In this guide
You’re standing in a woodland site in Kent, wearing your brand new Multicam trousers. You look the part. Then someone in head-to-toe DPM crawls past you through the undergrowth, virtually invisible and tags you from ten metres away. You never saw them.
Choosing the right camo pattern isn’t just about looking cool, though that matters too. In UK woodland, where the light is grey-green and the undergrowth is dense and dark, the wrong pattern can make you stand out like a Christmas tree. And the “wrong” pattern isn’t always what you’d expect.
We’ve spent nearly 20 years at airsoft sites across Kent, Ace Combat, Bunker 51, Red Alert, watching players in every camo pattern imaginable try to stay hidden. Here’s what actually works in British conditions and what doesn’t.
Building a full loadout? Start with our complete tactical gear guide for the full picture.
The big three: MTP, DPM and Multicam
These three patterns dominate UK airsoft sites. They look similar at first glance, earthy greens, browns and tans but they perform very differently in the field.
DPM (Disruptive Pattern Material), best for pure woodland
DPM was designed specifically for the forests and hedgerows of Northern Europe. Four colours, black, dark brown, mid-green and olive, arranged in bold, disruptive shapes that break up your outline in dense woodland.
Why it works in the UK: The colour palette is tuned to British vegetation. Those dark greens and browns match the mossy, damp, shadow-heavy environments of a typical English woodland perfectly. At distance, DPM creates an almost pixelated disruption that the human eye struggles to track.
The downsides: DPM looks distinctly “military surplus” and the pattern is no longer issued to British forces (replaced by MTP in 2010). Some players think it looks dated. More practically, DPM stands out in open terrain, sandy areas or any environment that isn’t solidly green.
Availability: British surplus DPM is widely available and very cheap, you can kit yourself out in full DPM for under £30 from army surplus shops. The quality of genuine military DPM is excellent.
Verdict: If you only play in woodland, DPM is genuinely the most effective pattern for UK conditions. Not the trendiest but undeniably functional.
MTP (Multi-Terrain Pattern), best all-rounder
MTP is the current British military standard, introduced in 2010. It was developed as a hybrid, taking the effectiveness of Crye Precision’s Multicam and blending it with DPM-inspired shapes. The result is a six-colour pattern that performs across woodland, scrubland, desert and urban environments.
Why it works in the UK: MTP retains sharper, DPM-style disruptive shapes with a slightly cooler green tone than Multicam. It blends well in mixed terrain, think sites with both woodland and open ground or venues that transition between tree cover and buildings.
The downsides: Because MTP is a multi-terrain compromise, it’s not as effective as DPM in deep woodland. Military analysis described it as “not quite perfect but good enough for everything.” If you’re playing at a dense woodland site, pure DPM will outperform it.
Availability: Genuine British military MTP surplus is available but more expensive than DPM (£15–40 per item). Commercial MTP-pattern clothing from brands like Viper, Kombat UK and Highlander is widely available and affordable.
Verdict: The best single pattern to own. If you play at varied sites, woodland, CQB, urban, mixed, MTP covers all of them without looking out of place.
Multicam, the popular choice
Multicam (the American original by Crye Precision) is probably the most popular camo pattern at UK airsoft sites. It uses softer gradient transitions and a warmer, sand-leaning colour spectrum compared to MTP. Dozens of tactical gear brands offer their products in Multicam.
Why it’s popular: Product availability. If you want matching plate carrier, pouches, hat and trousers, Multicam has the widest selection of any pattern. It also looks good on camera, which matters for social media and YouTube content.
The honest truth about UK woodland: Multicam was designed for arid environments, Afghanistan, Middle East, dry scrubland. In the damp, dark, green-heavy woodland that makes up most UK airsoft sites, it can appear almost white or tan compared to the surrounding vegetation. On a bright day, the lighter tones of Multicam can actually make you more visible than plain olive drab.
Verdict: Excellent product availability and a stylish look. But for pure concealment in UK woodland, it’s third behind DPM and MTP.
Quick comparison table
| Pattern | UK Woodland | Mixed Terrain | CQB/Urban | Product Range | Cost | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPM | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Limited (surplus) | £ | Best for woodland |
| MTP | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | Good | ££ | Best all-rounder |
| Multicam | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | Excellent | £££ | Most gear options |
| Olive Drab | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | Excellent | £ | Simplest option |
| Flecktarn | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | Limited (surplus) | £ | Woodland specialist |
| Black | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | Excellent | £ | CQB only |
Other patterns worth considering
Flecktarn, the woodland dark horse
German Flecktarn is a five-colour pattern that’s arguably even better than DPM in dense woodland. The small, irregular dots create an incredibly effective disruption at close range. It’s popular with milsim players and snipers.
Best for: Dense woodland, especially in autumn. Very effective in the fern-heavy sites common across Kent and the South East.
Where to find it: German military surplus. Quality is excellent, prices are comparable to DPM surplus.
