Black vs OD Vests

[stufitexpander]

So I bought my first vest, a black UTG vest with MOLLE rigging (is that the proper term? I'm only pretending to know what I'm talking about).

I bought black because I wanted a universal feel to it - I wanted to be able to wear it with any kind of camo, etc, because I can't afford a couple of tac vests...

...but now I'm thinking that a black tac vest kind of stands out in a big way/renders camo kind of useless, unlike an OD vest for woodland, tan vest for desert, etc

What are people's experiences? Are people with black vests in the woods or elsewhere easy prey?

[Maverick]

Well, most people tend to think of black as s sore thumb in woodland areas. I however, use a black vest and when you use it correctly, it is EXTREMELY effective. (Ask Tex )

You have to stay low to the ground and make use of your shadows. The black of the vest will make your body harder to see against the darkened area affected by shadow. Most of the time I crawled when I was getting into position, moving a couple inches at a time. I think at the last MOA rec game, I was able to sneak up on 8 or so people using this technique.

The reason that I chose black was because of the universiality (word?). The only camo it really doesnt work with is Mulitcam.

In conclusion, if used properly, black vests can be an extreme help.

[stufitexpander]

That's very reassuring, because I really don't feel like returning all the stuff I bought (if they'll even let me...)

I also definitely just found an entire thread on this already, oops. For some reason the search function doesn't work for me so to search I just have to page through...

I was also curious: How do people feel about mixing colors? What if I bought some OD pouches for my vest, or some other color? Would that reduce the issue of having all black, or would it look REALLY ugly, or both? I looked around but couldn't find any pictures of people doing this...

[Toothbrush]

Since airsoft is, in large part, about looks people do not generally mix & match camo patterns. With that said, however, you absolutely can add differently patterned pouches to your vest and depending on the amount you use they will break up the black to a certain extent.

[GrinchBiscuit]

...of course, ACU on Black would look fugly as hell.

[Orion]

gbiscuit said:

...of course, ACU on Black would look fugly as hell.

It is. A bunch of players out in Cali had their loadout black on acu, and it was ugly as fuck.

[stufitexpander]

I got all black stuff, and it looks cool. And so I'm happy. I hope it doesn't make me a target but at least I look shwweet when I'm just standing around.

[Zorak]

toothbrush said:

Since airsoft is, in large part, about looks people do not generally mix & match camo patterns. With that said, however, you absolutely can add differently patterned pouches to your vest and depending on the amount you use they will break up the black to a certain extent.

This approach depends heavily on circumstance. Sometimes it works, other times you end up with black outlines around patterned rectangles. All those right angles and straight lines can be more of a giveaway than a black blob if the light and the available concealment are wrong.

[Snooks27]

Our team wears black and well i personally love it.

[gasmask]

i am about to buy an OD vest with black bdu's how do you guys think that will work out

[Maverick]

My question ^^, is why? If you are using the loadout for CQB, just go with a black vest. If you are trying to use black BDUs for woodland, thats too much black

[gasmask]

well im in a team and black is the color of bdu we all picked

[laxrider04]

Maverick, he means we wear black gear. When we're playing outdoors we run multicam/desert/civi stuff.

For indoors it's ninja suit ftw.

Besides, I'm not really worried about being all stealthy and such, since I'm usually the guy running around yelling all sorts of absurd stuff. I can be quiet if I have to be, but I do loves me a suicide charge.