Best Men’s Hiking Shirts of 2023

JUMP TO: MERINO T-SHIRTS | SYNTHETIC T-SHIRTS | BUTTON-UP HIKING SHIRTS | BUYING ADVICE  | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Sam Brilleman | Updated: Apr 30, 2023
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The great outdoors can quickly become not so great once you’re cold and wet, which can happen all too easily if the weather turns while you’re working up a sweat. To keep it great — especially during high-energy activities like hiking — you want your next-to-skin clothing to be breathable, moisture-wicking and quick drying.

When it comes to hiking shirts, two fabrics best provide these qualities: merino wool and synthetics such as polyester and nylon. Both merino wool and synthetics do a great job of moving moisture away from your body. But beyond moisture management, they each have their own strengths and weaknesses.

 

A merino t-shirt is my favourite hiking shirt for most environments, but your mileage might vary!

 

The key differences are:

  • Merino wool is softer and naturally odor-resistant, but it is also expensive and less durable.

  • Synthetic fabrics are cheaper and more durable, but they are not naturally odor-resistant and are — arguably — not as comfortable as merino wool.

Hiking shirts in this review are separated into three categories: merino t-shirts, synthetic t-shirts, and button-up long sleeve shirts. These categories should allow you to dial in your perfect setup depending on your preferences and the environments you plan to hike in.

 

Rocking a merino t-shirt in warm weather on the Pyrenees.

 

At the bottom of this page there is detailed information on merino wool, synthetics, and other critical things to consider before making your hiking shirt purchase.

If you love this review of the best hiking shirts, then you'll likely love reading some of our other gear-fiend related pages:

 

Need to know what to look out for?

Looking for a little more guidance on what makes for a high-quality hiking shirt? Check out our buying advice at the bottom of this page for detailed information on merino wool, synthetics, and other critical things to consider before making your hiking shirt purchase.

 

BEST MERINO HIKING T-SHIRTS

MATERIALS: 88% merino wool, 12% nylon

STYLE: T-shirt (crew neck only)

UPF RATING: 20+

ODOR RESISTANT: Yes

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 4.8 oz / 140 grams

PROS: Comfortable, Lightweight merino

CONS: Expensive

BEST FOR: Those who want a high-quality, durable merino t-shirt

MRRP: $$$

The Smartwool Merino SS Tee is our favorite shirt for three-season hiking when the extra sun protection of a collar or long sleeves isn't necessary.

Without a doubt, Smartwool makes some of the best base layers for hiking, backpacking, and traveling. Their merino is comfortable against the skin and relatively durable for a non-synthetic material.

Smartwool uses flatlock seams throughout this t-shirt. This is especially important through the shoulders and under the armpits, where the rubbing of your backpack or the movement of your arms is most likely to generate chafing.

The 150 gsm material is lightweight, so it dries relatively fast when sweat-soaked or wet. It also makes this t-shirt ideal for layering. A 150 gsm t-shirt is perfect for almost all three-season backpacking. But when things get colder, you can layer a heavier 250 gsm zip-up — like the Smartwool Merino 250 Quarter-Zip Top (discussed below) — over the t-shirt and vent using the zip as needed.

While many people have reservations about the durability of merino products, we’ve found them to be easily durable enough for hiking and backpacking. In our eyes, the benefits of merino dramatically outweigh their downsides.

Instead of using 100% merino, Smartwool uses a nylon core with merino wound around it — a design being adopted by many merino clothing manufacturers. This approach retains the feel and benefits of merino against the skin, but the nylon core significantly increases durability and prevents the formation of micro-tears and holes.

MATERIALS: 87% merino wool, 13% nylon

STYLE: T-shirt (crew neck only)

UPF RATING: 20

ODOR RESISTANT: Yes

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 5.3 oz / 150 grams

PROS: Comfortable, Lightweight merino

CONS: Expensive

BEST FOR: Those who want a high quality, 100% merino t-shirt

MRRP: $$$

The Icebreaker Tech Lite Short Sleeve is our favorite 100% merino hiking t-shirt. Along with Smartwool, Icebreaker is a leader in innovation and high-performing merino activewear. Their merino is comfortably soft on the skin, and the company strives to be a leader in sustainable and humane wool production.

