The 15 Best Workout Shirts for Men to Buy in 2023

When it comes to finding the right fit for a workout shirt, ideally you want it to feel like a second skin. Enter Rhone's short sleeve tee, which has a broken-in (while still secure) fit that's loaded with gym-friendly specs like an anti-chafing, moisture-wicking fabric. Plus, it's infused with gold (yes, really) to fend off stink. Taking it outside? It also has a UPF50+ exterior for adequate sun protection. The Reign's suite of features made it an easy cinch for our Men's Health Fitness Awards.

Mat Forzaglia, NFPT-CPT, creator of In Time Fitness, has multiple pairs of Rhone's gym tees. "They are comfortable and have enough stretch in them that allows zero restriction," he previous told Men's Health.

What do buyers say? "In love with the fabric, can be used for athletic wear and casual wear. Your staple, all-around t-shirt," said one reviewer on the brand's site.

Read more: Best Moisture-wicking shirts

If softness is your priority, consider Vuori a go-to brand for apparel. This tee is made with the brand's softest performance knit ever. Plus, a modern athletic fit and 29" body length (1" longer than the Current Tech T-Shirt) offers a flattering fit for most guys,

Moisture-wicking technology keeps you dry and comfortable during even the most intense workouts, while the anti-odor technology is intended to keep you fresh all day. It also features an ultraviolet protection to keep you safe from the sun's harmful rays while you enjoy getting outside.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 6,036 Vuori Clothing reviews, buyers recommended the Strato Tech Tee with a 4.83-star rating.

A week's worth of quality workout shirts can set you back a few hundreds of dollars. Not so with Amazon's in-house brand of workout tees, which cost less than $20 each and have amassed over 1,400 five-star ratings. Customers love its (yes) incredible value, and sun-protecting, moisture-wicking properties.

Plus, the size range and fit is designed to accommodate larger guys.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 2,939 Amazon reviews, 82% recommend the Tech Stretch Short-Sleeve T-Shirt with at least a 4-star rating.

Ten Thousand's marquee shirt lives up to its name. Its anti-chafe flatlock seam prevents armpit irritation, and silver ions fend off BO. Plus, despite the shirt's relatively breezy fit, it's also incredibly durable and holds up even after months of consistent use (and washes). In short, it's a truly versatile workout shirt.

"My go-to workout shirt. I like how the fabric has a subtle texture that feels airy and light, yet the shirt is still strong enough to hold its shape over time. There’s no collar break down here," says John Thompson, Men's Health Gear and Commerce Editor.

What do buyers say? "Great shirt for running, gym or just hanging! Well made, like all their stuff- it just works," said one tenthousand.cc reviewer.

This short sleeve compression tee is made with Under Armour’s sweat-wicking HeatGear fabric, which features anti-odor technology to keep you—and your shirt—smelling fresh during sweaty sessions. Also available in sleeveless and long sleeve versions.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 23,760 Amazon reviews, 92% recommend the HeatGear Armour Short Sleeve Compression Shirt with at least a 4-star rating.

Read more: Best Compression Shirts for Men

This running tank top from New Balance is made from a tight mesh fabric that provides maximum breathability and sweat shedding. The loose singlet design allows air to flow over your whole body as you move. An extra long back panel allows you to keep the shirt tucked in to reduce drag.

Russel has been making workout gear for over a century so they've got more experience than almost anyone else in the business. Their cotton-polyester blend t-shirt is so simple but effective. It does everything you want a workout tee to do and you can wear it in your daily life too.

What do buyers say? Out of more than 61,963 Amazon reviews, 86% recommend the Performance Cotton Short Sleeve T-Shirt with at least a 4-star rating.

Mountain Harwear built this shirt for those outdoors workouts when you need a little extra protection from the sun and the elements. A three piece hood design provides neck and ear coverage. Thumb holes at the sleeve cuffs keep the sleeves in place during intense movement. The fabric also provides UV protection.

