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View ArticleCamouflage Comparison Results
We know you guys have been patiently waiting for the results of our comparison, but before we get right into the photos, we’d like to explain how we’ve set things up.
As we were reading through the comments in the post announcing the comparison, we really liked the idea presented by Riaan Rossouw.
He suggested first using a dummy, which we already had decided on doing and had with us, and second using a statistics technique called AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process).
We weren’t familiar with AHP at the time and did some research from an iPhone to learn more. Basically the decision makers (our readers) systematically evaluate various elements by comparing them to one another two at a time.
There are a lot of other nuances of AHP that we’ve decided not to get into, or place into our comparison, but we thought that holding polls for the patterns would be a better way to narrow them down into stronger candidates.
Here’s how we’re going to do that…
Comparison Specifics
The comparison took place in various locations within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton, Oklahoma Friday December 11th thru Saturday December 12th.
We shot 10 different Camouflage patterns at four different terrain locations, with each location having a different distance (as notated below).
Each of the Camouflage patterns was placed on a torso mannequin and each location was completed in a matter of just 15-20 minutes. This was to ensure that the lighting was realitively the same for each image.
Camouflage patterns used:
- Crye Multicam
- Bulldog Tactical Mirage Camo
- Hyde Definition PenCott Camo
- Crye Sand
- Desert MARPAT (Desert Digital)
- 3-Color Desert Camo (DCU)
- UCP (ACU)
- Woodland Camo
- Tan Flight Suit
- OD Flight Suit
Our photos were shot on a tripod with a Canon EOS 40d using a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4-5.6 IS USM. We tried to shoot as close to f16 as possible, which we’ve found to be the sweet spot for focus and depth of field on this particular lens.
The white balance for the photos was custom set using an 18% Grey Card in each location. The photos have not been altered in any way by Photoshop or any other editing program and do not even include our watermark.
Master images are available on our Flickr Account but are copyrighted and not free to use without permission. For more specifics on our images you can view the properties on each individual image on Flickr.
What’s also great about Flickr is that you can view our sets as a slideshow, which you may find easier when comparing the images below.
Lighting varied somewhat between Friday and Saturday, with Friday being mostly overcast and Saturday being partially foggy due to a front that moved in Friday night.
Location
One last thing before we get into the comparison images. We know that the Wichita Mountains are not the most ideal conditions for a comparison to Afghanistan, but it’s the closest location we had to us that resembled the terrain.
The region has open prairies, sparse and isolated granite mountains and red rock canyons.
We plan on doing this entire test again (with more patterns) in the Spring down in Big Bend National Park. We had wanted to get down there originally, but couldn’t commit to the 14-hour drive from the D/FW area right now.
Reader Evaluation
Here’s where we’d like your input. Using a bastardization of the AHP, we’ll be showing patterns compared in two’s for each of the four terrain locations we shot in.
For instance, you’ll see Multicam vs. Mirage each in four different images and then vote in a poll underneath that on which pattern out of those two you think blends in the best.
We’ll repeat that pattern five times, so there will be five different polls to vote in, each time choosing the pattern you think blends in the best out of the two.
The first thing you’ll see below are our control shots of each terrain location, they show what the mannequin looks like in each location so you can get a feel of where and what you’re looking for.
Location Alpha
Date: 12.11.09
Time: 15:24 – 15:45
Bearing: 060Ëš
Distance: 15 Yards
Condition: Overcast
Location Bravo
Date: 12.11.09
Time: 16:45 – 17:00
Bearing: 304Ëš
Distance: 15 Yards
Condition: Overcast
Location Charlie
Date: 12.12.09
Time: 08:58 – 09:15
Bearing: 010Ëš
Distance: 75 Yards
Condition: Foggy
Location Delta
Date: 12.12.09
Time: 11:50 – 12:08
Bearing: 292Ëš
Distance: 15 Yards
Condition: Foggy
Multicam vs. Mirage
Click the first image in the series below to open up the slideshow viewer here, or use Flickr’s slideshow viewer to view larger images for this set here.
[polldaddy poll=2394613]
Sand vs. Woodland
Click the first image in the series below to open up the slideshow viewer here, or use Flickr’s slideshow viewer to view larger images for this set here.
[polldaddy poll=2394637]
UCP (ACU) vs. PenCott
Click the first image in the series below to open up the slideshow viewer here, or use Flickr’s slideshow viewer to view larger images for this set here.
[polldaddy poll=2394640]
Tan Flight Suit vs. OD Flight Suit
Click the first image in the series below to open up the slideshow viewer here, or use Flickr’s slideshow viewer to view larger images for this set here.
[polldaddy poll=2394644]
Here are some direct links to our Flickr Slideshows to view images by location rather than by pattern as above:
Now that we have your votes on these five polls, we’ll run another article comparing the most popular patterns selected. We’ll then narrow the choice down to two and eventually one pattern.
Stay tuned for the results, and let us know your critiques so we can take those ideas on board for the next comparison in the Spring!
We’d like to thank Bulldog Tactical for providing Mirage Camo, Hyde Definition for providing PenCott Camo, and Omaha’s Surplus in Ft. Worth, TX for allowing us the use of UCP, 3-Color Desert, and the Tan / OD Flight Suits!
60 Comments
When comparing all images by location, I think Desert MARPAT is the best overall at these locations. I will be interested in seeing what others think. Great test.
Dirk,
Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the test. I’m looking forward to the medical refresher stuff this weekend with Rocki!
Bryan
I’m really lovin’ that Mirage. Just gotta say. Also, I think you guys chose a nice place for a test. Never been to Afghanistan but you guys still picked a great sample of “environments.”
