The Vietnam Pattern That Changed Military Camouflage Forever

Long before M81 Woodland became the standard camouflage of the United States military, there was ERDL. Developed during the Vietnam War, ERDL Camouflage is widely recognized as one of the most influential camouflage patterns ever created. Although it was only issued in limited numbers during its early years, its design would eventually shape military camouflage around the world for decades to come.

What Does ERDL Stand For?

ERDL stands for the Engineer Research and Development Laboratory, a division of the U.S. Army responsible for developing the pattern during the late 1940s and refining it throughout the 1960s.

The laboratory sought to create a camouflage pattern that more accurately reflected the colors, shadows, and vegetation found in tropical jungle environments than earlier solid-colored military uniforms.

Designed for the Vietnam War

Although originally developed years earlier, ERDL gained prominence during the Vietnam War when it was issued to selected American military personnel operating in dense jungle terrain.

The pattern was especially popular among:

• U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets)
• Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP)
• MACV-SOG reconnaissance teams
• Navy SEALs
• Marine reconnaissance units
• Other specialized units operating in Southeast Asia

Its limited distribution made ERDL something of an elite uniform during the conflict, often associated with reconnaissance and special operations personnel.

Pattern Characteristics

ERDL introduced a new approach to camouflage by using natural, overlapping leaf-like shapes instead of hard geometric forms.

The classic Woodland version consisted of four colors:

• Light Green
• Dark Green
• Brown
• Black

The pattern created a layered appearance that blended effectively into dense tropical vegetation while breaking up the wearer's outline at both close and moderate distances.

Highland and Lowland Variants

Two primary versions of ERDL eventually appeared during the Vietnam War.

Lowland ERDL emphasized brighter greens and was intended for lush jungle environments.

Highland ERDL substituted additional brown tones to better match drier terrain and elevated vegetation.

Both versions proved highly effective and remain highly collectible today.

The Birth of M81 Woodland

Although ERDL performed exceptionally well, military planners discovered that the relatively small pattern scale became less effective at longer viewing distances.

Rather than designing an entirely new camouflage pattern, the U.S. military enlarged the existing ERDL artwork by approximately 60 percent.

The enlarged design became M81 Woodland Camouflage, officially adopted in 1981 as the standard Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) camouflage for the U.S. Armed Forces.

In many ways, M81 Woodland can be viewed as a direct evolution of ERDL rather than an entirely new design.

A Lasting Legacy

Although ERDL eventually gave way to M81 Woodland, its influence never disappeared. Many later camouflage systems—including Woodland, MARPAT, and numerous international patterns—borrowed ideas from ERDL's natural organic shapes and balanced color palette.

Collectors continue to value original Vietnam-era ERDL uniforms, and the pattern remains highly respected among camouflage historians.

ERDL at CAMO HQ

At CAMO HQ, we recognize ERDL as one of the foundational camouflage patterns of the modern era. Its role in the Vietnam War and its direct influence on M81 Woodland make it one of the most historically significant camouflage designs ever developed.

We proudly offer products inspired by ERDL while honoring the servicemen who wore it during one of the most challenging periods in American military history.

Did You Know?

• ERDL was the direct predecessor to M81 Woodland Camouflage.
• It was primarily issued to elite reconnaissance and special operations units during the Vietnam War.
• The original pattern was produced in both Highland and Lowland variants.
• Its organic leaf design influenced camouflage development around the world.