Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Naked Snake Big Boss Cosplay Guide

Introduction

Greetings fellow cosplayers, my name is Ace of Snakes (formerly BlueLaguna88), and you've come across my guide on how to cosplay Naked Snake aka Big Boss from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. 

UPDATE: Now that MGS Delta was announced, I'll do my best to update this guide to include the newer gear in the remake.

Snake is both a complicated and expensive cosplay to put together. However, once completed, it is very satisfying to wear! Most of the equipment can be obtained online and at military surplus stores.

For reference, I am an average 5'11", 180 pound American male so my sizing will be in Standard as opposed to Metric.

Before we get started, I'd like to thank the original pioneers of Naked Snake/Big Boss Cosplay guides. Big Boss cosplayers couldn't have done it without you guys laying the groundwork! 

And also, a special thanks to vietnamgear.com for their extensive encycolpedia of Vietnam gear as well as reference photos. 

Kyle's Guide - (Defunct)

Ne0Ven0m - (Defunct)
Alex's Guide
The Ronin's References

Reference Pictures

 

 


Now, Let's Get Started!


Uniform

Price: $60-140

Tru-Spec Coat
Tru-Spec Pants

The uniform you'll most likely acquire will be a modern reproduction. You'd be shelling out easily $1K If you're lucky enough to find a vintage set in decent condition. There are however, identical reproductions on eBay for about $140. 

I sought advice from a militaria expert and they pointed me to the Tru-Spec 100% Cotton Rip-Stop Original Vietnam Tiger Stripe. Unlike the actual uniform, neither the pants nor coat have the cigarette pocket. Instead of just the two chest pockets, the coat also has two waist pockets. If you can get over those small differences, this is your best bet for an obtainable alternative. 

Since Snake uses many different patterns throughout the game you can essentially go with any pattern as long as your coat and pants are of the same brand. Two different brands of the same pattern will not match.

Don't forget to fold your sleeves right about your elbows. 

Compression Shirt
Price: $20-30

"Base layer compression shirt with a turtleneck" on Amazon

Snake's under-suit is a thing of fiction. Closest would be a wetsuit, but a compression shirt will work just fine.

Search for a base layer compression shirt with a turtleneck/mock turtleneck. The turtleneck is where your Throat Mic will strap around. 

The easiest place to find compression shirts will most likely be Amazon or a sporting goods store. Some of the ones you'll find online are in Asian sizing so make sure you pick your correct size.

Try to find one without a logo, but if it does happen to have one, you could remove it. If its printed on, you can use acetone/nail polish remover and rub it on the logo over and over until it falls off. If its stitched on, unstitch or color it.

P.S. I also recommend compression underwear as well. They feel great!

Gloves
Price: $20-25

G.I. Style D3A Gloves

Snake wears M1949 Gloves with the fingertips of the thumb, index, and middle finger cut off at about the second knuckle.

G.I. Style D3A Gloves look practically the same and are the easiest to find for a decent price. My hands are of average size so I went with size 4.

The following steps aren't necessary, but I highly recommend following them to preserve the longevity of the stitching when cutting off the fingertips:

Flip the gloves inside out so the stitching is visible. This is tough to do, you'll need tools to push the fingers inside out. Mark the gloves with something you can wash off (like chalk) a little under your middle knuckles of your fingers and cut the tips off at the markings. Stitch or glue alongside the seams so they don't come undone. Then, flip them back the right way


Knee Sleeve

Price: $15-20

Knee Sleeve

I recommend using the Copper Fit knee sleeve. I use the XL size so that it slips on and off easy enough. It's very thin, but does not provide any padding, so keep that in mind. 

You can remove the Copper Fit lettering with the acetone/nail polish technique.

Jungle Boots
Price: $45-50

Vietnam Jungle Boots

The easiest boots to obtain are Rothco's Vietnam Jungle Boots. Some reviewers say get a size smaller, others say get a size bigger. I wear mostly size 9.5 shoes but I ended up with an 8R. (military boots do not come in half sizes.)

