Crye Precision
American designer and manufacturer of specialized tactical apparel, body-armor systems, camouflage and military equipment.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Crye Precision is an American apparel and equipment company based in New York City. Founded in 1999 by Caleb Crye and Gregg Thompson, the company developed from a design-oriented New York operation into a major supplier of specialized clothing and equipment for military, special-operations, law-enforcement and other professional users. Its product range combines garments, load-bearing equipment, armor-compatible systems and accessories intended for demanding operational environments. The company is particularly associated with the development of MultiCam, a camouflage pattern created in 2002 by Crye Precision in cooperation with the United States Army Soldier Systems Center. MultiCam was designed to provide concealment across changing terrain, seasons, elevations and lighting conditions. Although the U.S. Army selected Universal Camouflage Pattern for its principal Army Combat Uniform in 2004, MultiCam continued to be used by some special-operations personnel and appeared in demonstrations and trials connected with the Future Force Warrior program. In 2010, the Army brought the pattern back for units deploying to Afghanistan, designating it the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern. Crye later introduced a family of MultiCam variants intended to address different environments and visible and near-infrared signatures. Crye's growth was accelerated by the post-September 11 expansion of military procurement and by the Berry Amendment, which gives the U.S. Department of Defense purchasing preferences for covered clothing and textile products made in the United States from qualifying American materials. The company became a notable producer of Berry Amendment-compliant goods and expanded its New York and New Jersey operations. In 2013, it was reported to have approximately 150 employees across 56,000 square feet of facilities. Its best-known apparel includes the G3 family of combat uniforms, including combat shirts and combat pants designed for integration with armor, knee protection and other field equipment. The company also makes plate carriers, armor-related equipment, pouches, packs and accessories. These products are positioned at the premium end of the professional tactical market, where durability, ergonomic integration, compatibility with protective equipment and procurement compliance are more important than mass-market pricing. Crye has also participated in projects beyond routine military supply. In 2020, it received a contract to produce a new family of uniforms for the British Royal Marines. During the COVID-19 emergency in April 2020, it worked with the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Lafayette 148 to manufacture surgical gowns for frontline medical workers in New York. In Belgium, MultiCam was selected for the country's new Defence Clothing System, with a transition away from the existing Jigsaw camouflage announced from November 2022; the procurement involved Sioen and Seyntex, with Crye Precision associated with the camouflage system. The brand has faced intellectual-property disputes connected with the U.S. Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern project and has been targeted by counterfeiters, particularly through Chinese manufacturing and international online marketplaces. In 2024, operations involving Crye and another defense contractor at the Brooklyn Navy Yard became the focus of pro-Palestinian protests. Crye has also used limited releases, including an acid-washed denim version of its G3 combat uniform produced in 2024 for a veterans' charity auction. Its current public identity remains centered on specialized, high-performance tactical apparel and equipment for institutional and professional users.
History
Crye Precision was established in New York City in 1999 by Caleb Crye and Gregg Thompson, both graduates of Cooper Union. The business began with a design and production presence in Chelsea Market. Its early identity was shaped by the combination of industrial design, apparel construction and a focus on specialized users rather than general consumers. The company expanded after the September 11 attacks, as military and security procurement increased. The Berry Amendment also supported its development by requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to give preference to covered apparel and accessory products made in the United States from qualifying American components. Crye became a significant producer of Berry Amendment-compliant military goods and grew its manufacturing and operational footprint in New York and New Jersey. By 2013, reports described a workforce of about 150 people working across roughly 56,000 square feet. Crye's most influential contribution to military clothing was MultiCam. First shown in 2002, the seven-color pattern was developed with the United States Army Soldier Systems Center for concealment across multiple environments, seasons, elevations and light conditions. The U.S. Army selected Universal Camouflage Pattern in 2004 for its principal Army Combat Uniform, but MultiCam continued to be used by some special-operations units and in Future Force Warrior demonstrations. In 2010, the Army brought the pattern back for forces deploying to Afghanistan, where it was designated the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern. The company subsequently expanded the design into a family of variants, announced in 2013, intended to serve different environments and reduce visible and near-infrared signatures. Alongside camouflage, Crye developed a portfolio of combat uniforms, armor-compatible clothing and load-bearing equipment. The