The best hiking shirts combine classic style with technical features to help you stay warm – or keep your cool – when you're exploring the backcountry.
If you long to emulate the classic flair and aesthetic displayed during the Golden Era of Alpinism, then you'll probably opt for a button up, but there are plenty of T-shirt style options too. Both types incorporate features like mesh panels and moisture wicking fabric to ensure you don't get sweaty, while careful shoulder seam placement ensures that your top and your backpack aren't rubbing each other up the wrong way.
We tested these shirts in a range of conditions, to narrow down our pick of the best hiking shirts available today. We start with long long-sleeved shirts, which are perfect for winter and early spring, but also come into their own when you're striding through clouds of biting insects in summer. The fact you can always hitch up the sleeves and undo a few buttons gives you the ability to regulate your temperature way beyond most of the best base layers.
In this guide, we also feature short-sleeved shirts for warmer climes and the finest t-shirts too. We rate the Alpkit Woodsmoke as the best long-sleeve hiking shirt for cooler weather, while Columbia's Newton Ridge is a great option for those who prefer for a short-sleeve shirt.
The quick list
We think this is a great shirt for all but the warmest days, thanks to its great insulation and Polgiene odor control treatment, which means it will stay fresh smelling, even on multi-day hikes
We love how breathable this shirt is, with a mesh lining that wicks away sweat quickly. The sleeves have fastener tabs that allow you to roll up the cuffs, and the fabric offers UPF 40+ protection too
This shirt features Polartec's Delta material, which uses touch-points to lift the surface of the fabric slightly away from the skin, allowing you to stay cool on hot days. We weren't keen on the large zipped chest pockets, but this is a minor quibble about an otherwise great garment
This is a classic-looking shirt with some really well thought-out extra features, including a zip-up security pocket and an integrated sunglasses cleaning cloth. We think some people might find the fit a little baggy, but that does mean it's not going to cling when you heat up on the trails
The inclusion of well-placed mesh panels gives extra breathability to a top that we found wicks sweat really well, thanks to its high Merino wool content. The mix of Merino wool with lyocell adds extra strength, which means its less likely to develop holes than a pure wool top
This top is best suited to warmer days, with a perforated back that adds breathability. The cut and color placement is flattering but we wish there was an odor control treatment added to the fabric, which is going to get smelly fast without it
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At first glance this is a simple T-shirt but well positioned seams and gusseted underarms improve range of motion and the Merino wool/Tencel/nylon mix fabric is softer than pure wool, and harder wearing. We love that it can be worn multiple times without washing, thanks to its natural fiber content
This is the closest garment in our guide to a standard T-shirt, and because it's made from a cotton mix fabric it's not suitable for wet conditions as it won't dry quickly. However, we liked the classic cut and the great price, which is substantially lower than the others we tested
This shirt has excellent eco-credentials, thanks to the use of 100% recycled polyester. Like some others on test here, it's been treated with Polygiene to prevent odor build up, and we found that worked well on test, despite trialling it in humid conditions
This is a versatile hiking top that works equally well as a smarter piece off the trails. It's extremely comfortable, thanks to the soft fab and wicks moisture brilliantly, but is likely to have less longevity due to its pure wool content. We think it would also work well as a running top
This is a great value T-shirt that comes packed with features often seen in more expensive hiking tops. We like that it's made from APEX ECO fabric, which is 100% recycled, and has been treated with Polygiene to keep the whiffs at bay
The best for winter
The Alpkit Woodsmoke is a seriously comfortable shirt that we think looks great and found performs extremely well on the trails. Made from Thermocore polyester, the shirt's hollow fibers trap more air for increased insulation. The blended fabric is also high-wicking and quick-drying and feels as comfortable as cotton against the skin.
Hiking through rolling countryside, we found the shirt kept the chilly morning winds of fall at bay but also effortlessly breathed away heat and sweat when climbing in the afternoon sun. The Woodsmoke is treated with Polygiene odor control, which means it will not get smelly on multi-day hikes.
