Hat, Combat, Tropical, Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP)

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History

The Hat, Combat, Tropical, Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) was introduced following the adoption of MTP in 2010, during the final phase of the Combat Soldier 95 (CS95) uniform system. It formed part of the transitional period between CS95 and the Personal Clothing System (PCS), and continued in service under PCS as the issued tropical hat. The design remained in use throughout the operational life of both uniform systems with minimal structural alteration.

The MTP tropical hat retained the established cut of the Hat, Combat, DPM Desert, including the removable neck cover. Structurally, the pattern had already reached a mature and functional form, and as a result saw little official redesign during its service life.

As with earlier CS95-era hats, field modification was common. Soldiers frequently reduced the brim or crown to decrease bulk and improve ventilation, and in some cases alterations were extensive, producing examples that only loosely resemble the original issued configuration.

Description

The Hat, Combat, Tropical, Multi-Terrain Pattern is fabricated from a 67% polyester and 33% cotton blended cloth, printed in Multi-Terrain Pattern (MTP) on the external face. The construction incorporates blackened brass grommets and mesh ventilation vents, tropical pattern binding tape, black elastic cord, a black plastic barrel lock, a black plastic tubular stopper, and khaki hook and loop fastening tape.

The hat features a flat, forward-sloping crown measuring 7.5 cm in height at the front and 9 cm at the rear. Two blackened brass mesh ventilation eyelets are positioned on each side of the crown. Around the base of the crown, a foliage band is sewn and secured down at intervals to form loops, allowing local vegetation to be inserted for camouflage enhancement. Internally, a reinforcing cloth band is sandwiched between the outer and inner layers to strengthen the foliage attachment area.

The brim measures 6.5 cm in width and runs continuously around the base of the crown. It is constructed from two layers of tropical pattern cloth with a stiffening layer sandwiched between them. Concentric rows of stitching extend outward to the brim’s outer edge to prevent internal shifting and provide additional rigidity. The raw outer edge of the brim is finished with tropical pattern binding tape to prevent fraying.

At the base of the crown on each side, a fabric tab with a metal grommet is fitted. Attached to these grommets is a black elastic cord, adjustable via a black plastic barrel lock, with a black plastic tubular stopper positioned at the centre of the cord.

The rear of the hat features a 28 cm by 2 cm fabric tab with the hook section of hook and loop fastening tape sewn to its external face. This tab extends from one rear grommet tab around to the opposite side and is designed to secure a removable neck cover. The neck cover itself is fabricated from double-ply cloth. It tapers toward the lower edge, features a shallow central recess, and runs straight across the top edge. Three loop patches are sewn to the internal upper edge to attach to the hook strip on the hat. The neck cover measures 17.5 cm in length at the centre, 18 cm at the sides, 26.5 cm across the top, and 33.5 cm across the bottom.

Examples

Example One (Standard Issue)

The brim has been cut down, reducing it to approximately 4.5 cm in length, with binding tape sewn over the newly exposed raw edge to prevent fraying.

The crown has been reduced in height by pulling the external side panels downward slightly and securing them at the upper edge of the foliage band, permanently closing the upper ends of the foliage loops. The modified crown now carries a subtle forward rake, giving it a shaped profile similar to the U.S. Hat, Sun, Hot Weather (Boonie Hat), with the rear sitting marginally higher than the front.

he long hook-and-loop tab used to secure the removable neck flap has been removed, having been cut out entirely. The brim has also been reduced to approximately 3 cm in length and left with a raw, unfinished edge.

This example has been extensively modified. The original crown panel has been removed and replaced with an MTP pattern polyester mesh, similar to that used in tactical load carriage equipment. The brim has been reduced to approximately 4 cm in length, with the raw edge finished using binding tape. The front section of the brim has also been sewn or tacked down to the crown.

In addition to the standard elastic chin strap, a 40 cm nylon retention cord has been fitted to the left side, threaded through the chin strap loop. The cord terminates in a small loop designed to attach to a shoulder strap loop or button, intended to prevent loss should the hat fall or be knocked from the head.

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