Previously, Icebreaker shirts included a small percentage of nylon to defend against the micro-tears that merino is infamous for, but as part of their push to emphasize sustainable, biodegradable materials, the brand has since moved away from synthetic fabrics entirely. Being 100% merino, the Tech Lite SS is extremely breathable, quick-drying, and odor-resistant, but it will be less durable than top synthetic alternatives and merino shirts with a nylon core like the Smartwool Merino SS Tee

However, it remains hard to argue against 100% merino shirts like the Tech Lite SS as one of the best options for hiking. Merino shirts are more expensive, but they are (arguably) more comfortable and breathable, and (unarguably) far more odor-resistant than synthetics and wool-synthetic blends. For multi-day backpacking trips, we think a high-merino content shirt is essentially non-negotiable.

The Tech Lite SS features a 150 g weight, which provides an ideal balance between breathability and durability. Flatlock seams minimize friction and the offset shoulder seams reduce the risk of chafing when worn under a heavy pack. A UPF 20 rating offers adequate sun protection in everything but the most blistering summer conditions. 

The Icebreaker Tech Lite SS is available in a healthy variety of color options, along with a fun line of graphic tees.

BEST SYNTHETIC HIKING T-SHIRTS

MATERIALS: 100% polyester

STYLE: T-shirt (crew neck only)

UPF RATING: 50+

ODOR RESISTANT: Yes

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 3.9 oz / 111 grams

PROS: Ultralight, Quick drying, Long length

CONS: Expensive, limited color options

BEST FOR: Ultralight hikers, Taller guys, Warm weather

MRRP: $$$

The Arc’teryx Cormac Crew SS is our favorite pick for an ultralight synthetic hiking t-shirt.

It is best suited for active use in warm weather. It is made with a proprietary polyester fabric called Ostria. The air-permeable, gridded fabric is lightweight, highly breathable, and has excellent moisture-wicking properties.

The main downfall of the fabric is that it is not naturally odor-resistant like merino. The shirt does have a DAO™ antimicrobial finish, but this still doesn't compare to merino for multi-day backpacking outings. The Cormac is at its best for high-energy day-use activities like day hikes and trail running. 

The Cormac Crew SS provides robust sun protection, with a UPF rating of 50+. Like most Arc’teryx clothing the Cormac Crew SS provides a great athletic fit, particularly for those with a taller and leaner build. The longer cut wears well under a backpack, helping the shirt stay comfortable and avoid riding up over long days of hiking.

MATERIALS: 63% polyester / 37% recycled polyester

STYLE: T-shirt (crew neck only)

UPF RATING: 50+

ODOR RESISTANT: Yes

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 2.6 oz / 74 grams

PROS: Ultralight, Wicks well, Drop tail hem, Recycled materials

CONS: Material is pretty thin which may impact on durability

BEST FOR: Ultralight hikers, Warm weather

MRRP: $$

The Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is another awesome synthetic t-shirt for warm-weather hiking.

The Capilene Cool Lightweight fabric is a blend of virgin and recycled polyester. The fabric has been treated with Patagonia’s HeiQ® Pure odor control coating that aims to prevent funky odors. The silver-based HeiQ® Pure antimicrobial treatment is intended to be permanent and should not fade after repeated washing. Like almost all materials Patagonia now uses, the coating is also bluesign-approved, reducing its environmental footprint. The anti-odor properties of the shirt, along with its feather-light weight, make it a top synthetic option for long hikes and multi-day backpacking trips.

The Capilene Cool Lightweight is the lightest and thinnest of Patagonia’s Capilene Cool t-shirt range. The Capilene Cool Lightweight is made with a 2.3 oz/yd² fabric. That is much thinner than the 4.0 oz/yd² fabric used in their Capilene Cool Trail and Capilene Cool Daily t-shirts. Yet the Capilene Cool Lightweight sacrifices little in terms of durability — robust polyester and solid construction make it easily durable enough for hiking and backpacking.

