My Top 5 Camo Brands (patterns maker)

I have to admit that there are very few real Camo companies, most companies license the pattern from the company.  Talk about a good business to be in.  You don't ever have to make your own products, you just have to come up with a pattern!  Because of that you have to make a quality camo that companies want to use.  Here are my top 5 best represented and quality camo companies based on quality of camo, effectiveness, and overall marketing and branding.

5- Columbia Sportswear - original patters.  The Timberwolf Pattern and Delta Hunter patterns are original.  This is why Columbia landed in my top 5 of active outdoors brands.  They are an outfitter to everyone.  While most active outdoors companies shy away from the hunting scene, Columbia continues to take advantage of the big spenders that are hunters.  The patterns they have are pretty solid.  Good cover in a quality product and the camo is pretty effective with the distinguished patterns.  The company hasn't pushed the hunting side of things too much.  It's more of an upland game company but moving forward with fishing and hunting.  If they wanted to they could easily make a bigger push.  I expect it in the future.

4- Predator Camo - I'm very impressed with this smaller brand.  They have original clothing and license the patterns.  The company has an obsession with blending in by combining natural colors with some crazy bright patterns, that are exclusive to the location.  This is a very good "tree stand" brand if you move around quite a bit it tends to lose its effectiveness because of the very specific coloring. The branding is trying too hard.  It is for "hard core" enthusiasts that really want to get after it.  Flaming dear heads as a logo puts you right in the bulls eye for hunting, there is no subtly or lounge wear made from this brand like the Mossy Oaks or Real Tree's.  They stick to who they are.

3- Sitka Gear - I love it.  It is a super effective camo that is incorporating more technology than any other brand.  They have patterns that claim to be invisible to a dear's eye.  More importantly and maybe less effectively they are the exclusive makers and users of their pattern.  The company is vertically integrated meaning they do all of the research, testing, designing, manufacturing and distribution.  It's a tough pill to swallow but they seem to be doing okay.  The camo is killer the price point is high and the biz model is ok.  The unique look and feel of it makes me think of something exotic.  The name is exotic and the logo is indistinguishable (makes me think of two branches interwined... dunno, just a thought.)  The branding isn't great on it but the product is quality.

1b- Mossy Oak - I don't know what to say.  If you buy a shirt that has camo on it chances are it is a Mossy Oak or a Real Tree pattern.  They both are incredibly established and continue to crank out great patterns.  You can find a pattern for almost any occasion.  Mossy oak origniated in the south and was designed for a lot of, you guessed it oak tree hunting but has a full pattern line all the way into arctic gear.  I am impressed with the company the R&D and how they are continuing innovation.  (For the record, Mossy Oak has a better logo and more distinguished look to the logo, RealTree has the better name)

1a- Real Tree - The company that has their camo everywhere.  Many top manufacturers use Real Tree including Russell, Wrangler and even Wal-Mart has some.  I don't think it takes away from the brand at all.  The fact that they have their patterns on everything means one of two things or maybe both.  1- they make such a quality product that everyone wants it, or 2- They don't have to have high margines hence the ability to sell it for cheap... either way the company is killing it.  Anyway you look at it, RT has a great selection of patterns that are all well researched and customized.  They have the best name of the bunch for marketing purposes.  I like where they are going with the brand and the newer logos they have been incorporating. 

Other notables: Under Armour (will crack the top 5 by next hunting season, they do have some original patterns), Seclusion 3D (you won't find much about it but it is Cabelas choice for private label stuff, could be on the list).