Winter Camouflage – Finnish M05 Snow Camo
Introduction
It has been a while since I last tried out camouflage patterns in a winter environment. Previous field tests dealt with regular as well as transitional camouflage in winter. The thought behind these articles was the notion that not all armies can or want to afford winter camouflage and that soldiers end up with their regular kit in a winter operation.
This time I want to look specifically at dedicated winter camouflage though. I had the chance to get my hands on several issued and commercial patterns, giving you a variety of input.
Starting with this series will be Finnish M05 Snow camouflage.
Finnish M05 Snow Camouflage
Finland currently issues four different camouflage patterns to their armed forces, aimed at their distinctive operational needs. M05 Lumikuvio or snow pattern is the winter version and consists of dark elements on a white background. As the license of the M05 pattern expired in 2016 you can find a commercial variant of it at Varusteleka for example.
The camouflage pattern itself consists of midi and macro elements but is not dominating the white background. As a result you have a balanced pattern that is mostly white but offers enough elements for blending and/or disruption.
With that being said, I will go over the usual methodic caveats, before looking at the actual field test. This is copy & paste – so returning readers can jump to the next section.
Methodic Remarks
As always I want to point out several important aspects beforehand. First of all, I do not claim any scientific standard with my camouflage comparisons. I also conduct them with my best knowledge and the available resources.
The pictures are usually taken at the same locations I always use for my camouflage comparisons. That way you can compare the various field tests I have done so far with each other. Recently my main spot was completely lost to deforestation, so I had to add a new location.
Before I start, please consider the following – as always:
I did not edit the pictures in any special way, except the following:
- Lens correction
- Watermark
- Blurred my face out if necessary
- .jpeg compression to make it web compliant
- I always do a proper white balance to make colors appear the way they are.
A short explanation to the environment and the procedure:
The pattern was tested in a Central European forest environment. Information about the various locations will be stated in the subsections. The pictures usually portray three different positions:
- Standing in the open (to get an idea of the pattern in this particular surroundings and if the colors match it).
- Kneeling.
- The prone position (to mimic basic, up to ideal concealment without using enhancements).
As always I photographed the pattern with a wide angle lens at first and then with 35mm focal length, which mimics the actual picture the human eye would perceive at this distance. Having in mind the three different positions mentioned before, I usually end up with 6 pictures of each location.
Furthermore:
Given the amount of pictures in my field tests, I will continue with my modus operandi from previous camo reviews and not describe or comment on each picture. Instead I will give a more thorough analysis at the end of each subsection.
With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the pictures themselves.
Finnish M05 Snow Camo
Location 1
As my main location was literally cut down on a large basis, I had to find a suitable replacement. This one is actually right next to Location 2, but to a different direction. Just like the previous location this one is a typical European mixed forest with a high foliage canopy and some basic bushes, ferns and little trees on the ground.
Now in winter time this location was covered in a barely interrupted snow surface, resulting in a dominant white environment, with tree trunks and cut branches contrasting the picture.
The pictures were taken before noon under a clouded sky.
The camera is standing roughly 20m away from the human silhouette.
Observations – Location 1
As always we are starting with the wide angle lens, which is simulating a longer distance. Even while standing, Finnish M05 snow camo is blending in effortlessly. The dark blotches disrupt the overwhite enough to prevent a white blob that would draw attention in this wooded area. In doing so, it blends into the background which consists of similar shapes and colors in areas where snow could not stick.
Kneeling down not only lowers the silhouette, but also makes it look less human – standard teaching you get in basic. In combination with the M05 snow camo, the shoulder areas merge completely with the background, while the angled hole in the knee area gives the only indication of something being off.
Lying down is the best concealment as always on a horizontal level. In this situation the corresponding white in combination with the midi and macro elements do their job very well.
Looking at the pictures with 35mm focal length, you can clearly observe the M05 snow pattern at work. Especially in the standing position, one can see how the blotches mimic the dark areas from branches, like in the spruces in the background. In this case the legs are the biggest give away, but as you were able to see with the wide angle, the blending effect is considerable and excellent.
