Tested: The Best Men’s Hiking Shirts for Your Next Adventure

Heading out to your favorite manicured trail is all well and good, but when you’re preparing for a real off-grid adventure, a common shirt isn’t going to be enough. If you find yourself in the thick of the brush, spending countless hours under the sun, or traversing difficult terrain, you’re going to want something a bit more robust – a dedicated hiking shirt. Luckily, the outdoor industry understands that the casual hike might always take an unexpected turn; even more so for those who seek to brave the world’s toughest backcountry trails. Below, we’ve tested a slew of hiking shirts, bringing you the best ones to wear on your next adventure.

How We Tested

Since the beginning of the hiking industry’s endeavor for more efficient outerwear, it became immediately clear that heavy, cumbersome garments were a deterrent, rather than an ally. They were hot, low on airflow, and generally uncomfortable. In order to evolve, manufacturers began to experiment with lightweight textiles, and today, the implementation of water and moisture-resistant fabrics has become commonplace. As a result, protective outerwear is the best that it’s ever been, boasting UPF-rated sun protection, abrasion-resistant attributes, and a slew of interesting traits that keep the wearer cool, dry, and focused on the task at hand. These are the aspects we paid attention to when making our shortlist of hiking shirts for testing, while also factoring in our personal experience with certain shirts as well as brand reputation.

After we compiled our shortlist, we sourced the products for testing. To test each of these shirts we took them out into the field, wearing them on the trail to see how they felt over the course of the day. We also paid attention to how they looked and fit, and how they seemed to hold up to the smells and sweat that builds up throughout a hiking outing. These results and more are detailed below.

Measurements: I’m 6’0″ tall and wear an XL on most occasions, and every shirt in this guide is an XL. My body type is a bit large and I have broad shoulders, so I pay extra attention to how shirts feel in the shoulder and armpit areas. I also prefer shirts that are a bit slimming, especially around the stomach.

Hiking Shirt Considerations

Material: It’s important to understand the material making up your garments, especially if they’re meant to be tools as well. While generally, two main materials compose most hiking shirts (nylon/polyester and wool), the blend and how the shirt is designed can vary depending on the brand, use-case, sustainability efforts, and a myriad of other factors. Deciding what material is right for you is the first step in narrowing down the right shirt.

UV protection/UPF rating: One of the most important aspects of a hiking shirt is the UPF rating. The Ultraviolet Protection Factor is a lab-tested rating that tells you how much UV protection can be expected from the shirt. An average cotton shirt, for example, has a UPF rating of around 5, which means a fifth of the present UV radiation gets through. For context, a 15 UPF rating is the minimum to be considered UV protective, with 50+ being the highest.

Situation: Many hiking shirts have varying strengths so it’s important to know what situations your shirt can handle. A high UPF rating and light breathable materials are commonplace in hot-weather shirts, great for running or intense hiking, while a wool blend almost always means it’s built for colder weather. The old outdoors adage “cotton kills” has some merit, but certain cold-weather conditions mean warm clothing with some blend of cotton is called for.

Moisture-Wicking and Anti-Microbial Properties: With outdoor technology rapidly improving, hiking shirts have benefited from new materials that wick moisture and fight bacteria. The ability to wick sweat and reduce odor is extremely practical, especially for high-intensity adventures. When looking for a new hiking shirt, check for these features and decide whether they are useful for your outings.

REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

Best Budget Shirt: For those of you interested in a reliable option that won’t break the bank, REI Co-op’s Sahara Long-Sleeve T-Shirt is worth a look. It’s quick drying so you won’t be weighed down on the trail and can be quickly hand washed. The anti-microbial polyester material breathes well and wicks sweat, and the UPF 30 rating provides adequate UV protection. Additionally, to minimize friction from backpack straps and the like, the shirt’s shoulder seams are rolled forward. It also makes for a great casual shirt so burgeoning hikers can feel less intimidated about entering the space.

