kman

Have you checked over the "The various types of armor and where to find them" thread over at whitearmor.net? http://www.whitearmor.net/forum/topic/11538-the-various-types-of-armor-and-where-to-find-them/ There are lots of good options for fully-vetted armor out there.

Who did your hat? There are a couple of new options on the market these days...

Hessen is the gold standard, for those that can afford them. With any tall boot, though, beware potential issues with the width of the shaft. If your legs are too thick, you won't get your calves into most of them without altering them to install a gusset (which looks terrible) or stretching them at a cobbler shop (which works well but adds to the cost, plus there's only so much they can be stretched). If you have particularly beefy calves, custom tends to be the only good option. Hessen does custom boots for $70 more than stock boots. Bear that in mind if you'll need to stretch them, because that process usually costs about $30, so really there's only a $40 difference for full custom that should fit perfectly out of the box.

^^ $100 for those boots is a STEAL. I'd jump on that, honestly. I wouldn't be selling my Soviet Boots for much less.

What size are you? I have a pair of size 10 Soviet Boots that I'll be selling shortly. I was approved in them as an IOC Staff Officer at Level 2. (This style can't go to Level 3, however, if that's what you're looking for) They're in great shape, and I'm relatively local. (Ordering from Soviet Boots is a crapshoot... sometimes you get good condition, sometimes not... and it takes well over a month to ship here from Bulgaria.)

Contrast stitching on the seams is a major hassle. UnderArmor didn't do us any favor by dropping most of their all black compression gear. I currently use a mix of UnderArmor and DrSkin (from Amazon). The UnderArmor bottoms have logos at the thigh that can sometimes be seen, but it can be blacked out with a sharpie, or with enough patience, you can probably get the logos off with construction grade acetone and elbow grease. I stopped using my UA top when I found the DrSkin top, because I prefer the mock turtle, and even WITH acetone I couldn't get the X off the back of my neck, grrr. The DrSkin bottoms are fine, as well, but a little thinner than the UA. (not a bad thing in the summer!) https://www.amazon.com/DRSKIN-DABB11-Tight-Compression-Running/dp/B00RMG3016/ They appear to be out of most normal sizes for the top right now, unfortunately, but once they get them back in, I may buy a second. The logos WILL come off with Acetone (I got them off mine), or you can go the black sharpie route, and just reapply on occasion as needed. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01918GP3C/

Thanks, Todd, and likewise!

Kalani Patterson, TK-91423 from the SCG requesting access to 501st areas. http://www.501st.com/members/displaymember.php?userID=20931&costumeID=124