I HIGHLY recommend getting insoles as these boots do not come with any. Your lower back and feet will ache if you don't use adequate insoles. In my opinion, Dr. Scholl's "work" insoles give the best support, but everyone is different and you'll need to do your own research based on your physical needs.

If your boots still feel slightly loose even with insoles, I recommend wearing thicker socks. It should make your boots nice and snug.

Bandana
Price: About $4

Ah yes, the bandana, Snake's signature article of clothing. Depending on which concept art/ in-game models/ HD art you want to follow, you should go with either olive drab, dark blue or blueish-grey fabric. Most fabrics at craft stores have a width of about 60 inches which is plenty to tie around your head.

You want to make sure you have enough cloth to cover your brows and forehead. Measure the distance from the bottom of your brow to your hairline, double that measurement, then add about half an inch, as you'll need that half an inch for when you stitch/glue the fabric together.

Fold the bandana in half length-wise and stitch/glue the bandana closed. Then, flip it inside out so the seams don't show.


Now, that we have the outfit out of the way, let us move onto load-carrying equipment! Most of these can be obtained at military surplus stores, but if you're looking for them in pristine condition, you'll probably have to buy them online.

Stabo Harness

Price: $50-500

"Stabo Harness" on eBay
Harness Buckle Kit

Nylon Webbing - Type 7
Nylon Webbing - Type 8

Hands down the most important but also the most expensive/rarest piece of his outfit; a real one will cost you about $500, if you can even find one in decent condition.

The in-game harness is black, however, olive drab reproductions are easier to obtain. My first harness was an olive drab military grade reproduction from eBay. You can also have them commissioned for about $200.

Another option would be making your own, however, you will need a very durable sewing machine as the nylon webbing is thick. I provided links in this section to the hardware and webbing. You're gonna need about 5 yards in black or olive drab. Type - 7 Webbing is very thick and sturdy, Type - 8 is thinner and easier to work with. 

I had my current harness commissioned made from Type - 8 webbing in black.

M1956 Individual Equipment Belt
Price: $9-50

Snake uses an individual equipment belt in olive drab with a horizontal weave pattern. These are hard to come by in decent condition, but there are lower quality reproductions for cheaper. 

M1956 1 Quart Canteen and Cover

Canteen: $10

Pouch: $20-$30

The plastic canteen is Probably the easiest piece of equipment to obtain. You can get them anywhere that sell camping and military supplies and they're fairly cheap.

This is one of the functional features of the cosplay that makes it fulfilling to dress up as Snake. Nothing like filling your canteen with nice cold water (or booze *shhh*, get a separate canteen exclusively for booze.)

A good condition pouch is a little difficult to come by. Most are faded or soiled from real use. Mine is started to show its age. If you do happen to come by one in nice condition, snatch it up. You might not get that opportunity again.

M1956 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Pouch

Price: $10-40 each pouch

Snake is equipped with two M1956 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Pouch. I currently use the 2nd pattern (Pictured above) for my cosplay. Its practically impossible to find the first pattern in usable condition, I've looked for years.

These pouches are great for storing your phone, wallet, etc.

Place an open box of baking soda in each pouch for about a week or two to help remove any stale odors and to help it reform its box shape. You can also use sturdier cardboard to help reform its shape.


M1956 Combat Field Pack 'Butt Pack' - 1st Pattern

M1961 Combat Field Pack 'Butt Pack' - 2nd Pattern

Price: $15-50

The butt pack used in the original MGS3 was a 1st Pattern M1956 Combat Field Pack, aka 'Butt Pack'. However, in Pachinko and Delta, Snake uses the M1961 Combat Field Pack which is bigger and more efficient. I use the 1st pattern butt pack.

To maintain its shape and storage capabilities, I inserted a box that was roughly the size of the pack, and cut off one of the box's walls so I can still use it for storage.

Radio Pouch

Price: Varies

German Uzi pouch - the right pouch

Australian M16 pouch - the left pouch

Vietnam era Australian L2A1 30rd Magazine Pouch  - the middle pouch

Custom made radio pouch (pictured to the right)

This was by far the hardest item to locate, and when I mean "locate", I mean a similar item, because a real Vietnam Radio Pouch looks nothing like the in-game pouch.

