The 9 Best Moisture Wicking T-Shirts for Men, According to Fitness and Style Editors

We’ve tested dozens of workout tees this past year, and Vuori was the best in class for its sweat-wicking-yet-cozy fabric. “I have never felt more comfortable in a shirt,” says fitness and commerce editor Charles Thorp, NASM. That’s high praise, given that he lives in activewear. “I’ve worn this shirt on summer runs, outdoor workouts, gym sessions, and just knocking out chores. The look is classic and the fit hits the chest and arms just the right way.”

To Thorp’s surprise, the Strato Tech Tee is crazy thin—like a food truck napkin—but still survived heavy deadlifts without stretching or sagging. The slightly cropped hem kept it in place no matter how much he moved. Even in 80-plus-degree heat, it stayed dry while offering solid sun protection. Multiple washes with totally mismatched colors didn’t faze it either; the shirt held its shape and kept looking sharp.

Part of why it performs so well comes down its polyester-elastane blend, which not only pulls sweat away but also delivers just enough stretch. During testing, Thorp powered through overhead presses without any tugging, then hopped on a bike ride across town without any bunching. It’s every bit the high-performance workout tee, yet polished enough to wear with regular shorts or joggers straight after. With Vuori’s deep roster of colors, especially the variety of greens and greys, Thorp found himself reaching for it more days than not.

Read More: Best Workout Shirts

This Under Armour style is a tech shirt through and through. It doesn’t try to be soft and fuzzy like some other tees, but it’s still as functional as it is comfortable. “It brings lots of coverage and mobility,” says Thorp. He loves it so much, he’s put it to use for multiple activities. “I’ve taken this shirt climbing and hiking before, and find it perfect for both.”

The shirt’s made from UA’s signature polyester blend, which feels almost like a second skin—smooth, slightly stretchy, and quick to dry. It pulls sweat off your body and gets it evaporating fast, so you’re not stuck in a soggy tee halfway through your workout. It’s also treated to fight odor, which means you can go straight from the gym to post-workout plans without worrying about clearing the room.

The cut is perfectly balanced: slim through the shoulders and chest, but loose enough that it doesn’t pull during chest dips or dumbbell pullovers. And instead of the usual crew or scoop neck, it sports a deep V for extra airflow and a sportier look. Sure, it lacks the breathable mesh panels you’d get in Lululemon’s premium version, but the dry down is still relatively fast, considering that it’s a cheaper option.

Our Deputy Editor Christian Gollayan has been wearing this tee from Rhone’s since 2022. “It’s still my go-to for upper body days because it never gets in the way,” he says. The sleeves fall mid-bicep, and the nylon-polyester blend easily moves through hammer curls and tricep extensions.

Unlike most moisture-wicking shirts that feel like flimsy tech fabric, this one feels almost as soft as Christmas pajamas. It’s so cozy he’s taken mid-afternoon naps in it and slept comfortably. The fit is roomy in the chest, but still tailored so that you don’t look like a slob grabbing a post-gym smoothie.

Gollayan also loves the Goldfusion anti-odor technology, a proprietary microbial treatment that keeps funk away. And it’s not just a selling point. After wearing it during a sweaty Barry’s workout, Gollayan felt fresh enough to ride the subway home and stand next to people without feeling gross. Bonus points for its UPF 50+ feature, which adds extra sunburn protection.

Over the years, Thorp has tested a gazillion workout shirts from lululemon, and he loves wearing this long-sleeve Vent Tech shirt once temps start to drop. “Being someone who runs warm, I don’t often find myself reaching for a long-sleeved workout shirt, but when I need one for a fall run or a winter workout layer, this is perfect,” he says. Chalk it up to its lightweight nylon-polyester blend that’s cozy without adding too much bulk.

Plus, most long-sleeve workout shirts we’ve tested are too tight to move in. Not so with the Vent Tech. The fit’s just right: snug enough to feel sharp yet loose enough to tackle sprints, push-ups, and overhead presses without feeling restricted. The slightly tapered torso and sleeves let it move with your body, so nothing bunches or pulls when you’re going full tilt.

The fabric is perforated and vented for extra airflow through the front, side panels and sleeves. That means no sweat stains during park runs or subway commutes. Plus it has no seams, which means zero chafing or irritation when you’re moving quickly out the door.