While we perhaps wouldn’t recommend this for hot days, it does come with UPF 50 protection and is a great choice for varied conditions. The fastenings are all press studs, including on the two spacious chest pockets and the cuffs, which have two fastenings so tightness can be adjusted. The active cut and an articulated fit across the back give good freedom of movement, too.
Read our full Alpkit Woodsmoke Hiking Shirt review
The best for freedom of movement
Combining superb comfort, high performance, odor control technology and even a dash of urban fashion, the shirt is a great choice for all conditions.
Made from a blend of polyamide, polyester and elastane, we found that the fabric is extremely breathable, feels lightweight, affords plenty of movement and is fast drying. The mesh lining plays a vital role in the shirt’s moisture management capabilities, wicking sweat away from the skin quickly.
The shirt has a host of nifty features that we love too, including a handy zip-up sleeve pocket, perfect to slide maps or navigation devices into, and a fastener tab so you can roll-up sleeves in warmer conditions. Furthermore, the lightweight shirt affords UPF 40+ protection. Plus, with a host of green credentials, you can rest assured that this shirt helps to protect the very landscapes you explore while wearing it.
Read our full Jack Wolfskin Kenovo hiking shirt review
The best for fabric innovation
The Oryon has the looks of a quality base layer, but has a trick up - or rather literally inside its sleeve, thanks to the use of some clever fabric innovation.
This long-sleeve top - also available as a short-sleeve, uses Polartec’s highly breathable Delta fabric, which has been treated with Polartec’s Fresh Face, a natural and biodegradable odor reducer that they say is a more sustainable alternative to traditional fabric fresheners.
The Delta fabric is moisture-wicking and dries fast, like most of the garments on test here. Howver, it goes one step further, thanks to what Polartec call its ‘metabolic cooling’ qualities. These come from the mixture of hydrophobic (water repelling) and hydrophilic (water absorbing) fibers. Look closely at the T-shirt once it's inside out and you’ll notice a matrix of touch-points, which sit against the skin, ever so slightly raising the majority of the fabric.
The fibers work with your sweat by first drawing perspiration away and then distributing it, holding moisture close to the skin. Hot air flowing through the trapped moisture is cooled, enhancing your body’s natural cooling system. This system increases ventilation, allows for faster moisture dispersal and also avoids that clingy sensation that often occurs when working up a sweat.
Our reviewer's only real issue was the two relatively large, zippered chest pockets. Due to the thinness of the fabric, it was a little uncomfortable putting anything at all substantial in there.
The pockets are also mesh-lined on the inside, creating two layers - obviously less breathable than one. And the Delta fabric's touch points sit inside the pockets, so the mesh is next to your skin, but on the plus side, the mesh is breathable. These are minor points though - overall this is an excellent technical garment that's soft and comfortable to wear too.
The best short sleeve
This timeless and classic-looking hiking shirt is a good choice for hiking in hot weather and sunny conditions. The Columbia Newton Ridge boasts Omni-Wick technology, which helps to move moisture away from the skin quickly and disperse it across the fabric for rapid evaporation.
Made from a blend of nylon and elastane, we found this short-sleeve hiking shirt extremely comfortable to wear and lightweight against the skin. Some might find the fit a little baggy, but this assists with the breathability (consider sizing down if you’re borderline or prefer a tighter fit). It has a host of features including decent sized breast pockets, a handy zip-up security pocket, nicely tailored back vents and a patch of soft material to wipe your sunglasses.
Columbia pitches this as perfect for trails and the city. However, on test we felt it didn’t quite have enough chic for trendy urban hotspots but it was a great performer on the trails.
Read our full Columbia Newton Ridge short-sleeve hiking shirt review
The best ventilated
The main ingredient in this crew-neck T-shirt is Merino wool, and we all appreciate the benefits of this magic material (high breathability, excellent moisture wicking, soft next-to-skin feel, and great odour control).
