Field Top vs Combat Shirt with Spiritus Systems

[@toml7119]

As an infantryman with 15 years service in the British Army, I can't tell you how happy I am to see genuine fieldcraft and soldiering being made great again on this channel. My main issue with UBACs, as we call them, is that I get savage prickly heat off our issued polyester ones. The cotton field shirts don't make me sweat as bad!

[@davedave2941]

Now if we can tackle load carriage system(s) as no one wants to be a pack mule. Best ideas should always win when it benefits all.

[@swaayzii7228]

Swaps for flash

[@adammayo9302]

I haven’t thought of prickly heat in years and now I can feel it

[@charleshoward448]

No combat experience here, but when I was doing extended backpacking trips near the Pacific Crest trail, I always wore a slightly large BDU top. It would hold up to branches, dirt, mosquitos, camp life, rough hand washing in rivers, etc... On hot days I could wear nothing under it and get some good air flow to stay cool. If it was really really hot I could soak it water to stay extra cool. When it got cold I could put one or two insulating layers underneath it. The top would protect the fuzzy layers and block the wind, so I could stay pretty comfortable down to 30 degrees or so. I see the case for Combat Shirts for certain purposes, but if I'm going to be roaming around the wilderness, I'm definitely taking a Field Top.

[@sorearm]

Any particular BDU top? Thanks for the comment

[@charleshoward448]

@@sorearm Since the purpose was just a rugged outer layer, I went mil-spec but cheap (plus I was young and broke). I think all of them I bought were Propper. I'd have to repair some stitching every once in a while, but that was worth it to have the extra $40 to spend on things like water filters or light-weight backpacking meals.

[@sorearm]

@@charleshoward448 Thanks for taking the time to reply , good information - Propper are a great brand I've only recently discovered, I'll check that one out, o7

[@DefactoDesignsLLC]

Metallica shirt with woodland sleeves is highly based. The helikontex tops are pretty great for the $

[@SpiritusSystems]

MEGGAAAA BASSEDDD

[@johnrodriguez3870]

Metallica T-shirt with Woodland Camouflage M81 BDU collar and sleeves w/ pockets. I WANT ONE!!

[@sbl3223]

What???, i never saw that, where can i find a photo?

[@joeb6986]

Slayer>Metallica

[@styxrf]

@@johnrodriguez3870 hmmm. Business opportunity

[@koyou22]

Forget all these high speed operators, this guy gets it. True tips for grunts by grunts. Cliff gel pack and mosquito netting is what saves you in the field, not a fancy gun setup (but also maybe a fancy gun setup).

[@armyveteranhooah2813]

😂 #Facts

[@DoubleXPWeekend]

Seems to me that the the “assaulter larp” trend in the gun community has given way to a more practical mindset over the last couple of years and I’m happy to see it. These spiritus videos are a great resource for guys who want to develop a more well rounded loadout that can be used for more things than just kicking in a door and getting blasted in the face with a shotgun because they turned the wrong way lmfao.

[@daveonezero6258]

Don't make fun of them. It has been a long time since individuals have been well regulated and understand the needs.

[@allMala]

We need all the cannon fodder we can carry. Buy those SBRs while you can boys!

[@065Tim]

It's making way for the recon-LARP.

[@mpr746]

If you were a cop in a tropical country you would love combat shirts. They are awesome. Not the only tool in the box, but a pretty awesome one.

[@filoofox9934]

@@mpr746 Love them. And I work part time at a grocery store stocking shelves. Using Striker X pants and shirt

[@jake9886]

Love these guys. Wear their gear for work and respect the hell out of their videos. Always can appreciate people who have no problem telling you when another company makes quality gear that goes well with theirs.

[@frankheffernan8066]

You said it. The C.S. has its place, for me normally in conjunction with an urban load out plate carrier. I work a great deal in a jungle environment; mosquitoes, midges flies and ticks can punch straight through the torso/shoulder material of a combat shirt. Especially anywhere the shirt stretches across muscle. They are a liability in that environment. I also agree when your in the jungle a head net is worth it’s weight in gold or more. Great content.

