We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more
My father and I didn’t wear traditional turkey hunting camos when we killed our first gobbler, a southeastern Ohio longbeard, in 1990. He had on his rabbit hunting gear—canvas pants and jacket—while I was wearing old military surplus cargo pants. Turkey hunting camo today is not only designed specifically for the spring (and/or fall), but you can even find region-specific patterns to match the conditions you hunt in. There is a style, color, and fit for every situation and budget. We rounded up the best turkey hunting camos out there to help you bag a gobbler this season.
- Best Overall: Mossy Oak Bottomland
- Best for Spring: Sitka Optifade Cover
- Best 3D: First Lite Specter Phantom Leafy Suit
- Most Versatile: Mossy Oak Obsession
- Best Budget: Redhead TrueTimber HTC Green
- Best Leafy: Realtree APX
- Best Late Season: Realtree Edge
Best Overall: Mossy Oak Bottomland
Key Features
- Classic and proven pattern
- Versatile in different environments and seasons
- Natural tones with a balance of color and shadows
Pros
- Effective for multiple seasons and species
- Blends well in the woods
- Realistic bark texture
- Available in a wide range of gear and brands
Cons
- Maybe not the best for green field hunting
It’s no secret that Mossy Oak’s Bottomland pattern has taken a top spot in the hunting camo world. There is something nostalgic about Mossy Oak, it’s the camo your grandpa wore. Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo helps hunters disappear into the woods. Its subdued, natural color palette blends perfectly with tree bark and brush, making it a solid choice for early spring turkey season. This was my go-to pattern last season when I harvested my Osceola turkey and black bear wearing it. It’s a classic staple for every hunter’s closet.
Best Spring: Sitka Optifade Cover
Key Features
- Modern, digitally engineered pattern
- Ideal for green spring environments
- High-performance fabric
Pros
- Available in a range of durable high-quality gear
- Versatile for various green environments woods, brush, etc.
- Great for spring and early fall seasons
- Designed based on actual scientific research about animals’ vision
Cons
- Not the best choice for late fall season
- Expensive
Sitka’s Optifade Cover (the brand’s first new camouflage in seven years) is one of the best camo options for turkey hunters who find themselves in those spring green environments. The digitally designed pattern helps to distort your silhouette and blend into the background, making it easier to stay hidden. Plus, Sitka produces high-quality breathable materials that keep you cool and comfortable, especially during long sits or run-and-gun hunts. If you hunt in heavily vegetated terrain, this camo will give you the edge you need to stay undetected and seal the deal on a gobbler.
Best 3D: First Lite Specter Phantom Leafy Suit
Key Features
- True realistic 3D effect
- Natural color and shadows for optimized concealment
- Uses dark and light figures to distort and hide the human body shape
Pros
- Ideal for close range hunting
- Realistic mimicry of vegetation
- Designed for flexible environment use
Cons
- Not the best for open sparse cover areas
Designed with various environments in mind, First Lite’s Specter pattern is a versatile piece to have in your collection. It works from early to late season and even across multiple species, so you’re not just limited to turkey hunting. First Lite’s designers took a science-based approach, using disruptive shapes and natural contrast to confuse game animals’ vision, giving you the edge no matter where you’re hunting. Plus, the lightweight, breathable fabric keeps you comfortable all day, and the quiet materials let you move without spooking birds.
Most Versatile: Mossy Oak Obsession
Key Features
- Realistic natural elements, e.g., limbs and leaves
- Ghost shadows
- Fall tones complemented by spring greens
Pros
- Universally applicable
- All seasons
- Multi-species pattern
Cons
- None
I put on a pair of Mossy Oak Obsession bibs over a long-sleeve cotton shirt of the same pattern every opening day of turkey season, and that’s what I wear until the bell sounds. I’ve hunted and killed birds wearing this pattern all across the country. It’s the closest thing to a universal camo, and if I could only wear one camo turkey hunting, it would be Mossy Oak Obsession. You can buy it in any type of hunting clothing—jackets, pants, shirts, vests, or gloves. I’ve worn Obsession from start to finish in any number of states and it always blends in.