Boston-based Tracksmith has been churning out preppy running gear that look as great as they perform. In fact, this is the dressiest moisture-wicking tee in Gollayan’s wardrobe, and he always packs it for his vacations. After more than a year of regular wear, the Tweighlight Tee has held up beautifully. “It barely shrunk in the wash and still looks sharp,” he says. Despite its heft, the polyester-elastane fabric is surprisingly breathable and keeps him cool during sweltering summer days. “It’s perfect for my run clubs when I want to look put together.”

Think of it as the happy medium between a performance tee and a dressy top that looks sleek enough for lunch, then knocking out errands. The athletic fit skims the body without feeling too snug for arm raises. Also, the material has a silky-smooth texture and subtle sheen, which gives it a more stylish edge that stands apart from your standard workout clothes.

You don’t have to drop big bucks to get a high-performance tee. This Helly Hansen pick proves it being super lightweight, smooth (not itchy) on the skin, and wicks away sweat as well as shirts at its price point. During testing, it kept Thorp dry through treadmill sprints and outdoor HIIT sessions without feeling heavy or clingy. Though we did find that the polyester material feels thinner and not as comfortable as our pricier picks from Rhone and Patagonia.

The shirt has a slim, athletic cut that hugs the shoulders and chest for a streamlined fit. Stick to your regular if you’re planning to use it as a base layer, but size up if you want to wear it on its own. For this shoot, our 6 foot-tall model wore a medium. Performance aside, this one works in other settings beyond the gym. With its clean, logo-free front, it’s easy to pair with shorts and step out to the park or a coffee shop without looking out of place.

For years, Thorp has been a fan of Nike’s Dri-Fit shirts for their ability to dry quicker than the brand’s older styles. “These are more comfortable than previous versions, which I appreciate,” he says. This loose-fitting cut is also thicker than a lot of relaxed tees we’ve tested, along with a flat collar that feels great on the neck. “The fit is very classic, and not overly fitted, which makes movement easy.”

It’s substantial enough to feel durable, but never so heavy that it slows down the drying time. In fact, after a four-mile treadmill sprint, it was bone dry in under 20 minutes. Even without any elastane in the mix, the Jersey fabric still has a surprising amount of natural stretch, giving us free range of motion through burpees, push presses, and kettlebell swings. And though the stitching is more visible than other shirts, it’s still smooth enough that it never causes friction in any of Thorp’s workouts.

Patagonia’s lightest-weight tee ever is basically a cheat code for staying sweat- and stink-free. Thorp swears by it: “The fabric of this tee lives up to its name of being cool as well, which I find especially pleasant being someone who runs really warm.” Unlike certain polyester fabrics that feel sticky or clingy, this one breathes beautifully in the great outdoors—perfect for trail runs or difficult hikes.

Thorp says you can run 10+ miles in it, stop for a protein shake, and still not smell a whiff of funk. That’s because its fabric is treated with silver to neutralize odor. The tee also works well as a fall baselayer. The fit is tailored in the arm without squeezing your biceps, and in the chest, the fabric falls away from the body for a breezy feel. The color range is limited, but at under $50, you’re getting premium Patagonia quality without the premium price tag.

If you want a relaxed shirt that holds up when you’re sweating, consider this one from Marmot. Our tester, who is 6-foot-one with a 39-inch chest, wore a medium and says the regular cut is perfect for hiking and weight-lifting. It’s roomy enough to move in without feeling boxy. (If you’re in between sizes, go up one.) The mesh panels really boost the air flow when the temps go above 80 degrees, so you don’t end up drenched.

Our tester also noted that the top dries impressively fast. I’m talking within 15 to 20 minutes. The polyester fabric’s treated with UPF 50, so no worries about getting roasted when you’re out in the sun for hours (as long as you’re also wearing sunscreen). And if you’re out jogging early or late, the reflective logos make sure you stay visible when the light’s low. Compared to heavier polyester shirts that can feel clammy or slow to dry, this one keeps you cool, ready for round two.

How Do Moisture-Wicking Fabrics Work?

Moisture-wicking fabrics are synthetic, designed to handle wetness better than traditional materials. Tiny spaces in knit or mesh materials allow moisture particles to move through the material in order to evaporate quickly. When you sweat wearing a moisture-wicking shirt, sweat moves to the outer layer of the garment, where it can evaporate rather than saturating the fabric. Since these synthetics handle moisture so well, they’re perfect for exercise clothes.

These fabrics include: polyester, Gore-Tex, nylon and spandex. Double checking the tags on your tops, or reading about the materials it’s made of will help you pick proper shirts for your workouts. And thankfully, you can find moisture-wicking materials in tanks, short sleeve tees, long sleeve tees and hoodies.