The first thing I noticed about the REI Sahara took place before I even put it on. I had all of the shirts I was testing packed into a box to transport with me from the office to my home. And upon taking them all out, there was one that was not wrinkled at all: the REI Sahara. And since I had no time to iron the shirt before embarking on my hike, I opted for this one first. I love how lightweight the shirt feels on my torso, and also how roomy it is, despite running true to size. It was a windy day but the shirt was able to ventilate my skin, cooling me off, without flapping too much. And it didn’t cling to my skin, which helps with regulating my body temperature. I felt like the polyester-spandex material blend balanced weight, firmness, and stretch incredibly well.

In terms of the negatives, there are only a few notes from me, which is impressive considering the low price tag, although the jury is still out whether this will last as long as the more premium options. However, my biggest concern was that the sleeves were slightly long. I kept pulling the cuff off my palm. There could have been slightly more tightness at the cuff to give me more comfort and a cleaner appearance. Also, I noticed a slight rub against the front part of my armpits about 15 minutes in, which only ever became slightly annoying. I did notice towards the end of my hike that I started to heat up underneath. It was only moderately warm but I wondered if another shirt would have cooled me down better.

Verdict: For a $40 shirt, the REI Sahara is a great choice that doesn’t wrinkle, and it has lots of colorways. The sleeves may be a bit long and there might be some chafing in the armpit, but the shirt was lightweight, stretchy, and breathable without being either too clingy or too flappy. Its breathability, while good in bursts, comes into question on longer outings, but this is still a solid hiking shirt for the price.

Patagonia Men’s Long-Sleeved Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt

Best Lightweight Shirt: Patagonia, a legendary brand in the outdoor community, touts this as its most lightweight technical shirt. It features all the hiking shirt essentials like moisture-wicking, anti-microbial, and fast-drying functions. The set-in sleeves and drop-tail hem allow the shirt to move with you, preventing unwanted interference. Along with the recycled materials, the sewing is Fair Trade Certified, which means the makers are fairly compensated. The Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is an affordable yet quality option in line with Patagonia’s sustainability mission.

My favorite part about Patagonia’s Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is how inclined I am to wear it. This sounds odd, since wouldn’t I be inclined to wear any shirt that I own? Well not necessarily. For one, the Capilene has an accessible style that doesn’t necessarily look like a hiking shirt, even though it’s incredibly lightweight and its durability can be felt instantly to the touch. It’s also pretty flattering on my body, not accentuating certain aspects while making me look like I have a distinct shape. Also, the complete lack of wrinkles when I took this out of my hiking bag was a plus. If I have this shirt, say, crumpled up in my laundry basket, I will opt to wear it over something that I have to iron first. During my hike, I really felt the lack of weight on my shoulders and chest. And when I was done, I didn’t notice any distinct mustiness when I smelled it.

As comfortable as the Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is, I’m personally not a huge fan of how the material feels against my skin. Polyester is much coarser than cotton or wool, but the way it’s constructed here is much more noticeable, especially since the nature of the shirt is clingy. This isn’t noticeable when you’re not as active, but my hike started really heating up, the sensation of the shirt got to me a bit. Likewise, I don’t love how tight the shirt is around my arms, especially in my armpit or “elbow pit” areas. Though the cuffs come down to a nice length, as does the hem below the waist. On the other hand, you’ll have to cut out the interior tag, which will scratch against your skin.

Verdict: One of the best-looking shirts we tested, the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt is true to its description. This incredibly lightweight top feels great on the trail, even if the coarser polyester material isn’t for everyone. The arms and armpits were a bit tight, but the rest of the shirt fit true to size and fell to desirable points on the palms and waist. Wrinkle-free and flattering on your body, this long-sleeve hiking shirt won’t break the bank either.

Columbia Men’s Silver Ridge Utility Lite Long Sleeve Shirt

Best Button-Up: Columbia’s SilverRidge Lite Long-Sleeve is one of the most reasonable and versatile offerings on our list, and for good reason. Not only does it encompass all of the aesthetic pleasantries of a common formal shirt, but it’s also been built for an easy transition into the outdoor realm, thanks to its moisture-repelling Omni-Wick fabric, 50 UPF sun protection rating, and the company’s proprietary Omni-Shade technology, which blocks UVA and UVB rays, and acts as a deterrent for long-term skin damage. To round things out, additional venting has been added to the rear, working in tandem with Silver Ridge’s antimicrobial treatment to keep you dry, moisture-free, and devoid of odor.

