The story of Swiss Alpenflage Camo begins with me, the owner of Swiss-Link. Back in the 1990s, before the Swiss Army had officially released this camouflage pattern, I stumbled upon a truckload of these camo pieces destined for the dumpster. They had been intentionally slashed to prevent reuse. Utilizing my connections, I salvaged these items and had them repaired at a specialized shop.

The TAZ 83 pattern, commonly known as Alpenflage, was officially introduced by the Swiss Army in 1983. This pattern evolved from earlier camouflage designs, such as the TAZ 57, and was used primarily for non-combat troops until it was phased out in the 1990s. The TAZ 83 is a distinctive six-color pattern that includes tan, green, red, and black leaf shapes, making it highly effective in alpine environments, despite its seemingly bright appearance​​.

At that time, this camo was entirely new to the market. We initially sold them under the simple name "Swiss Camo," but I found that name lacking in character. Inspired by Switzerland's iconic Alps, I coined the name "Alpenflage" and even secured a trademark for it. Today, the term Alpenflage is widely recognized and used by the industry, including some officials in the Swiss Army.

I take pride in the widespread adoption of the name Alpenflage, and I don't charge anyone for using it. The name reflects the camo's origins and its connection to the Swiss Alps, where the Swiss Army frequently trains. In the late 1990s, the International Bird Watching Society recognized Alpenflage as the best overall camouflage ever conceived. Despite its seemingly bright colors, it blends seamlessly into outdoor environments, to the extent that we had to photograph it in a studio rather than in the field.

Alpenflage camo remains a remarkable and comfortable pattern, though it's becoming increasingly rare. Don't miss your chance to own a piece of this unique history—get your Alpenflage today.