The Evolution of the Ghillie Suit From Jute Suit to Synthetics
James Mizzell
I don't believe there is any segment of our society that has not been affected by the rapid advances in technology. It has certainly influenced the hunting and paintballing part of society. Of course some would say hunting and paintballing aren't part of society, but that's an entirely different argument.
Not too many years ago, a ghillie suit was a really heavy, hot, and cumbersome piece of equipment that required a tough man to appreciate. They usually weighed ten pounds or more and were hot as blazes. It seemed like bugs could get in but bugs couldn't get out. I never heard of anybody getting torched in one, but they were definitely flammable and one never forgot that fact. For the most part they were difficult to get into and just as difficult to get out of.
Today's ghillie suit is made from synthetic fiber that produces a suit that rarely weighs more than five pounds. They slip on and off just like your street clothes and most are bug proof. There is no longer a fire hazard with the synthetic fiber and that contributes greatly to ones peace of mind. The old suits were difficult if not impossible to clean and were therefore forced to reside in the garage or an outbuilding with other undesirable stuff. The new suits can be hosed off or, in some cases, tossed into the washing machine. They can now hang in right between the tuxedo and ballgown.
The very best of the new suits are two piece affairs that are built to last a lifetime. They are lighter than ever and come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. You get to pick from 4 different ghillie colors, six different colors of the BDUs the ghillie is built on, and they come in a dozen sizes. To top that off you can opt for pockets!
|