Merino does have a tendency to develop holes and degrade over time, however, so Smartwool have added some tougher fabrics into the material mix: Tencel Lyocell [external link] a material made with pulped wood and recycled polyester. These harder wearing materials are especially useful in places of high stress, such as a T-shirt’s shoulders, which are prone to damage from backpacks. The polyester also improves how the garment performs when wet, and speeds up how quickly it dries.
A versatile top, the Active Mesh short-sleeve T can be worn while walking, running, cycling, climbing, skiing or camping, and because it doesn’t start to stink after one wear, it’s ideal for multi day backpacking and bikepacking adventures.
Although short-sleeved, it works well as a base layer beneath a good fleece between spring and autumn, offering a decent degree of thermal protection without restricting your arm movements. During summer it performs well as an outer layer. The mesh panels on the sleeves and back make this T-shirt even more breathable than a standard Merino wool top. It’s also a good-looking top for social wear, and the style and sizing are both quite relaxed.
Read our full Smartwool Men's Active Mesh Short Sleeve T-shirt review
The best for hot days
This is a straightforward, but high performing hiking top, made from a polyester knit. That means it'll dry in a flash after a sweaty hike, although you're less likely to get sweaty in the first place thanks to the perforated back, which will help you stay cool and dry out on the trails.
The slim cut is flattering and means it's less likely to bunch up if you're wearing it as part of a layering system. It also means it’s easy to tuck in if you’re out on the trail before the sun makes an appearance. The rounded neck provides decent sun coverage and, while there's not a lot of stretch in this fabric, the well-tailored fit means that's not much of an issue. Like all synthetic fabrics, it gets stinky after just one sweaty hike, but it may be a small trade-off if you’re looking for a high performing top you can wear all summer long.
Because there’s no elastane in this top, it should hold up well against lots of wear and washing too.
The best for comfort
This excellent T-shirt is made from a blend of Merino wool, Tencel and nylon, which creates a super soft fabric that is breathable and durable too.
Thanks to the wicking super powers of the Merino fibre, this is a top that will keep you dry on the trails in summer, and works brilliantly as a base layer during winter. The scoop neck and flattering fit feel fairly standard, but there are some great touches, such as the decision to bring the flatlock shoulder seams forward, so that they don't clash with any backpack you might be wearing.
There are gusseted underarms too, giving you optimal range of motion when pulling off your fleece, scrambling or taking your pack on and off. And if you get sweaty and things cool off, it will keep you warm too. You can also expect multiple uses out of it without having to wash it, which is good because it’s a cold wash-only shirt. It may feel like you're paying a lot for a garment that at first glance is a simple T-shirt, but once you look under the hood it's clear there's a lot more to this garment than first meets the eye.
The best for casual climbing and hiking
Made from a 50-50 mix of cotton and modal (a material spun from cellulose fiber sourced from trees), this T-shirt from British brand inov-8 feels deliciously cool and comfortable, and the relaxed fit makes it ideal for use when out walking on the trail (in dry conditions), or climbing at the crag or gym. A classic Tee, it has no collar or neck zip, or any other bells and whistles really, it just feels nice next to your skin, offers a good range of movement, wicks moisture away from your body when you break a sweat, provides protection from the sun and the wind, and looks decent with a pair of jeans at the pub when you’re enjoying post-adventure pints.
And, accordingly, it is very sensibly priced – available for half or even a quarter of what many base layers (short and long sleeved) will set you back. There are limits, of course. Containing a large amount of cotton, the material mix is tough and comfortable, but it is no good for keeping you warm if it gets wet (in fact, we would advise against wearing it in the hills and mountains). It’s also heavy when wet, and takes a long time to dry.
The best for eco creds
It’s easy to be wary of products pitched as ‘multi-purpose’ as they are often the masters of none. However, the Mantle Tee dodges this trap with ease, as you might expect from Rab.
Made from 100% recycled polyester, the shirt is quick drying and highly breathable. Lightweight and superb-looking to boot, it’s a great choice for high-intensity hikes or day-to-day usage.
