly very quick. Took a glance at everything and decided to head for the used shorts, or half pants. ‘Seluar pendek’ (bukan seluar dalam yaaa!) corner laa babe. Ah…glorious. New items, probably from an American bale, good sizes (I am rather large) and good brands too. They had good brands. They had REI, Patagonia, Billabong, Stussy, American Athletics, Russells, Nike etc. The list is endless.

Of course I bought some. Why not. At RM15 a piece they are a bargain (I think). I know…I know…you can get cheaper than that from bundle clothing. But I was very happy with the items, they are in good conditions and quality that I like. Quick dry, microfibres…sewn-in belts and nice sizes. So…4 pieces in total…

Am a happy man today.

What’s so special about Levi’s Big E?

2008-06-28T23:57:00.008+08:00

First of all…I have to declare that I am NOT an authority on Levi’s history or know exactly how Levi’s created Big E. So…my ramblings below are based on what I personally know and understand ONLY.

Big E in the Levi’s clothing range is special, limited and often very much sought after. Big E tab jeans and denim jacket for example are rare and hard to find. Some are considered vintage. If you are able to find one (especially if it’s a pair of jeans), it is either a fake, a used pair or a VERY expensive new pair!

I have seen all three ‘versions’ of Levi’s Big E! There are plenty of fake ones all over Petaling Street and Chow Kit. If it is a new article and costs under RM100, chances are it’s a fake from our neighboring country.

Now…if you want to see a genuine article or at the very least a good quality replica, you’d probably find it in a bundle store anywhere in Malaysia. Big E’s are cherished as they are super rare and bundle store owners will proudly display their collections on the walls of their store.

An expensive new pair I have seen was eons ago in Penang. It came in a box, no red line, bell-bottom pair of jeans with a price tag of RM800. That time I was still in school and back then RM800 is a BIG amount of money. Even if I have bought that pair of jeans, I doubt if it will ever be worth any money as a collector’s item as it is not a red-line pair.

What is ‘red line’? In Malay language, it is referred to as ‘kepala kain’. Literally it means ‘head of the cloth’. Some people refer to it as 'salvaged'. Not sure why but it sort of gives it a cool name I think. The below picture is a close up of a ‘kepala kain’.

Red-line actually occurs on the ends of a whole roll of cloth. Cloth usually comes in certain standard width sizes but in rolls or perhaps hundreds of meters. Red line occurs on the edges of this huge roll of cloth. From a whole roll of cloth, a tailor may make for example 200pcs of jeans. By carefully selecting and measuring the red-lines, the number of normal jeans may drop to 190 and with the ends (with the red-line) gone into making limited edition red line clothing items! Imagine how limited this red-lines are. Possible from the same roll, a tailor may only be able to make 5 pcs of this special item! Red-line does not occur on Levi’s range of clothing only. Other brands like Evisu, Sugar Cane and many more from Japan especially have adopted this special trademark.

Coming back to this pair of Levi’s big E. It’s a 501XX. Check out some of the other cool features below:

Riveted back pockets, red-lined watch pocket, red line full length on both the insides of the jeans and of course…button fly. Nice!

Levi's in bundle used clothing

2008-06-28T16:11:00.002+08:00

Levi’s is such a legend in Malaysia. If there is ever a conversation about jeans among Malaysians, I dare to say that the name Levi’s will surely pop up. It is the same with bundle used clothing. Levi’s branded item in used clothing is always sought after. Jeans, denim jacket, flannel shirts, you name it. Even new items in the store may never get as much attention as the used one. Why? Because it has character. And also because the pair of used Levi’s you got from the bundle shop is probably original compared to the pair you paid at Petaling Street!