G3 family of combat shirts and pants became representative of the company's approach: garments are designed around movement, integration with protective equipment, field durability and access to equipment while worn with body armor. The AVS Plate Carrier and related systems represent the company's armor and load-bearing equipment business. Crye's products are used by military and law-enforcement organizations as well as professional and commercial customers. The company also expanded its institutional reach outside the United States. In 2020, it received a contract to produce a new family of uniforms for the British Royal Marines. In Belgium, MultiCam was selected as part of the country's Defence Clothing System, with a planned change from the Jigsaw pattern beginning in November 2022. The associated procurement was awarded to Sioen and Seyntex, with Crye Precision connected to the camouflage system. Crye's manufacturing capabilities were redirected temporarily during the COVID-19 crisis. In April 2020, the company worked with the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Lafayette 148 to manufacture surgical gowns for frontline medical personnel in New York. This effort reflected the adaptability of its apparel production base rather than a permanent shift away from tactical products. The company has encountered legal and commercial challenges. In 2014, it was involved in an intellectual-property dispute concerning the U.S. Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern project. Crye has also been targeted by counterfeiters, with imitation products sold through international online marketplaces. A California operation associated with counterfeit Crye goods made in China was shut down by American authorities in 2018. In 2024, Crye's Brooklyn Navy Yard operations were among those targeted by pro-Palestinian protests concerning defense-related activity. That year, the company also produced a limited acid-washed denim edition of its G3 combat uniform for auction benefiting veterans' charities. Crye remains an active specialist brand whose reputation is closely tied to premium tactical apparel, MultiCam and military procurement.
- 2022
MultiCam selected for Belgian defense clothing
[1]Belgium announced the replacement of its Jigsaw camouflage with MultiCam as part of its new Defence Clothing System.
- 2020
British Royal Marines uniform contract
[1]Crye received a contract to produce a new uniform family for the British Royal Marines.
- 2020
COVID-19 medical-gown production
[1]Crye joined New York-based partners in producing surgical gowns for frontline medical workers.
- 2013
MultiCam variant family announced
[1]Crye introduced multiple MultiCam variants aimed at different environments and signature-management requirements.
- 2010
MultiCam returns for Afghanistan operations
[1]The Army reintroduced MultiCam for Afghanistan deployments under the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern designation.
- 2004
Army selects Universal Camouflage Pattern
[1]The U.S. Army selected Universal Camouflage Pattern for its Army Combat Uniform, limiting MultiCam's initial mainline adoption.
- 2002
MultiCam is first unveiled
[1]Crye and the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center developed and introduced the seven-color MultiCam camouflage pattern.
- 1999
Company founded in New York City
[1]Caleb Crye and Gregg Thompson founded Crye Precision in New York City after studying at Cooper Union.
Products and positioning
Premium, performance-focused tactical apparel and equipment for military, special-operations, law-enforcement and other professional users.
Combat clothing
G3 Combat Shirt
A combat shirt designed to be worn beneath body armor while preserving breathable and flexible fabric around the torso. The G3 line is associated with Crye's emphasis on ergonomic construction, field durability and integration with armor and other mission equipment.
Combat clothing
G3 Combat Pant
A tactical trouser in the G3 uniform family, developed for military and professional field use. Its design is intended to support movement, equipment carriage and compatibility with integrated or external knee protection.
Armor and load-bearing equipment
AVS Plate Carrier
A modular plate-carrier system intended to hold protective armor plates and integrate with additional load-bearing components. It represents Crye's equipment business alongside its combat clothing and camouflage products.
Camouflage system · 2002
MultiCam
A seven-color camouflage pattern developed for concealment across varied environments, seasons, elevations and lighting conditions. Crye later developed a family of variants addressing different operational environments and visual or near-infrared signature requirements.
Limited-edition apparel · 2024
G3 Acid-Washed Denim Limited Edition
A 2024 limited-edition denim interpretation of the G3 combat uniform. The pieces were intended for auction in support of veterans' charities rather than as a conventional permanent product line.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2024G3 veterans' charity limited edition
United States
Crye produced an acid-washed denim version of its G3 combat uniform as a limited release connected with an auction for veterans' charities.
Outcome. The items were intended to be auctioned for veterans' charitable causes; the reference does not state the proceeds.
- 2020New York COVID-19 surgical-gown collaboration
New York City · United States
Crye worked with the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Lafayette 148 to use apparel-production capabilities for surgical gowns during the coronavirus emergency.
Outcome. The collaboration supplied gowns for New York frontline medical workers; the available reference does not provide production totals or financial results.
