Police Product Test: Tru-Spec T.R.U. 1/4 Zip Combat Shirt

While the style of the traditional military and law enforcement tactical uniforms hasn't changed much over the years, the technology and materials that go into them have evolved quite a bit. Tru-Spec's new T.R.U. ¼-Zip Combat Shirt is one of them. It features classic, utilitarian styling that has been updated to be more comfortable and perform better than those before it.

The Tru-Spec T.R.U. (Tactical Response Uniform) line is the company's top of the line and built to withstand the toughest conditions. The new ¼-Zip Combat Shirt is no exception. Starting with the body of this shirt, Tru-Spec updated the traditional cotton stretch fabric to a 60/40 cotton and Cordura nylon fabric. This not only creates a very breathable and comfortable base layer but also provides increased protection from burns and flash fires. Unlike the traditional cotton T-shirt feel of traditional combat shirts, this one feels more like a sports performance fabric common to compression workout clothing. It is not only super comfortable but does a much better job of wicking moisture away from the body. The ¼-zip front is clean and smooth, and the mandarin collar provides great neck protection without being restrictive.

Each sleeve has a reinforced elbow, making the shirt durable enough to withstand a range of motion. (Photo: Tru-Spec)

The sleeves are an entirely different animal. Made of a more robust Cordura cotton blend, the sleeves and shoulders provide no stretch but are durable enough to withstand the wear of body armor and protect the wearer's arms from injuries and burns. Each sleeve is gusseted for great range of motion and has a reinforced elbow for longevity. At the top of each is a cargo pocket with hook-and-loop closures as well as a large loop panel for patches and IR tabs. Moving down to the forearm, there are several pen/pencil sleeves and the cuffs each feature hook-and-loop closures as well.

Overall the fit and finish is top notch and the comfort is unrivaled. After several hours under heavy armor, I felt cool and dry and there were no chafing points anywhere. This shirt is my new go to, and at a very reasonable $62 direct from Tru-Spec for the model I wore you can't go wrong. Take a look at www.truspec.com .

Tru-Spec • T.R.U. 1/4 Zip Combat Shirt

• Body of shirt made from no melt, no drip Cordura Baselayer fabric

• 1/4 zip front mandarin collar; zipper has a cover hood for comfort

• Seamless, reinforced shoulders to minimize rubbing and chafing

• Storage pockets on sleeves

• Loop on sleeve pockets for attaching name, rank, and flag patches

• Glint tape holder for IR tape

• Reinforced elbow patches

• Gusseted sleeves

• Pen/pencil stalls

• Hook-and-loop cuff closures

• Sizes: XSmall–3XLarge Regular, Medium–2XLarge Long (Not all sizes are available in all fabrics/colors)

• Price: $61.95–$73.95 for 65/35 Polyester/Cotton Rip-Stop; $61.95 for 60/40 Polyester/Cotton Twill; $67.95–$81.95 for 50/50 Nylon/Cotton Rip-Stop

A.J. George is a sergeant with the Scottsdale (AZ) Police Department assigned to the Technical Operations Unit, Special Investigations Section. He has more than a decade of law enforcement experience in patrol, field training, and traffic enforcement.