[@robertscarduzio5720]

I’m no combat vet but I had to disarm a knife wielding man in a bar the glucose shot is a game changer. When the police came I didn’t feel good people treated me like a hero but I was jittery and did not feel right. The officer said put down the beer and really gave me a small snickers bar and I felt much better he explained the fight or flight reactions. Lesson learned

[@lancet.346]

I never laugh at bug nets! I always kept one on me in a cargo pocket. Rotten skeeters love me.

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

SKEETERS!!! 🦟

[@harosokman]

Could not agree more! Aussie here. We use both smocks and combat shirts a lot now, but often in rough Australian scrub, if you're not wearing a plate carrier you're often better off with a field shirt.

[@andyball9872]

Field shirt for sure mate.

[@elia9230]

I could tell this guy is a pipe pitter. He just told the world, After a gunfight just eat a cliff shot or w.e you'll be all right lol Love it. Got my subscription!

[@Nothing_141]

Thank you for passing on this knowledge. The content you guys make is one of the reasons why I buy your items over other competitors.

[@othernamesweretaken1871]

This type of stuff and the stuff Fred puts out there is invaluable. There are so many ‘pro tips’ and hot takes I never heard/considered when I was in. This is the best stuff spiritus provides.

[@ItchiusScrotus]

Bug nets are next level. I sewed one in to my bush hat that I used when required and folded it in to the bucket when not in use. I would never be without it. They also come in all colors for camouflage

[@tonybarone5757]

When I was in the marines back in the 1990s we were cutting the bottom pockets off our camie tops and sewing them on the sleeve for the field. It’s interesting to see how things have changed over the years.

[@danak8863]

When I was in the National Guard back in the early 2000s we were doing the same thing with our woodland and desert cammie BDU tops... It was funny because we had basically done up our BDUs exactly the same as the new digis at the time, but we never got them until 2009 or 10 whenever the official gotta have em phase in date was since nobody wanted to go out of their way and buy the new moon cammies.

[@airprivate]

I think the best compromise is the new hot weather top army and Air Force just authorized. No pockets on the body which keeps it slick and cool under body army but tougher and more wear resistant than the combat tee

[@spagsunfiltered]

The thumbnail triggered every CSM in a 600 mile radius. "HOW DARE YOU ROLL YOUR SLEEVES!" 😂😂

[@Phomex-or8zc]

It's heat cat 5

[@spagsunfiltered]

@Phomex-or8zc I was there when squad leaders and platoon SGTs were being relieved of duty for letting their Joe's roll sleeves....as in roll the cuff of their ACUs inward. Not even full sleeve roll like the BDU days. I got a negative bullet point on my last NCOER that read, "puts the needs of his Soldiers above the needs of the command".

[@Skycop24]

I remember being super pumped to finally get my combat shirts for deployment. However, I quickly found that I would sweat completely through the combat shirt relatively quick, completely soaking my iotv. I found that wearing a hot weather top with a quick dry tan tshirt that I could change out worked for me.

[@Godspeed_Survival]

I teach the same concept with the mosquito netting for Search and Rescue. I’m not big on comfort items but you won’t catch me out in the field without a headnet in the warmer months!

[@martinausterfield8597]

Best mod I ever saw for this was combat top with a field top over the top with the arms cut off like a waistcoat. Best of both worlds for easy transitions.

[@oni_goroshi]

Sounds kinda like what Tru-Spec did with their Xtreme line. You'd have a combat shirt, then basically a bdu sleeveless vest that you could put on over top. Together it just looked like you were wearing a bdu top.

[@tperry101202]

Love the desert tiger stripe, big gap in the market is I wish someone would make a field top in the raidmod format minus chest Velcro. Until then I’ll be sending more tops to hub city outdoors

[@rebel_scum_]

OP tactical sells the crye g3 in desert tiger (specific to OPtactical no one else carries it) with no velcro on the front. Just ordered one myself!