The easiest pouch to obtain is an olive drab German Uzi pouch (the pouch to the right). Looks extremely similar to Snake's radio pouch. If you're planning on inserting something in the pouch, there are dividers within the pouch that need to be removed. You can do that by cutting the seams of the dividers located on the exterior of the pouch. Also, the color doesn't match the color of the US pouches exactly, so if you have OCD, this might not be your best option.

Ne0ven0m's guide recommended the Vietnam Era Australian M16 Ammo Pouch (the pouch to the left) but I found the pouch to be too wide to be a radio pouch, still a great option if this is the only pouch you can obtain. 

You can also use an extremely rare Vietnam Era Australian L2A1 30 Round Magazine Pouch (the pouch in the middle). The pouch resembles the radio pouch from the concept art.

In the end, you should look for an ammo pouch that you like or make one yourself. Like the other pouches, use cardboard to keep its shape.

As of 2018, I'm using a pouch I custom made (pictured to the right) using material from an old M1945 Combat Field Pack. This was a pain in the ass to make and I will never make one again. However, I will upload how to make one at a later point.

M1 (M1916) .45 Pistol Holster

Price: $28-40

There are plenty of affordable reproduction holsters out there. I myslef use a reproduction holster. There are left handed variants so make sure you read the description carefully to get the right side. (Pun intended lol.)

This is going to be very very stiff when you first obtain it. You'll need to break it in. I recommend obtaining the holster a couple weeks before you plan on using it or use leather conditioner/mink oil.

Now, onto Snake's Weapons!

Colt M1911
Price: $7-25

Toy 1911 Spray Painting Tutorial

I have yet to find a toy/prop of the custom M1911A1. However, I found a colorful toy version on AliExpress for about $10, as well on Amazon for about $15.

Make sure to check the convention's weapon policy, most conventions do not allow functioning toy guns. I removed the firing mechanism from my gun. 

I've also linked a spray painting tutorial by Cosplay Chris on YouTube.


Survival Knife
Price: $20-30

Rubber Pilot Knife Replica

Rubber Trainer Knife
Ka-Bar Sheath

Search "Pilots/Ontario Knife (Sheath) on eBay"

The survival knife looks like a modified USAF Jet Pilot Survival Knife. I've come across a rubber replica from a company called TheFieldWerks. Unfortunately, as of my research in 2024, TheFieldWerks page seems to be offline so it might not be possible to purchase the replica.

I purchased the Marble's Pilot Knife replica for it's leather sheath, but as of 2020 I could no longer find the replica knife/ sheath combo. 

The sheath and a convention legal knife replica might be custom jobs from now on.

A cheaper/more obtainable alternative is a Ka-bar rubber training knife. The Ka-Bar sheath is a little tight for the rubber knife but it'll fit once broken in. It's not accurate but it gets the job done.

I used two tan colored 2 inch wide elastic boot blousers with velcro. It's a little tight but they're easy to use and they secure the knife in its place. I do not recommend using 100 mph tape (aka Duct tape in the civilian world) as it may leave residue. Unless you're really going for that authentic look, lol.


CQC Knife

Price Total: $2.50 for the file

Etsy link: CQC Knife
Paracord
Paracording Tutorial

Stick on Clip

Like many of his equipment, Snake's CQC knife doesn't actually exist either. After hours and hours of research I designed what I feel is a game accurate replica. You can download the print file from my Etsy page for just $2.50! As of right now, I do not have the capability to print the knives myself. I hope to be able to sell the knife printed and paracorded

If you don't have a 3D printer you can use makexyz.com to find local 3D printing services. I suggest using grey or silver material if you don't plan on painting it, otherwise any color works.

I suggest purchasing about 50 feet of Olive Drab Para-cord just in case you make more than one knife. 

I've also linked a paracording tutorial by ITS Tactical on YouTube.

I placed a stick-on clip (Amazon link above) on the backside of the knife sheath and simpley slid the holster onto my harness


Gadget time!


Vox/PTT Switchbox

Price: $2.50 for the file

Etsy link: VOX/PTT Switchbox

Like the CQC knife, the Vox/PTT Switchbox is also a thing of fiction. You can download the print file I designed for just $2.50!

