Since Multicam® Webbing hit the market, we’ve had several inquiries as to whether or not it meets IR Specs. We have always told the customer that it does indeed meet these requirements, but figured we’d take it a step further.
In this first photo in regular light, the background is 1000D Multicam Cordura . From left to right, 1″ Non IR Webbing, 1.5″ Solution Dyed Webbing , 1″ Multicam Webbing, 2″ Multicam Webbing and 1″ Multicam Binding Tape.
Here is the same lineup under IR conditions. As you can see the non IR webbing sticks out like a sore thumb. The Solution Dyed and Multicam is in the same IR Spectrum as the fabric which is tuned to match the IR signature of natural vegetation. I will try to get a photo of this with a natural backdrop.
Owner and Administrator of DIY Tactical. US Army veteran, spent just shy of 11 years in the Infantry in various positions including Line, Reconnaissance, Sniper, Operations and Instructor. I Started DIY Tactical while working overseas in Iraq as a Security Contractor. I've been modifying, making and designing tactical gear for over almost 20 years.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
your review is exactly the info i was looking for, but fell a bit short. all that product looks to be new stock. could you get it all dirty and take another ir picture? maybe include some fastex buckles as well. or send me some samples and i’ll do it?
Getting it dirty will only enhance it’s NIR blending properties. Actually that goes for Non-NIR textiles too. The purpose of the spec for military textiles is so that it blends with the natural environment. Dirt is part of that.
The plastic buckle request is vague but I can tell you is it s a regular black piece of hardware it is not going to meet NIR spec if it is Ghillietex it will. Pics are all over the net of this. I think Military Morns did a series of photos on this a couple years ago.
so in other words once it’s dirty the solution dyed will look just like the non-solution dyed correct?
Let me try to clarify.
The photos represent several types of webbing, Solution Dyed, Printed (on a solution dyed base) and Piece Dyed. Of course the background fabric is Multicam which meets NIR Specs.
The Multicam Printed webbing is made to meet NIR Specs just like the fabric.
Solution Dyed webbing (and Cordura) is inherently NIR compliant “out of the box” so to speak. So dirty or clean it doesn’t really matter. Unless of course you get it dirty with a non NIR substance.
Piece dyed webbing may or may not be. In the case of the photo we used a piece of webbing that we knew was not to show the difference. As you can see it stands out from the rest.
Getting a non NIR textile “dirty” may reduce it’s signature that is until the dirt washes off. It isn’t a permanent solution.