Gen 5.7 is the newer UATAC line and it is fully compatible with the Gen 5.6 system. The main differences: Gen 5.7 trousers have thirteen pockets against eleven, including two side pockets for a knife, and the Gen 5.7 combat shirt uses a NyCoLy knit torso with cooling technology. Pieces from both generations can be worn together.
Why the question comes up at all
When Gen 5.6 and Gen 5.7 sit side by side in a catalogue, the older one looks obsolete. In practice it is not: Gen 5.6 remains the core current series, refined through five iterations of changes driven by feedback from real use. The new generation is a development of the line for specific requests, not a replacement.
The second source of confusion is compatibility. People worry that trousers from one generation will not work with a combat shirt from another. They do — the camouflage and the attachment system are shared.
What changed between generations
| Generation | Pockets (trousers) | Key changes |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 5.2 | 10 | Base construction of the line |
| Gen 5.4 | more than 5.2 | Pockets for small items and a phone, expanded cargo compartments, ventilation |
| Gen 5.6 | 11 | Second ventilation zone, pass-through pocket, Teflon finish, switch to CORDURA® 500d Brookwood® USA |
| Gen 5.7 | 13 | Two side pockets for a knife, variants in MM-25 Twill-Ripstop fabric, NyCoLy knit in the combat shirt |
The change that is easiest to misread
The move to CORDURA® 500d looks like a step backwards on paper, because the denier number is lower than the previous 1000D. Denier is the linear density of the yarn, not the strength of the finished fabric. The original CORDURA weave delivers more abrasion resistance per unit of denier, while coming out lighter and softer on the knee — which matters directly when crawling or sitting for hours.
Why most changes are invisible in photos
Between generations dozens of small pattern corrections accumulate: seam placement, the shape of the crotch gusset, waistband position, pocket angles. None of it shows in a product image, but it is what redistributes load across the fabric and reduces seam failures.
When a review says «two years of wear, not a single seam», that is the result of this quiet design work rather than of the fabric alone.
Which generation to choose
- You want a proven working kit — Gen 5.6.
- You need the extra side pockets for a knife — Gen 5.7.
- You want MM-25 Twill-Ripstop fabric — look at Gen 5.7 variants.
- You want maximum cooling under armour — the Gen 5.7 combat shirt with NyCoLy knit.
- You are adding to an existing kit — take whichever generation has your colour; they are compatible.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the older generation is obsolete and not worth buying.
- Comparing generations by pocket count alone.
- Reading a lower denier number as lower quality.
- Mixing colours rather than generations — incompatibility comes from colour, not from Gen number.
- Expecting a newer generation to be automatically warmer or more waterproof.
What a generation change does not do
It does not change the class of the garment: trousers remain a mid-layer item, not an insulated winter kit. It also adds no ballistic or flame protection.
Frequently asked questions
How is Gen 5.7 different from Gen 5.6?
Thirteen pockets instead of eleven, two added side pockets for a knife, MM-25 fabric variants and a NyCoLy knit torso in the combat shirt. The generations are system-compatible.
Can I wear Gen 5.6 trousers with a Gen 5.7 combat shirt?
Yes. The camouflage and attachment system are shared, so pieces combine in one kit.
Is Gen 5.6 obsolete?
No. It is the core current series, refined through five iterations based on real field use.
Why the switch from 1000D to CORDURA 500d?
Because denier measures yarn density, not fabric strength. The original CORDURA weave gives more abrasion resistance and weighs less on the knee.
Which generation is warmer?
Neither. This is not a winter line: warmth comes from the layering system and an insulated outer layer, not from the generation of the trousers.
Author: Serhii Vynnyk, founder and CEO of UATAC. Updated: 16 September 2026.