The Royal Marine Commandos were deployed in North Norway during the winters of the 1970s and 80s as part of the NATO Alliance to counter the threat from Russia during the Cold War. They were issued with a mixture of Canadian and Norwegian Army equipment for their training in Mountain and Arctic Warfare.

These gaiters were standard issue in the Norwegian Army at the time and, fortunately, the Marines got some as they were – and still are – excellent for wearing on skis. Hard-wearing, easy fitting and reasonably light, pity we don’t see such good gear on the civilian market some 50/60 years later.

Founder of our collection, Mick Tighe, was a Mountain & Arctic Warfare Instructor back then, and acquired this pair out in Norway.