[@ravenks1sr15]

I love bug nets. Always had the last laugh in the field. Everyone had mad bug bites on their faces after waking up and I was just fine. Never a silly thing to have.

[@hatredsgames]

I was once active duty USMC I always liked the Desert MARPAT Camo on our uniforms. The USMC uniforms are super durable and last forever.

[@larrygibson9273]

Are you kidding? Jarheads could disassemble a bowling ball with a rubber mallet...

[@Model_Student]

And also get it pregnant

[@OpaKnows]

Got it. Which is why I carried both and used them to layer. Where one was not enough, both, or just the field top was the ticket.

[@larplabs7679]

Great video guys. It's hard to beat a field top for versatility. Here in Arkansas a field top with a standard hoodie underneath covers you for most of the seasons.

[@florianwild2791]

Here in Germany we have something called Feldbluse is pretty close to Ur BDU Top. Our Fieldtop equivilant would be the Einsatzkampfbluse with all velcro instead of Buttons.

[@bxsilverstein7457]

Good info. I definitely preferred "Op Cammies" to Combat shirts. Under a plate carrier, not much of a difference. But yes, having to tuck it in could be an annoyance. I still have my tri-color deserts and woodlands Op Cammies.

[@magsranger9847]

Smocks are GREAT I still run my old Auscam one all the time, its outstanding for winter stuff

[@065Tim]

I used the artist smock for more than ten years. It's great to carry all your were equipment and than some. Its thin enough to be used in the summer time with just a t-shirt underneath. And big enough to be used with a lvl6 jacket underneath. When plate carriers became standard issue I switched to UBACS.

[@coltonriley4066]

Great vid. Thanks for explaining it for some of us civis that don’t know any better

[@johnrodriguez3870]

NOT that Garand Thumb and His Videos on Combat Shirts are not informative, but, I really and truly appreciate this Man ,a Afghanistan War Veteran, and His Video on" Combat Shirts vs Field Blouses". Even long after I have been Honorably Discharged from both the Marine Corps and Army, I STILL wear 511Tactical and TruSpec Combat Shirts and Field Blouses in " Raider Modification ( Raid Mod)" form and fashion, with the U.S. 🇺🇸and an A+ Blood Type Velcro Patch.

[@MartyRodriguezOrthodoxMarine]

@johnrodriguez3870 : I'm A Huge Fan of The Raider Modification ( RAIDMOD) Battle Dress Uniform ( BDU) Blouse, Especially in Woodland M81 Camouflage Pattern.

[@donovanb9020]

The combat tops (when I was in the Army) always made me itchy, and I broke out into bad heat rash super quick. I'm pretty sure it was from the flame retardant fibers. But, a 100% cotton shirt under my FRACUs/ACUs never made me itch, and as long as I had clean shirts, I pretty much never broke out into a rash.

[@Muddy_Reviews]

Nice video and breakdown, you carry and do a lot of the same as I did/do. Those Photon lights are fantastic! I always had one on my DCU top in Iraq and took a second and put adhesive velcro hook on it to make a poor man's helmet light. Worked quite well. The cut down signal panel is a must for FLOT and buzzsaws are $.

[@tomb2289]

As a recruit this is really interesting stuff, the bug net is a great shout

[@onniaarnio3657]

What i did in my service time in finland where it gets really cold sometimes i would wear only a combat shirt in the summer and then in the winter use it as a mid layer. The combat shirt is just unbeatable with PC on especially if youre running a battle belt

[@hoone1236]

same here, combat shirt year round, with light layer underneath during winter and possibly smock over it when it got really cold

[@Shute47]

I've had a vertx field shirt for years that I like quite a bit. Doesnt have the front pockets but the arm ones are nice. This was super informative thanks for all the info

[@daviddiaz1157]

