BORELLI CONSULTING: Recreational Equipment Reviews

Multi-Can BDUs & ACUs For The Field
9 July 2007

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A little while back I did a review on the evolution of uniforms and how our military has gone from tan or OD Green uniforms to digital camoflage patterns and is now considering the Multi-Cam pattern. As you look back at that evolution you can parallel the military use of uniforms with an almost equal evolution in recreational camoflage field clothes. This week we're going to take a look at the latest multi-cam uniforms to see if they have any utility for the recreational outdoorsman.

The multi-cam pattern, shown right, is a digital six-color pattern that doesn't look digital. Most everyone is familiar with the collection of small squares that are visible up close on digital Battle Dress Uniforms (BDUs) and on the new Army Combat Uniform (ACU). The digital patterns are typically konwn by a collection of acronyms: TACPATT, ARPAT, MARPAT, etc. Multi-Cam IS digital - that being computer generated - but doesn't have the square block appearance. Further, because of it's basic design, the color that will appear most dominant in the uniform depends on the surrounding terrain type.

There are some contemporary differences that didn't use to exist: sometimes the civilian market actually gets ahead of the military use, and the military doesn't have the variety of camoflage that civilians do, i.e. real tree, breakup, etc. The variety of patterns available to the recreational outdoorsman is far wider than what is used by the military. There are several good reasons for that:

1) The commercial market develops and sells whatever the customer purchases support;
2) Generally, the customers only operate in limited types of terrain therefore needing limited types of camouflage;
3) Recreational outdoorsman don't JUST use their camo clothing when hunting, etc.

The military, on the other hand, has to outfit hundreds of thousands of troops at the lowest cost it can, so if one camo pattern will work in numerous types of terrain, then it's the obvious logical choice. In recent testing, the multi-cam pattern did very well, functioning in several different types of terrain equally well. Adopting such a pattern makes sense for the military because then they would only need to issue one uniform for desert, woodland, and urban ops rather than issuing a uniform for each terrain type.

Now, I hear you ask, "Does that really have anything to do with the recreational outdoorsman?" To which I answer, "Why, yes. I believe it does." I'm not a hugely experienced hunter, but if I were to go hunting more frequently in my own geographic area - the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, I'd find myself in two basic types of terrain: woods or fields. Those fields may be of green grass or brown hay-type grass, or some mix thereof. The woods would be green during one season and colored or bare during the remainder of the year. Two types of terrain offering up to four different camouflage needs.

Using traditional surplus camouflage uniforms for my hunting apparel, I'd need woodland camo (predominantly green) for the woods; OD Green (all one shade of green) for the green fields; desert tan for the dry fields (predominantly a shade of tan or brown); and then probably I'd be using one of the commercially available real tree type camo patterns for when the trees were bare.

By using a multi-cam military surplus or current issue uniform for the field, I can cut the number of outfits I need to exactly ONE. What are the three leading military surplus or current issue uniforms? The BDU and ACU identified earlier, and the Crye Precision Uniform still being tested.

Just as the BDU was a large design difference from the OD Green uniform of Vietnam days, the Crye Precision uniform is really another evolution. Any or all could serve well for the recreational outdoorsman.

The now "traditional" BDU has comfortable pants that are designed to fit groups of people. With measurements like "regular long" the pants have an adjustable waist - by way of pull tabs at either hip - that allow them to fit a range of waist sizes approximately four inches per pants size. Because the legs all have blousing ties at the cuff, they too can be used to fit a variety of lengths of leg. Inseam measurements become as general as the waist sizing. BDU pants have six pockets: two with button down flaps in the back, two regular front pockets and two cargo pockets - one on each thigh. The cargo pockets also have button closure flaps and are large enough to carry an MRE or other foodstuffs.

The BDU top (sometimes called a jacket or blouse) was specifically designed NOT to be tucked into the pants. There are four pockets: two large on the lower half and two breast pockets. All the pockets have button down flaps. The collar was what we've all grown used to through the years: a button up shirt front that had a fold down collar. If you buttoned all the buttons up to the neck you could almost wear a tie with the BDU blouse... but it would have to be a butt-ugly tie to match the camo pattern of the shirt. Two buttons at each cuff of the sleeves allowed for a tighter or looser fit around the wrist.

When the Army transitioned to the ACU not that long ago some good design changes were seen. The collar was changed to provide more protection to the neck and a greater focus was put on utility versus show. After all, these uniforms were specifically designed to support the soldier in combat, not barracks duty. On the pants was added another pocket lower down on the calf and a tilt in the large cargo pocket on each thigh. The tilt allows easier access from a seated position. On the blouse, shoulder pockets were added - again, tilted for easier access - and the chest pockets were adjusted for access while wearing body armor. The lower pockets were done away with, I imagine because getting to them while wearing armor was near impossible.

Now, while all those changes from the BDU to the ACU were made to enhance the protection and support the uniform offered soldiers in combat, the clothing - if viewed as recreational instead of combat - performs all the same functions for the recreational outdoorsman. The adjustability of the pants means you can wear them over insulating undergarments during colder times of the year. The cargo pockets allow you to carry items you may need rather than having to carry a backpack, fanny pack, or whatever. The sleeves of the BDUs roll up with ease - and if you've ever been in the Army you know how to roll them so that the pattern stays on the outside. All the pocket space of the pants and shirts combined allows you to carry quite a bit of food and other supplies, making your hunting travels easier when you're on foot.

That brings us to the latest in uniform designs, and one that - while I'd love to have it for the hunting field - isn't going to be available for that quite yet... but the multi-cam pattern used CAN be had in the BDU and ACU uniform designs described above. The uniform company, TRU-SPEC makes both using the multi-cam pattern.

The pants have integrated (but removable) knee pads, cargo pockets, etc. They also have a zipper that allows you to answer ALL of nature's needs without having to take your pants down. The two tops that are available serve different purposes. The one top shown left in the photo above was specifically designed to be worn under a body armor system. The top shown center was designed for use without external body armor. Both have integrated (but removable) elbow pads.

I'm kind of eager to see when the Crye Precision uniform will be commercially available. If it is now, I've had little luck in finding it. So far, as I understand it, it's done well in the military testing for a new uniform and I do hope it gets chosen. If so, once the announcement is made, it will be produced in sufficient quantity to allow commercial sales.

In the meantime, we'll have to settle for the multi-cam BDUs and ACUs. Pick one. Both will serve you well in the field.

BE SAFE!

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Don't forget to check out our Tactical Equipment Review about Basic Immediate Action Medical Kits, contents and use.

This week's Training Article, a discussion about the difference between criticism and critique.

For a listing of all reviews in chronological order, GO HERE.

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