The Rab Mantle Tee has undergone a Polygiene treatment to reduce odor-causing bacteria by more than 99%. The active ingredient in this treatment is a silver salt, which is a highly effective, naturally occurring antimicrobial agent. Active only on the fabric surface, it does not interfere with your skin’s natural bacteria, according to Rab.
The moment we slipped this technical tee on, it felt reassuringly good quality and the fit was complimentary. On humid afternoons in the hills, it felt wonderfully lightweight, wicked away sweat with seemingly little effort and backpack sweat patches dried quickly. A consummate all-rounder.
Read our full Rab Mantle Tee review
The best for odor control
Available in versions for men and women, the lightweight EDZ short-sleeved top from Cumbria-based brand EDZ is made entirely from super soft, ultrafine 135g Merino wool, and it features flat seams, which all added up to the excellent comfort levels on test. It can be worn as a hiking shirt or a running top – or indeed while rock climbing, cycling or during any outdoor activity – and as an outer layer when the weather is warm, or a base layer when conditions are colder.
Besides being luxuriously lovely to wear next to your skin, Merino is a magical material that wicks moisture away from your body as you perspire while ascending steep trails, which is perfect in a top like this one. It also keeps you warm when conditions are chilly, and cool when temperatures soar. Plus, being a natural fibre, it's both better for the environment during the production stages and biodegradable at the end of its life, and also contains antibacterial properties that combat the build up of bad smells.
On the other hand, Merino can get a bit heavy when wet, takes longer to dry than poly fabrics, and – although it smells much nicer – it doesn’t last as long. Overall, however, we think that the trade off is worth it, especially if you’re primarily wearing the EDZ 135 for hiking.
Read our full EDZ 135gsm T-shirt review
The best value
The latest incarnation of the Dart T-shirt offers high performance, great comfort, understated style and impressive odor control, all at a very reasonable price. Made from 100% recycled APEX ECO fabric, Montane has managed to balance added warmth with moisture wicking and breathability. The result is an all-season technical T-shirt that performs well in all conditions.
The slim, tailored fit might not be for everyone. However, we found the Dart T-shirt fitted well, was extremely comfortable and afforded plenty of movement. It boasts low-profile, flatlocked sewn seams, both internally and externally, which help to avoid chafing while increasing the durability of the t-shirt.
As soon as we slipped the shirt on, it felt extremely lightweight. On the trails, it was highly breathable, fast drying and wicked away sweat fast. Furthermore, the Montane Dart T-Shirt is finished with Polygiene permanent odor control so is a great choice for multi-day hikes. A consummate all-rounder that performs well in all conditions.
Read our full Montane Dart T-shirt review
Best hiking T-shirts comparison table
| Shirt | List price | Fabric | Weight |
| Alpkit Woodsmoke | $79.99 (US) / £64.99 (UK) | Thermocore polyester (95%), spandex (5%) | 375g / 13.2oz |
| Jack Wolfskin Kenovo | $90 (US) / £75 (UK) / €80 (EU) | Polyamide (82%), polyester (13%), elastane (5%) | 243g / 8.6oz |
| ThruDark Oryon Delta long-sleeve T-shirt | $140 (US) / £110 (UK) | Polartec Delta (100%) | 250g / 8.8oz |
| Columbia Newton Ridge | £55 (UK) | Nylon (94%), elastane (6%) | Not stated |
| Smartwool Men's Active Mesh Short Sleeve T-shirt | $75 (US) / £70 (UK) | Front body & collar: Merino wool (53%), Lyocell (47%); Back body, sleeves & shoulders: Merino wool (38%), Lyocell (33%), | 150g / 5.3oz |
| The North Face Bolt Tech T-shirt | £55 (UK) | Polyester (100%) | 80g / 2.8oz |
| IBEX Springbok Tech T-shirt | $95 (US) | Merino wool (45%), Tencel (45%), nylon (10%) | 110g / 3.8oz |
| Inov-8 Graphic Tee | $30 (US) / £25 (UK) | Cotton (50%), modal (50%) | 146g / 5.1oz |
| Rab Mantle Tee | $45 (US) / £35 (UK) | Recycled polyester (100%) with Polygiene finish | 162g / 5.7oz |
| EDZ 135 Merino T-shirt | £44.99 (UK) | 135g Merino wool (100%) | 140g / 5oz |
| Montane Dart T-Shirt | $35 (US) / £26 (UK) | Apex Eco recycled polyester (100%) with Polygiene finish | 105g / 3.7oz |
Meet the testers
You can trust Advnture Our expert reviewers spend days testing and comparing gear so you know how it will perform out in the real world. Find out more about how we test and compare products.
