admin To see more of the best workout clothes and gear handpicked by GQ editors, check out the GQ Fitness Awards.
The Best All-Around Workout Shirt
Rhone’s four-way stretch Reign tee clings in all the right places (around the biceps, for example, so that the sleeves don’t ride up and down) and none of the wrong ones (the shoulders, the armpits, and—(shudder)—the gut) thanks to raglan sleeves and a slightly looser fit. It’s breathable enough to prevent soak-throughs, but not so thin that that a brisk day will highlight your nipples to everyone on the track. The best part, though, is that the fabric is infused with little bits of gold for anti-odor protection, which the company says delays the onset of that dreaded perpetual funk that most other workout shirts succumb to eventually. It sounds dumb, but for us, contemporaneously acquired shirts from other brands have already acquired a certain musk that this one, mercifully, has not.
The Best Budget Workout Shirt
Every brand now makes their own version of sweat-wicking fabric, but after almost three decades on the market, Nike’s Dri-Fit is still a more-than-capable challenger to some of the more expensive counterparts. High armholes and a slim body make the tee comfortable enough for runs and fitted enough for weightlifting, while an array of classic colors let you wear this shirt on the regular without signaling to others that yeah, you lift, bro. At half the cost of our other top picks—plus, Nike products frequently go on sale at retailers—this is the most cost-effective solution to the reprehensible cut-off tee collection that you’re still clinging to.
The Best Vented Workout Shirt
A shade looser than the Rhone, this updated version of one of our favorite Lululemon workout tops deserves its spot in these hallowed rankings because it lets in a whole lot of air. That’s thanks in large part to a series of visible, larger-than-usual holes that somehow don’t show any skin. Also, the heathered colorways and contrast-stitched seams provide a nice reprieve from the bright solid colors available at your local sporting goods store. For those of you who aren’t inclined to shill for an athletic apparel giant without an endorsement deal in place, the logo—already small and unobtrusive—is tucked away on the back, just below the neck.
The Best Cold Weather Workout Shirt
Under Armour’s HeatGear compression shirt will help you focus on your workout without any interruption from the brisk winter weather. Its super-light fabric delivers superior coverage without weighing you down. It includes a mesh underarm and back panels for better ventilation to help wick sweat and keep you dry. For an affordable $32, this HeatGear top is a must-have. The cold won’t be an excuse next winter.
The Best Workout Shirt for Runners
Tracksmith has developed its own niche in the running community because of its New England heritage-inspired athletic apparel—think Ivy League style comes for your running short shorts and workout tops. Its Van Cortlandt tee is made of lightweight mesh (yes, it’s a little sheer and you can somewhat see through it) which makes it breathable for those super-long summer runs. Unlike other shirts that can end up triple its weight at the end of a sweaty workout, the Van Cortlandt manages to wick away moisture away from the body and expel it from the shirt so that even the top isn’t drenched in your sweat. The top is finished with Tracksmith’s signature sash motif that does nothing for the workout benefits, but adds that extra layer of Ivy cool so engrained in the brand’s ethos.
The Best Long-Sleeve Workout Shirt
Winter is here, but don’t let your weather app scare you from getting your workout in. To help combat the coldness, our favorite long-sleeve shirt, the And Wander’s PowerDry tee will be your go-to option. A lightweight, double-knit jersey made with super cozy Polartec fabric to keep you warmer then your morning coffee as you go get your miles in. On sale for only $75, there’s no better time cop the best long-sleeve workout shirt of the season.
The Workout Tee That’s Also a Menswear Grail
Most workout shirts look like, well, workout shirts. Satisfy Running is one of the few brands that are making athletic gear fit-pic worthy. The brand’s Cloudmerino tee is cosmic cool and a far cry from what you’ll find at your local sporting goods retailer. Not only does it look more like a fashion piece than a piece of gear, because each one is dyed by hand, no two will be the same. So you can rest assured that you still won’t have the same exact tee at the very swaggy gym you attend. And it’s more than just a pretty shirt. The Cloudmerino tee is made using an extremely lightweight merino wool (a.k.a. Mother Nature’s wonderfiber) which does many of the fancy stuff that synthetic performance fabrics do—namely, moisture wicking, temperature regulating, and odor blocking.
