The most favored item of headwear for the Russian infantryman was the side cap or 'pilotka'. It was seen as unmanly to wear a helmet and the side cap was far more comfortable. The most common Russian helmet in use at the beginning of the campaign was the M36 type, although this was gradually replaced by the M40 type, which entered service during 1940. It was lined with three canvas pads, filled with wadding and provided enough room to allow the 'pilotka' to be worn underneath.

Webbing

Russian infantrymen wore no webbing as such and their field equipment was fairly rudimentary. It also differed greatly from man to man, due to the poor availability of certain items.
It consisted of a canvas waist belt to which the ammunition pouches were attached. Each soldier was issued two leather rifle cartridge pouches, each of which held twenty rounds. Soldiers were also issued additional ammunition, carried in either a fabric pouch containing thirty rounds or a fabric bandoleer containing ninety rounds. A special ammunition pouch was issued to these soldiers carrying the PPSh sub machine gun. The pouch could hold three of the drum type magazines, or later in the war, six of the box type magazines.
Other equipment was carried in a rucksack. Two types, the Model 1930 and the Model 1938 were both in use in 1941. Regulations stipulated that the rucksack was to carry spare clothing, the cape shelter and rifle cleaning equipment. The pack incorporated straps, which were used to carry tent poles and pegs.
In similar fashion to German infantrymen, the M41 ration pouch, or bread bag, was issued to carry rations and mess kit and was worn attached to the belt. The 1938 pattern mess tin, was of a similar design to the German 'kidney shaped' version, which consisted of a base and a lid. The base of the mess tin could be cooked in, while the lid when turned upside down, helped to keep the food hot.
The 1.5ltr canteen, or 'flyagha', was issued to Red Army troops and worn on the belt. It was made of aluminum and was held in a canvas cover, which could be removed easily from the belt. A grenade carrying pouch was also issued, again worn on the belt, which carried two of the RDG33 type stick grenades. Some troops were also issued an entrenching tool, 'bolshaya sapyornaya lopata' and a carrying pouch. The final item of equipment to be issued was the gas mask bag and BN-T5 gas mask, which could be slung over the shoulder. Despite the issue of gasmasks at the beginning of the campaign, many soldiers discarded the mask and the gasmask bag was often used as an additional pouch to carry rations and ammunition.
For poor weather, soldiers were issued a cape shelter, called 'plashch palatka'. Made from a dark olive fabric, it could be joined together to form two or four man shelters. The shelter, along with the greatcoat, were often made into a roll and worn across the chest.

Clothing

The most common type of uniform in use at the beginning of the campaign was the Model 1935 field dress. The jacket or 'gymnastiorka' was a simple garment, which resembled the traditional peasant shirt. It was issued in both summer and winter types, with one made of lightweight cotton and the other of wool. Both types featured reinforced elbows to reduce wear. The trousers or 'sharovari' were a traditional type of semi riding breech. There were several types of boot worn. Officers were issued an all leather high leg boot, while lower ranks were issued either a similar pattern high leg boot, or 'sapogi', which was made from cheaper leather or an ankle boot with puttees. All ranks were issued with a greatcoat, however the type issued to officers was of better quality.
Winter clothing consisted of a padded jacket, 'telogreika', made of heavy cotton, padded trousers, the 'vatnie sharovari' and a fur cap, the 'shapka ushanka'. Felt boots called 'valenki' were also issued.
In 1943, the Red Army introduced significant changes in its combat dress. The new pattern 'gymnastiorka' reverted to a Tsarist style with a stand up collar and other modifications in tailoring and coloring to identify rank and service.