A journalist, writer and editor with a passion for self-powered adventures, Dan combines a love of landscape, wildlife and culture with a need for exhilaration, good times and endurance tests. Raised in the English Peak District, Dan loves nothing more than exploring the national park’s rolling hills, picturesque dales and wild moorland. However, you’ll find him walking, running and cycling in lots of landscapes in the UK and further afield. Dan’s most cherished hiking experience is bivouacking on Volcan de Acatenango, in Guatemala, and watching the ‘Volcano of Fire’ across the valley erupt golden lava into the black tapestry of stars and galaxies.
Writer, editor and enthusiast of anything involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing adventure stories. En route he’s canoed Canada’s Yukon River, climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, skied and mountain biked through the Norwegian Alps, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. He’s authored walking guides to Devon and Dorset, and once wrote a whole book about Toilets for Lonely Planet. Follow Pat’s escapades here.
How we test the best hiking shirts
Our reviewers test hiking shirts in a range of settings and weathers, from frozen mountain landscapes and snowy hills to warmer summer trekking missions, mixing day hikes and longer expeditions. Features (including breathability, odor-resistance, ventilation, materials, style, weight and overall comfort) are tested against claims made by the brand, and we assess factors such as value for money, durability, functionality and environmental impact.
How to choose the best hiking shirt
While there are lots of styles to choose from, the best men’s hiking shirts should keep you dry and comfortable in all conditions. Hiking shirts should always be breathable, moisture-wicking and fast drying. Here are some things to consider.
Materials
The best men’s hiking shirts are composed of synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, or natural fabrics like Merino wool or bamboo. Synthetic fabrics are fast-drying and absorb very little sweat. They are cheap, durable and machine washable. While synthetics do not have natural odor control, they are often treated to prevent the fabric smelling. Merino wool is much softer than synthetic materials, and it is breathable and naturally odor-resistant too. However, it is expensive and less durable. Bamboo is also breathable and naturally soft. While cotton blends can work well, avoid 100% cotton clothing as it can absorb 25 times its weight in water and is very slow drying.
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Moisture management
Hiking shirts are always in direct contact with your skin. As such, it is essential that shirts are breathable and wick moisture away fast.
Style
Button-up shirts afford the most features, such as storage pockets and sun-protection collars, and heat regulation is easier because you can unbutton the shirt. While lacking features, t-shirts are typically lightweight and offer more versatility. Long sleeves provide more protection from the sun and insects, and keep you warmer in cool conditions. Shirts with a looser fit are more breathable.
Weight
Lightweight hiking shirts are best for hot weather as they are faster drying and more breathable. They can also be used as part of a layering system (see our guide to hiking layers). Heavier shirts offer more insulation but can be slower drying.
Odor protection
The best hiking shirts should have odor control. Merino wool and bamboo are both naturally antimicrobial. However, synthetic materials can be treated to prevent fabrics from smelling.
Durability
A hiking shirt should be machine-washable and maintain performance properties after regular washing. It should also be able to cope with backpack abrasion and unexpected snags on the trail.
Environmental concerns
As always, the most sustainable clothes are the ones you’ve already got, but if you do need to invest in a new hiking shirt, look for garments woven from natural, biodegradable materials (wool, bamboo) or recycled synthetics, made with natural dyes by brands with good environmental principles and robust manufacturing ethics. Our guide to the most eco-friendly outdoor brands will point you in the right direction.