The kneeling position underlines the above mentioned statements. Just like with the spruce, the dark spots of M05 snow camo blend in with the pile of branches and its dark areas. When not looking directly at the silhouette, one might not check it at first glance.
Looking at the prone position, one can speculate if there is a rock, some basic brush or something different. Lying on the ground on a horizontal level always provides excellent concealment.
Location 2
This location is already known from previous tests. It is a mixture of deciduous and coniferous forest. It changed a bit as there is now a huge pile of cut branches on one side. Since most of the leaves fell off during autumn you can see further back into the distance. At the same time the snow covered surroundings provide a very monotone look that is only disrupted by the dark tree trunks.
The pictures were taken before noon under a clouded sky and the camera is standing roughly 15m away from the human silhouette.
Observations – Location 2
In the standing position one can see the full M05 snow pattern at work. Starting with the wide angle lens again, one the blending effect is rather obvious. In this white out setting, the dominant colors merge into another. The midi and macro elements provide a level of depth and further blend into the setting. The contrasts are high enough to break up the silhouette on a basic level. A “see through” effect is noticeable.
In the kneeling position this is even more obvious. The white background, and the minimal “noise” created by the midi and macro elements work well together.
The prone position provides full concealment, even though there are no major visual obstructions.
The 35mm focal length gives an impressive picture of the effectiveness of M05 snow camo. Even at close range and in the standing position, the blending effect is obvious. The dark spots of the pattern have not only a very organic feel to them, the are also evenly distributed and are therefore working very disruptively.
Especially when kneeling, the pattern elements become more effective as some are moved closer to each other in this particular situation. One can find elements that work together as if there are branches, or dead spots. In combination with the overall white surroundings, the M05 snow camouflage blends in very effectively.
The prone position does not need any further comments, as I might only repeat myself.
Location 3
You know this site from my “Eyes in the Sky” drone field tests. It is an open field in a mixed forest, with random conifers, some deciduous trees as well as high grass. I had to change the perspective on that location, since the vegetation started to obstruct the field of view – who would have known that plants grow…
The location is heavily covered with snow and the growing brush is creating a chaotic field, mixed with monotone whites and a wide range of disrupting dark areas of branches and evergreen trees. These pictures were taken in the late afternoon under a cloudless sky.
The camera is standing roughly 25m away from the human silhouette.
Observations – Location 3
The third location is where M05 snow camouflage really worked impressively. Given the very chaotic open field, with a variety of branches, high contrasts and undergrowth, the midi and macro elements of M05 snow camouflage really started to work.
Starting with the standing position and the wide angle lens, one will have issues locating the person. If the silhouette would not be dead center, this would become a longer searching op. The white background of M05 snow camo, in combination with its dark elements, is an exact representation of this noisy environment. The midi and macro elements and their organic nature (pun intended) work the same way as several surrounding branches etc.
When going into the kneeling position, the person nearly becomes invisible. A visual identification is nearly impossible. The prone is actually a bit easier to catch because of some shadows, but the overall performance is flawless.
Looking at the pictures with 35mm focal length you can actually see how the M05 pattern is working. The above mentioned statements apply and I believe the pictures speak for themselves.
Bonus pic:
Conclusion
This series for winter camouflage started strong with one of the most effective winter camouflage patterns out there – Finnish M05 snow. It may come to no surprise that Finland developed something excellent, as the country is known for its innovative defense products.
The Finnish camouflage patterns are no exception and M05 snow proved to be a balanced combination of basic overwhites with a good contrasting midi and macro based pattern. The overall appearance is very organic and the three different locations showed how the pattern blends into the winter landscape while offering basic disruption at the same time.
Before I get spammed with questions – the set was provided to me by a friend, but can be found at Varusteleka.
With that being said, thank you for reading and take care!
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