Camouflage

From Airsoft Community Wiki

Camouflage is the method which allows an otherwise visible organism or object to remain indiscernible from the surrounding environment. Examples include a tiger's stripes and the battledress of a modern soldier. Camouflage is a form of deception. The word camouflage comes from the French word 'camoufler' meaning 'to disguise'.

In airsofting, Camouflage can take one of several different forms: For most, standard military clothing works. In the right environment, any camouflage can be very effective. e.g - British DPM in a Forest Area. (I've had players pass within a few feet of my position) The other is that of the, usually, more experienced airsofter where key areas will be further camouflaged such as the hands (by wearing gloves) or head (Army issue camo cream). While being more effective than standard camouflage alone, it also adds a certain degree of authenticity to their "look". This can be taken a step further by adding local foliage, by sticking grass and other plant life to the extremities of your webbing and clothing, this doubles the overall effect and helps the user blend more with the enviroment he is operating in, many regular troops will stitch small stips of black elasticated material to thier clothing and equipment to aid in placing the foliage where required, also they may add Camouflage tape to weapons or place hessian material round the stock and forward furniture of the weapon, Many times during my military career i have had people step on me due to the effective use of foliage in this manner.

Snipers

Due to their, sometimes, ineffectiveness in a standard firefight. It is important a Sniper remains concealed until ready to engage. They may wear standard military clothing, with a poncho or cape to help break up the body shape. Others prefer to use a Ghillie suit, this is a specially designed suit designed to look like the landscape - a haystack or scrub for example. Most Ghille suits are heavy and cumbersome, due to the material they use, added to that they can also get very hot. So it's not for everyone's taste.

Effective play should always use some form of concealment (whatever camouflague you might use) - after all, if you can get the drop on a entire squad before they have a chance to zero your position, or avoid an entire fire team in order to achieve the objective - it's good fun! (Lose the white trainers though!)