Review: ACU (Army Combat Uniform)

I purchased these a few months ago for airsoft, and because I planned to join the Army. Well, I did join the Army (National Guard), and I do use them regularly for airsoft. On to the review.

Outside Styling: Comparing ACUS to the old BDU is night and day. The pocket organization is top notch, with the shoulder pockets being extremely easy to access. I can even put an M14 mag in there, making for an easy reload. The angled pockets on the legs seem easier to get into, and look a lot cooler. I have heard complaints that things fall out of the pockets, and did experience this for a while. I then decided to tighten the drawstrings, and nothing has come out since. I will say the chest pockets are really just for looks. They are all but useless though. Too tiny to hold anything important. Maybe a map would fit there, but depending on your rig, you might not be able to access it. The next complaint I've heard is Velcro. Honestly, I have used these things for around 6 months, of washing and drying, and my velcro still works like brand new. The trick is to make sure you remove the patches. Last thing about the velcro is noise. Honestly, there are 1001 other noises being made by the squad your with, usually talking. Either that or thrashing about. In the 6 months I have used them, velcro has never been the reason I was found.

Comfort: The most comfortable thing I have ever worn. It's made in a 50/50 Nyco blend, making it comfortable and durable. It is extremely lightweight, and doesn't rip when going prone or to a crouch. It also has billowed shoulders, allowing full mobility without sliding up the arm when reaching.

Pattern: The Army Combat Uniform uses a pattern designed to fit into all environments although it really only fits into some. I find that the more shadows cast, the better it fits. The shadows fill in the light squares of the uniform, darkening it to where it is. A shadow that slides through leaves green, will give the pattern a green tint. It also works well in a fall environment, full of dead leaves. It does dirty easily, allowing it to adapt the more it's used. However, a green environment without shadow, such as an overcast day, is an ACU problem. It glows without something to change the pattern's appearance, resulting in bad news for the wearer. It does make up for this at night, as it is nearly invisible, including when moving. Although night airsoft is rare for myself, the games I have played at night have left me feeling like a Ninja, unseen and unheard. I have heard from some that it sticks out like a Christmas tree, and from others that it is performing exceptionally.

Conclusion: I believe the comfort and pocket placement, and dare I say the velcro, make the ACU's usability wonderful. It's always got enough pockets, and never holds you up. Real problem is the pattern. It is highly selective on environment, as well as who is looking at you. I use it because I like it, it's comfortable, and to a degree it works. It does not excel at anything, although will manage to hold up if you don't want to own multiple patterns. To sum it up in one sentence. The ACU is "A jack of all trades, Master of none."