Size Guide

Military sizes are more accurate than civilian sizes in general. If you measure yourself carefully, you'll get fitting clothing. There's no reason to order online, at least if you're ordering from Varusteleka.

• Overall length is measured with shoes off.
• Waist is measured at the navel.
• Chest is measured just below the armpits.
• Inner seam, in trousers is the seam of the leg, that runs from the crotch to the ankle. It's usually measured from your pants, not from your body.
• When taking measurements, don't add some just to be sure. Take the exact numbers. If you seem to get varied results, measure yourself five times and get the average.
• As in almost every country in the world, we give our information in the metric system. If you find this hard, use an online conversion software. Best idea would be to find out metric numbers for your own measurements, so you only need to use the conversion once.

• Trust the measurements. Really.
• Most top layer garments, especially winter jackets, coats and parkas, are loose fitting enough to accommodate layers of clothing underneath.
• On any item, Do not order one size larger "just in case"
• Military trousers are worn high on the waist, in 99% of the cases. This is practical and prevents the pants from ripping apart from the crotch seam. Because of this, you should measure yourself on the navel, not where you usually hang your pants. And after you've bought the pants from us, you should wear them as high as they are made to be worn. You don't have to be an idiot even though everybody else is, these days.

Different apparel use different size systems. Below, the most common size systems are deciphered, including:

The US Size Tables

There are normally three common length variations of each size (Short, Regular, Long). If not specified, the product is available in Regular only. Sizing S-XXXXXL does not inform the length. Please look carefully these size tables before ordering - for example, the civilian X-Large is usually MUCH smaller than a military X-Large!

• US Trousers sizes
• US Jacket sizes

European sizing system

The older European sizing system is based on chest circumference in centimeters. Regular lengths are the said measurement but halved, and will look like 48, 50, 52, 54 etc.

This system is mostly phased out on modern gear but we have it in our Wehrmacht uniforms and some pullovers, for an example.

• European trouser sizes
• European jacket sizes

Austrian sizing system

Austrians have a distinctive size system for both jackets and trousers. Width is in centimeters and length in Roman numerals.

• Austrian trousers sizes (96-100/III-IV etc.)
• Austrian jacket sizes (96-100/III-IV etc.)

East German sizing system

A variation of the European system, with a very Teutonic flavor.

• East german sizing system for jackets and trousers

Bundeswehr Uniforms - Flecktarn camo

Germans are stereotypically systematic and orderly. This obsession manifests in clothing aswell - which is a nightmare for a retailer, but a bliss for customers. BW size tables below guarantee a well-fitting uniform. Most of the sizes are available all the time, but especially the bigger sizes tend to sell out almost instantly.

The sizes come in four different lengths, which are informed in German standard. The widths typically increment by 5cm per size.

BW trousers

BW jackets

Gloves

Glove size is the circumference of your hand measured from the widest point of your palm in inches. If you're using metric measure, divide the measurement result with 2.5. The average adult males hand size is 23 cm, so 23/2.5=9.2 and therefore the correct glove size is 9.

Headgear

Head wear measurement is the circumference of the crown, measured around the skull, about one centimeter above the ears. Make sure to measure accurately - keep the measure tape tight. Generally, you'll want a hat that is not too small - 1 cm wont make much difference though. Some headgear (especially berets) will loosen and "grown in size" when used. This can be accounted for by ordering one size smaller.

Shoes

Here is a general sizing table provided by WELLCO. The size chart helps compare US sizes with the European sizing (French Size) and vice versa.

The correct manner to measure your foot is to trace your footprint on a piece of paper with a pencil and then measure the dimensions. Another measurement method is to determine the dimensions of properly fitting insoles. Most shoes come with insoles, but if not included insoles can be bought separately. The link above contains information how to how to compare feet and insoles. US shoe sizes are measured in lenght and width.

Take your time when measuring and choosing the right size, as millimeters count (especially international customers). If you are not certain about your size contact us for assistance.

International customers: mistakes made by the customer in measurements will not be refunded! If you order a wrong size, that's your problem. Of course, if we send something that you did not order, it's a different story.