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Looking for a new running shirt? We've reviewed more than 40 shirts over more than a decade and include 17 of the best running shirts available in our current review. The market is flooded with options, and it can be difficult to determine which is the best top for you. Our team of testers picked the most popular shirts to review side-by-side, wearing them on our daily runs and putting them through objective, laboratory-style tests. We've compared and analyzed the comfort, breathability, drying speed, and versatility to help you pick the perfect shirt for your adventures andbudget.
Material: 57% Nylon, 43% Merino Wool | Weight: 3.3 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptional temperature regulation
Highly breathable
Quick-drying
Natural odor control
REASONS TO AVOID
Droops when saturated
Warm in hot conditions
The Black Diamond Rhythm Tee is the best-performing running shirt we've ever tested. When tackling big adventures, your clothing needs to be adaptable. This shirt's unique blend of nylon and wool creates a light and airy garment with excellent temperature regulation. Adapting to temperature changes is crucial, especially when you want to carry minimal amounts of clothing. This model scored higher than any of the competition when evaluating versatility. The impressive breathability makes it perfect for all but the hottest days, and the wool provides considerable warmth when paired with a shell — the perfect option to wear for runs above treeline.
The nylon blend in this shirt makes it extremely stretchy, and it tends to droop, especially when saturated. As a result, the Rhythm Tee is not well suited for sweating in humid environments either. The wool element can feel stifling in extremely hot temperatures — if you often find yourself in temperatures above 90°F (32°C), you may want to look elsewhere. The sweet spot for this shirt is a warm, dry environment. Thanks to its exceptional three-season performance, the Rhythm is an essential shirt to have in your quiver. For those hot and humid days, we recommend wearing the Janji Helio Tech instead. It won't absorb as much moisture and the material is less likely to sag.
A scramble up to meet some friends climbing on the way home from a backcountry ski. The Black Diamond Rhythm is the right choice for three-sport days and massive temperature swings.
Material: 100% Recycled Polyester | Weight: 4.1 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly versatile
Remains cool in warm temperatures
Recycled materials
Variety of colorways available
REASONS TO AVOID
Higher water absorption
Longer drying time
The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily provides great comfort and versatility for a stellar price. If you want to add more flair to your runs, Patagonia offers this model in a wide array of colors. And we are impressed with the cool feel of the fabric, even while running on hot days. It's one of our favorites for daily use and a variety of activities. The Capilene fabric is sleek and simple and contains no extra features that tend to be overkill, like ultrasonic welds and seams. The simplicity of the design helps keep the price low, and we fully support that decision. Due to its synthetic fabric, it will retain some warmth even when wet and does not suffer from sagging, a common issue on natural fabrics.
The Capilene Cool Daily lacks some breathability compared to the more expensive models we tested. And those in extremely hot or humid climates may desire something that absorbs less moisture and dries more quickly. But you should strongly consider the Capilene Cool Daily if you want a shirt that can do it all at an amazing price. When you need a breathable option to make your runs more enjoyable, the Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee is up to that task.
The Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily is a high value shirt due to its affordable price and great performance.
The updated Arc'teryx Cormac Crew is the best-fitting shirt we tested. The new lighter fabric is more breathable and dries faster, making it perfect for hot climates that are dry or humid. The improved seams offer the same comfort as taped seams without any uncomfortable rigidity around the collar. The lighter-weight design is very compressible, making it a great sleep shirt or an easy addition for an expedition. The fit feels unrestricted but not overly baggy. The 100% polyester blend is soft and durable and resists static more than some more natural blends.
This is our go-to shirt for daily use. But we wish there was a simple rear reflective to offer better low-light visibility. This lightweight model also offers less heat retention than other synthetic shirts we tested. If you run in cooler climates, you may opt for a slightly thicker option or consider carrying a lightweight jacket as a backup. But if you are looking for one shirt to do it all, look no further. For something more suitable for cooler conditions, the thicker wool blend and thermoregulating properties make the Ibex Merino Tencel a better pick.
The Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee uses Polartec Delta to create a running shirt with evaporative cooling. This textured model minimizes touch points, increasing breathability and airflow. We are big fans of the simple but reflective elements that provide visibility from every aspect. The fit is loose but not overly baggy. This shirt is comfortable across a range of activities, and while some might find the unique texture less ideal for wearing a pack, we didn't have any issue with it.
