With war in Iraq now looking almost a certainty, a survey has found that more than half of British troops are opting to buy their own gear, rather than make use of standard issue equipment.

Commissioned by the British Army, the survey revealed that 55% of soldiers and 42% of officers preferred to purchase their own combat gear, with branded Special Forces boots being especially popular.  Half of those questioned said they considered army-supplied kit inadequate.

Malcolm Silverman is manager of Silvermans, the UK’s largest suppliers of genuine military clothing and equipment.  While generally supportive of the standard issue boots, he had noted a strong surge in sales in branded items in recent weeks. “Though they have been dubbed Gucci Soldiers, there are sound operational reasons why more and more British soldiers are choosing to purchase their own boots.”  Silverman observed. “These can include improved comfort and durability, as well as issues such water resistance.”

Commenting on the survey results, defence spokesman for the opposition Liberal Democrats, Paul Keetch, called on the government to ensure that all troops who might be sent to the Gulf are given "top quality" equipment capable of performing in the sweltering temperatures of the Middle East.

“British soldiers have historically been forced to spend their own money to replace shoddy equipment or get kits the Ministry of Defence refuses to provide,” he told the House of Commons last week. Our troops should not be expected to put up with cheap and inferior equipment when better kits exist on the market.”

The revelation comes hard on the heels of criticism of army equipment by the National Audit Office, following its abysmal performance in a British military exercise in Oman in 2001.  Soldiers complained that standard-issue boots fell apart or even melted in the sun and, in some instances, caused foot rot.

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