• A proper workout shirt provides plenty of benefits beyond normal cotton t-shirts, including being able to wick moisture and stay flexible and comfortable through a variety of workouts.
  • Though plenty of companies tout their own version of moisture-wicking, performance-focused workout shirts, a few brands particularly stand out such as Rhone, Nike, and Under Armour.
  • Whether it’s the use of gold particles to reduce odor in Rhone’s Reign or a shirt designed and built exclusively for runners like Nike’s Dri-Fit Miler, it’s clear no two workout shirts are the same.
  • Our top pick, the Rhone Reign, excels in terms of fit, performance, and style, making it my go-to workout shirt for breaking a sweat whether I’m lifting weights, out for a run, or riding my bike.

Ask any routine gym goer about their preferred workout attire and they’ll likely spend a few minutes talking about moisture-wicking fabric, innovative cooling technology, or sweat-activated fabrics. While these sound like industry buzzwords, the application behind these concepts are staples – and, frankly, must-haves – in the world of workout apparel.

Brands such as Nike, Under Armour, and Reebok are (unsurprisingly) major players in this market but a few smaller companies burst onto the scene in recent years with innovative technological advancements. Be it a unique manufacturing process that makes use of real gold particles or a revolutionary fabric designed to not just wick moisture but to actively cool a wearer’s body temperature, the market for men’s workout shirts is full of inventive and practical variety.

What to look for in a workout shirt

Just as there’s variety in the available options, there’s also variety in a wearer’s desired application or workout style. Perhaps a runner wants a more lightweight option or a fitness fanatic desires something that looks good every day, no matter the activity. Regardless of intent, there’s a suitable workout shirt designed specifically for everyone. A great workout shirt doesn’t just get the job done but does so without sacrificing performance, comfort, or style.

Here are some of the most popular styles and features of men’s workout shirts:

  • Sweat-wicking: Sweat-wicking shirts work to remove moisture from your skin. They also don’t soak up any of that moisture (like a cotton tee might), allowing them to avoid feeling overly heavy as you work out.
  • Odor control: Fabrics with odor-control technology help minimize lingering odors. There are several ways manufacturers are able to do this, either constructing the shirt of merino wool, having it feature a highly-breathable design, or, in the case of Rhone, use gold particles infused into the fabric.
  • Quick-dry fabric: Workout shirts with quick-dry fabric are often made from merino wool, polyester, or nylon (or a blend) and are designed to be highly breathable.
  • Four-way stretch: This type of fabric allows for greater freedom of motion, helping the wearer feel less hindered while running, lifting weights, or doing moves like lunges or burpees.

How we test

Each shirt featured in this buying guide went through several rounds of testing across a variety of workouts and activities. These workouts include weight training sessions with resistance bands, medicine balls, and dumbbells, 30-minute cardio sessions of either an outdoor run, outdoor bike ride, or an indoor stationary bike ride, and indoor interval training routines.

The picks all impressed in terms of fit, comfort, and performance but also stood out regarding their specific intended use case. For instance, Nike's Dri-Fit Miler is a comfortable, moisture-wicking shirt that's especially useful for runners thanks to a dropped hem that provides more coverage and flat seams that avoid chafing. Additionally, a shirt like Arctic Cool's Crew Neck uses innovative fabric to quite literally cool you as you sweat, making it good for warmer temperatures.

No workout shirt is the perfect, one-style-fits-all, so each selection also lists a few drawbacks to consider, be it sizing and fit issues, an expensive price tag, or lack of color choice. New product styles and releases are always being considered for future updates, as well.

Here are the best men's workout shirts available:

Updated on 5/13/2020 by Rick Stella: Included more information about what to look for in a workout shirt and added a new section on how we tested each pick, checked the availability and prices, and updated the formatting and links.

The best overall

Rhone's Reign sets itself apart with GoldFusion technology that wicks moisture, controls odors, and decreases drying time.

There are innovative workout shirts and then there's the Rhone Reign, a shirt that features actual flakes of real gold and uses the company's GoldFusion technology. Hardly a gimmick, GoldFusion has a three-pronged impact in that it actively wicks away moisture, combats odor, and dramatically decreases drying time. So, not only does the technology keep you dry and comfortable but it keeps even the worst gym smells at bay - a feature the rest of the people at the gym would surely love, as well.

Though GoldFusion is its rightful claim to fame, the Reign shirt still scores highly in other areas like fit and comfort. Essentially a performance synthetic tee, it's capable of holding up to almost any workout, activity, or sport and remains comfortable throughout. With raglan sleeves and flatlock stitching, it achieves a better fit throughout without chafing or irritating your skin.

Rhone may be a small company that's only just come onto the athletic apparel scene but armed with its GoldFusion technology and a casual, modern fit, the Reign lives up to its name. The $68 price tag may only appeal to those who routinely find themselves at the gym but for as much as it offers, it's worth every penny.

Pros: GoldFusion technology is as innovative as anything on the market, odor control that actually works, fast drying time, and a comfortable, stylish fit

Cons: Premium price tag

The best for runners

Foto: Source: Nike

Yes, it wicks moisture and sports the Nike logo but the Nike Dri-Fit Miler helps runners go the distance, thanks to flat seams to avoid chafing and reflective details to increase visibility.

