Best Workout Shirts For Men 2024 - Forbes Vetted

If you’re still working out in an old cotton tee like I once did, or you’d like to add more athletic tops to your collection, I’m here to help you find options that meet your needs. The best workout shirts for men are comfortable, durable and powerfully sweat-wicking in all conditions—whether you’re running, cycling or lifting. Based on my experience and the insights I’ve gathered from other active men, Ten Thousand’s Versatile Shirt is a top choice for its clever design and versatility. I also like Lululemon’s Licensed To Train Shirt for its breathability and moisture-absorption, and Tracksmith’s Session Tee for its construction that’s especially running-friendly.

Work up a sweat in one of the best workout shirts for men to stay cool and comfortable.

Men’s workout shirts can vary based on the sport you’re participating in or the weather conditions at hand, but the best ones all share the following properties: They fit well and comfortably; they’re made of a stretchy and sweat-wicking fabric to enable movement and dry quickly; they’re lightweight and breathable to promote ample airflow and reduce the chance of overheating; and they contain some kind of anti-odor technology to keep the stink at bay after a hard effort. Speaking of materials, while you’ll often see polyester, nylon and Lycra as the primary materials in these shirts, merino wool and Lyocell (a plant-derived fiber) are just as worthy of your consideration. Last, most of our top choices come in both a long-sleeve and short-sleeve option for maximum versatility. Below, see the 7 best workout shirts for men that made the final cut.

Ten Thousand

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 84% polyester, 16% spandex | Wicking score: 5/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Classic fit

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Fit, performance and durability are equally important to Ten Thousand. After all, 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. Featuring 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 uses strategically placed perforations to encourage airflow, so you’ll stay comfortable and dry no matter what, and flatlock seams eliminate any risk of chafing. While it isn’t designed for a specific activity, I appreciate its versatility; this shirt can easily transition from the weight room to a long run or any other form of movement you prefer.

Lululemon

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 60% recycled polyester, 32% nylon, 4% Lycra elastane, 2% polyester, 2% X-static nylon | Wicking score: 5/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Relaxed

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Many active people already own at least one garment from Lululemon, but if the License To Train shirt isn’t a part of your workout clothing collection, it might be time to change that. With a looser fit through the chest and waist, plus an underarm gusset for extra mobility, this pick can handle serious sweat sessions without sticking to your body. What’s more, the shirt features Silverescent technology to keep unwanted odors at bay, and a tiny loop at the collar lets you hang it on a hook to dry. While I recommend the relaxed long-sleeve style for full coverage and unhindered movement, it also comes in short sleeve and classic fit versions.

Patagonia

Sizes: XS to XXL | Materials: 100% recycled polyester | Wicking score: 5/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Relaxed

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I picked up my first Patagonia Capilene Cool tee while backpacking through the Alps in the dead of summer, and now I can’t imagine hot-weather workouts without it. While so many workout shirts offer some degree of breathability, this shirt truly feels cool against your skin as you sweat, and it’s so light that you’ll barely notice it’s there. This level of breathability also helps it dry quicker when a workout ends, but it’s still surprisingly durable if you’re exposing it to dirt and debris, or the constant abrasive contact that comes with wearing a running vest. I’ve owned and exercised in this shirt for years, and while it’s certainly a bit worse for wear, it still keeps me cool through the dog days of summer. Pick it up in the long-sleeve version if you’re looking for a little extra protection from the elements.

Wolaco

Sizes: S to XXL | Materials: 80% polyamide, 20% spandex | Wicking score: 3/5 | Weight: Medium | Cut: Relaxed

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Made for everything from outdoor running to training to just hanging out at home, this hoodie from Wolaco is designed with a soft, stretchy Italian fabric that ergonomically fits to your body. A soft-brushed interior feels cozy against your skin and the hood is lined with a ripstop material to help give it shape and stability. Wolaco also adds a handy zippered pocket along the side to stash a credit card, keys or any other small essentials you take on a run. Finding a cold-weather tee that’s heavy enough to keep you warm yet light enough to promote breathability is no easy task, but this one fits the bill.

Tracksmith

Sizes: S to XXL | Materials: 84% polyester, 16% spandex | Wicking score: 4/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Relaxed

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New England-based Tracksmith is one of our favorite independent running brands, and the Session Tee is a bestseller because of its simple, understated competence. Made from a blend of polyester and spandex, the fabric offers just a little stretch to improve range of motion. It’s also breathable enough for those hot midday runs when you can’t get out in the early morning, and its antimicrobial properties and Polygiene odor-repelling treatment help keep the shirt from smelling as it dries.

While I’d describe the fabric as light, it isn’t as light as, say, Patagonia’s Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt; if you’re running in especially hot or humid conditions, you may want to look for something a bit lighter. Still, what I love about the Session is its versatility that caters to runs of different intensities, from easy efforts to intense track sessions. It’s the kind of shirt you just throw on and enjoy wearing, mile after mile.

Smartwool

Sizes: S to XXL | Materials: 53% merino wool, 47% lyocell | Wicking score: 4/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Athletic

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Most workout shirts are made with synthetic fabrics to improve breathability and are “infused” with technology to fight odor—but designs like the Smartwool Active Ultralite Shirt offer the same benefits with natural materials. Merino wool naturally fights odor-causing bacteria, so it doesn’t hold onto funky fumes between washes, and lyocell, a fabric made from wood pulp, boosts breathability and cooling properties. When you combine the two, you get a versatile, comfortable workout shirt that holds up to consistent wear and doesn’t stink in the process. While I prefer to work out in Smartwool’s slightly heavier Merino Tee, the Active Ultralite is perfect for hikes, gym sessions and runs alike. Another thing to note: The athletic fit of this shirt (a little tapered in the torso) may not match everyone’s street style, but I’ve even worn it during casual outings with friends.

Nobull

Sizes: S to XXXL | Materials: 80% nylon, 20% elastane | Wicking score: 3/5 | Weight: Light | Cut: Fitted

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If CrossFit or other high-intensity exercises are a part of your routine, you’ll want a workout shirt like Nobull’s Lightweight Compression Shirt that hugs your torso and eliminates excess fabric. Made from a blend of nylon and elastane, it’s durable and stretchy to allow for full range of motion, and the mesh back panel boosts breathability to prevent overheating. You can wear it as a standalone layer in the dead of summer, or as a base layer if the weather calls for a long-sleeve on top. Though it didn’t score quite as well on the moisture-wicking front as some of the other options on this list, the shirt’s overall quality and durability more than make up for some of its shortcomings.

As a note: This shirt is currently on final-sale clearance from Nobull, and may be sold out in some colors and sizes.

Choosing the right gear can make a big difference in your daily routine, whether you’re training for a competition, commuting or simply enjoying your time outdoors. With years of experience testing health and wellness goods, I’ve developed an eye for quality, comfort and functionality. Here’s why you can trust these recommendations:

There’s an endless amount of workout shirt options for men on the market. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for your specific needs:

Like most athletic wear, 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.

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.

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-wicking properties than natural fibers like cotton. When testing workout shirts, we gave an honest wicking score and some, like the Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt, simply performed better than others.

Also important to consider is the shirt’s odor-repelling properties: Synthetic fabrics will often need an added treatment applied to the shirt to keep musky smells at a minimum, while natural fibers like merino wool are naturally odor-blocking on their own.