0441 (used to be red patcher) here during ops in Wti Yuma we used desert frogs they were great during day external lifts but at night when teams are switched out I’d keep my plate carrier on to maintain warmth and it’s my personal set and plan to use for hunting in Az

[@BrickersInArms]

another drawback to combat shirts when worn with just a chestrig or some sort of LBE is that you typically have less effective camouflage as your torso is just one pot colour. This is especially obvious with some of the old combat shirts you see with bright tan material for the torso, whereas BDU tops are of course entirely camo

[@hoone1236]

newer combat shirts have cam print torsos, so theres that

[@BrickersInArms]

@@hoone1236 true, but they're the exception rather than the norm and most countries' issued combat shirts still have the base colour torsos.

[@wisemencompany]

Such great info. Keep it up Spiritus.

[@Tier1Norseman]

Combat shirts are for stateside bases, field tops are for combat and field use. 😊 USAF SF at Nellis allowed us to wear combat shirts during hot summer days and field tops for winter or cold nights.

[@bollywig7871]

100% on the bug-net. I always carried one to sleep in when we'd just crash on the ground for the night.

[@joehumphreys5571]

A 2 piece belt with your shirt tucked in isn’t great with the field shirt but I found just the bigger outer belt worn on top of the field shirt was the most comfortable.

[@alberteinstien7637]

Don't use detergents with Optical brighteners on your camo. The optical brighteners reflect IR

[@christophersmith2608]

I love my Rhodie camo field top and Gen 3 pants from shadow strategic/fire force ventures!!

[@scotthays2376]

I never thought about the glucose shot. Thanks for the pro tip!

[@madseasonitsamadseason8509]

I wore woodland cammies for 6 years, never starched them once...pissed off the officers so much. Like you said, every thing has its place and time. I do wish combat shirts were around when i was in, especially since i was wearing the overlap vest style plate carrier.

[@MartyRodriguezOrthodoxWarrior]

As Of The Publication of This Video, I Still Wear RAID MOD BDU Uniform Tops and Combat Shirts In Various Camouflage Patterns As A Matter Of Practical, Tactical and Useful Applications . Awesome Possum Video.

[@Firefox13A]

In Baghdad 2005 peak summer during my daily patrols, I got really bad prickly heat from DCUs and IBA. I stopped wearing t-shirts under my DCU top. My later deployments I continued this as the ACU’s combat shirt was suffocating. My fifth tour I got a Crye G3 combat shirt that was amazing. In winter, I opt for field shirts and not combat shirt.

[@MrRyryrose]

Combat shirts on the “op” or hit or raid or whatever. Field top for the field. I think with gwot a lot of guys took helicopter raids to heart, and lost that ww2/korea/nam patrol for days on end camp out in the field etc. each has a place

[@MrRyryrose]

Also to note…. The bdu top with belt…. It use to have the belt over it at the waist with suspenders then we started doing on the hip belts so combat top(i know people know this but some might not)

[@JTimberB.45]

@@MrRyryrose I didn’t know that thanks for the info

[@rhodesnd3670]

Bruh if it's 100 degrees out with 100% humidity idc what I'm doing. I'm rocking a combat shirt

[@TheTyrial86]

That bug net is key to survival when horse flies are out.

[@065Tim]

Also good for added camouflage when using facepaint.

[@ronaldrobertson2332]

A lot better than using a bofors AA gun on those things! 😉

[@PhantomZAKU]

I have a habit of going after field tops over combat shirts even in hotter environments.

[@Tohruaholic]

4:28 my dad used to tell me stories from his days during TELIC 1 and he used to say that he would only wear his smock as a shirt as it allowed so much more breathability as to the regular shirts the British were issued at the time

[@chocolatedumdum2]

Most underrated tool: glowboard of lume tape.

[@freddyt86]

What’s typically used to put the lume tape on for this?

[@kerrybay7995]

Combat shirts are for date nights, bowtie optional. Field tops are EDC/hiking/camping/traveling holy grail.