This shirt is best for hot days when wind or movement will help cool you down. If you are in humid conditions, we'd recommend a shirt with less moisture absorption. While this shirt is highly breathable, it does not dry as fast as shirts made of lighter-weight fabrics. The increased weight also reduces the packability, so if you're counting grams for your upcoming ultralight backpacking trip, you may consider a lighter-weight model such as the Janji Helio Tech. This ultra-light model weighs a mere 2.9 ounces and dries fast.
The Ulitmate Direction Nimbus with Polartech Delta offers industry-leading evaporative cooling great for warm/dry climates.
The Janji Helio Tech is, without a doubt, our favorite for running in hot and humid conditions. This fabric is less stretchy than the competition, so it doesn't sag or droop when the threads start to absorb moisture. Often we find that a shirt can have great breathability but absorb moisture, leaving the shirt feeling sticky or moist, which is certainly not the case with this model. While not as versatile due to the thin, ultra-lightweight fabric, the Helio Tech is one of our favorites for mid-summer runs.
The less stretchy fabric doesn't breathe quite as well as some other contenders, but it is still plenty breathable for running during the hottest times of the year. Unless you find a good deal, this shirt isn't cheap. On the other hand, it could be a good addition for someone who runs in more humid conditions. You may prefer maximum breathability if you are running in a purely dry climate, in which case the Black Diamond Rhythm Tee is a great choice. It's an excellent performer in warm and dry conditions, offering three-season wearability and great breathability.
The Janji Helio Tech is our go-to for hot weather days. Super lightweight and very breathable make even the hottest days more bearable.
The Ibex Merino Tencel is our favorite natural fabric model for layering. While it is not the lightest shirt we tested, it was the warmest, thanks to the slightly heavier-weight Merino blend. A T-shirt baselayer is a good starting point for your winter clothing system and is also great for shoulder season running. This shirt feels durable but soft and is extremely comfortable, even with a pack on.
The only drawback with the Merino Tencel is the cost. Even so, the price point is directly comparable to other natural fabric models we tested. If you plan on running only in hot conditions, we recommend a lighter, more breathable model. But this is an excellent choice if you want a T-shirt that can handle a wide range of conditions throughout the seasons. For a hot weather alternative, check out the HOKA Glide. Not only is it exceptionally breathable, lightweight, and fast drying, but it will save you a few bucks, too.
The Ibex Merino Tencel is a great all-around natural fiber layer that's thicker than other natural models we tested. This means it works great as a baselayer and into shoulder seasons.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
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Our favorite running shirts are adaptable and work in a variety of conditions and temperatures. Keeping us comfortable both in valleys and on ridgelines is a priority and the BD Rhythm did just that.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Why Trust GearLab
Not only did we wear these shirts for all of our aerobic and outdoor pursuits over three months, but we used them for day-to-day activities too. We hope to convey what products will work best for you via our rigorous testing methods and, in turn, make your decision process easier. We aim to help you spend your hard-earned money in a way that fits your style. We don't recommend anything to you that we wouldn't also recommend to our friends and family.
We focused our testing of each running shirt across four rating metrics:
Comfort (30% of overall score weighting)
Breathability (30% weighting)
Drying Speed (20% weighting)
Features & Versatility (20% weighting)
Our main tester Matthew out for a run high above Durango, Colorado. Each shirt went through a series of runs with and without a pack as part of our comfort testing.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
This review is led by Matthew Richardson, a review editor with years of outdoor experience. Some personal highlights include an out-and-back day trip to the Chicago Basin 14ers in the San Juan Mountains and a solo ride of the Colorado Trail in 2021. With a passion for gear, Matthew always looks for the best when setting out on a new project. After years of using a variety of gear for personal projects and trips, he hopes to convey the best products for your specific needs.
Laying the foundation for this review was Jeff Colt. He has years of industry experience working with trail-running brands during his two decades of competitive running, including the last five years as an elite ultramarathoner.
Another day, another test run in a running shirt. We put all the shirts in this review through their paces - and then some.
That's a lot of shirts!
Matthew our lead tester doing the classic chimney boulder in the kraft boulders in Las Vegas, NV.
Analysis and Test Results
Over the years, we have developed a thorough test process that evaluates the most important metrics when deciding if a running shirt is right for your activities. While we primarily focused on running while performing our tests, we realized there are a wide variety of uses for a shirt, and we wanted to ensure we captured as many of these use cases as well.
