The Tactical Shemagh sent to us by Rajuga isn’t available on the market yet, so reviewing this product was a great experience. For those unfamiliar, Rajuga (or VATEC in the US and abroad) is a company that specializes in design of Specialized Concealment Systems. Read on to find out more about this futuristic take on a tried and tested product.

Design:

What Rajuga did here, is they took a tried and tested concept, the shemagh, and enhanced its design for better ease of use. Unlike regular shemaghs, this one comes premade into a triangle which eliminate the need for additional folding. Our rough measurements put its size at about 180x120x120cm. The shemagh is stretchy and easy to work with. One of the interesting additions they made is making two slim slits both left and right of the center part of the shemagh. Pulling the cloth through these loops will allow for quicker and more reliable fastening of the shemagh, which is especially relevant when using it as a face mask. The Shemagh has no loose ends or loops, which many other shemaghs have which is great for use in brush where it is unlikely to get entangled and rip. We field tested the shemagh in desert color. The camo is nicely detailed and effective in desert environments. While we can’t know for sure what colors will be available when this product is finally released, it’s safe to assume it will be available in similar colors to their current products which are woodland and dark stone (black is unlikely but who knows.)

Material:

Unlike the standard cotton almost all shemaghs are made of, the one by Rajuga is made of very high quality stretchy material. While Rajuga doesn’t disclose many technical specs, we can say it’s completely dry-fit and feels very soft to the touch and has a smooth design and quality stitching. The fabric itself is dual layered. Basically two triangles stitched together on the edges. The material is also incredibly breathable. Combine these two and it makes for a Shemagh that offers ventilation and access for wind, as well as avoiding excess heat absorption. The shemagh will stay cool on the inner layer, even when worn out in the blazing sun, offering cool relief of the skin even in high heat, while allowing access for fresh air. The material itself, even when in direct sunlight, will cool down within seconds in the shade and is very lightweight. However, it must be noted that when you overlap the layers too much (such as wearing as a neck wrap), you may block ventilation and it may cause you to sweat quite a bit.

Comfort:

As mentioned, the material is very smooth and soft, and also feels that way when wearing it, offering a very pleasant experience, even when worn over an extended period of time. The Shemagh by Rajuga is definitely one of the most comfortable shemaghs available on the market today. They have been treated with an anti-bacterial solution so you won’t have to deal with unpleasant odors (something which can definitely not be said of cotton variants)

Storage:

As of now, this product doesn’t have a pouch, but Rajuga may opt to add one before its final release (we will update). When folded completely into a triangle, it is not small, but doesn’t take up too much space and you can definitely roll it into a 10x10cm square if needed. Do take into account that the double layering which offers so much more comfort and breathability, is thicker than cotton alternatives which are thinner but of lesser quality. (see pic below)

Versatility:

Anyone who has ever owned a shemagh know all the possibilities these offer. While obviously accommodating for a full face mask, these can also be used as face masks, as well as neck covers or just head covers. In addition, these can easily be used to make slings. With the addition of the slits, this is improved upon as you can make a high sling much easier by just running it through the hole and tying it off. You can use these as an improvised pillow or even a tourniquet. They can be used for covering weapons too and can resist the heat of a barrel. The possibilities offered by these are just endless.

Price:

Not available for sale yet (will be updated at a later time)

As a whole, Rajuga took a popular concept and turned it into an item fit for more modern use. While both more practical and rugged than its nylon counterpart, it improved on almost every aspect of it. The Rajuga Shemagh is definitely the most advanced and highest quality shemagh we’ve tried. For serious Military or LEO or even regular outdoors-men, this is definitely a product to get once it hits the market.  You’ll never go back to nylon shemaghs again.