A UATAC combat shirt combines two fabrics in one garment: ripstop sleeves in 65% cotton and 35% polyester, and a NyCoLy knit torso with 40% NILIT BREEZE nylon, 52% cotton and 8% elastane. The elbows are reinforced with CORDURA® 500d Brookwood® USA and EVA elbow pads are included.
The problem a combat shirt solves
Under a plate carrier the body overheats even at moderate temperatures. The carrier covers chest and back with a solid panel, air does not circulate, and sweat cannot evaporate. If the torso is cut from the same dense fabric as the sleeves, it soaks through, gets heavy and stops breathing within an hour of work.
Hence two familiar complaints: «wearing it feels like a plastic bag» and «the sleeves wore through in a month». Those are two different loads, and one fabric cannot answer both.
Why two fabrics in one garment
Sleeves touch soil, timber, concrete and gear — they need abrasion and tear resistance, which is what ripstop provides. The torso works under armour, where the problem is not wear but heat and moisture, so it uses a knit with a cooling technology.
| Zone | Material | Load | What it delivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sleeves | Ripstop, 65% cotton / 35% polyester | Abrasion, snags, ground contact | Durability and tear resistance |
| Torso (camouflage models) | NyCoLy: 40% NILIT BREEZE, 52% cotton, 8% elastane | Heat and moisture under armour | Cooling, moisture transport, stretch |
| Elbows | CORDURA® 500d Brookwood® USA | Bracing, crawling | Service life in the zone that fails first |
| Underarms | Mesh panel | Local overheating | Ventilation |
What NILIT BREEZE nylon does
It is a nylon with a cooling effect: it lowers body temperature under load, moves moisture to the outer surface where it can evaporate, inhibits the bacteria that cause odour, and blocks ultraviolet.
The practical effect shows up exactly under a plate carrier and on long movements: the shirt stays relatively dry where an ordinary cotton T-shirt is already soaked and cold in any draught.
What comes with it, and one important detail
EVA elbow pads are included — a light, resilient material that absorbs impact. Sleeve pockets have zippers and mesh inside, so they do not turn into heat traps.
Important: the NyCoLy knit is used in the camouflage versions of the combat shirt. In solid colours the torso uses a different knit, so check the specifications of the specific model you are buying.
Common mistakes
- Wearing a cotton T-shirt underneath: it absorbs moisture and holds it against the skin, cancelling the work of the knit.
- Buying a snug size — the shirt has to sit under a plate carrier without tension across the back.
- Washing with fabric softener: the film clogs the knit and kills the cooling effect.
- Drying on a radiator, which damages the elastane and the mesh panels.
- Expecting the thin torso to be as abrasion resistant as the sleeves.
What a combat shirt does not do
It is not an insulating layer on its own: it is a shirt worn under armour, not warm clothing. In winter it works as part of a system with a fleece and an outer layer.
It also offers no cut protection and is not flame resistant. The elbow reinforcement handles abrasion, not punctures.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Check which knit the torso of your model uses.
- Match the colour to your trousers so the kit stays in one pattern.
- Size it for wear under a plate carrier.
- Confirm the elbow pads are included.
- Choose a base layer: a moisture-wicking shirt, not cotton.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UATAC combat shirt made of?
Ripstop sleeves in 65% cotton and 35% polyester, and in camouflage models a NyCoLy knit torso with 40% NILIT BREEZE nylon, 52% cotton and 8% elastane.
Why two different fabrics?
Sleeves wear out from abrasion, so they need ripstop. The torso overheats under armour, so it needs a cooling knit with ventilation.
Are elbow pads included?
Yes, EVA elbow pads ship with the combat shirt, along with a dry bag.
What should I wear under a combat shirt?
A moisture-wicking shirt or a light thermal layer. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds it against the skin, which undoes the work of the knit.
Does a combat shirt keep you warm in winter?
Not on its own. It is a shirt worn under armour that works in winter as part of a layering system with a fleece and an outer shell.
Author: Serhii Vynnyk, founder and CEO of UATAC. Updated: 16 September 2026.