When it comes to elevating your fitness game, the right workout gear can make all the difference. The best workout shirts for men keep you comfortable, cool and focused on your performance, whether you’re hitting the gym, going for a run or tackling HIIT sessions. After firsthand testing (and seriously sweating in) a variety of options, we selected Ten Thousand’s Versatile Shirt as the best overall pick for its excellent wicking, breathability and fit. Lululemon’s License To Train Shirt came in as a close second, excelling at sweat-absorption and comfort, at a slightly higher price.
We tested a variety of options to find the best workout shirts for men that can handle any type of … [+] training.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
Why you should trust our recommendations: The Forbes Vetted team has collectively spent hours testing fitness gear: We’ve run marathons, scaled mountains and cold plunged into icy waters (one of us is a certified trainer, too). For this piece, we enlisted the testing expertise of a fitness buff who works out seven days a week, alternating strength and interval training, cardio and core work. Here, the best workout shirts for men that scored highest in our rigorous evaluation.
Fit, performance and durability are equally important to Ten Thousand: they take thousands of measurements, test all of their products on real athletes and put their clothes through the wringer to make sure they hold up for the toughest workouts. With a stretchy, moisture-wicking fabric that moves with you and an anti-odor treatment to keep out the funk, the Versatile Shirt is ideal for all types of training. It also features strategically-placed perforations to encourage air flow, so you’ll stay comfortable and dry no matter what.
What our tester says: “This shirt has a great material and fit—it’s lightweight, really good at moisture-wicking and the best overall shirt I tested for performance and comfort. Now I want to get it in more than colors.”
Best Sweat-Wicking Workout Shirt For Men
Lululemon: Serious Moisture Absorption From A Premium Fabric
Lululemon
Lululemon License to Train Relaxed-Fit Long-Sleeve Shirt
Nobody loves the feeling of fabric sticking to sweaty skin, and this top-rated pick from Lululemon is specifically designed to avoid that common issue. With a looser fit in the chest and waist, plus an underarm gusset for extra mobility, the License to Train shirt can handle serious sweat sessions. It comes in both long-sleeve and short sleeve versions, as well as a classic fit.
What our tester says: “I’ve worn a lot of workout shirts and this one has great construction and materials. It was the best at sweat wicking and is ultra lightweight. I’d say the fit was slightly big. I’d recommend trying one on first for correct sizing, or going with the classic fit version.
Reviewers recommend delicate wash to preserve fabric integrity
If you’re looking for a workout shirt that’s so soft you’ll want to wear it everyday, Vuori’s Strato Tech Tee is a top choice. It’s made of a smooth-to-the-touch poly fabric with 4-way stretch that’s made to move, while the sweat-wicking properties, anti-odor technology and built-in UPF protection make this a great overall pick. It doesn’t absorb quite as much moisture as the Ten Thousand or Lululemon shirts but it can still handle tough workouts.
What our tester says: “This is a really nice performance shirt, with a cut that’s similar to Ten Thousand and a material a bit more like cotton, which makes it very soft and comfortable. I could see wearing this as a casual shirt beyond workouts, too.”
Best Breathable Workout Shirt For Men
Nike: Bestseller That’s Airy And Won’t Trap Sweat
Amazon
Nike Dri-Fit Legend Short Sleeve T-Shirt
Sizes: S to 3X | Materials: 100% polyester | Wicking score: 3/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Classic
What’s notable:
Easy airflow to keep sweat off your skin
Affordable price
Comes in many sizes and colors
What could be better:
Some reviewers say this runs small; consider sizing up
Fabric might collect lint
Cut in a slightly relaxed fit for ultimate breathability and mobility, Nike’s bestselling Dri-Fit Legend Tee is a no-fuss shirt. The sweat-wicking polyester fabric is soft and smooth to the touch, so it doesn’t cause irritation or chaffing, and ergonomic panels on the side seams ensure a comfortable fit. Reviewers also appreciate how easy is it to care for this simple basic: just wash and go.
What our tester says: “Overall, this is a well made shirt. It’s cut from a lightweight, slightly more cotton-like material and while it didn’t feel extremely premium in construction or quality, I found the moisture wicking was good. I consider it a more affordable version of the Ten Thousand shirt.”
