Review
KITANICA’s The Shirt is one of the more robust garments I have worn. Made of a thick 7 oz, 60/35 poly-cotton ripstop, The Shirt was made for extreme usage in extreme conditions.
Overview:
As I stated above, The Shirt is made of 7 oz, 60/35 poly-cotton ripstop, consists of four main pockets, two secured with hook and loop on the chest, and two with heavy duty zippers on each arm. The right arm consists of a morale patch hook and loop square, and on the left, 3 small pockets for small accessories like writing utensils or small trauma shears. Each arm also features a pocket in the elbow for KITANICA’s padding system. The back of the garment is pleated for optimal mobility.
Build Quality:
The build quality of KITANICA’s The Shirt is what you would expect from KITANICA, very good. Just about every seam is double-stitched and is made to be abused. The pleated areas offer great movement when the garment is worn and the double-layered, full yoked shoulders provide great durability.What stands out most about the garment are the padded elbow pockets along with the superior pleated back for optimal movement. The padded elbows pockets are KITANICA’s new bread and butter. Just about all of KITANICA’s garments come with some padding option whether it be on the back or on the arms. KITANICA is all about padding pressure points and KITNICA’s The Shirt comes padding system ready.
The Padding System:
The memory foam-like padding system is strategically honeycombed, which allows the pad to bend and flex with the user’s elbow. The removable pad starts at the elbow and extends to around the middle of the forearm, offering a good amount of coverage. The padding system is constructed out of Poron XRD, a smart foam which is then coated in channel-molded polyurethane. The pads are made to absorb energy and prove to be a great buffer between your elbows and the ground. From a tactical standpoint, the proper way to hit the deck while in motion is to drop to your knees, followed by touching down with your elbows to get into the prone position. The padding system is a great way to save the bumps and bruises when going prone on a unforgiving surface. *(Padding system not included with KITANICA’s The Shirt)*
Final Thoughts:
Although KITANICA’s The Shirt is made for extremes and has the properties to prove it, it lacks in overall comfort. It offers a great amount of maneuverability in its hems but when standing still I felt like I was wearing a cardboard box. The padding system is outstanding and really helps to protect your elbows and forearms. Not to mention how easy the pads go both in and out of their pockets (for washing). I was very impressed by the innovation of the shirt, but again, was disappointed by its overall comfort. This is not to say I need to feel as though I am wearing a silk shirt while training; but you would think that after a few run-ins with the washing machine, the garment would give, but in this case it did not. The other downfall for me was the evil words sold separately. Although The Shirt may come padding system ready, the system itself is another $39.00. The shirt is made out of quality ripstop material that can really take a beating, and held up against everything I have put it through thus far.
