The base of a first kit is assault pants and a combat shirt in the same camouflage. After that you add layers by season: base layer, fleece, outer jacket. Knee pads, belt and dry bag already come with the trousers, and elbow pads with the shirt.
The typical first-purchase mistake
A kit gets assembled gradually: trousers first, a combat shirt a month later, a jacket in winter — each time whatever happens to be in stock. The result is two different camouflages, three generations, and clothing that does not work as a system: a cotton T-shirt under the combat shirt, nothing under the jacket, and no fleece at all.
The second mistake is buying the most expensive jacket and saving on the base layer. The base layer is what decides whether you end up soaked in sweat — and a wet base layer cancels out any jacket.
The order to build it in
| Step | What to buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Assault pants | Worn daily, ship with knee pads and belt |
| 2 | Combat shirt in the same colour | Top layer under armour, cooling and elbow protection |
| 3 | Base layer | Moisture transport; solves overheating |
| 4 | Fleece | Mid layer: standalone in shoulder seasons, under a jacket in winter |
| 5 | Jacket | Demi-season or winter, by season and mode of work |
Why one camouflage matters
Different patterns — and even different dye lots — behave differently, not only to the eye but in the near-infrared band that night vision devices work in. A kit built from two «nearly identical» colours produces a contrasting line at the waist, exactly where there should not be one.
So the rule is simple: pick the colour first, then look at what is available within it.
What is not part of a first kit
Body armour, plate carriers, footwear and packs are separate fields we do not manufacture. Budget for them separately and do not count on buying everything in one place.
Common mistakes
- Mixing colours because they «look close enough».
- Saving on the base layer after buying an expensive jacket.
- Wearing a cotton T-shirt under the combat shirt.
- Buying knee pads separately without knowing they are included.
- Postponing the fleece: without a mid layer the winter system does not work.
First kit checklist
- Choose a colour and keep it across every item.
- Take measurements and check them against each model's chart.
- Start with trousers and a combat shirt.
- Add a wicking base layer — not cotton.
- Add a fleece.
- Choose a jacket by season and mode of work.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I start with a first kit?
With assault pants and a combat shirt in one camouflage: the two items worn daily that decide most of your comfort.
What should I wear under the combat shirt?
A moisture-wicking T-shirt or a light thermal layer. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds it against the skin.
Do I need a fleece if I have a winter jacket?
Yes. The jacket retains heat; the fleece is the mid layer that creates it within the system.
Are knee pads and a belt included with the trousers?
Yes, along with a dry bag. The combat shirt ships with EVA elbow pads.
Can I buy a set rather than separate items?
Yes, uniform sets are available. That is simpler than assembling piece by piece and guarantees a single colour.
Author: Serhii Vynnyk, founder and CEO of UATAC. Updated: 16 September 2026.