Strat0, sorry if I come off as a prick, I know you are giving us the rules established by your chain. I was trying to point out the fact that the rule on kit is never hard and fast. Ultimately, the decision rests in the hands of the CO; however, I would say that the SNCO's, who stay with a unit for long periods of times, set the trend in what is acceptable and unacceptable.
As tacsit pointed out, a senior officer from OP Apollo has a post that has been kicked around these boards a few times relating to the outlook of 3VP in Afghanistan. They were pretty permissive in what troops could wear, providing they looked Canadian. I don't see anything wrong with that. As well, the new Canadian kit coming online is pretty damn good, so I'm finding less and less reasons to look to aftermarket suppliers.
My only advice to troops, as a grunt with a bunch of aftermarket kit, is to make sure your issued stuff is in tip top condition and ready to go. If you find you are not allowed to used stuff you buy, then your still good to go with the stuff the Queen issued.
PS: Here is a post I gave on an earlier thread regarding personal gear.
Gucci kit (especially the big things) varies from unit to unit. If you poke around the threads on this board, there is a really good post pertaining to 3 PPCLI's kit in operations in Afghanistan. They were allowed to wear pretty much whatever they wanted in terms of Load Bearing Equipment, as long as it looked Canadian. Some units are a little more anal-retentive, and small things like boots and stuff are for exercise only. Take the time to get a feel for the unit before making a $1,000 order from Lightfighter.com.
My personal opinion. Every soldier is going to have his or her personal preference on kit. I don't understand the reason for Sergeant's Major going totally anal over silly things like an extra pouch on the webbing. I have played around with the issue webbing (Which I prefer a million times to the crap-half-jacket thing) and modified it enough to get something I like. Its green and its webbing, so what's the harm?
I would say on longer term stuff like overseas ops, if your going to bring some gucci item, try and bring the corresponding CF gear. For example, I never wear my gortex jacket, but I brought overseas for times when it was required on parade, and the fact that the CQ wouldn't one-for-one exchange a piece of gucci kit that went south.
On the other hand, it is important to keep things within reason. We had one unit (won't name names) show up to an ex wearing everything; black balaclavas, headbands, Woodland Pattern vests and odd coloured chest rigs. The Platoon commander was even wearing black gaitors, despite the fact that it was rainless and sunny the entire weekend. Needless to say these guys looked like a pack of wankers, and from what I could tell, their performance in the field wasn't much better. There is something to be said about an overall impression of uniformity.
? Leave it in the back of the truck an take it out when we are done
