Best Value Winter Ghillie Suits Guide (2023 Reviews)

7 Step Buyers Guide: Choosing A Winter Ghillie Suit

Before you attempt to buy a winter ghillie suit, it’s important to follow these 7-steps. By completing these steps you avoid buying the wrong ghillie for your needs. But first let’s discuss the difference between a regular ghillie and a winter version.

What’s Different About A Winter Ghillie Suit?

Unlike a woodland or desert ghillie suit a winter version is an aid to conceal a person in a snowy area. This version uses white, gray or black strands to help you disappear into winter terrain. Think of a winter ghillie as wearing a blanket made of snow and muddy debris for 3d concealment. Unlike leafy ghillies that rely on being lightweight, winter ghillies don’t as much. Since in snow it’s better to lessen movements as entire environment blends together.

Alright, let’s get started on the 7 steps to consider for choosing a winter ghillie.

1. Determine The Use Of Your New Winter Ghillie

Consider what type of winter activity you are using your new tactical ghillie suit. As well, think about what extent of mobility you need. If you move around a lot, for example playing paintball or airsoft a ghillie suit poncho might be all you need. Although some players prefer to use sniper techniques, here a full ghillie suit is best.

Hunters of wildlife photographer should use a full new ghillie suit with hood. Because having total camouflage is vital for success.

Regardless of your intended use it’s in your best interests to buy a complete ghillie suit. Because this type will create as much of a barrier as possible between you and the winter terrain. Creating a barrier helps to insulate your body from the cold elements.

2. Choose The Proper Material For Your Ghillie

Ghillies come in two different materials, either natural jute or synthetics like polyester. While both of these material create effective concealment, synthetics make the best winter ghillie.

Synthetic materials are hand washable, rot resistant, fire resistant, non-allergenic and odorless. An added bonus of a material like polyester is it weighs almost half of jute material.

Another material to consider is the inner side of a ghillie. Traditional military grade suits use BDU (Battle Dress Uniform) canvas material. BDU canvas is tight weaved hence it doesn’t breathe but it’s the strongest material. It’s also an expensive material which increases the total cost of a ghillie.

For hunters, photographers or airsoft users, look for lightweight mesh or netting. Some brands will list the size of the mesh used in their ghillies, for those that do look for a 3/4″ mesh. Nylon is a common inner mesh material because it lets air pass through the suit to help keep you cool. As well, it’s less expensive and bug-proof.

4. Factor In The Color Pattern

To pick the right color for your ghillie suit, consider your local landscape in winter. Picture the shades of trees and land cover after it snows.

Are you in open alpine areas without shade from hills or trees? Choose a ghillie with brighter white colors.

If your local environment is near forests its best to look for a model with dull white and gray/black strands. This color pattern is great because it mimics dirty snow and natural outcroppings.

5. Consider Winter Ghille Weight & Size

Weight is a vital factor for ghillies because it has a direct correlation to fatigue. Think about your local area in winter, do you have to trudge though deep snow? Every extra pound of gear weight contributes to tiredness. The best hunting/air-soft winter ghillie suits will weigh around five pounds or fewer.

For which winter ghillie size to pick, keep in mind that in winter temperatures drop. This means you need to wear heavier insulated clothing under a complete ghillie. It’s best to choose a larger size than a form fitting smaller size. A large ghillie is roomier to accommodate insulated clothing and deliver better camouflage.

6. Choose Quality Ghillie Construction: “Pay Now Save Later”

Like anything else you get what you pay for and this rings true for winter ghillies. Pay attention to ghillie suppliers that use high quality construction methods. Such as durable double stitching, innovative thread weaving and breathable mesh materials. By cheaping out on your winter ghillie, you should expect party costume quality product.

7. Look For Ghillie Suit Accessories

If you are a serious hunter, airsoft player or photographer you will want to pick a ghillie suit with accessories.

Professional grade may have added: chest/knee pads, crawl covers and more. For hunting, airsoft, or paintball look for at least a gun wrap and stuff sack.

A gun wrap is like a matching ghillie for your rifle or a camera. The stuff sack is for storing your winter ghillie. Having total camouflage for you and your equipment, equals greater concealment out in the field.

In Conclusion:

All things considered, at this point you should be able to make an informed choice about the best winter ghillie suit for you. Consider what color/coverage is best for your activity, weight, and which is most comfortable. Keep in mind that the heavier the complete ghillie suit is, the harder it is to move around in it.

Whichever winter ghillie you choose, Outdoors Informed is happy to aid with the research. Our mission is to help you spend more time outdoors capturing your prey.