The Trew Lightweight Nuyarn Merino Basic T wasn't a favorite of ours given the high tendency to develop static which seemed worse than other natural fiber shirts.
The Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve is a comfortable nice looking shirt but wasn't a favorite of ours given the shirt was heavier and created with slightly thicker fabric. We'd stick to shoulder seasons to use this model.
Layering, thermal regulation potential, breathability, and the temperature use range were all things we considered. We also performed quantitative tests analyzing drying speeds by comparing weight during drying time intervals. Once we gathered the data, we sat down to score and compare the various models to help you determine which options are best for you.
Value
Determining what shirt is best for you and how much you should spend on such a basic item can be difficult. We tested shirts with a wide range of prices to be able to recommend products that fit everyone's budget. With a price increase, you often receive more premium design elements such as ultrasonic seams, thin stitching, and advanced materials. Sometimes these materials are more versatile; other times, they are ultrathin and light and stand out for their weightlessness.
If you are looking for the best performance-to-value ratio, we would recommend the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily. This shirt scores high in comfort and versatility, and while you don't receive perfectly flat seams and material blends, the performance cannot be matched at this price point.
The name REI Active Pursuits is fitting for this shirt, as we found it comfortable and capable on trail, during pick up soccer, mountain biking, and in the gym. This shirt has a comfortable do-it-all fit that is highly versatile.
Credit: Jeff Colt
Comfort
Our highest weighted metric when analyzing scores and comparisons is comfort. Shirts need to be comfortable under a variety of circumstances and activities. Comfort needs to be maintained when your shirt is wet, under high/low humidity, in cool/hot temperatures, and with or without a pack. We carefully tested each model and determined which we felt were the most comfortable. Some shirts attempt to minimize discomfort by including top-of-the-line technology to reduce seams and increase airflow or by integrating multiple fabric types to have different breathability zones. After our testing and research, we determined the two most important elements are seam type and fabric type, followed by fit.
Seam Sewing
Consider how the seams feel on your current shirt when searching for a shirt. If you are often plagued by seam chafing, lean towards a shirt with more ultrasonic welds (taped seams). These seams are welded together under heat, and they are much thinner and protrude less than your classic stitched seams. One downside of these types of seams is their lack of stretch. The ON Performance-T features the highest amount of taped seams with minimal stitching throughout the shirt. Unfortunately, the neck and back panels were stiff and restrictive. The updated Arc'teryx Cormac Crew has a solid but slightly stretchy neck seam that replaces the previous taped version. This provides a structure that doesn't sag without feeling stiff and is easier to pull on and off.
Featuring the most ultrasonic welds out of any of the models we tested, the ON Performance-T is a super comfortable shirt. One downside is that these seams stretch less and can feel a bit constraining at times.
The textured design of the Ultimate Direction Nimbus tee creates less contact with the skin providing increased evaporative cooling. Luckily we noticed no issues while also using a pack, a concern with textured models.
For a classic seam design that offers premium comfort, we recommend the HOKA Glide, Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily, or the Janji Helio Tech. One of our favorite types of stitching is merrow stitching, which joins two pieces of fabric in a thin, low-profile manner. The Arc'teryx Cormac Crew offers this, and we find it to be one of the most comfortable for all-day use. This shirt is our favorite seam design from any of the models we tested.
The improved collar on the Arcteryx Cormac Crew was a welcome update that is snug but less stiff. Gone is the ultra-welded seam which we previously didn't love.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Fabric Type and Weave
The majority of the shirts we tested are polyester. This synthetic material provides great durability and warmth when wet and absorbs less water than natural materials such as wool and cotton. We found all the models in this test group to contain comfortable face fabrics that didn't irritate our skin. The Vuori Strato Tech was the most comfortable shirt cut from synthetic fabrics. We were surprised by how soft the shirt felt, and at first, you'd think it was a natural blend like cotton or wool. The Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee is another outstanding synthetic option. This shirt uses innovative Polartec Delta fabric for increased breathability and incomparable comfort.
"Move and Be Moved" reads the accent label under the sleeve. We couldn't agree more, the Vuori Strato is so comfortable and it moves with your body, whether doing stadium repeats or stepping through from downward dog.
