Good Mornin' All, I'm not a tester, and I dont know anything much about MultiCam, but I am a soldier who has deployed twice. I know the original part of this thread was what style camo, and I will touch on that too, but first: Both times i deployed ('03-'04 then again in '05-'06) we were issued DCUs. Those were the absolute best uniforms for Afghan one could get, at least where we were. The team guys were issued ACUs as part of the fielding process and the team guys i talked too hated them. We did a test on the ACU vs DCUs ourselves, using naked eyes, Binos, and eventually cameras, we would watch the team roll out, some with ACUs, some with DCUs and see which disappeared and blended in better. Sparing you the long drawn out details, the ACUs still stuck out long after the DCUs had blended in and became almost invisible, one had to look and know what to look for.
Velcro, At first i loved the idea, that my pocket would almost seal keeping its contents in place. But I wear this uniform everyday, the velcro wears out rapidly, pockets dont stay closed, and the velcro along the gig line doesnt hitch properly either.
Desert boots are comfortable, moreso than even my most treasured pair of Polished Cadillacs, they seem lighter and better fitting.
I work in the Mass Guard HQ a garrison enviroment, but I am a 13 series NCO. I dont quite subscribe that this ACUs uniform and non-shinable boots makes us look less professional. I dont like the ACUs, but I think the concept has good intentions, (my love for my DCUs at home will be first and foremost). If we are to look more professional give the berets back to the Rangers, the SF, and the Airborne, they earned the right to wear it, the earned the right to keep it, and every person that wears it wrong tarnishes their accomplishments. Patrol Cap stateside, Boonie Overseas.
The older style BDUs weren't too bad and dime-a-dozen for the NE area, and I have used my DCUs in fall, they are a little light, but on the ground they dont seem too bad. I agree with the Civilian plain clothes made for outdoor work will be a better bet for urban, and the Camo, anything BUT ACU in the woods.