The fit is slim, but not too tight. A drop tail hem helps to prevent the t-shirt from riding up when you are carrying a backpack. The Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight is available in a range of colors as either a t-shirt or long sleeve. And with a UPF 50+ rating, it also has excellent sun protection properties.

BEST BUTTON-UP HIKING SHIRTS

MATERIALS: 100% nylon

STYLE: Button-up

UPF RATING: 30

ODOR RESISTANT: Yes

CLAIMED WEIGHT: Unavailable

PROS: Comfortable nylon, Vents at the back, Sleeve roll-up tabs

CONS: No odor-resistant treatment

BEST FOR: Those who want a super comfortable long sleeve

MRRP: $$

The REI Co-op Sahara LS is a super comfortable and functional button-up hiking shirt.

The shirt is made from 100% bluesign-approved lightweight nylon. A vented back yoke adds breathability and the offset shoulder seams ensure that the shirt stays comfortable under a pack and in the heat. The collar, sleeves, and UPF rating of 30 make for a shirt that is protective, comfortable, and stylish to boot.

The moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and packable nylon build of the shirt is perfect for traveling and hiking. Additional features like chest pockets, a sunglass loop, and a locker loop are all nice touches. Unfortunately, the Sahara LS is not treated with any kind of antimicrobial coating, so it is perhaps not the best choice for trips where you’ll be required to go many days between washes. 

The nylon fabric is thin and breathable, but the shirt is solidly built and durable. Available in a solid color or patterned designs, the Sahara LS is an all-around reliable button-up, and a great choice for staying comfortably cool, yet out of the sun.

MATERIALS: 73% nylon, 27% polyester 

STYLE: Button-up

UPF RATING: 30

ODOR RESISTANT: No

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 8.2 oz / 233 grams

PROS: Awesome sun protection collar, Zippered chest pocket, Sleeve roll-up tabs, Bluesign-approved fabric

CONS: Not a great fit for wider guys

BEST FOR: Those who like lots of venting, Those who want a collar with good sun protection

MRRP: $$$

The ExOfficio Air Strip LS Shirt is an iconic, time-tested hiking button-up shirt that provides outstanding breathability and airflow on top of thorough sun protection.

The shirt has a large mesh panel across the back and two mesh side panels under the arms. These allow venting at the rear (when you aren’t wearing a backpack) and under your arms as you walk. There is a velcro tab on the rear of the shirt that allows you to secure the back vent in an “open” position to maximize venting — but obviously, this isn’t particularly useful when you are wearing a backpack!

Each of the main chest pockets is secured with a velcro closure. However, the right chest pocket has a “hidden” zippered pocket behind it. This is convenient if you have valuables or smaller items and you want to store them with the added security of a zipper.

Above the left chest pocket, there is also a small utility loop (also secured with velcro) and a pen/sunglasses slot.

But the best part about the ExOfficio Air Strip LS Shirt is the collar. It has a third flap that is tucked away and hidden when the collar is folded down. But when the collar is unfolded the additional flap provides a significant amount of additional coverage and sun protection for your neck. This collar, coupled with the significant amount of venting, makes this long sleeved shirt a particularly good choice if you are hiking in the desert or other environments that do not provide decent protection from the hot sun.

MATERIALS: 55% recycled nylon, 45% polyester

STYLE: Button-up

UPF RATING: 30

ODOR RESISTANT: No

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 5.6 oz / 159 grams

PROS: Lightweight for a button-up, Sleeve roll-up tabs, Zippered chest pockets, Bluesign-approved fabric

CONS: Slightly flimsy collar

BEST FOR: Those who like a slightly stretchy fabric

MRRP: $$$

The Patagonia Sun Stretch LS Shirt is another uber-comfortable synthetic button-up shirt. It is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and quick drying — and therefore perfect for hiking.

As you would expect from Patagonia, this shirt emphasizes sustainability and ethical manufacturing. Like the brand’s Capilene Cool line of hiking shirts, the fabric used in this shirt is bluesign approved, meaning it has come through an environmentally/socially responsible supply chain and is deemed safe to both humans and the planet.

