Vers·eng·tarn from the German versengt “scorched” and tarnen “camouflage.”

Versengtarn is our tribute to the iconic German Flecktarn pattern. Built up over decades, Germany's Cold War surplus of Flecktarn clothing dominated the surplus market from the early 2000s until 2015/2016. 

When we started this project, the politics of the Ukrainian Civil War had turned off the tap on this bottomless supply of high quality military surplus. With German uniforms making their way into the hands of Russian separatists, the Bundeswher had ceased all public auctions of Flecktarn uniforms — opting instead to burn their surplus.

Our process takes the iconic Flecktarn pattern and 'scorches' it with a reactive dye, darkening the print and giving each piece a unique appearance. Black, but not quite black — the color of the fabric shifts in the light.

After the dye bath, each field shirt is washed with a binding agent, removing any residual dye. The resulting Versengtarn fabric will not leech color or chemicals — it is clean enough to put in your mouth (if you're into that.)

Manufacturing Process

• Each field shirt is professionally dyed in Minnesota
• Our experienced dye house has handled all Versengtarn and Wellenbrecher items to date, with a high degree of consistency and professionalism

• Tough poly/cotton water-resistant fabric
• High waist zipper closure with snap-secured storm flap enabling the wearer to bend and crouch without restriction
• Two snap-secured front breast pockets
• Velcro® wrist fasteners
• Straps for shoulder marks, rank tabs, etc.
• Ventilated armpits
• Shoulder pocket on left arm

Normal Variation

• Some field shirts include inside pocket
• Some field shirts include a Velcro® fastener on the right arm
• Some field shirts include a Velcro® fastener above the left front pocket for name tape
• Some field shirts have had the German flags removed from the shoulders

Versengtarn Modifications

• Reactive dye permanently darkens the Flecktarn pattern to charcoal black while retaining a faint trace of the original pattern
• Each dyed field shirt is unique, with subtle differences in pattern, hue, and saturation
• Dye treatment is permanent, non-toxic, and non-leaching
• Field shirts arrive washed and ready to wear with no residual dye