Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

These moisture-wicking shirts are one of the best tools to keep you cool, dry, and comfortable no matter what the summer temps bring.

Wearing a moisture-wicking shirt is one of the first things you learn in Layering 101. Wicking materials help pull moisture away from your skin (whether you’re hot or cold) and allow you to maintain a more regulated temperature. These fibers dry quickly, which means you won’t get clammy or cold once your sweat dries. Many of today’s moisture-wicking shirts are also odor-resistant, perfect for extended trips where you have limited packing capacity.

Moisture management is also a safety consideration: The drier you keep your body, the less likely you are to get dangerously cold if the temperatures drop. Below, we’ve rounded up the best moisture-wicking shirts—made of both natural and synthetic fibers—with details on how to choose the one that's right for you.

Certain natural and synthetic fibers have moisture-wicking and odor-resistant properties, so the choice between the two types of fabric largely comes down to personal preference. Natural fibers like merino wool, lyocell, or alpaca wool, are naturally moisture-wicking and odor-resistant, even without treatment. Synthetic fibers like polyester will also wick moisture, but they have to be treated with an odor-resistant treatment like Polygiene first, and they won’t stay as stink-free as natural fibers. Synthetic fibers do tend to dry out faster than natural fibers, and they will also last longer than many natural knits. Like anything, there are pros and cons to both, and we recommend trying a few varieties to see what suits your purpose best.

Shirts are definitely a category where the top name brands and the more affordable options are very similar. With few exceptions, a $15 synthetic tank top from Amazon is going to perform closely enough to a $70 name-brand shirt that the price difference can be tough to justify. We are confident in our less-expensive picks, but we also know that the name brands often use more sustainably sourced materials, as well as recycled fibers. Again, if you’re going for a name brand, that’s great! But in this category, the affordable options will work just fine without much compromise.

We’ve tested plenty of moisture-wicking clothing, and chose a variety of materials, fits, and price ranges for this roundup. We wanted all of these shirts to be versatile and acceptable for multiple days of wear without becoming stinky. These tops range from athletic shirts ideal for long summer rides or tough workouts to moisture-wicking shirts you can wear around town or to mow the lawn without feeling sweaty and gross.

For more great cycling clothing that will keep you comfortable on your rides, check out our picks for the best bike jerseys, cycling bibs, and bike shorts.

This barely-there shirt won’t stick to your back no matter how sweaty you get or what kind of pack you’re wearing. We love the wicking mesh on the back and the airy next-to-skin feel.

This shirt is made with Brooks’ DriLayer fabric, which is treated with an antimicrobial finish, and is their lightest, most breathable material for the hottest runs, rides, or workouts. As a bonus, this shirt is made with entirely recycled materials.

The Tencel/merino blend of this T-shirt offers the best of both worlds, highlighting the two fibers' natural odor-resistance and wicking properties without being even close to itchy. The Tencel gives this shirt almost a silky, lightweight feel and drape while the merino keeps you cool in the heat and can be an excellent base layer if the temperatures drop.

This is another sustainability sourced shirt, as well: The Tencel lyocell sourced from eucalyptus, and the merino wool sourcing is equivalent to the Responsible Wool Standard. This shirt is a great option for people who want natural fibers, but find pure merino to be somewhat itchy.

This is one of our favorite everyday shirts, ideal for wearing from the gym to the trail. These racerback tanks are an excellent budget-friendly pick that’s comparable in materials, fit, and durability to the top name brands.

The deep cut on the back allows plenty of upper body mobility, and the drop-tail hemline is long enough to comfortably wear under a pack. This wicking tank top won’t stretch out over time, and is versatile enough to be worn to yoga, on a bike ride, or paired with your favorite shorts for a rooftop beer.

This is one of the lightest shirts in Patagonia’s Capilene line, with a silky feel that makes it a great choice for runs, rides, or hikes where it starts out cool and then heats up. You’ll never feel overheated, and the sleeves are made to keep you from chafing on your sweatier outings.

Patagonia uses a plant-based softener that helps increase wicking properties without adding chemicals, and the top is built with Polygiene in the fibers to keep it stink-free. The solid colors are made entirely of recycled polyester and the heathered colors consist of 50% recycled materials.

This crop top won’t budge no matter how hard the workout, and the healthy dose of compression it provides means no extra bra layers are needed. This is a wicking technical top made to last season after season, with a high elastane content that means it won’t stretch out over time.

This top stays in place no matter what, and the wider back design offers more coverage without sacrificing range of motion. Tracksmith clothing does tend to run small, so we recommend sizing up if you’re between sizes.

We love a good basic, and this t-shirt from REI fits the bill. This shirt is made entirely from a lightweight polyester that effectively wicks moisture, keeping your skin dry and allowing the shirt to also dry quickly, whether it's soaked by rain or sweat. This has a soft next-to-skin feel and a midrange fit that feels comfortable whether you’re working up a sweat or just lounging around.

We like this under a pack as well, with a longer hemline and seams built to avoid being abraded by pack straps or digging into your skin.

This is the button-down version of Outdoor Research’s Astroman line of lightweight, wicking sun protection. This breathable shirt fits into the office vibe, but is actually quite technical, with UPF 50+ sun protection and venting channels in the back.

This shirt is made from a durable nylon/spandex blend that can take plenty of rough use and abrasion, and is highly breathable and quick drying.

These convenient, breathable shirts have four-way stretch, a long back hem, and flat-stitch seams so you can wear them under a pack without worrying about bunching or rubbing.

Reflective details along the seams offer higher visibility at night, and the standard sizing allows for simple, flattering layering no matter what the variation in weather throws at you. These inexpensive shirts are a great option if you’re looking to pad your collection without spending big bucks on name-brand apparel.

Made from 80% recycled materials, this polyester shirt mimics the feel of natural fiber. This top is ultra breathable and one of the softest shirts we’ve tried, and was built with articulated body-mapping for better range of motion. It’s highly moisture-wicking, and cut in a flattering, tailored style with a slightly longer hemline that looks good no matter what you pair it with.