Mixing camo patterns?

swampy14

FNG
Joined
Apr 5, 2024
Messages
23
I have several truetimber strata pieces. I like the pattern for the hunting I do in East Texas and it seems very versatile in that Ive worn it in central texas and hiking in Oregon and it seemed to blend in everywhere.

I found some deals on first lite but the closest camo pattern to the strata is the specter. Are they close enough to run togethre? Or am I over analyzing?

Seems like the specter better matches with the true timber prairie
 

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Wrench

WKR
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
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WA
If you're able to play the wind and not tweak out....a blue flannel will work. I'd not worry for one second. I never match and I hunt with a stickbow.
 

Wolfshead

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 10, 2022
Messages
165
Mix and match
I wear two shades of green wool. One forest green, and the other Kelly green with black checks….
 

Bump79

WKR
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Oct 5, 2020
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I just buy whatever piece I like and fits in my system regardless of the pattern or earth tone color. There's some camo I don't like but honestly I don't think it matters at all for ungulates.
 

Ditt44

Lil-Rokslider
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It is not so much about the 'pattern' as the contrast. Too much focus on the pattern and too little attention paid to the brightness/darkness of the pattern(s).

Take an image and think of it in black/white/blue/yellow/green terms... the colors deer/elk see. Even in color, the human eye can generally tell (some of us see slightly differently) when colors or patterns match well.

One issue I have with some camo patterns is the horizontal printing instead of vertical. Nature is more vertical than horizontal. Even Sitka's stuff, and I have a lot of it, sometimes looks as if the printer ran across the fabric and not up and down it.

This is an excellent look at comparing camo: Camo Matrix

As I said, I have a lot of Sitka stuff in all three major patterns. Most of my items are EV2 and Open Country matches better than Sub Alpine because of the colors and their brightness/contrast. Just like wearing a camo top and a solid bottom (which I sometimes do), the 'solid' is going to be MUCH more obvious to an animal, especially if you get caught in motion. And if that solid is more extreme such as 'white' or 'black', you will stand out even more so than if it is more neutral in color.
 
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swampy14

FNG
Joined
Apr 5, 2024
Messages
23
I dont like matching at all. Buy the best pants, the best tops, go forth and kill stuff. I prefer to not match honestly as it’s not a uniform to me.
That’s what I’m trying to do. Especially since I can get a discount on the first lite stuff. Just curious if the camo difference would bust me faster
 
OP
S

swampy14

FNG
Joined
Apr 5, 2024
Messages
23
It is not so much about the 'pattern' as the contrast. Too much focus on the pattern and too little attention paid to the brightness/darkness of the pattern(s).

Take an image and think of it in black/white/blue/yellow/green terms... the colors deer/elk see. Even in color, the human eye can generally tell (some of us see slightly differently) when colors or patterns match well.

One issue I have with some camo patterns is the horizontal printing instead of vertical. Nature is more vertical than horizontal. Even Sitka's stuff, and I have a lot of it, sometimes looks as if the printer ran across the fabric and not up and down it.

This is an excellent look at comparing camo: Camo Matrix

As I said, I have a lot of Sitka stuff in all three major patterns. Most of my items are EV2 and Open Country matches better than Sub Alpine because of the colors and their brightness/contrast. Just like wearing a camo top and a solid bottom (which I sometimes do), the 'solid' is going to be MUCH more obvious to an animal, especially if you get caught in motion. And if that solid is more extreme such as 'white' or 'black', you will stand out even more so than if it is more neutral in color.
I know movement is the #1 way to get busted by ungulates.

I have some true timber lightweight hoodie, insulated bibs and a heavyweight jacket. I have a synthetic shirt as well. I recently got the first lite pro program as I work as a wildlife biologist and have just been over thinking the colors.

I ordered a pair of the first lite sawbuck pants in that dry earth color and they are great.

Wanted to get the obsidian foundry pants and a vest and the specter pattern was the closest to what I have.

I might do a mutted green color or more of the dry earth
 

Ditt44

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Mar 30, 2023
Messages
258
Location
PA
The point is: If you want camo, pick colors based on contrast that most accurately matches the environments you hunt in. It does matter in some applications. If you're sniping deer/elk at hundreds of yards, not an issue. If you're up a tree for deer, or sitting against one for turkey, it sure is an advantage.

Don't stink, don't gyrate. Camo, within reason, is never going to hurt you if you can blend into your surroundings.
 

mmac

WKR
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Messages
368
Location
AZ
You won't harvest an animal because of the camo you are wearing or not wearing. Just get out there and stay out when others don't.....
 

jimh406

WKR
Joined
Feb 6, 2022
Messages
1,174
Location
Western MT
I’ve always felt mixing is good. If the goal is to not look like a human, variation has to be an advantage. That being said, I’m like most people who buy the same pattern for upper and lower bottom.

I’ve also had deer walk right by me with blaze orange on, so who knows.
 
Joined
Nov 7, 2012
Messages
8,026
Location
S. UTAH
Depends on what color your scarf and purse are. Try to get patterns that blend nicely between your accessories.

Seriously though, it doesn't matter. Head to toe matching camo looks lame and creates more of an outline of your body that mixing it up.
 
Joined
Jan 8, 2016
Messages
1,160
Location
SW Idaho
That’s what I’m trying to do. Especially since I can get a discount on the first lite stuff. Just curious if the camo difference would bust me faster
It wont hinder you in most cases, at least western hunting. Ask the archery guys… for me I’ve killed a couple of deer with a bow with mismatched clothes and it didn’t hurt me at all. Been within a few yards to about 60 yards from a fox, bears, deer, and elk wearing green pants and whatever camo or tan colored top with no issue.

Can’t speak to whitetail or turkey hunting. But I think you’ll be just fine with any of those options
 
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