Putting On Your Ghillie Best: Good, Better, and Best Suit Construction

Any experienced hunter or marksman is familiar with the necessity of camouflage in any situation where it is important to blend in with one's surroundings. While most hunters own a bit of camouflage specific to the environments where they spend the most time, some might find the search for even better covering a bit intimidating if they aren't quite sure what they're looking for. GhillieSuits.com is determined to bring as much real information on these products to buyers as possible.

Ghillie Suit Comparison Shopping

When deciding on a ghillie suit, it is important to know the structural differences between suits so you can make the best decision for the quality of the garment and the amount you'd like to spend. One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is not researching enough before they buy, and basing the purchase on price alone rather than on how the suit is built, how long it will last, and how it compares to others on the market.

There are three different types of ghillie suit construction, usually classified as "Good," "Better," and "Best." The important difference between the three is how the ghillie thread is attached to the garment.

The Good Ghillie Suit

The form of suit construction classified as "Good" makes up the less expensive brands of ghillie suits. The manufacturers fold each thread in half, then sew across the loops of thread in a row, leaving the strands to hang down and form the camouflage. While these look acceptable, those folded threads mean it doesn't take much force to remove them from the suit, so they are easily caught on trees and bushes and, in the long run, will end up leaving the suit with some noticeable tufts missing.

The Better Ghillie Suit

The form of suit construction classified as "Better" is among the medium-priced brands of ghillie suits. These manufacturers also sew each thread in a row, but the thread in this type of construction is not looped. Companies like GhillieSuits.com have patented their own method of manufacturing "Better" suits: they begin by making the thread on a mill, much like weaving a blanket or fabric. The thread is then woven, folded in half, and sewed in a row.

The Best Ghillie Suit

The form of suit construction classified as "Best" is among the more expensive brands of ghillie suits, and is internationally patented by GhillieSuits.com. Like the way a military sniper is trained to build his own suit, the thread is tied to the netting by hand and is then either sewn right to clothing, or the netting is used to drape over one's body or an object. The reason netting and hand-tying the thread is more desirable is because there is no discernible pattern left in the suit when it is complete. You can also remove certain colors from the netting, add colors, or even add local plants and vegetation to blend into your current environment, even if you are moving from one environment to the next.

Choosing the Ghillie Suit That Works Best for You

After doing a bit of research and deciding which construction works best for your needs, it's time to decide how much you'd like to spend. Your ghillie suit should be fire retardant due to the flammable nature of jute and similar materials, so always follow the care instructions that come with your suit. Whether you're looking for something that will last a long time and give you your money's worth, or something inexpensive you may only use once or twice a year, finding a manufacturer who is experienced and upfront about how their suits are actually built is one of the best ways to make sure you end up happy with your purchase.