The lightweight fabric is highly breathable. Although there are no armpit or rear vents on this shirt, the two vertical zippered pockets are mesh on the inside and can therefore act as small vents when unzipped. There are sleeve roll-up tabs that allow the shirt sleeves to be secured when rolled up. The fit of this shirt is relatively roomy since the cut is a bit wider and boxier, rather than slim and lean. So it is potentially better for those with wider shoulders or who prefer a looser fit.

One small downside is that the collar is quite flimsy and doesn’t do a very good job at staying upright when unrolled to protect your neck from the sun. But this is only a minor issue.

The best part about the Patagonia Sun Stretch LS Shirt is that the material looks so good. You can almost get away with this shirt in the pub or restaurant as easily as you can out on the trail.

MATERIALS: 75% Polyester, 25% Nylon

STYLE: Button-up

UPF RATING: 30

ODOR RESISTANT: No

CLAIMED WEIGHT: 8.2 oz / 233 grams

PROS: Bug protection, Zippered chest pocket, Sleeve roll-up tabs, Bluesign-approved fabric

CONS: Sizing and design could be better

BEST FOR: Those who want bug protection

MRRP: $$$

The ExOfficio BugsAway Halo Check LS Shirt is a polyester and nylon long sleeve shirt that is our go-to choice for staying protected on insect-infested trails.

The Halo is part of the ExOfficio’s “BugsAway” range of clothing. These garments are pre-treated with permethrin, an odorless insect repellent approved as safe for use in clothing. Permethrin repels infamous hiker nemeses like ticks and mosquitoes, along with ants, flies, wasps, chiggers, and midges.

Although it is possible to treat your clothing at home with permethrin, ExOfficio saves you that hassle by selling these clothes pre-treated. ExOfficio’s permethrin treatment lasts a lot longer than home treatment, however, it is still not permanent. ExOfficio claims that it should last up to 70 washes. So if you want to retain the insect repellent properties longer term, then after a while you will have to occasionally re-apply permethrin to your garments.

The Halo includes many of the features found on other ExOfficio shirts (including the ExOfficio Air Strip LS Shirt — another favorite reviewed here, but not treated with permethrin). These features include two chest pockets with velcro closures, one hidden pocket behind the right chest pocket with a zip for extra security, sleeve roll-up tabs, and an epic collar with a hidden flap for added sun protection.

One important difference is that the Halo uses snap closures instead of buttons to secure the front of the shirt and the wrists. This might be preferable for two reasons. First, snap closures are less likely than buttons to tear off. Second, the shirt can be a bit faster to take off. But whether snaps are a strength or a weakness really comes down to your personal preference.

BUYING ADVICE FOR HIKING SHIRTS

Types of hiking shirts

T-SHIRTS

T-shirts are lightweight, comfortable, and perform well in hot weather. And if the weather gets cold you can simply layer additional clothing on top easily. The best t-shirts for hiking are made from merino wool and synthetics like nylon and polyester. The downside of a t-shirt is that it provides little protection from the sun or biting insects.

 

T-shirts are awesome for warm sunny days! Like the weather on this day hiking near Cape Otway, Australia.

 

BUTTON-UP SHIRTS

Button-up hiking shirts are generally made from lightweight synthetic materials and usually provide quite a lot of ventilation. Most button-up hiking shirts have a collar and long sleeves (but some short sleeve options are also available) — a collar and long sleeves provide better protection from the sun and insects than any other type of hiking shirt. Some have mesh flaps for added ventilation and most have chest pockets for carrying small items.

ZIP-UP BASELAYERS

These have a quarter-zip or half-zip at the neckline to allow venting. When zipped up they often have a collar that helps with sun protection or trapping in warmth.Most zip-up base layers have long sleeves but some short sleeve options are available. They can be made from either merino wool or synthetics.

It is possible to use these as your baselayer, but it is more common to use one as an insulating midlayer (i.e. wear it over your hiking shirt and under your fleece or down jacket). For example, a Smartwool Merino 250 Quarter-Zip Top to layer over my Smartwool Merino 150 T-shirt is a great layering combo for warmth and versatility.

 

I’ll often layer a lightweight merino t-shirt with a slightly heavier 250-weight Merino 1/4 Zip.

