Ranger Green Vs Olive Drab Tactical Gear: Which Looks Better?

The choices we make in what we wear are often influenced by both functionality and appearance. Contrary to what some may say, aesthetics do matter to us. Depending on the situation, how something looks can play a significant role in our decision-making process.

Instead of solely focusing on the features and capabilities of gear, let’s explore the different colors that these items are available in. Specifically, we’ll compare the colors Olive Drab (OD) Green and Ranger Green to determine their visual appeal and suitability for your gear.

Among the various shades of green available, what sets these two colors apart? Let’s delve into their characteristics and determine which one may be more visually appealing for your gear.

Ranger Green Vs. Olive Drab

Ranger Green is a desaturated version of OD Green with subtle brown undertones. On the other hand, OD Green possesses both brown and high levels of green saturation. This distinction gives Ranger Green a more subdued and less vibrant appearance compared to OD Green. As a result, Ranger Green often blends harmoniously with modern tactical gear and is considered more aesthetically pleasing.

The advantage of Ranger Green extends beyond its visual appeal. Its muted tones enable it to blend seamlessly in urban environments as well as rural areas, making it a versatile choice for various settings and situations.

Whether you prioritize functionality or appearance, considering the color of your gear is an essential aspect of decision-making. By opting for Ranger Green, you can enjoy a visually appealing and adaptable color that complements modern tactical gear and effortlessly integrates into a range of environments.

Milspec monkey has a great reference picture for the different types of greens. But what does this mean for us when we are purchasing new gear? This gives us a measuring tool to see if we want that particular color for our purposes.

What is Ranger Green and Olive Drab Green?

Before we find out what these colors actually are we first have to understand what they are used for. This allows us to make an informed decision about our choice.

Camouflage 
When people hear the word “camouflage,” they often associate it with modern digital camo, woodland camo, or various foreign camouflage patterns like those used by the Bundeswehr or other countries.

However, at its core, camouflage serves the purpose of disrupting the human silhouette in outdoor settings. Our bodies naturally stand out amidst the natural surroundings. The distinct shape of a human is easily recognizable against different backgrounds. Therefore, we need to alter that shape to blend in.

To achieve effective camouflage, we rely on gear and different colorations that help break up the otherwise uniform human outline. This means that the color of our gear needs to match the environment to a certain extent.

Before we dive into the specific functions of Ranger Green and Olive Drab, let’s take a closer look at what these colors actually are.

Olive Drab

*Three different Olive Drab Greens: OD #9, #3, #7. For more information read here. 

Olive Drab is the quintessential “Military Green”. However it  doesn’t necessarily tie down what it is or its hue.

Olive Drab came in a wide variety of colors from khaki to a dark rich green. These were the OD greens of just before World War 2 and on. This would have solidified a particular color for OD Green if it weren’t for the advancement of the US Military.

Olive Drab of Vietnam officially entered our psyche in 1952. The US Military had a standardized color for all branches for their utility uniforms. With the official designation being OG-107 in the catalogs for the polyester uniforms. A darker cotton version was referred to as OG-105.

As pictures and military surplus found their way into civilian hands, it resulted in a wide variety of shades due to how well worn those items were and photograph technology of the time.

This made everything from the neon-esque Camo Green of some A.L.I.C.E. equipment to the older WW2 era items “OD Green”.

For our uses today we will define OD Green as a standardized saturated green color with fairly brown tones.

Ranger Green
While Ranger Green is not extensively utilized in military applications, it evokes a sense of military aesthetics. It instantly brings to mind images of Army Rangers and other elite special forces units.

However, it is important to note that Ranger Green is simply a shade of green that is popularly offered by tactical gear manufacturers. It falls towards the darker brown end of the green spectrum and tends to be darker compared to most Olive Drab (OD) Greens available.

Ranger Green exhibits a notable presence of brown tones, setting it apart from OD Green. It is desaturated, which aligns it with contemporary camouflage colors like Coyote Brown or similar khaki shades. In comparison to certain OD Greens, Ranger Green appears more subdued with a slight gray undertone.

The gray tone and desaturation of Ranger Green are well-suited for modern efforts to create gear with a very matte appearance, aiding in effective camouflage.

These factors lead us to consider the major considerations associated with choosing Ranger Green or Olive Drab as gear colors.

Aesthetics and Function

The two major needs that come with gear selection are function and aesthetics. In a perfect world we would just focus on function rather than how cool it might seem. But we have to deal with it either way.

For function both OD Green and Ranger Green fulfill a similar role. They help individuals blend into a green/gray environment better.

Out in areas where there is a lot of foliage, green tends to fit in. This all depends on where you are going to be wearing these colors.

*Photo is of a DSS Agent with Ranger Green shirt and Coyote Brown accessories.

OD Green, also known as Olive Drab Green, can vary in shade and tone depending on the producer. On the other hand, Ranger Green tends to be more consistent in its appearance. One advantage of Ranger Green is its ability to blend into urban environments due to its gray undertones and muted nature.

While OD Green may not stand out conspicuously in city settings, it is less naturally suited for such environments. Additionally, OD Green can experience fading in the field over time, gradually resembling the color of Ranger Green.

Ranger Green offers a more immediate and consistent color option. It has a cool factor associated with it, evoking a sense of modernity. It provides an opportunity to acquire contemporary equipment in a color reminiscent of the uniforms commonly seen throughout most of the 20th century.

In contrast, OD Green is a widely available color, often found in military surplus items, particularly those from the Vietnam Era. This gives OD Green a certain allure and cool factor associated with the aesthetics of that time period. The Vietnam War has been prominently featured in 80s action movies and extensively televised, making it a major conflict that is easily accessible through interviews and combat footage.

Together, Ranger Green and OD Green create a complementary pairing, especially when OD Green leans towards darker shades. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference. Both colors are solid choices and perform well in a variety of environments.

If you desire a new and consistent appearance, opting for Ranger Green is recommended. However, if you prefer a more classic and nostalgic look, OD Green is the way to go.

Conclusion

When it comes down to which looks better, it is all a matter of preference. I personally love a good OD Green color. I find it fashionable and it works in the environments I generally find myself in.

That being said I would explore more Ranger Green gear when I can since it does better in both urban, night, and rural environments.

If you want a nice consistent color, go for Ranger Green. It matches modern gear better and pairs well with other popular colors that are now dominating the industry (Coyote Brown, etc.).