Issued TAZ 57 Alpenflage Field Pants w/Suspenders

Issued TAZ 57 Alpenflage Field Pants w/Suspenders

TAZ 57, from the German Tarnanzug 1957, was the original Swiss Army combat uniform printed in the Alpenflage pattern, the vivid, multicolor camouflage collectors and dealers nicknamed "Alpenflage" decades later.

The pattern traces back to Germany's late-WWII Leibermuster design; some sources say Switzerland obtained the original roller-printing equipment through Czechoslovakia after the war. TAZ 57 remained standard issue until a simplified version, TAZ 83, replaced it in 1983. Troops themselves had a less romantic name for the pattern: Vierfruchtpyjama, or "four fruit pajamas."

These trousers were built to carry a real combat load on their own, since the era's philosophy moved away from a separate web-gear set. Construction is canvas or twill, with some pairs reinforced at the knee and thigh with a waterproofed vinyl panel.

Each leg has a large snap-domed cargo pocket with internal compartments sized for spare magazines, plus waist pockets and a zipped slit for reaching underlayer pockets. Snap-dome straps let you take in the fit to avoid catching gear, and belt loops accommodate up to a 45mm belt. This listing includes the matching suspenders.

Every pair is genuinely unique after decades of individual wear, and they've found a following well outside Swiss militaria collecting. One buyer picked up a pair specifically for ArmA-style milsim and larp use, where the pattern and pocket layout read as authentic Cold War kit. They also show up on hunters' and airsofters' radars for the sheer carrying capacity built into the legs alone.

The Short & Sweet:

• Genuine Swiss Army TAZ 57 surplus, original Alpenflage pattern (1957)

• Canvas or twill construction, some pairs with vinyl knee/thigh reinforcement

• Large snap-domed cargo pockets with internal magazine compartments

• Waist pockets, zipped underlayer access, snap-dome fit adjustment

• Belt loops up to 45mm; suspenders included

• Used surplus condition; suspender length runs slightly short