 

LONG SLEEVE BASELAYERS

These have long sleeves and a crew neck. The crew neck does not allow venting. This makes these types of baselayers more suitable for cold weather where you won’t require the ventilation offered by a t-shirt or shirt. Nonetheless, some long sleeve baselayers can be made from highly breathable synthetics which makes them a possible alternative to a t-shirt since they provide additional sun protection for the arms.

They are generally lighter than a zip-up baselayer because they don’t include the zipper or extended collar, but they provide less versatility.

 

I’ll sometimes carry a long sleeve baselayer for sleeping or for additional warmth in really cold conditions.

 

Fabrics

The most common fabrics used for hiking shirts are merino wool, polyester, and nylon.

MERINO WOOL

Merino wool is a natural fiber, obtained courtesy of the merino sheep. Merino wool has amazing properties that make it perfect for use in hiking clothing. It is moisture-wicking, quick-drying, naturally odor resistant, and soft to the touch. In fact, because merino wool is so soft, it is not itchy like regular wool. The downside of merino wool is that it is expensive and not quite as durable as synthetic fibers. 100% merino garments are prone to developing micro-tears, which eventually turn into larger holes.

  • Cons of merino wool:

    • Expensive

    • Not as durable

  • Pros of merino wool:

    • Moisture wicking

    • Quick drying

    • Naturally odor resistant

    • Biodegradable

POLYESTER

Polyester is a man-made synthetic fiber that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. It is not as soft as merino wool, however it is much cheaper to produce. Polyester is commonly used in hiking t-shirts and next-to-skin baselayers because of its moisture-wicking properties. It is sometimes blended with nylon to add strength since nylon fibers are much stronger than polyester ones.

One downside of polyester is that it isn’t naturally odor resistant. It also absorbs oils (including body oils!) but not water, which means that washing it doesn’t always remove the stink. Some manufacturers will treat polyester hiking shirts with an antimicrobial to try and improve odor resistance.

  • Cons of polyester:

    • Not odor resistant

    • Not as soft as merino wool

    • Contributes to microplastic pollution

  • Pros of polyester:

    • Moisture wicking

    • Quick drying

    • Cheap

NYLON

Nylon is a man-made synthetic fiber that is very strong and resistant to abrasions. It is reasonably good at wicking moisture since it absorbs very little water (3-4%), but not quite as good as polyester. Nylon can also feel cold when wet and doesn’t dry as fast as polyester. For these reasons, nylon is less desirable for next-to-skin clothing than polyester.

But because of its strength, nylon is commonly woven together with merino wool or polyester. It can also be woven in such a way that it has wind and bug-resistance properties. Some button-up hiking shirts, therefore, use nylon in high quantities (sometimes even 100% nylon). Although nylon isn’t naturally odor resistant, it isn’t as bad as polyester at retaining odors.

  • Cons of polyester:

    • Not odor resistant (but better than polyester)

    • Feels cold when wet

  • Pros of nylon:

    • Durable and strong

    • Moisture wicking

    • Wind resistance

Whether you opt for merino wool or synthetics will depend on your budget, your demands for durability, and your personal preferences. In some cases, manufacturers will use a blend, e.g. merino wool wrapped around a nylon core. This can offer the best of both worlds… merino wool against the skin but with the added durability of synthetics.

Note: If you are interested in reading more about merino wool and synthetics, then check out our detailed article on the topic.

 

The glorious merino sheep!

 

Seam Construction

Example of a flatlock seam on a Rab hiking shirt.

A “flatlock” seam is sewn so that the two pieces of fabric coming together are not overlaid. This means that there isn’t additional fabric protruding on the underside of the garment.

If seams aren’t flatlock sewn, then the additional fabric can create a rubbing point against your skin. This can lead to chafing or blisters.

The best hiking shirts are sewn with flatlock seams. They are especially important around the shoulder and hips where your backpack straps and waistbelt will create additional pressure.

Some manufacturers also use “forward sewn” seams on the shoulders. These move the seam away from the top of the shoulder, i.e. away from where your backpack straps create the most pressure.

