Is a Ghillie Suit Right For You?
A ghillie suit is a type of camouflage used by hunters, snipers, and recently by paintball players, to help them blend into their surroundings in a wooded area. Ghille suits have been used by the military for about the last century, and have recently been adopted by serious paintballers to help aid their game.
When people think of “camouflage” uniforms they think of the shirt and pant combo that has differing shades of green, brown, and tan. Ghillie suits take this concept much farther, making the wearer look almost like a tree or bush himself! They are made from burlap or twine attached to a poncho or some other type of clothing that serves as the base of the suit. There are commercially made suits and also handmade suits available, with the latter taking anywhere from weeks to months to create due to the intricacies of the suit.
Ghillie suits offer many advantages to the wearer, but there are also some disadvantages that must be considered before making the decision to wear one. The main advantage is:
Near perfect camouflage – If you’re paintballing or hunting while wearing this type of camo, as long as you’re sitting motionless and waiting, you are almost guaranteed not to be seen by your enemy.
However, the disadvantages include:
Heat – Ghillie suits can get extremely hot inside, even in cooler climates. It’s not unheard of for the temperature inside the suit to reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Weight – They can be very heavy, so if you’re planning on running around a paintball field then it might not be the best choice (although if you’re just waiting and sniping then this is a bit of a non-issue).
Maintenance – Due to their construction, they are often impossible to wash because they will fall apart. However, as they get dirty over time they tend to perform better as dirt, mud, and other elements will make the suit look even more natural. For the hunter this is probably not much of an issue, but for someone who uses it for paintballing it might become a problem.
Carefully weigh all the factors when deciding if a ghillie suit is right for your needs.
Please visit the Ghillie Suit Store to learn more about ghillie suits.