Throat Mic

Price: $24- $140
Cheaper Throat Mics
Iasus Throat Mic

I bought a professional throat mic for my phone which was stupid expensive but fun, functional and all black including the earpiece. Make sure you're purchasing the "Black Ops 3 Throat Mic" to get it in all black. You can always go the cheaper route if you're not going to use your phone as your switchbox. I also added 3D printed bits so that the 3.5mm dummy aux cables can connect to the throat mic as accurately as possible. I will provide these files at some point for free once I perfect them.

Snakes earpiece is on his left ear but this mic was designed for the right ear, not a big deal, just simply use the throat mic upside down so that it now resides on the left side. You'll find that the earpiece will keep falling out of your ear, that's normal since its not designed for that side; takes a little manipulating and breaking in.

Radio/Antenna
Price: Free-Depends

WILL BE UPDATING THIS SECTION WITH MY DUMMY RADIO IN GHE NEAR FUTURE.

You don't really need a radio to fill in the pouch, you can actually get creative with this pouch; I filled it with a hollow dummy Vietnam Radio that houses my portable charger for my phone. 

You can also get creative and connect the dummy radio with a 3.5mm aux cable to run it into your switchbox. If you do this, I recommend a 2 foot cable.

Regardless of what you'll do to fill the pouch, you're going to need the radio antenna. You can find thin PVC pipes at home improvement stores. Use anything you could find for the antenna anything that's a thin pole. I would recommend cutting it to about 16-18 inches, depending on your height and the pouch's dimensions- I went with 16 inches- Snake's radio antenna reaches a little under his shoulder blade. Then wrap it in electrical tape in a diagonal direction giving it an antenna look and wrap it a few times at the top to give it that thicker antenna tip.

I wasn't able to figure out a way to have the antenna stick out from the sides of any pouch so you'll have to cut a hole on the lid of the pouch, I made a "+" shaped incision and slid the tube in. You'll need a sharp Exacto knife as military canvas is made to be cut resistant.

Optional Add-ons/Accessories

Blue Eye Contacts
Price: $25-50

I've experimented with them, they're definitely a fun add on but not necessary, I'm not used to contacts so my eyes got irritated by the end of the day.

Eye Patch

Price: Varies

"Metal Gear Solid  Eye Patch" on Etsy

If you go on Etsy.com you'll find lots of high quality custom eye-patches. I purchased a high quality patch from an Etsy Seller, it came out beautiful and I highly recommend it if you can afford it. I do not use the eye patch often.

Face Paint

Price: $5

"Army camo stick" on Amazon

Optional face paint, I didn't bother with it because I didn't want to feel greasy and smudge my shirt with my sweat and paint.

Cigar

Price: $1?

You don't need to go crazy on this, buy any cigar from a gas station or convenience store, you can burn the tip or paint it red-orange to give it that lit looks. Alternatively you can buy an E-Cigar. Just check with your Con rules.


Calorie Mate

Price: Varies

JapaneseTaste.com

These are a fun snack to have. You can buy them from Japanese Taste for like $60 + Shipping.

I've tried them all. Best to worst:

Maple: Tastes like pancakes.

Vanilla: Tastes like a vanilla cookie.

Plain(Discontinued): Had this potato/apple taste.

Cheese: Tastes like blue cheese.

Chocolate: Tasted like a spoonful of Ovaltine powder

Fruit: Tasted like lemon cakes. 

As a bonus, you can keep the calorie mate boxes as props

Mullet Wig

You don't necessarily need to add a wig to your cosplay. I've tried the Jett wig from Arda years ago when I first started cosplaying Snake, I did not like it. If you can grow out a mullet, fuck yeah! Do it! 

Conclusion

Well Snake Crew, that just about wraps up the guide for this cosplay, I hope my guide was very thorough and easy to follow. If you have any questions, recommendations, or concerns; comment below or send me a message on Instagram! 

I'll answer anything I can. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! If you found this blog helpful please follow me on Instagram and tag me in the cosplays I've helped you create! :]

instagram.com/aceofsnakes

See you at the Cons!

- Ace of Snakes