Tactical Multicam Softshell Jackets
Multicam softshell jacket: for duty, the range and field trips
Multicam is the camouflage worn by many units today. That is why a Multicam softshell jacket is usually chosen to match the rest of the kit: trousers, plate carrier, pouches. It is worn on duty, during training, in the field and outdoors, when you need a flexible jacket against wind and drizzle that does not stand out from your camouflage. Prices range from 1 270 to 3 620 UAH, and the difference between models lies in the lining, the hardware and the accuracy of the pattern itself.
Where Multicam works and where it does not
Multicam was designed as a universal pattern. Its green-brown palette with smooth transitions breaks up your silhouette in forests, in fields, on loamy soil and among dry grass. So one jacket suits both spring with its fresh greenery and autumn with its brown leaves β which is exactly a plus for an in-between-seasons softshell. On snow and against grey concrete, however, the mottled pattern is visible from far away.
In the city, camouflage attracts attention, and it is not always appropriate to look like a soldier. If you need the jacket mostly for everyday wear, it is better to look at solid-colour tactical softshell jackets. Black Multicam stands apart: a dark variant of the pattern for urban conditions and night operations. It differs fundamentally from the classic one, so the two are not combined in one kit.
How to match the jacket with the rest of your uniform
Multicam differs from one manufacturer to another. One has brighter greens, another is dominated by sandy or brown tones, and the blotches have a different scale. So a jacket and trousers from different batches side by side can look like two different camouflages. If uniformity matters to you β formation, duty, a unit photo β compare the shade in person with what you already have, or take a jacket and trousers from the same series.
Gear for a Multicam softshell is chosen in coyote, ranger green or Multicam as well: these colours do not break up the pattern. On camouflage jackets, hook-and-loop panels for patches and ID panels are usually made in a matching colour, so the patches look neat and do not show up as a dark spot. For a stocky build there are battle-cut models, for example the fleece-lined Military.
How to preserve the colour and the protective finish
Faded camouflage conceals worse: the blotches merge and the contrast drops. Colour suffers most from the sun, harsh detergent and frequent washing in hot water. Wash the jacket inside out with the zips and hook-and-loop fasteners closed β this way the pattern rubs less, and the hooks do not snag the fabric. Avoid detergents with optical brighteners: they give a bluish cast and make the camouflage more noticeable.
Dry the jacket in the shade, not in the sun or on a radiator. Some fabrics are positioned by manufacturers specifically as fade-resistant: in the Pave Hawk PLY-6, for example, the fabric of 94% polyester and 6% spandex is stated as not fading or deforming. But even such fabric keeps its look longer if it is cared for carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Which to choose: Multicam or pixel?
Go by the uniform you already wear. Both camouflages are universal for forest and field, but they look different: Multicam has smooth, blurred blotches, while pixel has a digital pattern. A jacket in a different camouflage than your trousers breaks up the kit and looks random.
Is a Multicam jacket noticeable in winter?
Yes, on snow the green-brown pattern is clearly visible. Besides, a softshell is an in-between-seasons jacket and does not replace an insulated one in frost. For winter, a camouflage overwhite is worn over it, or a different jacket is chosen.
Why may the shade in the photo differ from the real one?
Camouflage is hard to convey on a screen, because the colour depends on the lighting during shooting and on display settings. Besides, shades differ slightly between fabric batches. If the jacket must match your uniform exactly, compare it with your kit right after receiving it.