Helikon-Tex RAID Polycotton Stretch Ripstop Shirt

The Helikon-Tex RAID Tactical Shirt is a combat shirt made from Polycotton Stretch Ripstop fabric (48% cotton, 50% polyester, 2% elastane), designed for those who wear a harness or tactical vest for hours at a time and cannot afford restricted shoulder movement or friction at contact points. It is aimed at serving operators, dynamic shooters and outdoor practitioners who need a working shirt with a genuine, functional pocket layout rather than a decorative one.

The raglan construction moves the sleeve attachment seam toward the collar, eliminating shoulder seams entirely: anyone who wears a plate carrier or chest rig for extended sessions knows how much that single design choice reduces pressure points between the fabric and the harness. The elastane content adds lateral stretch that a pure cotton-polyester ripstop cannot offer, allowing the wearer to raise an arm, crouch or shoulder a weapon through the full rotation of the torso without feeling the fabric pull.

There are eight pockets arranged according to a clear usage logic: two angled chest pockets with snap buttons for flat items, two internal mesh pockets (one zipped, one open) for maps or notebooks, two angled shoulder pockets with a mixed velcro and snap button closure, and two smaller shoulder pockets for small items such as a compass or pen. The choice of snap buttons on the main closures rather than velcro alone slows opening slightly compared to a full velcro panel, but eliminates tearing noise in contexts where discretion matters and provides a more secure closure when the pocket is loaded.

Key features

• Raglan construction: no shoulder seam, direct compatibility with tactical vests and harnesses without additional friction points.
• Stretch Ripstop fabric with elastane: the tear resistance of ripstop combined with the give of elastane for full freedom of movement in shooting positions and while moving.
• Eight pockets with differentiated access logic: chest pockets for frequently used items, shoulder pockets for small accessories, internal mesh pockets for flat documents such as maps and notepads.
• Snap buttons on main closures: quieter than velcro and more reliable under heavy pocket loads, at the cost of slightly slower access.
• Available in multiple sizes to accommodate use under bulky equipment without needing to size up.