Commando current

One can get kitted out from head to toe at the army surplus store, including camouflage fatigues, forage caps and boots. John Clark / China Daily

Camouflage cargo pants and shorts for women have been around for several seasons and they do give the girls some kick-ass style. If you are after the urban soldier look, browse through the city directories and check out the nearest army surplus shops. In Beijing, there is an excellent one at the East Third Ring Road.

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It was once the official disposal store of the General Logistics Department of PLA, and it's now an Aladdin's cave for military enthusiasts. Here you can get kitted out from head to toe, including camouflage fatigues, forage caps and boots.

You could even buy camouflage netting to hide your campsite or your car.

The middle-aged women shop assistants all wear US army gear and look like extras from the Sylvester Stallone movie, The Expendables.

Look closer and you can see that their "uniforms" are from the US Army's Eagle Attack, first Battalion of the 101st Aviation Regiment. The battalion motto is "Expect no mercy" and it is equipped with the Apache Longbow helicopters, the "world's most lethal attack helicopters" according to globalsecurity.com

Still, the ladies at the shop looked pretty harmless, but you never know.

Whether you're a fisherman, hunter or simply a happy camper, there's something here for you.

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For example, there's a great selection of camping stoves, mostly gas-fueled. And if you need to dig a temporary hole in the ground in the wild for the basic necessities, look no further. A trenching tool costs 55 yuan ($8.60); the luxury model is 95 yuan.

Or perhaps you have fantasies of being a Bear Grylls-style survival expert? Well, here's a compact box of tools in stainless steel: ax, shovel, saws, hammer and what looks like a bayonet. Yours for only 1,800 yuan.

The store's glass display cases are fascinating.

There's a good selection of compasses from 8 to 260 yuan, canteens for 35 and 48 yuan, rope rescue gear and first aid kits. Going up country where you'll drink from streams and rivers? Then you'll need a water purifier kit at 215 yuan.

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I don't want to disappoint, but there are no firearms on sale, no rifles or shotguns or automatic weapons. This is China.

However, there are some tasty telescopic sights available, from 300 to 500 yuan. Binoculars cost from 68 to 238 yuan and there's a wide selection of knives from the very basic to Leatherman-type multi-function folding knives with scissors and lemon zester.

Scout out camouflage sneakers at 35 yuan. You wouldn't go on a long march wearing these since they offer little support, but compared to designer baseball boots at 300 yuan in Sanlitun stores, they are a steal.

Something more hardwearing can be found in the black leather PLA high-top boots for about 350 yuan. That's half the price you would pay in the United Kingdom.

There's also a wide selection of shoes, rubber boots, sneakers and flip-flops. Winter clothing includes knee-length, olive green, great coats (some sheepskin-lined), fake fur hats and gloves.

Comfortable camping gear range from a collapsible camp bed to a cozy sleeping bag. You'll probably need a rucksack for all your gear, so pick up a decent-sized Bergen for about 180 yuan.

Mine was soon filled with PLA camouflage fatigues, a bargain at 95 yuan, and a sturdy brown leather belt for 75 yuan.

I intend to wear my fatigues and sneak up on the former editor who sacked me after he heard I got a job in China. He walks his dog in Glasgow Green, a lovely wooded area where I'll be invisible in my camouflage outfit.

Collectors can also rummage through the brass buttons, pins and red-star cap badges.

There's a bargain bin and I tried on a green, high-buttoned tunic which fitted perfectly. How much? It was all of 30 yuan. I think I may have to go back again.

sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn