Topic: The Best Ghillie Suits of 2022 (Read 41 times)
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Why It Made the Cut
For a full suit and mask, the Arcturus 3D Leafy Suit has the best price out of all the tested suits, and it co*es in several camo patterns that can fit a variety of terrain.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Perhaps the best thing about the Arcturus 3D leafy suit is the price. co*pared to the others in this test, this one runs about $30 cheaper than the rest, and it includes the full suit and mask. I also appreciate the quiet zipper pockets and the carry bag it includes.
For the concealment portion of the test, the Arcturus 3D leafy suit did a great job breaking up my outline in all three terrains. It scored a four out of five, one of the best in the concealment test. Thanks to the excess leaves on the suit, it broke up my shape even at a distance and didn’t fall flat like others in the test. However, those leaves also produced some of the most interference in the test and caused it to score two out of five on that portion. During the three-shot groups, the Arcturus consistently caught between the bow string and stop every two out of three shots.
Modifying the suit only required a few alterations to the bow arm sleeve. I cut most of leaves around my forearm, and after two more shot groups and alterations, the Arcturus produced zero bow string interference.
With relatively few modifications and excellent concealment, the Arcturus 3D leafy suit is a steal.
Why It Made the Cut
The ASAT Vanish Pro is extremely lightweight, won’t slow you down on a spot and stalk, and is great for warm weather conditions.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
If you’re looking for a lightweight, breathable leafy suit, the ASAT Vanish Pro should top your list. I tested these suits on a steamy September afternoon in south Mississippi, and the ASAT, along with the First Lite Phantom, provided the most ventilation. It packs down extremely well and could easily fit inside your bowhunting backpack or jacket pocket just in case you decide to spot and stalk.
The Vanish Pro performed well on the interference test, consistently interfering with the bow string every one out of three shots. But after one round of alterations to the bow arm sleeve, it produced zero interference.
During the concealment portion of the test, however, the ASAT underwhelmed. Part of its lackluster performance has to do with its highly contrasting camo pattern, while the other results from leaves that blend with the suit instead of breaking it up.
In the field edge, the ASAT’s super dark brown and black camo pattern wasn’t exactly subtle. Though the field edge consisted mainly of bright green privet hedge, the ASAT’s bright beige colors still stuck out in the timber setting as well. This pattern might work great in Western states, but will probably stick out, at least for the early season, in most places. And though subjective, you’ll probably either love or hate the ASAT camo pattern.
The leaves provide some dimension to the suit, but not nearly as much as others in the test. In all three settings, they fell flat. While it isn’t as versatile as other ghillie suits in this test, the ASAT should work great in shadows or rolling hills with dry, dark vegetation, especially for mobile, early-season hunts.
Why It Made the Cut
The Hybrid Ghillie suit broke up my shape extremely well, and its flat colors adapted to each setting.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The most traditional ghillie suit in my test, the Hybrid Ghillie from North Mountain Gear, provided excellent concealment and the colors/camo (Woodland Brown) adapted to every setting. One of the features I appreciate most are the snap buttons instead of a large front zipper. Most ghillie or leafy suits can be a headache to zip or unzip because you almost always catch the leaves in the zipper. The buttons on the Hybrid Ghillie are a small but brilliant touch, and I didn’t have any issue with them co*ing unsnapped.
Because of the excess jute and leaves, the Hybrid Ghillie, unsurprisingly, produced the most bow string interference in the test. I had to make an adjustment around the sleeve on my first couple groups, and the jute caught between the bow string and stop every shot until I made modifications. I also had to make significant alterations to the bow arm sleeve before it consistently produced zero interference, and I removed most of the jute from almost every side of the sleeve. However, these alterations didn’t affect the suit’s overall concealment, and these modifications are almost guaranteed when it co*es to more traditional ghillies.
In each setting, the Hybrid Ghillie broke up my outline, and the camo/colors fit right at home in the grass, field edge, and timber. I was thoroughly impressed with how well this suit broke up my outline and didn’t blob-up. Whether you plan to spot and stalk through the prairie or brush yourself into a field edge, you should feel confident in the Hybrid Ghillie. It’s light enough to use for mobile hunts or the early season, yet you can easily layer in this jacket without it feeling bulky like traditional ghillies tend to do. And the camo will work from your first archery opener to the last day of the season (in most terrain).
The Hybrid Ghillie carries a reasonable price, especially considering you get the jacket and pants for around $100 with free shipping, and it even includes a convenient carry bag. The jacket’s construction is both an upside and a strike against it. Its lightweight mesh material is perfect for early season or mobile hunts, but it’s also just mesh, which makes me question its longevity. Still, I’m a big fan of the Hybrid Ghillie, and it’ll be in my pack for ground hunts this fall.
Why It Made the Cut
The RedHead Open Mesh Hunting Jacket was noticeably quieter than the other suits and performed near the top in each testing area.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
The RedHead Open Mesh suit is probably the best bang for your buck ghillie suit and the biggest surprise in my test. RedHead’s Open Mesh pants and jacket will run you around $100, which is on par with most ghillie suits.
Out of the box, the Open Mesh had zero bow string interference, and therefore required zero mods. It performed average for concealment but added more dimensionality than others in the test. It’s only offered in the TrueTimber Kanati camo, but it adapted well enough in each setting, thanks to its overall flat colors. The leaves didn’t add as much dimensionality as the North Mountain Gear Leafy jacket or Arcturus, but they provided more than the ASAT and First Lite Phantom jackets. I’m also a huge fan of the hood, which won’t impair your hearing. So whether you’re using a ghillie suit during deer or turkey season, you shouldn’t have any problem picking up footsteps or the direction a turkey gobbles in.
While the other suits were quiet for the most part, the RedHead Open Mesh was noticeably quieter. The leaves don’t make noise, and I had to shake the jacket to produce any. This would be a great option if you needed to close the distance on a bedded buck, especially in timber, and its reasonable price makes it one of the best ghillie suits for the money.
Why It Made the Cut
The Nomad Leafy ¼ Zip does a good job breaking up your outline in the timber, and the large front pocket works great for stashing a rangefinder or other gear.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
Nomad’s Leafy Jacket feels more at home in the turkey woods, but its zero-bow string interference and dimensionality make it a viable option for bowhunting whitetails from the ground, especially in timber or thick cover.
Like the North Mountain Gear Leafy Jacket, the Nomad has a durable construction, which consists of a polymer, spandex blend. This provided plenty of breathability when I tested it on a 90-plus-degree day. While the hood provided extra concealment, it significantly hindered hearing capabilities, and I wouldn’t want to use it, unless it was an especially windy day where you probably couldn’t hear much anyway.
The leaves on the Nomad did an average job of breaking my outline, but the dark camo pattern didn’t adapt the best. It excelled in the timber, but for grass or sage fields, it stands out, and I would expect the dark Shadow Leaf option to perform similarly.
Its snug fit makes the Nomad co*fortable to wear, but it’s more of a warm weather option and might be difficult to add multiple layers for colder temps. The jacket also runs more expensive (around $100) than other options, so the whole suit will run double that. But for timber hunts or thick cover, the Nomad leafy suit is hard to beat.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Product Description
As someone who’s a fan of First Lite’s camo patterns, I found the Phantom Leafy Jacket to be a bit underwhelming. It consistently produced interference every one out of three shots, but it only required one round of alterations to the bow arm sleeve to remedy this.
Like the ASAT, which this top is similar to, the Phantom Leafy jacket added minimal dimensionality. It best displayed depth on the sleeves, but the torso area fell flat for the most part. However, it provides more breakup than a regular camo jacket, and this would make a decent lightweight ghillie option, especially if you needed to layer over a lightweight puffy. I did like the inside pockets on both sides of the jacket, and the leaves are quiet.
The biggest drawback is the price. For almost $100, you get a mesh top with a First Lite pattern. Yes, just the top. First Lite doesn’t offer matching leafy pants, and you have to purchase the Balaclava separately. I had the privilege of testing a sample model, but I would struggle to drop that kind of cash for such little return. On the upside, I think any of First Lite’s camo patterns are versatile and excel in most terrains.
Here’s what to consider when selecting the best ghillie suit for you.
It’s best to invest in a ghillie suit that adapts well to a variety of terrain. Even if you just hunt a single property, the vegetation can drastically differ on one parcel. For instance, I conducted the concealment test in three different locations that were within 100 yards of each other. Also, ghillie suits that have vibrant or dark colors are more terrain and season-specific and might not adapt as well.
A lot of ghillie or leafy suits use some type of mesh as their primary material. These are great for the early season or mobile hunts but can be difficult to layer under. Ghillie suits with more substantial materials like wool or polyester blends offer more durability but might make you sweat through your clothes if you plan a spot and stalk or hunt in warmer temps.
Some ghillie suits include a jacket, pants, and a mask, while others only include one or a few of them. Suits that include multiple pieces tend to run a bit cheaper than those that are sold individually. On the other hand, if you only need a leafy top, you can save or spend about the same amount of money depending on the brand and extra features.
Ghillie suits can be hot, depending on the type of material and weight of the jacket. Most leafy suits are typically lightweight and designed for turkey hunting, so they provide a lot more ventilation than traditional ghillie suits.
The best color for a ghillie suit depends on the time of year and terrain you plan to hunt. But a ghillie suit that offers a mix of flat earth tone colors will typically provide a versatile camo option for most terrain. It’s best to have a suit that takes the middle road of light and dark colors.
Ghillie suits can run from just under $100 to several hundred. Those on the lower end are usually lightweight leafy suits, while those at the other end are heavier suits that use more material and even feature custom modifications for bowhunting.
If you’re looking to up your ground game, the best ghillie suits can give you an extra edge. Brands aside, you should opt for one that breaks up your outline and doesn’t interfere with your bow string when it’s time to let an arrow fly.
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