[@brianvannorman1465]

10:25 into the video, it's that after the adrenaline dump lull. That's the reason I think some 100% organic range free coca leaves in a pinch of chewing tobacco should be a thing. Helps out all those Peruvians with their goals high up in the Andes.

[@mateo1726]

This is almost a modern tactical shooting kit history video. Some history of kit vids would be sweet

[@shtsurfer]

Bug net is a great idea for summer, gives a little camo effect also.

[@FIRSTSPEAR1]

Adam, thanks for the Squadron Smock callout. #AmericanMade #TubesMafia

[@DecentRecruit]

Well. I guess I'm going to the tailor to have uniform sleeves stitched onto band t shirts now.

[@almartin9500]

I still have and use my raid-mid shirts from Asscrackistan. The “battle” shirts weren’t around in 03-04, at least I don’t remember seeing any.

[@lonesapper]

I wore both in Iraq and Afghanistan and honestly if I knew we were going on a short mission the combat shirt was great but if we were going out for longer I opted for the combat top. Plus I felt like even though the combat shirt was light I can feel the scorching heat thru the shirt if I had to wear it by itself

[@dvazquez5652]

I actually prefer to wear an OCP hot weather or jungle top over a combat shirt for both chest rig and plate carriers.

[@robd.2469]

Former 82nd paratrooper (11b). I personally back the field top all day.

[@blackopsol9383]

I have a slocam combat shirt and pants as part of my kit and the one thing I wish is that they had field shirts available on uf pro to buy

[@Misfitk85]

I would have both, combat shirt for hot climates with plate carrier only and the top for everything else

[@Notafed_69]

Rule of thumb I've always followed in the military is if I'm wearing plates, combat shirt. If I'm wearing a chest rig only, I go with a normal top/field shirt/whatever you call it.

[@markusajo5007]

i typically use a variation of british Windproof Smock and even i'm not safe from the mosquitos. and for the choice is PC and combat shirt OR chest rig and recon smock? worked out so far

[@W34RD07]

Love these and how informative these vids are. But I also noticed Adam picking the combat shirt constantly early on just made me giggle xD

[@danscott8899]

In Afghanistan I would wear my combat shirt during the day and put on my field top over it when it was cold or at night. I remember them making us combat shirts from uniforms and t shirts. I ended up buying my own.

[@pelagicdesperado9875]

The combat shirts are cool but I always opt for the regular field tops(not the hot weathers). Bugs and thorns poke right through the combats and hot weathers

[@065Tim]

Put a TQ per arm pocket. Stick the tip of the band to the Velcro on the outside of the pocket. These TQs should add to the TQs on your carrier.

[@USpatriot741776]

This isn't 10th mtn lol

[@noahgondo6636]

Thanks for putting this out guys.

[@SpiritusSystems]

Our pleasure!

[@DD-sp4id]

It's a smock not a schmock :) And you can get much lighter smocks with less pockets, like a hooded version of your field shirt/RADI-modded top.

[@kogarashi1994]

I have one of those bug nets. Their super breathable.

[@recondo886]

old dude here, we called them a BDU shirt. regardless the Camo pattern- woodland, desert chocolate chip, desert 3 pattern or Ranger green. I'm too lazy to dig out and old shirt for the nomenclature and NSN.

[@charlesl5226]

Love my USMC cami top but dam do they get hot. It would be cool if they took the frog tops and normal tops and put them together. With venting and pockets pull over vs. button up. But definitely a good idea to Cary one of each with you. Day time, use the frog, night time throw on the other top

[@JohnRodriguez-si9si]

Post-Marine Corps and Army ( 1987-1998, with 1 Year and 4 Months in the Army National Guard ( ARNG) and US Army Reserve ( USAR) ) , @ 55 Years Old, I Myself STILL own and wear in Medium Regular, occasionally Medium Short, various Camouflage Patterns of Combat Shirts and Raider Modification ( " Raid Mod") Cammies, the latter in M81 Woodland BDU and DCU Three Pattern Camouflage , with the kidney pockets up on the shoulders, with velcro Forward and Reverse US 🇺🇲🇺🇸 Flag Patches.

