While the printed preproduction bdu look very nice there is no way I can justify spending over $400.

I've seen some of the comparisons of the Polish desert camo with the reproductions. It looks like it's a decent stand in. After some searching I found a set on Ebay for $120 and ordered it. It'll take some work to convert it, but it's mostly just moving the pockets. I haven't decided if this is the way I want to go.

Multicam seems to be the other option. I do have an assortment of multicam that I'll have to go through to figure out what I have. I do have a acu jacket, but I really don't want to modify it. I think I have a bdu jacket somewhere that I'd be willing to modify. Which version would be the best to start with?

I really like the Polish BDU option. If you look around you will see photos of folks trooping in it alongside screen accurate camo and it really looks great.

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Well I dug through my collection and I don't have a bdu style multicam jacket. I did some searching and I don't think that a bdu version was ever usgi. Proper and Tru-Spec do offer a bdu style.

I do have some well faded acu style pants. The pockets are angled which is something that could be fixed. The pocket for the knee pad insert is something that will be harder to hide. If the pattern blends together it might not be notable, be there is a layer difference. There is also a lower pocket which would need to be removed. Again Proper and Tru-Spec offer a bdu style which would be a better starting point.

I wear medium short so the nsn numbers are for that size. The last 4 digits of the nsn designate the size. If you need a different size just search without the last 4 digits and your usgi size.

I have a pair of old style acu nsn 8415-01-579-8558 made out of rip stop material. I have a new style acp nsn 8415-01-f01-2836. The acp is the army's version of a Cree style pants. The new style is mad out of a different type of fabric. I don't know what genius sitting in his air conditioned cubicle decided to switch from rip stop. The new material is thicker and heavier. It's nice if your in a colder climate, but sucks if your in a hot and humid one. At least it seems to hold up even better than rip stop and fades very little.

I've seen a few times it was mentioned that multicam just needs some wearing to get close to the right look. Well it takes more than wearing it for a few minutes and washing it a few times to get that type of look. You'd be better off looking for a used set to start with.

I've uploaded a picture of real life wear. In the middle I have a acu which I got used and wore 24 hours a day and switched out with others during the week for about 3 years. It had some wear and fading when I got it, but is quite a bit lighter in color now. On the left is a Chinese copy of Cree pants. I've wore it the same, but it's only been a couple of months. It's the closest that I have to unused multicam though it did start to wear already. On the right is the acp. I've worn it for about a year and a half now and really hasn't faded.

Here's how I modified my Helikon CPU shirt (similar to ACU). This example uses the Polish Desert pattern.

1. Shoulder pockets removed and USCM insignia added (left sleeve)
2. Chest pockets removed and re-aligned square (not slanted)
3. Mandarin collar tab removed (this shirt comes with a mandarin collar)
4. USCM nametapes added
5. Shoulder pocket removed and US flag sewn on
6. USCM Delta and rocker sewn on pocket
7. USCM sleeve rank on right sleeve

This shirt has no lower pockets, so it's not 100% screen correct, but it's "close enough" for me.

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Officer's utility uniform for my "Company Commander" kit.

Not perfect canon, but inspired by Gorman's uniform.

Base is a Helikon SFU NEXT, which is similar to the US BDU style. Removed the shoulder pockets and added a mandarin collar. Pockets are slightly slanted, but I decided I can live with that.

If I was going to do this one over again, I'd see about adding some epaulets and attaching the rank insignia to those instead of the collar.

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Combat Shirt for trooping in armor.

These shirts are designed for wear under armor. They are essentially a t-shirt with a mandarin collar and ACU-style sleeves. I removed the sleeve pockets and added the patches. Chest details (name tapes, etc) are unnecessary since they will be covered by armor anyway.



This is what it looks like with the armor:

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Erik_MAA thanks for the details. The Polish bdus should arrive in a few days. Then I can compare it to the multicam and make my decision.

Something I have been thinking about is grabbing the "arid" variation of multicam. Not sure if it is an official color or just marketing thing by the tactical gear companies, but I have been seeing "Multicam Arid" (way more tan and brown) and "Multicam Tropical" (way more green) with traditional multicam being in the middle.

My son is wanting to get into airsoft so I have been thinking of my own gear to play with him. In the Colonial marine spirit I plan to run Arid multicam with a woodland tactical vest over the top.

This is 'arid'

The bdus came in today and they fit. There is nothing left of the tags, but the listing said they are Polish large.

I wear USGI medium-short pants. These pants fit like medium-regular. I'll probably end up shortening them up a few inches.

I wear a size large shirt. The jacket fits pretty close to a large. The sleeves ended up being about an inch long. Since they will be rolled up it's not a problem.