I have been using this set for a long time and I am very satisfied with it. The underwear is comfortable, fits the body well, and effectively wicks away moisture, so there is no feeling of dampness. The material feels pleasant to the touch and does not irritate the skin.
Helikon-Tex US LVL 1 Black thermal underwear - set
Two-piece thermal underwear set by Helikon-Tex, featuring a long-sleeve shirt and leggings. Intended to be worn directly on the skin, this underwear serves as the base layer for the U.S. Armed Forces ECWCS (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System). The lightweight and robust Helikon-Tex Quick Dry fabric efficiently wicks moisture away from the body.
Thermoactive Quick Dry material
The set comprises Helikon-Tex Quick Dry thermal knit fabric, made entirely of polyester. The material dries rapidly and effectively draws moisture away from the skin, ensuring thermal comfort even during vigorous activities. A unique fiber weave maximizes the evaporation surface. The underwear performs well with additional layers of the ECWCS system or other thermal garments, making it ideal for both cold and transitional weather conditions.
Shaped shirt
The shirt is designed with long sleeves featuring thumbholes, which ensure the sleeves stay in place during activity and keep the wrists warm. An extended back panel provides protection to the lower back and kidneys from the cold, particularly when squatting. Flat seams minimize the risk of skin irritation.
Fitted leggings
The leggings feature elastic cuffs at both the waist and ankles, ensuring a secure fit and helping to maintain body warmth. The material and design offer unrestricted movement. A traditional fly adds to the wearer's comfort. Flat seams minimize the likelihood of chafing.
Main features
- underwear crafted from thermoactive Quick Dry fabric
- flat seams reducing the risk of chafing
- thumb holes located in the sleeves of the shirt
- stretch cuffs at the waist and legs
- fabric swiftly dries and effectively wicks away moisture
- intended to be worn next to the skin
Technical data
Model: US LVL 1
Color: Black
Material: 100% polyester
Fabric weight: 130 g/m²
Weight: 312 g
Manufacturer: Helikon-Tex, Poland
MILITARY is the official distributor of Helikon-Tex.
Helikon-Tex is a European company operating since 1983, specializing in the design and production of tactical, military, and outdoor clothing. The brand's range includes a wide selection of products, including clothing, backpacks, bags, and various types of tactical accessories, which have gained popularity among both professionals and enthusiasts of outdoor activities. The offer includes product lines such as Bushcraft - for survival enthusiasts, Law Enforcement - created for uniformed services, and Range - intended for shooters. The company uses modern camouflage patterns, including MultiCam, ATACS, and PenCott, providing effective concealment in various terrain conditions.
| Gender | Men's |
|---|---|
| Main color | Black |
| Color/camouflage | Black |
| Material type | Synthetic |
| Sleeve length | Long |
| Cut | Fitted |
| Seams | flat |
| Grammage | 130 g/m2 |
| Weight | 312 g |
| Thermal underwear type | T-shirt with long sleeves, Leggings |
| Season | Autumn, Winter |
| Manufacturer code | KP-UN1-PO-01 |
| Brand | Helikon-Tex |
| Main material | 100% Polyester |
| EAN |
An innovative solution to help fabrics dry quickly. Thanks to special fibers and fabric construction, QuickDry enables the body to effectively wick away moisture, keeping the skin dry and ensuring comfort during activity. It is often used in sportswear, outdoor clothing and thermal underwear.
ECWCS stands for Extended Cold Weather Clothing System, a clothing system developed in the 1980s by the US Army for use in winter conditions. Consisting of several different layers, the system allows the garment to adapt to changing weather conditions, providing optimal protection against the cold.
Reviews with photos
Review summary
Helikon-Tex thermal underwear consistently earns praise for its solid quality, comfortable fit, and reliable warmth in cool to mildly cold conditions. The fabric efficiently wicks moisture, feels pleasant against the skin, and allows for free movement. Users find it ideal as a base layer for uniforms, cycling, running, and mountain outings. Sizing generally matches the chart, though some recommend selecting a smaller size for a closer fit. Reviewers note limited fabric stretch, average thumbhole durability, and plain packaging as minor drawbacks. Overall, this product stands out for its excellent price-to-quality ratio and is highly recommended for chilly days; for harsher winters, users suggest opting for level 2 or adding extra layers.
