Hiking Shirt Guide

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Hiking Shirt Guide
Hiking shirts reviews, recommendations and tips

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.

Disclaimer: All of these are our own purchases and were not supplied by any company for review.

See Also: Hiking Pants and Shorts | Hiking Footwear

Hiking Shirt Tips

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.

Long Sleeve WickingThere are tons of synthetic options to choose from. They “wick” the moisture away from your skin to the shirt, where it dries.

Synthetics sometimes have a tendency to retain a little odor after washing, but the technology improves all the time (you’ll likely have the shirt awhile before that starts to happen).

Layers. I usually use a wicking short-sleeve then add a light long-sleeved layer or a mid-weight 1/2 zip.

In the winter, I’ll layer all three and then top with a fleece or shell. With these three shirts (short tee, long tee, long 1/2 zip), I’m covered all four seasons.

Just remove a layer to regulate heat as needed.

Quarter Zip Long SleeveDurability. Many of the shirts we currently use weekly are ones that we’ve had since 2008 or 2009, maybe longer.

They show a some abrasion marks from wear but are mostly fine.

One of the best ways I’ve found to make them last is to wash in cold water and hang dry – performance clothing dries quickly so it’s best to keep it away from high heat.

Hiking Shirt Recommendations

Some of our favorite hiking shirts are listed here.

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 or shown. We’re somewhat partial to Techwick for it’s balance of function and price.


Short Sleeve WickingMen’s Techwick T-Shirt and
Women’s Techwick T-Shirt
Lightweight, decent fit, affordable. Also great for general daily workouts, yard work, under motorcycle leathers… whenever you’ll be working up a sweat.

Stretchy and comfy, UPF 30 sun protection, treated for odor resistance. Decent range of colors.


Long Sleeve WickingMen’s Techwick Essential Crew, Long Sleeve
Lightweight shirt that is great for layering or to provide coverage from bugs or sun – it’s light enough to wear in warm weather if you prefer not to slather sunscreen all over your arms.

Comfortable fit, dries quick and has UPF 30 sun protection. Treated for odor resistance.


Quarter Zip Long SleeveWomen’s Techwick Long Sleeve 1/4 Zip
If I’m not wearing this, it’s in my backpack. As a light layer early in the morning in shoulder seasons, as one of my layers in the winter

A must-have hiking item as far as I’m concerned.

It can be worn on it’s own as well, and layers nicely under a fleece or rain shell. Doesn’t take up much room in a day pack.

Mine is older and newer ones now have thumb holes on longer cuffs to keep hands warm. There are several different weights now too.


Women’s Techwick Lightweight BaselayerBaselayer Long Sleeve
For a chilly/windy/rainy trip in 2016, I added a Techwick Lightweight Long-Sleeve Crew baselayer to my mix and was pretty happy with it.

I used it under my 1/4 zip and found it to be very effective and comfortable.

So much that I ended up wearing it several days longer than planned (four – and I could have probably pushed it longer if I hadn’t packed another layer to switch to, or just sink-washed it).

The material is thin and it doesn’t feel like I am wearing much. The slim-fit is a little too form-fitting to wear alone for my tastes, but it is intended as a baselayer.

The thumb holes on the cuffs hold the sleeves in place when putting on the next layer, but I also liked the little extra warmth they provided.

I often take my gloves off to fuss with the camera, and just that extra bit of warmth was welcome.

Just remember to tuck them up if it’s rainy or when washing your hands because they slurp water right up the sleeves.


Travel Long SleeveWomen’s Travel Shirt
Great shirt for travel – it’s kept me comfy from cities to exploring ruins.

Never shows dirt, has 40 UPF sun protection, is lightweight and cool… and the fit and style is nice.

Pro: Light enough to keep the sleeves down in hot buggy weather. Easily layered over a short sleeve tee.

Hidden zippered side vents allow air to circulate and the sleeves roll up and fasten. A practical travel shirt – without looking too much like you are on safari.


Appalachian Trail Wicking TeeCustom Wicking Tees
We’ve created our own original hike designs that are available on performance hiking shirts (like the one shown on the right).

In addition to several Appalachian Trail designs, we’ve created shirt designs for many of NJ’s favorite trails/parks such Mt. Tammany, Sunfish Pond, High Point, the Batona Trail, and more. Check them out in the NJ Hiking Store.

See Also: Hiking Pants and Shorts | Hiking Footwear

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