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In considering hiking shirts and other outdoor apparel, there's an old adage that's simple and prescriptive: “cotton kills.” Cotton absorbs moisture, people reason, is a poor insulator when wet, and dries slowly, meaning hypothermia is much more of a danger while wearing cotton in cold, wet conditions. But for most hikers, on most of our backcountry excursions, a sweat or rain-soaked cotton t-shirt won’t be a matter of life and death but one of comfort and suffering. Rest assured, there is a better way, and there are better shirts for hiking.
With the recent explosion of activewear and hiking gear brands, it can be tricky to tell the difference between one shirt and another. Below are some things to consider. Followed by our top picks for the best hiking shirts of 2023. Read on and dig in!
Fabric
Certain fabrics perform much as hiking clothes because they can stand up to a wider variety of conditions. Polyester is highly breathable, lightweight, wicks moisture, and dries quickly, making it a good choice for hot weather and often used in high-quality sun shirts. Wool hiking shirts are naturally thermoregulating, quick-drying, odor-resistant, and antimicrobial, meaning they can stand up to a variety of temperature ranges and climates and work well on backpacking trips when a shower isn’t always accessible.
Style & Features
It almost goes without saying, but there are plenty of shirt styles to match the manifold landscapes in which one might wish to wander: t-shirt, sleeveless tank top, sun hoodie, button-up, and on and on. Choosing one is most often a matter of preference, but sometimes included features make the difference. For instance, some hiking tops are made with offset shoulder seams to prevent chafing, some long sleeve shirts include thumb holes, and some hiking tops include treatments for sun protection and insect or odor control.
The 12 Best Hiking Shirts of 2023
Best Moisture Wicking T-Shirt: Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt
You almost have to hold this shirt to believe how lightweight it is (2.6 ounces, if you're curious). It's made of bluesign-approved polyester, and is very good at managing moisture and keeping you cool as a result. The downside to a shirt this airy is usually the fit, but the Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt drapes nicely and is quite comfy. Patagonia makes it as a long-sleeve shirt too, and the women's version is one of the best women's hiking shirts around.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $49
Best for Hikes in Heat: Western Rise Session Tee
The micro mesh polyester construction of the Session Tee means this shirt is about as breathable as it gets. When you’re humping a heavy pack up a steep ascent that air flow will be most welcomed. In addition, Western Rise has loaded this fabric with other useful features for those on the move, like four way stretch, antimicrobial properties, and UPF 50+ rating, which makes it a nice option for trail running in addition to hiking.
Women's Version: No
Price: $68
Best for Wet Adventures: Topo Designs River Tee
Hats off to the folks at Topo for continuously making weirdly functional apparel. The River Tee is a relaxed fit, moisture wicking t-shirt that has a UPF 30 rating and is antimicrobial as well. It also has a zippered chest pocket. If you are SUP’ing to a trailhead, or hiking along a riverbed, this shirt will keep you (and your keys) protected while also drying fast and looking good.
Women's Version: No
Price: $69
Best for Daily Wear and Day Hikes: Houdini Activist Tee
The construction of the Activist Tee features a blend of merino wool and TENCEL lyocell, a fabric that improves both the softness and durability of this hiking t-shirt. This makes for a top with natural odor control and flexibility that is ready to crush your day-to-day errands or the nearest peak. Houdini centers sustainability in its manufacturing process, and the Activist Tee is also recyclable and biodegradable.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $80
Best Henley: Vuori Linear Henley
Henleys can be a useful option when hitting the trails as they offer the ability to dump a little excess heat by loosening a button or two around the collar. Vuori’s Linear Henley has ample performance chops, with a synthetic fabric blend that's super stretchy thanks to the inclusion of elastane and an athletic fit that's in line with the brand's activewear angle and will move with you as you cover miles of trail. Pair it with chinos and you could even wear it to a post-adventure dinner date (shower first).