Odor resistance

Odor resistance is a useful property, especially if you plan to do multi-day backpacking trips. Merino wool is naturally odor-resistant, so if you opt for a merino hiking shirt then that will be an added benefit.

Unfortunately, synthetics don’t offer the same natural odor resistance. Some manufacturers treat synthetic fibers with an antimicrobial coating to increase odor resistance, so that is something you may want to look out for. However antimicrobial treatments don’t always live up to their promises and they will fade after repeated washing anyway.

Bug Resistance

Depending on where you are going to be hiking, the bug resistance of your hiking shirt might be important to consider. If you require bug resistance then look for a shirt with long sleeves.

Woven fabrics are also more effective at keeping bugs out than knitted fabrics. But woven fabrics are less breathable and less flexible, so there is a trade-off to consider.

Sometimes it’s just your eyes, mouth and nose that the bugs are after!

In addition to choosing fabrics that keep bugs out, you can consider chemical treatments. Some manufacturers pre-treat their clothing with permethrin — an odorless insect repellent approved as safe for use.

The most notable ranges of permethrin-treated clothing are ExOfficio’s BugsAway range (see our review of the Halo shirt above) and Columbia’s Insect Blocker range.

Permethrin doesn’t last forever though — it washes out over time. Most manufacturers claim that their treatments last through 50+ washes.

However, you can actually treat your clothing at home with permethrin. This includes re-applying permethrin to garments that were previously treated by the manufacturer, as well as just treating any item of clothing you may want to make bug resistant. But a home treatment of permethrin won’t last nearly as long as a treatment applied by the manufacturer. You can expect your home treatment to only last through five or so washes of the garment.

Washing care

When it comes to washing, merino wool requires slightly more care than synthetics. But the amount of care required is sometimes overrated. In most instances, you can throw your merino wool clothing in the wash with your other clothes, just try to be sensible and be sure to avoid excessive heat. Ideally, wash them using cold or warm water, usually with a medium spin, rather than trying to thrash them to shreds using a fast spin cycle.

Due to its odor-resistant properties, merino wool doesn’t need to be washed as often as synthetic either, so try to only wash your merino wool garments when they actually need it. It will prolong their lifetime.

You can even throw good quality merino wool in the dryer, if you really need to. Just be sure to keep the temperature on low! A hot dryer cycle will leave you with a shirt five sizes too small. Although, it is always better to air dry your garments if possible.

Both synthetic and merino wool dry pretty fast. So if you have a day to spare then it is likely possible to just dry them naturally. Although, avoid direct sunlight if it is very hot though and don’t hang garments if they are very wet (they might stretch!).

Having said all that, always follow the manufacturer’s care instructions shown on the label. In general, the less you machine wash and dry any garment, the longer it will last you.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What fabric is best for hiking shirts? Most hiking shirts are made from fabrics that dry quickly, wick moisture, and are comfortable on bare skin. Merino wool, nylon, and polyester are the most popular options. Merino is better for odor resistance and can be more comfortable than synthetic fabrics, but it is also more expensive. Polyester and nylon are cheaper and more durable but are not naturally odor-resistant like merino.

What style of shirt is best for hiking? The best hiking shirt depends on your preferences and your hiking conditions. T-shirts are breathable and easy to layer over. They are great for mild weather. Long sleeved and button-down shirts are better when protection from UV rays and insects is needed.

How much do hiking shirts cost? A good hiking shirt can cost between USD $30-$90. Synthetic t-shirts would be at the lower end, while merino shirts and technical button-ups are typically more expensive.

How should a hiking shirt fit? This is largely a matter of personal preference, but there are certain advantages of different fits. A looser-fitting shirt allows for more airflow and breathability and a tighter fit will move sweat and moisture away from your body more effectively and may reduce chafing.

Do certain colors make for better hiking shirts? Lighter colors, like white, tan, yellow, or light blue, absorb less sun than darker colors like black, brown, and navy, thereby keeping you cooler in hot summer conditions.

MORE INFORMATION

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Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!

 

A view of Mt Cook as seen from above Mueller Hut, Aoraki National PArk, New Zealand.