Olive drab / ranger green, the simple option
Sometimes the best camo is no pattern at all. A plain olive drab or ranger green setup blends surprisingly well in UK woodland and has one major advantage: everything matches. No worrying about whether your MTP shirt clashes with your Multicam plate carrier.
Best for: Players who want functional concealment without coordinating patterns. Also the most versatile base colour for mixing with any camo pattern.
Multicam Black / Multicam Tropic
Multicam Black is not camouflage, it’s a fashion statement. It looks great but it offers zero concealment in any environment except a dark building. Popular for CQB events and looking good on Instagram.
Multicam Tropic uses deeper greens and less tan than standard Multicam. It’s actually quite effective in UK woodland, though harder to find and more expensive.
Black
Pure black stands out in every outdoor environment. Woodland, fields, scrubland, black absorbs light and creates a distinctive silhouette. The only scenario where black works is indoor CQB sites with dark corridors.
What most UK players actually wear
Based on what we see at Kent airsoft sites every weekend:
- Most common: Multicam (about 40% of players). It’s popular because of product availability, not because it’s the most effective.
- Second most common: MTP (about 25%). Growing in popularity, especially with players buying genuine surplus.
- Third: DPM (about 15%). Mostly experienced players and snipers who prioritise function over fashion.
- The rest: Mix of olive drab, Flecktarn, civilian outdoor clothing and “tactical black.”
The experienced snipers and milsim players tend to run DPM or Flecktarn. Draw your own conclusions.
Matching your camo to your loadout
One mistake we see constantly: players buy Multicam trousers, an MTP plate carrier, DPM pouches and an olive shirt. Individually these are all fine choices. Together they create a patchwork that’s more visible than wearing plain clothes.
Three rules for matching:
1. Pick one pattern for your primary kit, trousers, shirt and plate carrier. MTP or Multicam gives you the most options. 2. Pouches and accessories in the same pattern or go with plain olive/coyote tan, which pairs with everything. 3. Your face and hands give you away more than your clothing, invest in a decent mesh face mask and gloves before worrying about matching camo pouches.
Need help choosing plate carriers and combat trousers? Read our best plate carriers guide and best combat trousers guide for specific product recommendations.
The budget approach
You don’t need to spend a fortune on camo. Here’s how to get kitted out at three price points:
Under £50, surplus DPM
- British DPM combat shirt: £8–15 (surplus)
- British DPM combat trousers: £10–18 (surplus)
- DPM bush hat: £5–8
- Total: £23–41
This is arguably the most effective woodland camo setup at any price. Genuine military quality, proven in the field and cheap enough to replace if it gets torn.
£50–100, commercial MTP
- Kombat UK MTP-pattern combat shirt: £20–30
- Kombat UK MTP trousers: £25–35
- MTP bush hat: £8–12
- Total: £53–77
Modern fit, decent quality and the versatility of MTP. A solid choice for players who want something more current than surplus.
£100–200, premium tactical
- 5.11 Stryke trousers in ranger green or khaki: £65–80
- Viper tactical shirt in MTP: £30–40
- Quality operator cap: £15–20
- Total: £110–140
For players who want durability and comfort. 5.11 Stryke trousers are built for tactical use and we sell them right here in the shop, we’re Kent’s only authorised 5.11 retailer.
Frequently asked questions
Is MTP the same as Multicam?
No. MTP (Multi-Terrain Pattern) was developed from Multicam but uses sharper, DPM-inspired shapes and a slightly cooler colour palette. At a distance they look similar but MTP is better suited to UK conditions. Genuine MTP is a British military pattern; Multicam is American.
What’s the best camo for airsoft snipers in the UK?
DPM or Flecktarn, enhanced with natural vegetation attached to a ghillie suit or viper hood. Snipers need to stay hidden at closer ranges than you might think (most airsoft engagements happen within 30 metres) so effective pattern disruption matters more than colour matching.
Can I mix camo patterns?
You can but try to stick to patterns with similar colour palettes. MTP and Multicam mix reasonably well. DPM and Multicam look disjointed. Using a plain colour (olive, coyote) as your base and adding one camo pattern for outerwear is the most cohesive approach.
Does camo actually make a difference in airsoft?
More than most players realise. In woodland games, effective camo buys you an extra second or two before someone spots you and in airsoft, that’s often the difference between getting the shot and taking one. In CQB, it makes virtually no difference.
Our recommendation
If you’re buying your first set of airsoft-specific camo, go with MTP. It’s the best all-rounder for UK conditions, works at woodland and mixed-terrain sites and has good product availability from brands like Viper, Kombat UK and Highlander.
If you’re a dedicated woodland player or sniper, invest in DPM surplus as your primary pattern. It’s cheap, effective and genuinely difficult to spot in British woodland.
And whatever pattern you choose, sort the fundamentals first: comfortable boots, eye protection that doesn’t fog and the right plate carrier for your needs. Looking invisible doesn’t help if you can’t see or can’t move.
Browse our tactical clothing range or visit us in Rochester to try things on.