Best Compression Workout Shirt For Men
Nobull: Natural Fiber Works With Your Body Heat
No Bull
Nobull Blended Merino Wool Tee
Sizes: S to 3X | Materials: 67% tencel, 29% merino wool, 4% spandex | Wicking score: 3/5 | Weight: Medium | Cut: Fitted
What’s notable:
Compression fit for a leaner look
Temperature-regulating, breathable merino wool
Can double as a base layer for cold weather activities
What could be better:
Runs smaller than other Nobull shirts
Should be washed in cold water to avoid shrinkage
Athletes like merino as a base layer for its naturally temperature-regulating properties, and the same concept applies for Nobull’s Blended Merino Wool Tee. It has a tighter fit that sits close to the skin and keeps you cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s not. It’s blended with tencel and comfortably stretchy while wicking away sweat and odor, so you can stay dry from one workout to the next.
What our tester says: “To me, this shirt has a cotton-like material that feels more like a normal shirt. It’s very fitted, which is not super appealing for me but good for people who want a leaner look. It’s mid-weight and comfortable—you didn’t get the sense you’re wearing a training shirt.”
Best Cold-Weather Workout Shirt For Men
Wolaco: Head Protection And Built-In Stretch
Wolaco
Wolaco High Line Hood
Sizes: S to XXL | Materials: 80% polyamide, 20% spandex | Wicking score: 3/5 | Weight: Medium | Cut: Relaxed
What’s notable:
Side vents for mobility
Zippered pocket keep essentials secure
Hood is lined with ripstop nylon
What could be better:
Hood can’t be adjusted
Fabric is not snag-proof
Made for everything from outdoor running to training to just hanging out at home, this hoodie from Wolaco is made from a luxe, stretchy Italian fabric that’s made to ergonomically fit to your body. A soft-brushed interior feels cozy on the skin while the handy hood is lined with a ripstop material to help give it shape and stability. It’s also available in 8 colors, from neutral basics to cool red or royal blue.
What our tester says: “This hoodie is made from a heavier material, so it’s best for outdoor workouts versus indoor gym session. I would recommend layering it with a shirt underneath because it felt more like a sweatshirt with a slightly boxy cut. The sweat wicking was good but not as good as the Ten Thousand, Lululemon and Vuori shirts.”
Best Affordable Workout Shirt For Men
Under Armour: Sweat-Wicking In Standard And Tall Sizing
With an ultra-soft feel and a newly shaped hem that mimics your body’s silhouette, the Under Armour Tech 2.0 Short Sleeve has a relaxed, easy-to-wear design. It’s available in standard and tall sizes—something that many brands don’t offer—so bigger guys don’t have to feel like they’re wearing a crop top. It’s also light weight and has an anti-odor treatment.
What our tester says: “This pick is very lightweight and the fabric felt premium, despite the affordable price. The loose cut is good for ‘dad bods’ and while it held a lot of sweat it wasn’t very wicking so the shirt can get damp during intense workouts.”
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Here at Forbes Vetted, we thoroughly review, test and recommend the best activewear as well as other fitness and fashion gear on the market. We’ve published detailed guides on everything from men’s running shorts to workout shoes, all with a discerning eye. We know there’s endless online options out there, so we approach our research critically, rating products on their quality, value and key features so you can make smart and informed buying decisions.
How We Choose The Best Workout Shirts For Men
To find the best workout shirts for men, we looked at a variety of options from both well-known and newer activewear brands. We evaluated shirts based on their customer reviews, materials, sweat-wicking capabilities, fit and other special features. Once we nailed down our list, we tested the workout shirts to see how well they performed, enlisting a dedicated fitness expert who wore all seven shirts for strength and conditioning training, intervals and cardio sessions, and recovery time.
What To Consider When Shopping For Workout Shirts
There’s an endless amount of workout shirt options for men on the market. Here’s some factors to consider when shopping for your specific needs:
Comfort: Like most athleticwear, comfort is important, especially for something you’ll be constantly moving in like a workout shirt. Look for fabrics that are smooth to the touch with soft seams—or even better, seamless—that won’t scratch or chafe your skin as you bend, reach, stretch and sweat during your workout.
Fit: How the shirt fits is another factor to consider when making your pick. It can be a matter of personal preference, like if you want to highlight your biceps and pecs with a more fitted shirt, or if you simply like the feeling of a more relaxed style to freely move in. For some workouts, like HIIT or running where you’ll be in motion more, a looser fit might feel less restrictive while for more stationary sessions like lifting weights, a tighter fit could function well.
Moisture-Wicking: When you work out, you sweat. There’s nothing wrong with it, obviously; sweating is your body’s natural way to avoid overheating. A workout shirt should effectively wick perspiration away from your skin or you run the risk of getting uncomfortable—and cold—in a soggy shirt. Pay attention to fabric content: Typically synthetic fibers like a polyester blend, offer more sweat-wic
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