Credit: Jeff Colt
The Black Diamond Rhythm Tee was previously the only model to feature a Merino wool and nylon blend. It is incredibly thin and very stretchy, so it conforms to the body and is great when wearing a pack. Another great choice for a more natural blend is the Ibex Merino Tencel, which has a Merino, TENCEL mix. The Trew Lightweight Nuyarn Merino Basic T has the highest percentage of Merino in its blend, but we didn't find this to provide more comfort over other synthetic models. The softest fabric in our lineup was the Rabbit EZ Tee, which features a spandex, polyester blend.
Our lead tester Matthew used the Rabbit EZ on an evening run in SW Colorado.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Fit
We were impressed with the fit of all the models we tested and have no complaints about the various cuts or shapes. Fit is incredibly variable from person to person. If you often have difficulty with the fit or are picky when it comes to length, we suggest you purchase from a retailer with a good return policy. Fortunately, our testers found no shirt was overly long or short in any dimensions. If we had to pick our favorite fitting shirt, it would be the Arc'teryx Cormac Crew. This model does a great job of feeling relaxed but not baggy, offering freedom of movement while still fitting athletically. This shirt is great for all-around use, from running to bouldering or days on the river.
The Janji Helio Tech fit is one of the best we tried, we like how the fabric is soft and pliable but not overly stretchy even when wet.
The inside fabric of the Janji Helio Tech has these raised nodules that increase airflow and keep the shirt light feeling even when running in humid conditions.
Breathability
Breathability is important in a running shirt; you should determine what conditions you plan to run in before purchasing. A breathable shirt will help move heat away from your body and improve drying times, but it can also make the shirt thermoregulate less. If you plan on running in hot, humid conditions, we recommend a shirt with high breathability or a high drying score. If you want your shirt to be more adaptable to various conditions, stick to a shirt with less breathability.
The Ultimate Direction Nimbus Tee had the greatest breathability out of all the shirts we tested, and it was our go-to pick for hot trail runs. For laps around the track where we craved a shirt with an airy feel, the similarly breathable HOKA Glide was another great option. Textured shirts like these two tees have increased surface area, creating airflow pockets. While some could find the feel less ideal against the skin with a pack on, our testers had no issues even with 25-pound loads. But it's something to consider, especially if you're particularly sensitive to textures.
Receiving the highest score for breathability the Ultimate Direction Nimbus is a go-to for hot weather where breathability is crucial. Users in wetter climates may find this shirt absorbs more water than lighter models.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
The Black Diamond Rhythm Tee also has great breathability while retaining some heat thanks to its wool blend. The Nathan Rise 2.0 and Rabbit EZ Tee received high marks for their breathability, which was surprising given these models have thicker fabric. This is nice for chilly runs that warm up later. The high-visibility colorway of the Nathan Rise 2.0 is also great for pre-dawn starts, where the heat ramps up throughout the morning.
The Rabbit EZ is the softest shirt we tested, the slightly thicker fabric breaths great and works well in a wide range of temperatures.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
You may want multiple shirts to pull from if you run in various conditions throughout the year. It can be nice to own a dedicated summer shirt for maximum breathability and something a bit more insulating for colder shoulder season runs, where it's still T-shirt weather, but you aren't sweating as much.
Wool isn't normally incredibly breathable but when it's this thin and mixed nylon it can be. Black Diamond was able to create one of the most breathable shirts we tested with the Rhythm. These micro holes provide maximum airflow.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Drying Speed
Nobody wants to run in a shirt soaking in sweat, so drying time is important when comparing these running shirts. Drying time is directly influenced by the material type and breathability. Generally, the fastest-drying shirts weighed the least, which makes sense given there is less fabric to absorb moisture. This is your most important metric if you live in a humid or hot climate.
To test each shirt, we put them all in the wash and weighed them after the spin cycle; this gave us a “saturated” weight that we could then compare to the shirt's dry weight. We then put them into the dryer individually and pulled them out to weigh them every five minutes. This gave us a nice graph of how quickly each shirt would return to its dry weight.
Our chart showing drying speed displays weight in ounces on the y-axis and time in 5-minute increments on the x-axis. Once a shirt was within .10 oz of the recorded dry weight, we considered it dry.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Unsurprisingly, the HOKA Glide and Janji Helio Tech were the fastest drying, given they were also the lightest shirts we tested. Other top drying shirts are the Arc'teryx Cormac Crew and ON Performance-T. After our testing, we found that dry weight is a better indicator of drying speed than the breathability score.
