A few weeks ago I decided to refresh my collection of workout shirts. I like to wear the Under Armour compression shirts. I picked up two large shirts one tan and one black. When I examined the shirts closer, the tan shirt was labeled “tactical”. Aside from color differences I did not notice any differences until I hit the gym.

The “tactical” version is the cut that I am used to, while it appears the “standard” version has minor updates to the seam placement. Most notably Under Armour moved the neck-to-arm seam off the traps, rolling it forward toward the collarbone.

This might not seem like a huge update, unless you put very heavy things on your shoulders. It seems that every time I use the standing calf machine (the weight is applied to the shoulders) , I come away with lines down my traps, along the path of the shirt seam.

So what is the practical upshot here:
1) I tend to think the new cut is a minor difference but looks a little cooler.
2) More importantly, my wife will not ask me what happened every time I come home with those bruises.
3) although I have not tried it yet, I wonder if it would make a backpack more comfortable.

While I like the colors on the “tactical” version, I think the cut of the “standard” is better.

Bonus Anecdote: The day after I bought the “tactical” version, I went white water rafting with a high school friend of mine. This guy is an army lifer has done a few tours in Iraq. I loaned him this shirt because he needed a rash guard. It instantly recognized it, and it color scheme. He said that he had a bunch of these on his first tour and they really helped deal with the heat, especially while all kitted up. Basically these things rock.

I should also note that they call it “heat gear” for a reason. On more than one occasion I have had to quickly layer up, when conditions changed and my heat gear started doing to good of a job.