Number of reviews: 283
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Size: S
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Size: XL
Comfy thermals that are long enough in the arms! I was warm overnight in these on a -1C trip. Nice material that washes well and is not itchy or static-feeling. Helikon are a great brand; I have many products from them, and it's now my go-to for new kit. Cheers militayEU, great service as usual.
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Size: L
Overall, everything is fine, although the sleeves are a bit too short in my opinion (unless that’s just because I have long arms). It’s still usable, but the thumb holes are completely impractical, because to use them you have to stretch the sleeve very tightly. Other than that, the rest is flawless: comfortable, quite warm, and wicks moisture well.
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After a few trips out in the field, I can say that this set does its job excellently. It effectively wicks away sweat and even during greater exertion, you don't feel moisture on your back. The material is light, pleasant to the touch, and doesn't cause chafing thanks to the flat seams. The size matches the chart – I wear L at 192 cm tall and 90 kg. On colder days, it works perfectly as a first layer.
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Good breathability of the thermal underwear, you can't feel it on your body, although it retains warmth, you can feel the quality. Matches the size. The seams are even, high-quality, and correspond to its value. It does not restrict movement.
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Good underwear, it really retains body heat well and wicks away sweat optimally. The fabric could be a bit more durable, then it would be almost perfect. I can recommend it.
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The fabric is very pleasant to the touch and keeps warmth well. I recommend choosing a larger size, as the sleeves and legs are too short according to the sizing chart. Unfortunately, the material is not very durable, it pills easily, and even a small snag, for example on velcro, can damage it. I have the impression that Helikon has neglected the quality of their products – this is yet another of their items where I am disappointed with the material's durability.
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Compared to Mon thermal underwear, this is a completely different level. The Helikon product regulates airflow excellently. With moderate activity, it serves as a thermal layer, while during increased movement, it does a great job of wicking away moisture and heat, which greatly improves comfort. It is also very comfortable to wear and does not restrict freedom of movement. However, it should be remembered that this is a first layer level, so with temperatures around zero additional insulation is necessary. The following sets worked well for me: at about 5°C with wind – Helikon lvl1, regular shirt, sweatshirt, and pants; while walking, the temperature was ideal, and during stops, I put on a gore-tex jacket. And at about -5 to -10°C in the snow – Helikon lvl1, sweatpants, sweatshirt, and a light down jacket worked great for moderate activity. In summary, both solo and as a part of winter clothing sets, Helikon performs excellently and costs reasonable money. I definitely recommend it.
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The Helikon US LVL 1 Black thermal underwear set works great during evening walks with the dog in autumn and winter, but it also serves its purpose well in summer. The only drawback is that the seams on the sleeves can sometimes irritate the skin, and the long johns are a bit too loose.
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I am very satisfied with the purchase. The product itself works well, but when used with additional layers, it works even better. It holds heat very well and wicks moisture away. Unfortunately, after a few weeks of use, threads started sticking out.
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The price matches the quality, although sometimes there are promotions. The product is well made, the material does its job well and really dries quickly. The size matches the one from the chart. When combined with LVL 2, it provides warmth during winter.
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The underwear is fine, the size matches as well, but I have concerns about the packaging. It was packed in ordinary bags; I expected a gift, but did not receive any box. The description does not mention the lack of elegant packaging, and it should be nicer. Because of this, I have mixed feelings.
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Unlike other opinions, with a height of 183 cm and 74 kg, size M was too tight for me, which made squatting difficult and caused discomfort at the seams under the arms. The material is very light, but suitable for cooler days.
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Comfortable and performs its job perfectly, especially during winter outdoor workouts. Washes well. I recommend it – Helikon quality.
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No need to prolong – Helikon has repeatedly shown that it is one of the best and most reliable manufacturers. As a second layer, I have a random level 2 polyester and a uniform – comfortable up to 9°C. You don’t feel the wind, moisture is wicked away.
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