A ghillie cape covers the head, shoulders and back: it is the lightest way to break up your silhouette in airsoft. It goes over your kit and vest, comes off in seconds and leaves the front free for your magazines. Choose it on four criteria: weight, material, attachment and the colour of your terrain.
This article is part of our airsoft ghillie suit guide.
Cape, Viper hood or full suit?
| Format | Coverage | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghillie cape | Head, shoulders, back | Lightest, quick to put on and take off | Arms and legs visible |
| Viper hood | Head, shoulders, back, arms | Arms covered, chest free for the vest | More material than a cape |
| Full suit | Full body | Best concealment in a fixed position | Heat, snagging, bulk |
A cape suits players who alternate between moving and observation positions, and those starting with camouflage who do not want to wear a full suit. For the sleeved format, see Viper hood or full ghillie suit.
How to choose a ghillie cape
1. Weight and heat
A cape is often worn for the whole game, sometimes in high summer. A mesh base lets air through; a cape heavily loaded with fibres breaks the silhouette better but runs hotter. Check the stated weight and the base material.
2. Type of camouflage: fibres, 3D foliage or a base to dress
- Cut 3D foliage: instant volume, effective in leafy woodland.
- Fibres or jute: a more organic texture, better on dry ground or in winter.
- A base to dress: straps or loops to add local vegetation, jute or fibres, and adapt the cape to the day's terrain.
3. Attachment
The cape must stay in place when you kneel or go prone, without getting in the way of shouldering the replica. Adjustable buckles and cords let you wear it over a vest or pack. Also check that it comes off quickly if you switch to an assault phase.
4. Colour
Pick the colour of your usual terrain: green for forests in spring and summer, brown for autumn and winter, multicam for mixed use. Keep black for night games or very dark areas. The season-by-season detail is in which ghillie for which terrain.
Ghillie capes in the BDU catalogue
| Model | Stated features | Colours | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight Viper ghillie cape | Nylon mesh, 540 g, 3 buckles and 4 cords, straps for accessories, washable and foldable | Multicam, Black, Green Army, Brown | €48.99 (€54.99 in Multicam) |
| Emerson ghillie cape | 200 g, packs into a pocket, 3D multicam camouflage | Multicam | €119.99 |
Lightweight Viper cape: the base to customise
Its nylon mesh base is designed for ventilation, and its straps hold vegetation, jute or fibres. Use it on its own or attached to the back loops of the Viper Ghillie Suit to cover the back and thighs. It is the versatile choice to start with.
Emerson cape: the pocket cape
Stated at 200 g with 3D multicam camouflage, it packs into a pocket or pack and comes out for the approach. It is aimed at players who want camouflage on them at all times without wearing it constantly.
Wearing your cape in the field
- Adjust it with your kit on: vest, pack and helmet in place, then check shouldering and magazine access.
- Add local vegetation before the game and refresh it each session.
- Camouflage the rest too: ghillie rifle wrap, 3D ghillie helmet cover and ghillie gloves.
- Move slowly: a cape breaks your silhouette when you are still, not while you run.
- Keep your armband visible, as most sites require.
Care
Shake the cape after each game to remove dead vegetation, dry it in open air and store it without compressing it. The lightweight Viper cape is stated as washable; for 3D foliage models, a cold-water rinse without detergent preserves the colours.
Frequently asked questions
Is a ghillie cape enough for airsoft?
For most outdoor games, yes: it breaks the head-and-shoulders line, which is spotted first. In a fixed prone position, a full suit covers the legs better.
Can you wear a ghillie cape over a tactical vest?
Yes, that is its main advantage: it attaches over the vest and leaves the front free. Adjust it with all your kit on.
Which colour of ghillie cape should I choose?
The colour of your usual terrain: green in forest in spring and summer, brown in autumn and winter, multicam for mixed use. Add local vegetation to fine-tune it.
How much does a ghillie cape weigh?
In our catalogue, the lightweight Viper cape is stated at 540 g and the Emerson cape at 200 g. Weight goes up with the vegetation and fibres you add.
Read also
- Viper hood or full ghillie suit: which to choose?
- Combining a ghillie suit and a tactical vest
- 7 ghillie mistakes to avoid
Lightweight Viper ghillie cape
Nylon mesh stated at 540 g, 3 buckles and 4 cords, in Multicam, Black, Green Army or Brown.
See the Viper cape →
