camo pissing me off

[KFhunter]

I do the same thing as you. I spent a ton of hours researching every camo option out there from both fo Sitka's offerings, Kuiu's Vias and Verde, and all the other ones. I was determined that money would be no object and I would get exactly what I wanted to hunt in for the next 3-5 years. I almost went with Kuiu's Verde but in the end I actually arrive at ASAT camo and bought the whole First Lite line. To me on the surface I think it is pretty ugly, but I'm not trying to impress or look cool to other people, I want to hide from Elk. I came to the conclusion that ASAT was the best possible option out there for me and how I hunt. Spend some time researching it and you might come to the same conclusion.

I like the ASAT stuff, but I wish the white areas were darker - and maybe green.

I can't think of one predator or one prey mammal that has green as a component of it's natural camouflage.  Some insects and lizards do, but they are trying to hide from bird who see in color and often very sharply. Ungulates do see some color spectrums, but not true green. Think of what colors grouse and deer have that allows them to hide and blend in so well, blacks, browns, and tans or light colors.

birds yup - turkey see color

and from some stuff I've read bears see color about as well as we do - good thing they short sighted

[BigGoonTuna]

it's been said that a turkey can see a leaf fall, a deer can hear a leaf fall, and a bear can smell a leaf fall.

[mwhunter]

kings mountion shadow is the way to go

[whack em]

Have a look at Kryptek.  I'm impressed with it so far, fits well, wears well, and I like the features each garment has.  Their highlander pattern had me a little skeptic at first, but after seeing how well it blended in a variety of seetings last fall, I'm sold.  I also like the mothwing pattern, which seems to do ok just about anywhere. 

A good base layer of merino wool is a must for me.  I will never again wear a synthetic base layer.  I recommend looking at their elephant skins or going with Kuiu or First Lite merino wool base layers.

Just my

[Johnb317]

Last elk I got looked right through me and then walked past at 5 yards.
Was wearing a kuiu top and army camo bdu's .   
I'm looking to get different pants as the ripstop cotton is a little noisy, and cotton isn't the best for backwoods.

As was said previously.... most camo is for the hunter not the hunted.   Old wool plaid coat may still be the trick.

[MtnMuley]

I like the SITKA forest camo pattern, but unfortunatly that stuff doesn't fit the need I have.   It's all designed to be sat in not hunted in.

Really?  Far from the truth there, reguardless which other high end brand you choose.

[BULLBLASTER]

The bear I arrowed at 21 yards last week didn't mind me being in the woods with my sitka open country camo... seemed to work for me. I say get the gear you like the fit and quality of and look at camo patterns last.

[pianoman9701]

Sitka:

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,123076.0/topicseen.html

[pianoman9701]

for that kind of price, maybe it's worth it for you.

[Pathfinder101]

You can take this for what it's worth (and remember, advice is free...and you get what you pay for... ).  After 21 years in the military, about half of it as an infantryman, ranger, paratrooper the one thing that I have noticed about camo patterns is that from a distance, they generally look too dark.  Take for instance the BDU camo patterns of the late 80s and 90s.  It is the same color as most vegetation (brown, greens, etc...), so you would think that it would blend in.  In 2005 we began to field the ACU digital pattern and most of us thought, "this stuff is the wrong color", "I look like I'm half downloaded" and "It doesn't even look like vegetation".  As we started using the stuff though we began to notice how hard it was to pick people out at a distance, even if they were in an environment that they didn't strictly "match".  What we figured was that because the pattern is lighter, it is harder to pick up visually. 
I have used this as a guide when buying hunting camo as well.  The lighter the pattern, the better.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I would probably stick with the Sitka Open Country stuff until something better comes out.  Don't worry about the fact that is really a "sage" color and that you are hunting in darker environments.  At least you won't look like a BMO (black moving object) at 200 yards.

Just my   

[Boss .300 winmag]

You can take this for what it's worth (and remember, advice is free...and you get what you pay for... ).  After 21 years in the military, about half of it as an infantryman, ranger, paratrooper the one thing that I have noticed about camo patterns is that from a distance, they generally look too dark.  Take for instance the BDU camo patterns of the late 80s and 90s.  It is the same color as most vegetation (brown, greens, etc...), so you would think that it would blend in.  In 2005 we began to field the ACU digital pattern and most of us thought, "this stuff is the wrong color", "I look like I'm half downloaded" and "It doesn't even look like vegetation".  As we started using the stuff though we began to notice how hard it was to pick people out at a distance, even if they were in an environment that they didn't strictly "match".  What we figured was that because the pattern is lighter, it is harder to pick up visually. 
I have used this as a guide when buying hunting camo as well.  The lighter the pattern, the better.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I would probably stick with the Sitka Open Country stuff until something better comes out.  Don't worry about the fact that is really a "sage" color and that you are hunting in darker environments.  At least you won't look like a BMO (black moving object) at 200 yards.

Just my 

Perfect most of my camo is old and all color faded out!

Makes perfectly good sense.

[sven]

Have a look at Kryptek.  I'm impressed with it so far, fits well, wears well, and I like the features each garment has.  Their highlander pattern had me a little skeptic at first, but after seeing how well it blended in a variety of seetings last fall, I'm sold.  I also like the mothwing pattern, which seems to do ok just about anywhere. 

A good base layer of merino wool is a must for me.  I will never again wear a synthetic base layer.  I recommend looking at their elephant skins or going with Kuiu or First Lite merino wool base layers.

Just my

[EvoOutdoors]

I'll recommend First Lite as well, getting to be a real fan of wool.  No more synthetics against my skin.

One of my personal favs. It is antimicrobial, and moisture wicking. The stuff fits amazingly well, and this year has a new "shooter's cut" which moves the sleeves forward slightly to make the shooting position more comfortable without any bunching. All this and it is QUIET! We just received our first shipment of the year. ASAT and most of the Kanab pants will be available end of June/July. You can check it out on our site at http://shop.evooutdoors.com/Shop-First-Lite_c44.htm or if you are near Olympic Peninsula we have a showroom at Peninsula Pro Shop located at 70 NE KATCHEMAK LN - BELFAIR, WA 98528

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Dave

[alecvg]

I use a mix of Sitka, kuiu, and firstlite.  Honestly the only reason I buy it is because I get discounts on it.  Camo is the greatest, and one of the most successful scams ever!

[krism83]

I will be the first to admit that I have been swallowed by corporate marketing and I went and got under armor pants and a light shell jacket for this year. It was comfy, reletively quiet, and it didn't break the bank.