Finding a comfortable shirt that holds up to wear
I was never a big fan of tactical clothing up until about 2008 and I had lots of experience with 5.11 tactical gear and Woolrich Elite products. 5.11 tactical pants have a well known reputation as being the leading tactical pant that everything else is compared to. Quality from t he behemoth of a company has absolutely waned and it is obvious that people were looking for something more. While the tactical pants market is pretty much bottle up, the tactical shirt market is wide open. I personally think there are more opportunities to make a better shirt than ever before.
Most tactical shirts feel like a uniform and are not very comfortable to wear. The only tactical shirts that I really still like are the Woolrich Elite 44901 short sleeve tactical shirts. These have a vented back and have a very loose feel. They had a great shirt called the zip up instructor shirt but for some odd reason it was discontinued. It was basically the same shirt as the 44901 but had a zip up shirt with false buttons which made it look like a regular tactical shirt but great for hot weather or even for wearing over a shoulder rig.
Elite Operator Tactical came out with a new tactical shirt a few months ago and although we like to test products out for a few months before we become too critical about them, we defanitely got a winner here. The Eotac style 410 Shooting Sports Polo is made of a 100% polyester material and is excellent for breath-a-bility. It’s been getting up in the 90F temps here in Virginia and it’s time to clear out the Spring weather clothing and get into summer gear. The Style 405 feel slightly lighter weight than some of the Woolrich Elite Series Polos I have worn in the past. We all have different styles and needs when it comes to what we want to wear, but I’d have to admit that the Polos I wore in the past were extremely hot and I could absolutely not wear them in 85F temps comfortable.
The Style 403 has a single pocket on the upper left of the shirt that can hold sunglasses or lightweight gear. See our sizing guide for your check and waste measurements. These shirts tend to run a little longer to help conceal gear at the belt line. Both the 403 and 4 pocket 404 shirt are available in Black, Natural, Light blue, Red and yellow. I would recommend trying atleast 3 colors to add to your wardrobe. With a shirt as lightweight like this, I wouldn’t hesitate to try the black shirts for summer carry.
The Operator Grade Mechanic Short-Sleeve Shirt is practical and discreet for everyday use. Styled after the popular mechanic shirts worn by industry professionals, it is low profile yet totally functional. The shirt comes with four patches to choose from. Simply sew one on the front of the shirt if you decide to make it look more authentic. Or leave the shirt without the patch for everyday casual wear. Two button-through chest pockets complete the authentic look of the shirt.