I lived in Oklahoma for 5 years (4 as a student then 1 when I got a job) and worked for OklaTravelNet (which is now http://www.OklaVision.com). We showcased how diverse Oklahoma is and I think I remember hearing that Oklahoma has more distinct ecological regions that any other state.
Thanks for the test. I was happy to see that my poll picks lined up with everyone elses. Some sucked but were still better than nothing.
Mike,
Glad you thought we chose a good area and picked a good sample. Check out some photos from Big Bend and compare them to Afghanistan pics, it’s a pretty good match, but then again everything is relative.
Thanks for the comment,
Bryan
Great test guys. Very interesting to see how much better Mirage is vs. Multicam, and Desert MARPAT vs. 3-colour DCU.
As expected, the “green” patterns (Woodland, PenCott, and OD) didn’t do well in this terrain. So, rather than pitting them against a pattern which would clearly beat them, it would have been better to see the three of them pitted against each other – or at least Woodland vs. PenCott.
I assume you’re planning a follow-up “green zone” comparison?
Hey Lawrence,
The progression in which we pitted a pattern against another was fairly random, but I agree on comparing the “green” patterns together. Perhaps we’ll run a post on just those at a later date.
We are planning a follow up comparison in the Spring which will give the “green” patterns a fair shake.
Thanks for the comment, and glad you enjoyed the test!
Bryan
Very good test, I’d say that Mirage, Marpat and Multicam are the top three. Do you think you could run a similar test in a woodland environment?
Loving it.
you know, regular old “sand” did not do bad. of course the other patterns were better, but you can walk around in a “sand” shirt and pants very discreetly.
Nice work guys. You’ve inspired me to run some tests of my own using some different aussie camo patterns. Also, I second Lawrence’s idea of a green-off; it would be useful to see those patterns in the areas they were intended for.
Great test, very objective. I agree on the point of a woodland area test, but still using all of the patterns (to see how “universal” the various “universal” patterns are).
Excellent test. I too am hoping for a green zone test. That Mirage was amazing.
I participated in a similar test a few years ago near Ft Bragg. We were surprised to find that even in the pine forest environment the “desert” color patterns worked the best. Once we stopped to really look, it was obvious that the predominant colors at ground level were shades of brown (pine needles and such.)
Great pics and thanks for all your efforts ITS! You guys are awesome. If you guys ever come to the east coast to do a photo shoot I request to tag along!
I strongly agree with Lawrence and the others, I think it was a bit unfair for the “greens” to be in the terrain you guys chose.
Man its like Mirage was born in this terrain. Were these pics taken in the PenCott factory backyard?
Great work guys!!
I think this is very cool. To be honest, I’ll like to see where the popular camo in our current military tapers off. We already know they’re not quite up to par. Very cool stuff guys, and I agree with spartan, great work.
Great test guys. Some interesting results. Look forward to the next round.
Excellent initiative! I’ll be waiting for that green zone followup.
If I were to make a wish, that’d been to add slate grey (“feldgrau” if you will) to the list of things to compare. I have a feeling it might have been interesting both in this test and in the planned followup.
Keep up the good work!
Nicely done guys!, I can’t wait to see how these patterns stack up to eachother in other environments…
whoow, Mirage is a great camo for this environment….
Interesting test, I’m surprised at how well the aird marpat actually performed (I assumed good, not great). I also feel that the PenCott looks ‘forced’, I realize it’s a green, but the mixing of size of pixels just is more disjointed for my brain and I pick it out pretty fast.
I like seeing the Mirage in the field. Thanks the great testing!
Good job with the test guys. I’m surprised at with the mirage pattern. It seems to work better than I thought it would.
So if you guys are looking to get rid of that mannequin when you’re done I’ll take it off your hands…
This type of article is fantastic subject matter for a site like ITS.
You see photo comparisons out there on forums and whatever here and there but few have really been standardized like this. You guys did a lot of great work to make it as objective as possible. The mannequin, the attention to detail with the camera settings, time of day/weather, etc.
Mirage is looking good!
The Multicam and Mirage were rather close to effectiveness, especially in locations Bravo and Charlie. Marpat also blended in quite well. IMHO, I think the patterns will be down between Multicam, Mirage, and Marpat. If this was a test for Afgan use only, the Marpat I think blends in the best and I am a Multicam fan. I would love to see a multi enviroment test with Multicam and Mirage.
I like the comparisons but i think other camo choices would have been better for you choices of surroundings. It’s kind of pointless to use woodland and DCU. I would have liked to seen examples in location that where not so wide open. There where no light contrasts. Over all a good report but a little basic for my taste.
Jeff,
We appreciate your comments and criticism and will take that on board for the next test, but brother this test was far from basic.
Regards,
Bryan
Great illustration, guys. It goes a long way to proving that there is no one pattern that will provide excellent concealment in all environments. The best you can do is have an adequate pattern for the most prevalent zone you plan to be operating in and follow the other principles for concealment including shape disruption, reflection avoidance, shadow reduction, etc.
I’m a huge Multicam fanboy, but that Mirage pattern is pretty impressive. Not to mention, it looks cool! (As all grunts know, the 6th and most sacred rule of patrolling is “look cool”) I would like to see this get a little play with the powers-that-be in their quest for an improved pattern for Afghanistan. It looks somewhat similar to the upcoming-abortion that is UCP-D, but more effective.
Can anyone honestly say that UCP is at all effective in any environment other than gravel pits and urban environments? It has two effective uses: 1, it admittedly washes out well at night under night vision and 2, it blends in amazingly with piles of cinderblocks, behind which I’ve taken cover.
ITS, how about showing some shots from different angles at distance? Maybe a “Where’s Waldo?” approach.