Use of Multicam in wooded areas (such as Southwest Michigan)

[evilplan2500]

I did a search on the subject in this forum, and I didn't see any threads with this subject that I can ask in. If there are I'm sorry I missed them, and the mods can point me in the right direction if they choose.

So as many of us do, I really love the Multicam pattern, and would like to use it as a "universal" camo for the games I go to. I've done some research on the subject through Google on using it in wooded areas, but I haven't been able to try it for myself yet because I don't have immediate access to wooded property (I live more within a city) The review of Multicam in woodland areas is generally negative, many say that it's too bright and sticks out quite a bit, and some pictures I've seen kind of support both sides of the argument.

I did notice, however, that the use of Multicam seemed to work quite well when the SEALS used it in the movie Act of Valor (I took some screen shots for reference)








Now I am aware that it was just a movie, and that movie magic can sometimes make things better than they appear (also in every movie image I've seen online, their faces were blurred, so I did the same thing)

It looks to me that their equipment/face paint helps to bring out the greens in the Multicam pattern and allows it to blend in with the background easier. Is that the case? Or is it just the lighting around them? In the experience of those who have used it in this way, what is your final verdict? Would Multicam make for a good camouflage in the woods of Southern Michigan or should I invest in something different?

[X]

Well keep in mind that the movie scene you're referencing takes place in a tropical setting which has a lot more green than MI. Personally I've found that Multicam works well in MI, but only in the spring/summer. Right now it's pretty much useless. Woodland camo would work better if it didn't have black in it. I'm not sure what the ideal camo is. Personally though I think multicam is effective enough. More often than not at the ranges we play at camo doesn't help a whole lot. So if you have something that's at least decent you will be good to go.

As a side note you don't have to blur their faces. Anyone can buy the movie and their mugs are all over the internet. Including this picture where he's standing next my dad (who's 6ft btw).

www.navytimes.com/article/20070720/NEWS/707200322/Navy-pins-sailors-of-year-in-D-C-ceremony

That guy is huge in person, also super friendly.

Sent from my XT1080 using proboards

[Impulse]

Here's a compilation I put together of MC over the past year.

Obviously it doesn't cover all possible backgrounds, this is not a rigorous examination by any means, but it does show some 4-season effectiveness.

[evilplan2500]

Thank you, those are much more informative than some of the images I've seen on other forums and even Google. And to you X, that's pretty awesome that your dad got to meet them, I just like to be careful when it comes to posting pics online is all.

[Squirrel]

Every heavily wooded environment is different based on undergrowth, type of trees, and time on year. In Michigan we have kind of a mixed bag of evergreen and deciduous trees. Multicam has a pretty narrow window of true effectiveness, as it was designed to be a multi-environment camo. It really doesn't fit anywhere perfect, but it does a pretty good job in a lot of places. You will find this to be true with pretty much any camo. I feel like in Michigan forests, you benefit a lot more from greys and browns. Greens are very hard to match to environments.

The only thing I have found to absolutely rock year round in Michigan is a non-military camo that would most likely have people laughing at you if you wore it to a game. It is called Trebark, and the hunting suit I have in that pattern is from the 80's. My dad wears the pattern as well, and it disappears when laying prone of if you are in a cluster of trees. I had a hell of time finding him when we got a little separated while tracking a deer.

Photo for reference.

[slippy]

Is it effective, hell yes. In the airsoft realm of "green vs. tan", I personally think it should be banned in the milsim setting. It is a mix between both as far as colors and what team you'll be with changes from event to event. I know that I'm going to get flamed here but let me pose the question. Multicam wearing players, how often is it that you get friendly fired because a teammate cannot identify you from a distance? I know that I'm guilty of it. Now before everyone starts in with the "identify your target" crap hear this. How many times have you called out to another player for P.I.D and either A. Get no response B. Get wheeled around on? I would say once or twice out of the 40ish times I've been responded to.

Don't get me wrong, I love multicam in real world applications. Amazing camo. But I can't seem to find a reason why it is allowed at Milsims besides it is a uniform currently in service with our military.

[Outlaw]

Well slippy, I will not flame you for your opinion, and I respect it. I can understand how it could be frustrating to others, as Multicam is a transitional camouflage by nature. I see you have also answered your own question, as to why it is allowed. It is currently in use and does a pretty good job disrupting silhouettes at a distance in a transitional environment. I feel your pain on the fratricide, but that can, and certainly does happen in any camouflage. As to the question posed originally in this thread, yes multicam is effective in certain seasons and lighting conditions but can tend to stick out in the neon-green Michigan late springs & early summers, as demonstrated by Impulse's photo's. But please keep in mind that camouflage's intention is not to make you invisible but to temporarily deceive the human (and now electronic) eye increasing general survivability. No camouflage is perfect for all conditions as of yet, but we are getting closer each generation. YOU wear what works for YOU.

Also, I use gen 3 AN/PVS 14's. I will tell you MARPAT (woodland), and MC are amazing at night in Michigan's woodlands/ urban environments for concealing against guys with NODs as long as you buy genuine Crye Precision, or various manufacturer USGI issue uniforms that are marked NV compliant. If you plan on attending larger multi-day milsims or night ops, this may be a consideration as well when purchasing camouflage. Just my two cents.