Best Budget: Redhead TrueTimber HTC Green
Key Features
- Blend of fall and spring with browns/greens
- Garment specific: Quarter zip; quiet polyester fabric
- Garment specific: Chin guard
Pros
- All-season versatility
- Multi-species usage
- Coast-to-coast application
Cons
- None
I am partial to patterns like TrueTimber’s HTC Green that feature an abundance of greens and/or lighter tones with a subtle background of darks. To me, something like that seems to blend better across the board and has applications from the Southeast to the Northwest. Plus, it works for other pursuits, including predator hunting, September doves and teal, and other small game. I like this Redhead half-zip hoodie in TrueTimber HTC Green because I can throw it on quickly for an afternoon hunt and not have to bother with t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, bibs, or jackets.
Best Leafy: Realtree APX
Key Features
- Features lifelike design with balanced depth and contrast
- Versatile color pattern
- Multi-environment use
Pros
- Blends well with various backgrounds
- Usable across species
- Good for early spring and late fall season
Cons
- Not the best for open flat land terrain
Realtree APX is a well-rounded camo pattern that gives turkey hunters flexibility across different terrains and seasons. Newer to the Realtree line, it blends the brand’s proven classic look with a modern abstract design. With a mix of natural tones, depth, and contrast, it helps disrupt your silhouette, making it harder for turkeys to spot. Designed to adapt to various environments and species, this camo pattern is a worthy investment—really a one-and-done purchase.
Best Late Season: Realtree Edge
Key Features
- Heavy on darks and lights
- A smattering of greens
- Good depth in the pattern
Pros
- Excellent Northern US pattern
- Great for early season
- Widely
Cons
- Dark for late season
Mossy Oak Realtree Edge is a great early season pattern. It has a background heavy in hues ranging from white to black and captures the shadow concept almost perfectly. Popular among deer hunters in the fall due to the darker base, this pattern will blend in almost anywhere. Realtree Edge is a good camo for the first half of turkey season, but once the green foliage starts to come in, think about switching to something with more light green in the pattern.
How We Picked The Best Turkey Hunting Camos
I based my camo selections on what I’ve been wearing turkey hunting for the past three decades. That means all of these patterns have pretty good resumes of killing turkeys. I like certain patterns for early season vs. late season, and I favor particular patterns for different regions of the country. Here are some of the criteria I look for in turkey hunting camos:
- Concealment: Does the camouflage work as intended? How well does it break up the human outline?
- Pattern Appropriateness: What conditions and regions will the camo excel in? Late season or early season?
- Durability: How long does the camo last? And does it keep the pattern without fading?
- Price Point: Are you getting a good value for what you pay for?
What to Look for When Choosing Turkey Hunting Camo
Think about where and when you hunt turkeys. How drastically does the foliage change throughout the season? Are you looking for one piece of camo to get you from opening day to the end of the season? Here are a few more considerations that will help point you toward the best turkey hunting camos.
Pattern
Look for a pattern that matches the habitat you hunt in. I wear darker patterns in early season and then transition to lighter greens as the season progresses. Adding a wide variety of patterns to your wardrobe will keep you prepared for the changing foliage throughout the season.
Terrain/Environment
Where you hunt will help determine what camouflage you eventually purchase. You want the camo to best match the conditions you hunt in, but you also want to make sure the fabric is suited for how you hunt. Think about insulated items, breathable clothes, and rain gear. Make sure you can find the right gear with the camo pattern you want.
Price
Price varies drastically among camo nowadays. What you’re really paying for is what that camo is printed on and the brand that makes it. Consider what type of clothes and gear you need camo on and then shop accordingly.
FAQs
Q: Is camo necessary for turkey hunting?
Turkey hunting without camo is very difficult. Turkeys have some of the best eyesight of any wild game and being concealed is absolutely crucial to success in the woods. Good camouflage and minimal movement will help you stay hidden.
Q: What should you not wear when going turkey hunting?
It is important from a safety aspect to eliminate the colors red, white, blue, and black from your gear and clothing, as these are the predominant colors of an adult gobbler.
Q: Is it better to have 3D hunting camo for turkey hunting?
I believe 3D camo is better for a couple of different reasons. Most camouflage clothing is flat and two-dimensional. The woods aren’t flat and two-dimensional. Traditional camouflage does little to break up the straight lines, unbroken curves, and unnatural shape of a human. Three-dimensional camouflage, e.g. Leafy-Wear, works to soften those lines and shapes, blending your form into the natural environment.
Q: How do I wash my camo for turkey hunting?
I like to wash my camo in cold water on a permanent press cycle with very mild detergent and tumble dry on medium heat.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
THE 1871 CLUB
