MTP - a "Geardo" Question

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Dentonboy

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Ok, first and foremost, I am starting this topic as a 'Geardo', not as someone overly concerned about how effective it is as s camouflage.

My question is, has MTP 'cheapened' Multicam?

Why am I asking this? Well, Multicam was THE 'Gucci' camouflage when I started out in 2005-06. It was exotic. It looked like nothing that had come before it. Yes, clones, copies and rip-offs followed, but it was (at least where I played) an uncommon camouflage to see (probably why some Multicam wearers obtained a 'reputation') in the field (no pun intended).

But now surplus MTP has flooded into airsoft. It is everywhere. It is cheap. But has its ubiquity cheapened Multicam? I got hold of a UKSF Crye Precision shirt a couple of weeks ago and sold it two days later because Multicam or similar is just so common. It is the pattern du jour now for NATO...heck, even some of Russia too! I have, and I never thought I'd say it, gone back full circle to M81 Woodland pattern and block colours, like Crye Precision Sand and Khaki.

Am I being daft, or do others think the same way?!

 
Depends on your point of view I guess. Yes, it's cheap - hence my setup. I'm never going to pay the kind of money for high end gear to roll about the floor in. Regardless of the pattern.

But if you're into the Gucci labels then it should have no impact as it's trying to compare it to market stall versions. They'll always be the fashion paraders, just like on the high street. Buy what works, buy what you can afford, but most of all buy what makes you smile.

 
The use of the pejorative term "geardo" will immediately upset some.  Airsoft can be a fashion parade, some will spend money emulating the real world soldier and other just wear what is cheap or works.  Personally as an old Cold War warrior pre-2009, British DPM is the best their is and MTP/multicam is just modern crap.  But is it geardo to wear it, I am not really certain. I purchased a set of multi-glam from a friend purely because I was going to attend a milsim game and wanted to be a particular side so that I would be with other forum members.  The material and construction was excellent, much better than the old DPM I used to wear.  Multicam is the pattern seen at sites that most players wear because it is ubiquitous and contemporary. Because it is cheap, is ready available to buy, and can fulfill the soldier fantasy of many who would never serve. This is the airsoft dress-up, LARP, some players have issues with.

Wear what you like.  I still hate plate carriers and anything that stops hits being felt, but that is my opinion. If I could get a Storm Trooper uniform that would not crack on BB impact then I may well rock up wearing that. 

 
Having seen two guys turn up in full on 1920's gangster get up, complete with Thompsons in violin cases, then anything goes, as long as you're smiling then it's all good.

 
Lozart said:
£400 will get you a set of FX Armour....
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Yes, I almost bought a full set from a chap who made it locally and he would have made it to measure.  It would have passed the 501 inspection.  However, I am not sure whether the plastic is strong enough to take repeated BB hits, and obviously would need to get ballistic lenses for the helmet and fit fans.

 
Since when is geardo a perjorative term?  I wear my geardo-ness with pride. 

And no, MTP is a different pattern, those who know the difference know the difference :-) 

 
Despite how common MTP and/or multicam is, I still love it! It was never my intention to have high costing gear if I'm honest, I was mainly just interested in my RIFs. However, I was offered a £400 multicam FLYYE spartan vest in exchange for a gun I no longer wanted/needed. I wouldn't have accepted if it were any other pattern if I'm honest. Would I have bought it with money? No. £400 is a ridiculous amount of money for one bit of gear.

Aside from that, I've just stuck with surplus trousers, tops, boots and kneepads. Reason being is just because I like how it all looks! Not really going after a specific look/impression though.

Just wear what you want, whether it's the most common on the field or the most obscure. If you like it, use it!

 
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I know both patterns are different, but the similarities are close enough!!!

 
Jedi_Master said:
The use of the pejorative term "geardo" will immediately upset some.
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I always thought ITH made it up.

Jedi_Master said:
Because it is cheap, is ready available to buy, and can fulfill the soldier fantasy of many who would never serve. This is the airsoft dress-up, LARP, some players have issues with.
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That post was a pleasure to read lol. But I would just like to say that some of us, I'm sure a small minority, would never serve due to being unable to pass medical - and no other reason.

Me personally, I hold that I only wear camo clothes because at the time when I was buying stuff to wear for airsoft - it was the cheapest option. In am now aware that I can get real gear in plain colours - tactical pants (with knee pads) + UBACs for under £50 in adequate quality. Admittedly I've actually got my eye out for CRYE AOR2 pants atm though.

I can't tell MTP from MC and I've never bothered to try, I do even think about other's camo unless I don't recognise it, or as at my last airsoft game there seems to be a lot of people in desert - which was out of place.

I definitely think it's like LARP, and in some ways it allows people that fall into the macho "LARP for geeks and fags", category to 'dress up' without negative feelings.

Aprox under 5% of players I've talked with about kit have admitted spending over £500 on their clothing alone, or attempted to follow a specific scheme - or unit from some war - and those players often are those least likely to care what others think.

Most people seem to start out like me, picking either what they like, or what's cheap.

MTP seems to be as cheap as the plain colours.

 
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Jedi_Master said:
Yes, I almost bought a full set from a chap who made it locally and he would have made it to measure.  It would have passed the 501 inspection.  However, I am not sure whether the plastic is strong enough to take repeated BB hits, and obviously would need to get ballistic lenses for the helmet and fit fans.
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http://www.fancydressball.co.uk/movie-costumes/star-wars-costumes/adult-deluxe-stormtrooper-star-wars-costume-888572.htm?gclid=CjwKEAjwr_rIBRDJzq-Z-LC_2HgSJADoL57HbrzCQD_sEZGyULYWSu9fYL2CcJMmf-PKvp6UCxygwRoCmsXw_wcB

The suit is EVA foam. Granted the helmet is gopping and wouldn't stop.....well anything really but what do you want for £60?

 
Sacarathe said:
That post was a pleasure to read lol. But I would just like to say that some of us, I'm sure a small minority, would never serve due to being unable to pass medical - and no other reason.
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Am part of that minority too, back when the Bundeswehr still had conscription...

@topic: I guess it also depends where one plays, country-wise. Obviously being in the UK, MTP has become widely available here and therefore cheaper, and also more available abroad. Flecktarn has gone through the same, after its introduction in the early 90s, being one of the best camos back then it was sought after and as it got more and more available it became quite cheap too, even the tropical/tan version of it, Tropentarn aka 3-Farben-Tarn (Heck, got a replacement jacket for the one I lost for just 11 quid delivered today).

Same may happen to the Bundeswehr's new Multitarn, which is somewhat similar to MTP and Multicam, and which also just means I'll need a new load out.

The plus side of course is, if it's cheapened, it also means running costs will be low, but of course the downside is you won't be unique, many others will wear same/similar (hence 'uniform').

Being different / unique will usually (not always though) cost more, so I guess it just depends where you set your priorities :)

 
The cheapening element is that multicam was originally 'exclusive' and foreign, with very little around here

Interest in it increased, they became available on the market either real or copies.

supply and demand

Real new multicam has a degree of added cost because it has to either be made by Crye or licenced from them

The multicam style of camouflage became  more popularised among different military's due to new requirements of multiple environments, as documented by Michael Yon when 2 Rifles were mix & matching Desert DPM, temperate DPM and dying desert DPM

We then trialled patterns and selected the crye multicam system but turned British into multicam DPM under licence from Crye which became MTP in the PCS PECOC cut

MTP became desirable because it was new, and I got hold of a 95/PECOC development MTP smock

If you fancy something special then get the dye out and go Proto MTP

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