Brand decisions
2022
MultiCam adoption in Belgian Defence Clothing SystemGeneration changeBackground
Belgium planned to replace the Jigsaw camouflage pattern used by its armed forces.
Action taken
Belgium announced a transition to MultiCam beginning in November 2022 as part of its new Defence Clothing System.
Aftermath
The decision expanded the institutional use of MultiCam in Europe. The associated contract was awarded to Sioen and Seyntex, with Crye connected to the camouflage system.
Reported contract budget. €410 million (2022 announcement)
2020
Diversion of production to medical gownsOtherBackground
The COVID-19 emergency created an urgent need for protective medical apparel in New York.
Action taken
Crye collaborated with public, manufacturing and fashion-industry partners to produce surgical gowns.
Aftermath
The company contributed apparel-production capacity to the emergency response while continuing to be known primarily as a tactical-equipment manufacturer.
2020
British Royal Marines uniform programProduct launchBackground
The British Royal Marines required a new family of uniforms.
Action taken
Crye was awarded a contract to produce the new uniform family.
Aftermath
The award extended Crye's military-uniform business into a major United Kingdom institutional program.
2013
Expansion into MultiCam variantsProduct launchBackground
Different operational environments create different concealment and signature-management requirements.
Action taken
Crye introduced a family of MultiCam variants intended to address environmental differences and visual and near-infrared signatures.
Aftermath
The MultiCam portfolio broadened beyond a single pattern and supported applications across additional military and professional markets.
2010
MultiCam reintroduced for AfghanistanGeneration changeBackground
The U.S. Army required a camouflage solution for units deploying to Afghanistan after the limitations of Universal Camouflage Pattern became apparent in that operational context.
Action taken
The Army re-commissioned MultiCam under the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern designation.
Aftermath
The decision increased MultiCam's visibility among military and law-enforcement users and strengthened Crye's position in camouflage and tactical apparel.
2002
Launch of MultiCamProduct launchBackground
Military users sought camouflage capable of functioning across multiple environmental and lighting conditions.
Action taken
Crye Precision developed MultiCam in cooperation with the U.S. Army Soldier Systems Center and unveiled the pattern.
Aftermath
Although the Army initially selected Universal Camouflage Pattern for its main combat uniform, MultiCam remained in specialist use and was later adopted for Afghanistan deployments.
Recent events
- 2024
Crye releases limited-edition acid-washed G3 uniform[1]
Product launch · Campaign
Crye produced an acid-washed denim version of its G3 combat uniform for auction benefiting veterans' charities.
- 2022
Belgium selects MultiCam for its Defence Clothing System[1]
Product generation · Other
Belgian defense procurement plans announced a transition from the Jigsaw pattern to MultiCam beginning in November 2022, with Sioen and Seyntex involved in the contract and Crye associated with the camouflage system.
- 2020
Crye receives British Royal Marines uniform contract[1]
Product launch · Other
Crye was awarded a contract to produce a new family of uniforms for the British Royal Marines.
- 2020
Crye manufactures medical gowns during COVID-19 emergency[1]
Other
Crye collaborated with the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the New York City Economic Development Corporation and Lafayette 148 to make surgical gowns for New York medical workers.
- 2018
Authorities shut down a California counterfeit operation[1]
Lawsuit · Other
U.S. authorities took action against a California operation selling counterfeit Crye products manufactured in China.
- 2014
Crye involved in Operational Camouflage Pattern intellectual-property dispute[1]
Lawsuit · Other
The company became involved in an intellectual-property dispute concerning the U.S. Army's Operational Camouflage Pattern project.
- 2013
Crye introduces a family of MultiCam variants[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Crye unveiled several MultiCam variants intended to address different operating environments and reduce visual and near-infrared signatures.
- 2010
MultiCam returns for Afghanistan deployments[1]
Product generation · Other
The U.S. Army reintroduced MultiCam for units deploying to Afghanistan under the Operation Enduring Freedom Camouflage Pattern designation.
- 2004
U.S. Army selects Universal Camouflage Pattern over MultiCam[1]
Product generation · Other
The Army selected Universal Camouflage Pattern for its Army Combat Uniform, while MultiCam remained in limited special-operations use and continued to appear in future-soldier demonstrations.
- 2002
Crye Precision develops MultiCam camouflage[1]
Product launch · Other
Crye Precision introduced MultiCam, a camouflage pattern developed with the United States Army Soldier Systems Center for use across varied environments and lighting conditions.
Sources2 sources
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