What do buyers say? "I’m on the water in South Florida fishing a lot. I own multiple brands of sun hoodies. This is my favorite no question. Most comfortable and the hood is designed so well that you’ll actually use it. Super soft material that actually feels cooler as you sweat," said one Backcountry reviewer.

The Current Tech T-Shirt is one of the best combinations of style, comfort, and performance out there right now. This shirt is made with a 4-way stretch knit that provides max comfort for any kind of physical activity, and its moisture-wicking technology keeps you cool and dry. Those of us at MH who have tested this tee have agreed that it holds up well to even the most sweat-stain prone among us.

Its got the perfect fit, too. At 28" in length with a modern athletic fit (not too baggy, not to slim), it's perfect for tucking in or leaving out.

What do buyers say? "Very high-quality tee, with a fit that is true to size. Love how soft it is, and it has held up really well after repeated washes after yoga and workouts," said one reviewer on vuoriclothing.com.

One of the lighter tees we've tried, Lululemon's training shirt can still hold up when you want to hit the pavement hard. Sweat-wicking, BO-fighting technology makes it ideal for even outdoor exercises, and it's available in an array of tastefully textured patterns to break up your solid color gym gear.

It's a crowd favorite with Men's Health editors, too. Here's what Style and Commerce Editor Maverick Li had to say about his experience with this shirt.

"Ever had a tee that is cool to the touch—and stays cool throughout your workout session, no matter how sweaty you get? In my experience of wearing it to the gym for weight training, it has never gotten wet, stinky, and or clingy to my skin. In fact, I’ve tested its sweat-wicking, BO-fighting technology in outdoor exercises, and the coolness and freshness have never once worn off, even against sweaty skin. Its lightweight and stretch also render it all the more workout-friendly, especially for benching.

However, I did notice that, without proper storage and care, this shirt can get wrinkly. But after stretching it out in the gym, the wrinkles disappear like a thief in the night."

With a slim fit and drop armhole cut, this tank allows for maximum mobility and airflow, preventing any restrictions during exercise.

"The thing I love about the GymShark drop tank is the freedom of movement. It's great for pull-ups and overhead exercises, and it's perfect for training in the summer," says Samuel.

The Gymshark logo is printed on the front of the tank, adding a touch of style to this minimalist design with being too in your face. The brand is sharpening its focus on sustainability, so the product comes without its OG swing tag.

True to its name, Proof's signature tee kept us dry even after the longest workouts. And while most workout tees have that synthetic, slightly-itchy feel, this one is as comfortable as our favorite loungewear, which means you'll want to wear this all day, every day.

We asked our editors about their experience with this shirt. "I’ve had this shirt for over 2 years now and it continues to be a soft and breathable tee I can turn to. It doubles as my airplane shirt and my hotel gym workout shirt whenever I’m traveling light," explained Thompson.

What do buyers say? "This is the second one I purchased. Expensive but great quality and comfortable T-shirt. Very breathable fabric that will not make you sweat like crazy in the heat. If your on the fence between sizes definitely size up," said one Huckberry reviewer.

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Yes, this Ivy League-inspired shirt is a stunner, but don't let its pretty looks deceive you. It has a moisture-wicking mesh top that offers maximum breathability and movement, so you can wear this even during your hardest sweat sessions.

And while other workout shirts we tried ride up after running more than five miles, this one stays perfectly put during our long runs.

The Project Rock DMND Muscle Tank is a part of Under Armour's Project Rock training gear collection, meaning its been personally approved by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson himself.

Outdoor Research built this t-shirt with a unique panel design to place seams where the create the least friction. The fabric is a tight mesh designed for maximum breathability and moisture shedding. Its incredibly light weight but still provides UV protection.

What do buyers say? "As the weather started to cool, the thought of returning to heavy cotton T-shirts didn’t appeal to me. I had a couple of these OR Echo tees that I originally bought for use outdoors. I decided they would make great tees for every day. They do!" said one Backcountry reviewer.