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Hiking Shirt Guide
Hiking shirts use different terms – technical, performance, wicking – but they all have an advantage over your favorite cotton t-shirt: they move moisture away from your skin to keep you dry.
Some of our favorites are below. Keep in mind that clothing styles change constantly and even an item with the same name may have a different fit, style, or color than described.
Info and tips about hiking shirts are below the recommendations.
Men's EMS
Techwick T-Shirt
and Women's
EMS Techwick T-Shirt
Pro: Lightweight, decent fit, affordable (watch for 3 for the price of 2 Techwick sales). Also great for general daily workouts, yard work, under motorcycle leathers... whenever you'll be working up a sweat.
The men's two-color style is especially attractive, and the womens colors are not bad.
REI Tech T-Shirt - Women's. This is what REI now offers instead of the
REI OXT Short Sleeved T-Shirt (and it's long sleeved counterpart). I love the OXTs and wear one every time I hike.
Pro: Super comfy, loose enough to move but still flattering.
Con: Only bright colors available now. I have the t-shirt in black and it works as a basic travel shirt because it doesn't scream "performance shirt".
EMS Men's Techwick Essential Crew, Long Sleeve.
Lightweight shirt that is great for layering or when you want more coverage from sun or bugs.
Dries quick and has SPF 30+ sun protection.
EMS
Techwick Long Sleeve 1/4 Zip. I like using a long sleeved
1/4 zip over
a wicking T-shirt
in all seasons but summer for great flexibility in regulating temp without weight.
They can be just worn on their own as well, and also layer nicely under a fleece or rain shell. Doesn't take up much room in a daypack. A must-have hiking item as far as we're concerned - ours get constant use.
Women's
REI Sahara Shirt.
Great shirt for travel -
it's kept me comfy from cities to exploring ruins. Never shows dirt, 40 UPF
sun protection, lightweight and cool... and the fit and style is nice.
Pro: Light enough to keep the sleeves down in hot buggy weather. Hidden zippered side vents allow air to circulate. Practical travel shirt without looking too much like you are on safari.
Synthetic fiber is better than a cotton t-shirt to hike in. Cotton tees are comfy but hold moisture - a damp cotton t-shirt can be an invitation to hypothermia.
The good news is that there are tons of synthetic options to choose from. They "wick" the moisture away from your skin to the shirt, where it dries.
The bad news is synthetics still have a tendancy to retain odor after washing - but the technology improves all the time.
Shameless Plug: We've designed our own New Jersey hike-themed t-shirts...with original designs for favorite NJ trails/parks like Mt. Tammany, Sunfish Pond, High Point, Batona Trail, Appalachian Trail and more. Check them out in the NJ Hiking Store.
And always remember Gear Rule #1: if you love something, always buy another because they will discontinue that style or color! it's the rule.
(hey, what is Gear Rule #2?)
