Underarmour Baselayer Shirt

Recently I had the pleasure of spending some time at Pro Airsoft Supplies in London (don’t we all love visiting a great store!) and was very pleased to see that they’ve started to stock on good range of performance base layer gear from Under Armour Tactical.

Since its inception in 1993 the Under Armour Tactical product line has been one of the real ‘movers and shakers’ in relation to transforming what we near next to our skin, and have provided startling levels of performance. Starting with just one T-shirt, Under Armour have also evolved to address the needs of the professional user beyond next to skin products as their range now includes Tactical Gloves, Tactical Footwear and Shell Garments. Under Armour’s goal is to make you cooler or warmer, lighter and drier, and more comfortable so you can attain optimal performance levels day after day.

When it comes to next to the skin usage though, Under Armour Tactical break things down into two main categories: HeatGear is for when it’s hot and it’s designed to keep users cool, dry and light.

Ideal use in Extremely Warm Weather. ColdGear is for when it’s cold and is designed to keep users warm, dry and light. Ideal use Temperatures under 13°C.

Now I’ve been using ColdGear during the winter months for some time and it really is super-light and ultra-warm. Under Armour Tactical have recently upped the ante with the introduction of ColdGear Infrared; it’s an exclusive print technology that actually holds body heat. What’s the benefit of this I hear you ask? Well basically you get the same weight and feel as your favourite baselayer, but it warms up faster and stays that way longer.

The ColdGear Infrared Mock Neck is a lovely design too, perfectly suited for wear under a shell garment in those colder months of the year. It sits close to the skin for a streamlined fit without the squeeze of compression, and the higher neck keeps you snug without having to resort immediately to a neck gaiter. Four-Way Stretch allows greater mobility and maintains shape, whilst a smooth flatlock seam construction means that rub points are eliminated. It is extremely comfortable next to the skin, and all the little details work perfectly; the mock neck is snug and warm without being too tight, and the cuffs are simple, with very low bulk.

Stay Warm, Look Cool

ColdGear Infrared uses a soft, thermoconductive inner coating to absorb and retain your own body heat and a dual-layer fabric gives you a soft, warm interior and a smooth, fast-drying exterior. The Moisture Transport System wicks sweat away from your body and the quick-dry fabrication keeps you light and comfortable. Added to this Anti-Odour technology prevents the growth of microbes, which means the Mock stays pleasant to wear for longer too!

As with many baselayer products the Mock is put together using a Polyester/ Elastane mix so please make sure you don’t expose it to an open flame! That said, this is the only minor niggle about what is a superb piece of performance clothing and I for one am really looking forward to seeing what Under Armour Tactical come up with next.