Women's Version: No
Price: $68
Best for Rugged Endeavors: Foehn Keats Merino Tee
The Keats Tee is wool done right. It's a temperature regulating merino wool hiking shirt with nylon reinforcement that ensures shoulder straps won’t wear down the fabric over many miles and you won’t have to worry about snagging it on a tree. The Keats Tee features a heavier fabric, so this will work well in anything from slightly cold weather to moderate heat, keeping your core at an optimal temp.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $95
Best for Travel: Taylor Stitch Merino Tee
Taylor Stitch is known for producing casual menswear. Yet over the years they’ve brought their trademark attention to detail and crisp look to a few pieces of apparel for outdoor adventure, and nowhere is that more evident than in the Merino Tee. If you're traveling light and need a shirt that will work wonders on a hike and still look great with jeans, look no further. Taylor Stitch uses a mercerizing process on its merino, which essentially removes the scales of the wool, giving the shirt increased softness and durability. And like all merino, it will smell fresh through plenty of wear and offer natural sun protection.
Women's Version: No
Price: $68
Best Short Sleeve Button Up: Mountain Hardwear Shade Light Short Sleeve Shirt
The 100% polyester Shade Lite shirt is the ideal button-up shirt for hiking. It breathes well, dries quickly, blocks the sun, and comes in delightful tropical prints to boot! The side vents help maintain airflow and the seams are positioned so that they won’t chafe while logging tropical miles. (One tester says he often opts for this shirt for biking, too.)
Women's Version: No
Price: $70
Best Classic Long Sleeve Button Down: Patagonia Self-Guided UPF Hike Shirt
There is a reason why elder hikers always seem to be rocking a long sleeve button down when in the vicinity of mountains: Collars and long sleeves are protective—from the sun and from other trail hazards like branches and bugs. The Patagonia Self-Guided UPF Hike Shirt is the perfect example of a modern take on the classic safari shirt. Back vents, UPF 40 sun protection, and sleeves that stay rolled up thanks to tabs all combine to make this a dad shirt worthy of the wilderness.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $89
Best Polyester Long Sleeve Tee: Tracksmith Session Long Sleeve Tee
When hitting the trailhead on a cool morning a long sleeve hiking shirt can provide a little extra coverage from the chill air. But as the sun hits its apex, that same shirt can double as a breathable, stretchy, wicking layer—so long as it's the Session Long Sleeve from the running experts at Tracksmith. The polyester blend construction includes Spandex to allow this shirt to stretch with the best of them for all day comfort. It may be made for running, but it's perfect for hiking.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $84
Best Wool Long Sleeve Shirt: Ibex Journey Long Sleeve Crew
The Journey Long Sleeve from Ibex is the ideal long sleeve when a warmer baselayer is needed. Ibex is practically synonymous with wool, and at 89% wool with 11% nylon for increased durability this shirt will hold up for the long haul. Wear it solo in cool to warm temps, or layer up in cold weather. Count on Ibex for tastefully subtle colors, too.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $98
Best Sun Hoodie: REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie
The lightweight Sahara Shade Hoodie provides all of the sun coverage you need while ensuring that you won’t overheat on a hike. Made with a bluesign-approved polyester blend that includes Spandex for stretch, this moisture-wicking, quick-drying hiking shirt keeps the things breezy and cool at high elevations, when the sun is that much closer and more damaging. The high collar and hood and a UPF 50+ sun protection rating allow you to cover up when the conditions call for shade. Don't be turned off by the word hoodie either—this thing is more t-shirt than sweatshirt, and is perfect for all kinds of outdoor adventures.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $50
Best Hoodie for Cold Weather Hiking: Stio Fremont Stretch Fleece Hoodie
For cooler adventures, the Fremont Stretch Fleece Hoodie is a game changer. On a recent unseasonably frigid day in New England one tester wore the lightweight, ridiculously soft Stio brushed fleece hoodie to stay active despite the forecast. With an athletic fit and solid moisture wicking traits, the Fremont is the kind of layer that is as cozy as it is capable, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for this shirt anytime the temperatures dip and the trail calls.
Women's Version: Yes
Price: $169
Published 06-06-2023
