Helikon-Tex RAID Polycotton Stretch Ripstop Shirt

The RAID is a tactical combat shirt designed for those who wear a uniform on duty or spend long hours working outdoors. It is built from Polycotton Stretch Ripstop fabric (48% cotton, 50% polyester, 2% elastane). The elastane content gives the weave four-way stretch that standard polycotton ripstop simply does not provide, keeping arm movement fluid even when wearing a ballistic vest or a chest rig on top.

The raglan construction removes seams from the shoulder line: where a conventional shirt creates a pressure point between the sleeve and the chest panel, here the fabric runs continuously. Anyone who has worn a load-bearing harness or a plate carrier for extended periods knows how that seam ends up chafing over the course of a shift; the RAID addresses the problem at the source rather than with added padding. The trade-off is that a raglan cut tends to produce more volume across the chest than a classic set-in sleeve, so anyone looking for a close fit may want to size down.

The 8 pockets are arranged across three levels: two angled chest pockets with snap-button closure, two internal mesh pockets on the chest (one zipped, one open), two angled shoulder pockets with hook-and-loop or snap-button closure, and two smaller shoulder pockets with no closure for flat items such as a compass or a notebook. The layout avoids concentrating weight in one spot and keeps the chest pockets accessible while wearing a vest, provided the vest does not fully cover the shoulder area.

Key points

• The 2% elastane blend adds four-way stretch without sacrificing the tear resistance that defines ripstop construction.
• The raglan construction eliminates shoulder-line seams, reducing pressure and chafing under a harness or ballistic vest.
• Eight pockets spread across the chest and shoulders let you carry accessible gear without loading everything onto a single point.
• The smaller shoulder pockets, with no closure, allow quick retrieval of flat items such as a compass or notepad without opening zips or buttons.
• The internal mesh chest pockets provide a concealed extra compartment, useful for documents or small items that should not be visible from the outside.

In the box

• Helikon-Tex RAID shirt