The reason is simple, as long as the bundle shop got its supply of used clothing from countries like the US and Japan, chances are, the items are real. Especially with countries like Japan, even their fakes are considered ‘replica clothing’, not like the cheap spin-offs you can find in the Malaysian market. These replica’s are to meet the market demands and they are usually from the special or limited edition range. One such example is the Levi’s Big E. Go grab your pair of Levi’s jeans. On the back pocket there is a Levi’s tab (red, silver or orange). Notice that the letter ‘e’ in on the tab is of small letter? The pair above has a capital ‘E’. Its special….its limited…it's rare and there’s a good reason why it is so.

Brands you can find in bundle Used Clothing

2008-06-28T15:56:00.001+08:00

Now…lets talk about brands. What brands can we find in bundle or used clothing? Truth is every brand you can ever imagine. From designers line Armani to hand printed rock band shirts (Aerosmiths, Metallica etc), the list is literally endless. However, the strange thing in Malaysia is that not all brands are seen as worth money. Some brands like Levi’s, Lee and Wrangler always takes the center stage, perhaps because of the American influence. Japanese brands like Bathing Ape and Bounty Hunter are also popular among collectors. Then of course there are the outdoor gear brands…which is my favorite like The North Face, Columbia, Gregory, Gramicci and even Mountain Hardwear!.

Don't believe me? Wait and see. I will start posting some of these items on this blog for all to see. Yes…I have plenty of them. I know its ridiculous (ask my wife…she will tell you!) but it really is cool. You get the real stuff, probably better quality than the ones you’d get off the shelves and just a fraction of the price!

Oh…and I almost forgot, bundle used clothing is not limited to clothing only. There are other used items like shoes, backpacks, bandanas (called locally as keys), pouches, belts, jackets, overall etc. Ahh….love them all!

2008-06-27T23:03:00.001+08:00

Bundle used clothing is a BIG thing in Malaysia. You can find bundle almost anywhere in Malaysia. Go to our neighboring Thailand and you’ll soon realize that bundle is part of their fashion and lifestyle. Used clothing is hip, it's in, it's cool and it's so damn nice.

If you are wondering why most Chinese (by the way, I AM a Malaysian Chinese) stay away from used clothing…its because Chinese believe that used clothing are mostly from dead people. In the Chinese community, one normally throw out old clothing when the owner of the clothing has passed on. This is far from the truth when it comes to bundle. Bundle comes from mostly rich countries and clothing is thrown out almost on daily basis. This can be due to a number of reasons but it is usually because the cloths have either gone out of style or the seasons have changed and they need a new wardrobe.

The other reason that many people will turn away from buying used clothing is because of diseases. They are worried that the previous wearer of the clothing may be suffering from a disease (especially skin related) that may be transferred to them. There is some truth in this but I have personally been using bundle clothing for the past 12 years and I have not had any issues. Of course you ought to take precautions to avoid these diseases (if any). This is easily done and we will talk a bout this on a later part.

Now…probably the last reason why people shun away from used clothing would be because of prestige or ego. They cannot imagine wearing someone else’s clothing. For this category of folks, I can’t say much. I guess its how they were brought up and having most of their life been served on a silver platter isn’t gonna help either.

But I can tell you this…some used clothing are far more expensive and unique than new clothing. Hunting and buying used clothing is like going on a treasure hunt. You may go on a hunt with something in your mind but you’ll often end up finding something totally amazingly unique and rare.

The beginning

2008-06-07T08:47:00.001+08:00

Finally....I will start writing about my crazy obsesion with used clothing. Glorious used clothing. Used clothing or more commonly known as 'baju bundle' in Malay language has been my clothing trove since the first day my mom gave me money to buy my own clothes! I even get my Chinese (yes...I AM a Malaysian Chinese) New Year clothing from bundle stores. Many of my friends, even my parents can't understand it intially but after some time, they too find themselves wearing them. I am a true 'bundle used clothing Malaysia' fan!
Oh...but don't be fooled...I am very choosy when it comes to used clothing for my closet. It has to be bundle used clothing or baju bundle. No local (Malaysian) used clothing please. It must be 100% 'bundle' quality!

Cheers,