[@MartyRodriguezOrthodoxMarine]

@JohnRodriguez-si9si : AGREED 😉🤘‼️

[@DGenXer]

I understand the ease of the combat shirt. But I've seen dudes get killed from small pieces of shrapnel that will go through the combat. Unlucky( yes) but that is why i would go with the garrison top over the combat shirt. Nothing personal the combat shirt are nice ( for recce missions) when the chance of contact is low. But in a full on mission where contact is going to happen, I'd take my garrison top. Just my opinion thanks for the video.

[@ms_shooting]

You guys should make a fishnet headgear like you have in you're pocket and sell it. I would buy it. Great idea.

[@triggerhappytexan]

they're literally $5.99 at any outdoor's store

[@shockwave6213]

Combat shirt for high speed ops with an expected RTB time expected within a day. Field top for extended stays in the field.

[@mathewthatcher6274]

Just announced... Limited edition run of Metallica M81 combat shirts from Spiritus Systems available while supplies last

[@dustinhill330]

Who would be good surplus manufacturers?

[@HowardtheDuck1975]

What about the Crye Range Vest that was developed circa 2004ish to be worn over the combat shirt? It even had Pals webbing so you could carry a pouch or two in settings that you didn't wear armor. Do you think the range vest will make a return?

[@TheGearTester]

Excellent video. I appreciate the useful information!

[@tylerfreal6472]

i carry a tq a mini pressure dressing gloves and a triangle bandage in my right shoulder pocket in my left i have a signal kit of 8 feet neon survival cord,whistle,2 chemlights,keychain flashlight and cut viz 17 panel rest of my uniform pockets is mission essential gear

[@thomaslbryant]

So what’s the special ingredient in the combat shirt that makes them smell so….special?

[@beardedfreedom]

I’ve always loved my bdu (field top) over a combat top, because of the durability and it tends to be more comfortable to me vs being tight fitting like a combat top. All the guys would ask me why I would wear that out on patrols instead. I’d always say, “I’m just to use to button up shirts” 😂

[@maltaconvoy]

Quality content, very helpful. Thanks very much for this. 👍🏻

[@nightfury6836]

Can the "combat shirt" serve as a decent substitute to an actual base layer during cold weather movements...?

[@cscearce2000]

Field tops without a t shirt underneath is better than a combat top imo

[@jclc4201]

Nice Video man! New sub here! Im always interested with army stuff... looking for surplus army stuff here also. Im from California, not so sure where to find it.

[@erichironsson8592]

Really dig the way Adam says "smock."

[@freddyt86]

Sh-mock

[@sorearm]

The bug net was probably one of the best things

[@zacharysimmons5597]

I’m interested where you got the info in regard to replenishing glucose levels after a stressful event. Any resources you could link me to?

[@veteranprecision6532]

I am curious about combining lighter and darker camo pattern top and bottoms, and what type of situations would call for either or. I feel like I recall mostly seeing woodland tops with DCU or khaki bottoms. I'm interested in mixing a Multicam Tropic top with arid bottoms.

[@nertervern]

Damn that bug net is a great idea. I wish I had that shit thinking about all the shitty days I've had because of those damn bugs. I used a shemagh doused in deet, worked most of the time.

[@dreb222]

The best thing about most of this advice is that it’s multi purpose, and can be used in so many situations even outside of the combat realm.

[@theroguenob]

I like the new summer ocp tops more than the combat shirts.

[@piewithmoustachepwm]

"If you were in the military you definitely have one!" Oh we had to return those here in the FDF... so of course I got one! XD

[@5five6x45]

As always great information and insight my friend❤️❗️

[@SpiritusSystems]

Glad you think so!

[@huyhoangviet5966]

I love american field shirts. I'm from vietnam, so the heat sorta suck a bit but field shirt all the way baby.