The square stitching pattern found on the Hoka Glide allows for maximum airflow and fast drying. For hot and dry conditions this is the model for you.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Running in wet conditions is tricky because if it's hot, you want the least amount of fabric weighing you down. If it's cool out and you're running in the rain, high breathability can quickly make you feel cold, while having a thicker shirt, even though it's heavier, can provide more heat retention. We recommend the Nathan Rise 2.0, Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily, and Ibex Merino Tencel for cooler running in wet conditions.
We love how the synthetic Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily balances fabric weight and moisture retention to keep us at just the right temperature.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
We'd recommend a shirt with the highest drying score for hot conditions with humidity. Alternatively, we recommend using breathability as your most important technical metric for hot conditions without humidity. But as with most outdoor gear, having a few options for the various conditions you will encounter throughout the year is a good idea.
The Nathan Rise 2.0 seen here is a great all-around model that features great breathability even with the heavier fabric used. High-visibility colorways are also great for running with minimal light.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Features and Versatility
We love gear that is versatile and functional across many different types of activities. It's crucial for us – especially when spending this much money on a shirt – to use it for more than one of our recreation activities. If you only find yourself running in your shirt and then taking it off as soon as you finish, any of the shirts we tested will work well for you. But if you want your investment to function for wide-ranging activities and temperatures, you should seriously consider prioritizing this category. Our main attribute when looking at versatility is how well each shirt works across a wide temperature range and under various conditions. We also considered items like reflective areas, UPF ratings, and odor control mechanisms, but largely, the score can tell you how well the shirt will perform under a range of conditions.
Thanks to its light Merino wool blend, the Black Diamond Rhythm Tee stands out among all the models we tested. We tested these shirts in a wide range of temperatures, from desert conditions to higher elevations in the mountains, and the adaptability of this model stood out from the rest. As runners, we develop a lot of heat, and the Rhythm's ability to regulate that heat is superior. Adaptable to almost all temperature conditions, the heat was dissipated in the valley sweating but retained when the pace slowed, and the wind picked up on ridgelines and above treeline. This is our favorite model for trail running in dry conditions, and its versatility heavily influenced why it received our top award.
So light and stretchy, the BD Rhythm flows effortlessly with body movements. An excellent shirt for running or anything that will utilize the benefits of the merino wool fabric as a highly breathable base layer.
Credit: Jeff Colt
The Ibex Merino Tencel is our favorite model to layer. It contains natural materials similar to the Black Diamond Rhythm, but the weave is tighter, making the shirt warmer and smoother against the skin. This tighter weave also increases the durability, so we find ourselves pulling this shirt out for other activities that are more demanding on gear, like bouldering or biking. Other top performers included the REI Active Pursuits, Patagonia Capilene Cool, and Arc'teryx Cormac Crew. While these models are heavier than some of our lightweight options, they have the ability for more all-day use outside of running. Each of these shirts also feels great with a backpack or hydration pack, which is a key consideration given we go on many long-distance trail runs.
Excelling at all-day use, the Arc'teryx Cormac Crew is our top pick for going on long trails or expedition-length trips. The blend of packability and performance is leading in our test group.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Two new models that score highly in this category are the Rhone Reign and Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve. Both models have thicker fabric, allowing for comfort in a wide range of temperatures. This thicker fabric also makes them more usable in various social settings. For more specific gym shirts, we'd recommend these options. A two-tone colorway found on the Lululemon grabs more attention than some duller models prioritizing technical aspects.
The Lululemon Metal Vent Tech has a cool two-tone look that is sure to grab attention while being very comfortable.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Conclusion
We hope our in-depth review has made it easier to decide what shirt will work best for your lifestyle. Remember to consider your location and climate when buying a new shirt. Hot or cold, warm or dry, there is a shirt for you in our lineup. We recommend going with the lightest shirt you can afford for hot conditions. For trails and ultra runs, you should prioritize versatility for regulating across a wide temperature range. Running in wet and humid conditions? Choose something that dries fast. If sweating is an issue, choose a model that has high breathability. This lineup has some of the best shirts we've ever tested, and we know there is something for everyone. Have fun out there!
We hope this article made it possible for you to make a decision on what running shirt works best for you. See you out there!
