Tactical shirts at Recon Company: operational shirts and field shirts for duty and the field

A tactical shirt has to do more than just look good. Pockets that can be reached whilst wearing a protective vest. Fabric that doesn’t sag after twelve hours on patrol. Cuts that allow for movement without slipping out of your waistband during vehicle checks. With over 30 years’ experience as a supplier to the public sector, we know the difference between an operational shirt that works on duty and one that merely looks the part. Our range extends from the original Bundeswehr field shirt to technical outdoor shirts made from merino wool.

Operational shirt or service shirt: two concepts, two operational worlds

The terms are often confused, but they refer to different products. A service shirt is office wear for indoor duties: plain cotton or blended fabric, chest pockets with flaps, a classic collar. Available in light blue, white or black, it is worn as part of the uniform under a jacket by the police, customs and local law enforcement agencies. The Mil-Tec service shirt covers precisely this area: neatly finished, available in standard sizes and priced within the budget for an initial kit.

An operational shirt, on the other hand, is designed for field work. Ripstop fabric instead of smooth poplin. Reinforced elbow areas. Ventilation openings at the back. Sleeve pockets with pen compartments and cable grommets. The 5.11 Stryke Shirt is a typical example: Flex-Tac fabric with mechanical stretch that moves with you during rapid movements without tearing. With its Plato range, the Pentagon offers a comparable design at a lower entry-level price, solidly made and with slightly less stretch, but perfectly adequate for patrol duty and training.

Field shirts and field blouses: Bundeswehr originals and tactical alternatives

The Bundeswehr olive-coloured field shirt has been standard issue in the Bundeswehr for decades. Sturdy cotton fabric, a simple cut, and buttoned breast pockets. Not a technical marvel, but a tried-and-tested workhorse that reliably fulfils its purpose in basic training and field service. We stock it both new and second-hand; the latter is a genuine, low-cost option for reservists and training purposes.

The Generation 2 field shirt in Flecktarn is the latest development: improved cut, adjusted pocket positioning, and also available in plus sizes. For overseas deployments, there is the tropical camouflage version. Both models are genuine German Armed Forces (BW) procurement items – no replicas, no deviations from the original pattern.

Those who require more functionality than thestandard field shirt offers will find tactical shirts from Claw Gear, UF PRO and Leo Köhler featuring integrated ventilation zones, elasticated panels and MOLLE-compatible attachment points. These models cost significantly more, but are designed for personnel operating in high-intensity scenarios rather than for basic training.

Outdoor shirts and merino shirts: functionality off-duty

Not every tactical shirt in the range is intended for duty. Fjällräven produces trekking shirts with UV protection and quick-drying fabric, which really come into their own when hunting from a raised hide or whilst hiking. Aclima is forging its own path with the LeisureWool range: woven merino wool in shirt form. That may sound unusual, but as an odour-neutral outdoor shirt on multi-day trips without washing facilities, it performs better than any cotton shirt.

The price difference is considerable. A BW field shirt costs under 30 euros, whilst an Aclima woollen shirt costs just under 200 euros. The comparison is unfair, however, as they are different tools for different tasks. One is workwear designed to be worn out, the other a technical garment that lasts for years.

Long-sleeved or short-sleeved: what to look out for when choosing

The question may sound trivial, but it has practical implications. A long-sleeved tactical shirt protects your forearms from undergrowth, UV radiation and abrasion from the ground. Most models from 5.11 and Pentagon have sleeves with a roll-up function and a tab, so you can turn a long-sleeved shirt into a short-sleeved one in seconds without having to change shirts. Anyone who operates exclusively in high temperatures should opt straight for the short-sleeved version. Less fabric means less heat, but also less protection. For operations in the woods or at dusk, when insects become active, the long-sleeved option is the better choice.

You can find an overview of all outerwear options, from jackets to shirts, in our outerwear category.

• Discounts for all law enforcement and emergency services agencies and their families available on request.
• Worldwide field post delivery to Bundeswehr deployment addresses.
• Expert advice available in-store in Salzgitter or online from our Recon team.
• ISO 9001 certified, quality assured from procurement through to dispatch.