One camp pattern for every clime and place

[rhendrix]

I have about $600 dollars to outfit a layering system that I would like to use for the next two to three years, or possibly longer. I am sold on First Lite and merino wool in general. What I'm trying to figure out is what pattern should I pick that will suit me while I'm hunting antelope in the prairies, elk in dark timber, mulies above timberline, whitetail in a treestand, and turkey's in timber and plains. Which camo pattern that FL offers will help breakup my outline in all of these situations? First Lite offers max-1, realtree xtra, or fusion? I know they have stuff in ASAT, I'm just not a fan. I'm leaning towards realtree xtra at the moment. Thoughts?

 

[airlocksniffer]

Of the three you mentioned I'd say Fusion would be the most versatile. Why not ASAT? Yeah, it looks a little funny to the human eye but every account I've read says it's very effective. Last fall was my first bowhunting and I went all ASAT. Didn't bag anything but seemed to get some confused looks from the critters. All Season All Terrain.......

 

[rhendrix]

I know that ASAT works, I just can't feel confident when wearing it. And I like the fusion pattern. Was just worried about me becoming a dark mass at distance, realtree xtra has the same problem though.

 

[Eagle]

I've used ASAT for the most accurate eyes out there, turkeys, and haven't been picked off unless I've moved too quickly. I don't think you can beat ASAT. Buy a leafy suit and put it over whatever you want to. It's a fairly light weight solution to the camo problem. I buy everything I want in solids and put the ASAT suit over it.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

Here are a few images of FL Fusion in varying terrain.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

 

[rhendrix]

Ryan, thanks buddy, those are great. You're only making my decision that much more tough though. Haha!

 

[PA 5-0]

No offense, but this makes me laugh everytime I see comments like this about camo patterns. This opinion is coming from a bowhunter that needs to get close.

Max-1, xtra, fusion, etc, etc are all what I refer to as Hollywood camo patterns. They look good on TV or at an auction dinner or something of the like. But if if your intention is to hide from animals, ASAT is one of the best patterns ever. I wear ASAT 3D and its down right unfair to the animals. On video(VHS days), I have literally done jumping jacks in a tree stand with whitetails at 10yds staring up at me with WTF looks on their faces. I have shot numerous gobblers at a range of zero yards wearing ASAT 3D. Killed countless whitetails with the bow and have had elk encounters at zero yds many many times. And the elk encounters were against the advice of my buddy who lives in CO. His quote: "I know u luv ur ASAT but u might want to bring a darker pattern out here." His opinion changed when a small bull almost licked my ear(crazy story).

Simple test for camo: have ur buddy wear it and walk out about 100yds, even in a parking lot. If u can still make out the pattern at that distance, winner winner chicken dinner. I think u will find that the hollywood patterns look like dark and/or grey blobs at distance. Big, bold patterns with sharp edges and high contrast hide you from animals. There's a reason you see tons of guides wearing ASAT.

The only pattern that compares to ASAT IMHO is Kuiu Vias(I own the entire set). Search this site or their site for pics of guys way up in the rocks. Vias holds its pattern WAY WAY out. To the detriment of several bucks, I have tested it for two years here in the east tree standing for whitetails. Shot a gobbler at zero yds laying in a grass field next to my buddy who was wearing my ASAT. Animals look right thru it. I have pics of my sheep guide glassing like a half mile out and the way the VIAS pattern holds up is astounding.

I'll try and post some pics later to illustrate my point. My 6 cents. Good luck.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Choose whatever tickles your fancy, ASAT, Fusion, solids...

Then hunt the wind.

 

[Ryan K Sanpei]

Ryan, thanks buddy, those are great. You're only making my decision that much more tough though. Haha!

You're welcome. Here's a black and white image of Fusion in a green environment.

 

[MuleyFever]

No offense, but this makes me laugh everytime I see comments like this about camo patterns. This opinion is coming from a bowhunter that needs to get close.

Max-1, xtra, fusion, etc, etc are all what I refer to as Hollywood camo patterns.

I agree, most patterns are meant to look good to hunters to sell to hunters. ASAT is a great pattern, one of the best ever. I like Vias and Cabelas Outfitter camo too.

Whats the purpose of the black and white? Animals don't see in black and white.

 

[rhendrix]

PA 5-0, no offense taken buddy. I just don't have confidence in ASAT and I don't want to spend 600 dollars on something I'm not confident in. The materials are my first priority, the camo is just a mental thing really.

 

[Obi-wanshinobi]

If you are stuck on buying First Lite, I'd buy what you want in the Earth solid color.

 

[MattB]

Predator is another great camo akin to ASAT. While confidence is important, I personally wouldn't discount camo because of preference. Your are buying it for the animals and not yourself after all.

Buying materials first and camo second is the right way to go about it IMO. The benefits of camo are on the margin, often overstated. Having said that, I usually bowhunt with it - as much to make sure I don't get blood on my street clothes - and have killed a pile of critters wearing solids as well.

 

[Nick Muche]

Please realize that camo is not required to be successful in the field.

When I wear camo (mainly because I like the garment, I already own it and it's in camo) it's ASAT. Lately, it's been strictly solids and I won't spend any more money on clothing I can only wear hunting. No thanks, makes no sense.

Says the man wearing Fusion in his Avitar.

 

[Shrek]

Choose whatever tickles your fancy, ASAT, Fusion, solids...

Then hunt the wind.

This^^^^

 

[Jacob Chapman]

I have most of First Lite's gear in ASAT, their Fusion looks cool too just not sure how effective vs animals.

The only other camo I would consider buying is KUIU Vias as both KUIU and First Lite are using technical materials in their clothing.

 

[dotman]

Choose whatever tickles your fancy, ASAT, Fusion, solids...

Then hunt the wind.

I completely agree with this!

 

[Kevin_t]

I completely agree with this!

Plus one