Based entirely on the amount of constant rubbing and chafing a runner experiences on even short jaunts, the type of athletic apparel they choose needs to satisfy a particularly high standard. Nike, a brand that needs no introduction, knows a thing or two about workout gear and has excelled for decades at manufacturing some of the industry's best, and most innovative, active clothing. The story remains the same with its Dri-Fit Miler, an athletic shirt designed specifically for runners.

Led by its patented Dri-Fit technology, the Miler excels at wicking moisture but also proves capable of staying dry no matter the mileage - a feature that dramatically impacts both comfort and performance. With a dropped hem in the back of the shirt, it offers more coverage than most other running shirts and its flat seams help avoid excess chafing while feeling soft on a wearer's skin.

Perhaps its best and most important feature is the reflective pattern Nike used to keep runners visible throughout their run. Be it morning, afternoon, or dusk, the reflective details shine brightly when hit with headlights or a flashlight, helping alert those passing by to the runner's position. Though running at night requires an entirely different approach, the shirt still reflects in the dark. However, the dark colors aren't recommended for those who prefer running when the sun's gone down.

Pros: Reflective details offer increased visibility, flat seams reduce chafing and feel comfortable on the skin, and the Dri-FIT tech actively wicks moisture

Cons: Despite a reflective pattern, dark colors not recommended for runners who run at night

The best for hot weather

Foto: Source: Arctic Cool

Powered by HydroFreeze X technology, Arctic Cool's Crew Neck shirt utilizes an innovative fabric that works to lower your body temperature while also wicking sweat.

Rhone's Reign may have gold flakes in its fabric but Arctic Cool's plainly-named Crew Neck shirt has its own ace up its sleeve: HydroFreeze X technology. Flashy name aside, HyrdoFreeze X is more than just marketing-speak. It's a type of fabric that, while wicking moisture, dramatically lowers your body temperature.

As you sweat, the fabric absorbs that moisture and disperses it across the material. As air moves over the surface of the shirt, it creates a cooling effect that can make you feel up to 30 degrees cooler. Once it moves through the shirt and cools down, any excess moisture is then wicked completely from the garment. Better yet, the tech is antimicrobial, meaning it's able to sustain a lifetime of washes and still perform.

Though the shirt itself is a bit plain, the HydroFreeze X fabric offers a premium fit that's capable of supporting a variety of exercises and activities. Additionally, each shirt is rated at UPF 50+, so it offers a high level of sun protection, blocking up to 98% of harmful UV rays.

Pros: Innovative HydroFeeze X cools body temperature and actually works, UPF 50+ rating blocks 98% of harmful UV rays, antimicrobial cooling tech is machine-washable and never fades, and it spreads moisture across the shirt as it wicks to improve dry time

Cons: Plain style and color choices

The best for daily wear

Foto: Source: Reebok

With a stylish cut and quick-dry fabric, Reebok's Supersonic 2.0 fits in at the gym, at home, or the bar after a workout.

A company mostly synonymous with sneakers, Reebok's athletic apparel is just as impressive as its shoes. With the Supersonic 2.0, the Adidas subsidiary takes a stab at offering performance fabric designed to wick sweat, dry quickly, and look good in the process. With an athletic cut and stylish design, not only does this shirt deliver on performance but it's also capable of being worn all day, every day if you so please.

Made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, the Supersonic 2.0 is lightweight and highly breathable and is as capable of wicking away moisture as it is helping avoid excessive sweat spots. That means you can wear it to the gym and, even after an intense workout, still wear it while meeting up with friends or heading back to work.

Featuring a fitted cut to hug a wearer's upper torso, the bottom flows freely allowing for a wide range of movement. No matter if it's an afternoon of basketball, an hour of lifting weights, or simply going for a run, the fit stays true throughout and performance is never limited. Reebok's Supersonic 2.0 is about as functional and versatile of an everyday shirt as it gets. We do recommend washing it regularly, though.

Pros: Stylish cut, effective moisture-wicking technology, quick-dry fabric that performs in any environment, and its loose-fitting torso allows for a greater range of motion

Cons: Fitted design may not be suitable for all body types

The best for cold weather

Foto: Source: Under Armour

Under Armour's HeatGear Armour long sleeve shirt makes frigid winter runs a bit more manageable.

Under Armour made its name designing and manufacturing some of the best compression athletic gear on the market and its HeatGear Armour long sleeve shirt is the perfect example of the brand's innovations. Featuring a second skin, compression-style fit and a lightweight construction, the HeatGear Armour is a form-fitting shirt that offers comfortable support.

With a four-way stretch design, it not only avoids hindering your performance but also accentuates it by allowing for movement in any direction. The shirt lives up to its HeatGear name by truly shining when temperatures drop as the fabric was built for keeping you warm in frigid weather. It even boasts a UPF 30+ rating, which helps protect against harmful UV rays - something anyone's capable of being exposed to year-round.

The long sleeve tee also wicks moisture and dries quickly which is an incredibly welcome feature for those who like to run outside and break a sweat. No more plodding away on an indoor treadmill, Under Armour's HeatGear Armour allows anyone to enjoy a training session outside of the gym, even in the dead of winter.

Pros: Second-skin fit allows for layering without sacrificing performance, soft and lightweight, HeatGear fabric stays warm in the coldest temperatures, four-way stretch offers wide range of movement, and Under Armour compression helps improve performance

Cons: Limited to wearing in cold to moderate weather