For a lot of people on the hunt for the perfect hiking shirt, versatility is key, and this Columbia SilverRidge silhouette has that in spades. With a double chest pocket design, the magic of the long-sleeve button-up is how it hides its utility. While the right-side chest pocket features a middle snap button to keep your gear inside, the left-side chest pocket has a side entry point sealed with two small Velcro strips –– even though it looks like your standard top-entry pocket. Because the buttons are the same color as the shirt, you won’t easily notice that the top two are snap buttons, as opposed to the threaded buttons that complete the design down the front. This allows you to quickly let more air inside if you’re suddenly heating up on a hike, and without accidentally going full Bee-Gees.

While this is a bit heavier than your standard long-sleeve tee, the button-up shirt didn’t overheat my body on the trail. The breeze wasn’t out, but I still felt cool, especially on my back, where I sweat the most. Speaking of hidden details, there’s a hidden mesh panel underneath a layer of regular fabric across the upper back, so that it just looks like a seam design. As I got a bit sweatier during my outing, I was able to roll up the sleeves and secure them with a snap button easily. However, I will say that this button inside the sleeve was hurting my forearm in the car on the drive beforehand when I rested it on the door handle. It was a serious irritation for me as it fell right on my bone. Likewise, the sleeves are a bit long, even though the rest of the shirt fits true to size.

Verdict: Despite the long sleeves and irritating cuff button, the SilverRidge Lite from Columbia is a great shirt for the days when you’re going from the trail to the city without wanting to change. Its best features are subtle and hidden, such as the Velcro chest pocket, the upper two snap buttons, or the out-of-sight mesh panel on the back. And for just $60, this will be much cheaper than many hiking shirts, or even button-up casual shirts you’d wear on a night out.

Smartwool Men’s Active Ultralite Long Sleeve

Best Wool Shirt: Wool is the other main material used in hiking shirts if not polyester/synthetic material – so best to consider it as an option if cold weather outings are in your future. Smartwool’s Men’s Active Ultralite Long Sleeve works as a base layer for colder outings or a stand-alone garment. Although it’s half wool, the lightweight tee will still keep you cool during high-intensity activities. The reflective materials on the shirt make it the perfect companion on a late-night trail run, where a little warmth is appreciated without sacrificing performance. It may not be UPF-rated, but it will offer UV protection while still being anti-microbial and wicking moisture.

If you love the look and feel of merino wool, don’t pick up the Smartwool Active Ultralite Long Sleeve thinking it will be similar to your favorite tees. This technical hiking shirt features a merino wool blend, which is rounded out almost by half with TENCEL lyocell, which is a synthetic fabric similar to polyester in feel. Nevertheless, this hiking shirt is very comfortable, with a material that’s unique more than anything else. It’s soft like merino wool yet durable like a synthetic. It’s not water-resistant but it wicks small amounts of moisture pretty well. I sweat quite a bit during my hike but it wasn’t getting absorbed visibly into the material, which was nice for when I kept this shirt on post-trail. I also need to mention the favorable shoulder seam positioning, which is almost entirely at the front side of my shoulder and almost totally out of the way of the pressure point of my backpack strap, eliminating any rubbing entirely.

My biggest complaint with the Smartwool Active Ultralite is how easily it wrinkles. When I took this out of my backpack, there were very prominent creases where it was folded. And these did not iron out all the way as my body heated up the shirt. While the fit was flattering on my body, I do wish the hem was a bit lower. I’m a bigger guy and so I felt like if I stretched or reached, my belly would show. On the other hand, I liked the roominess of the torso and arms themselves. While the cuffs came down to a decent length on my palm, I do wish they were a bit more adjustable since the cuffs did get in the way every so often. Also, while the fabric kept me cool during a relatively warm day, it wasn’t completely warm at night when it cooled down.

Verdict: Not your average merino wool shirt, Smartwool blends in a synthetic lyocell material to the overall build of its Active Ultralite Long Sleeve, which was one of the most comfortable shirts we tested. The interesting fabric blend creating a unique experience, the shirt had a nice fit, even if it was a bit short at the hem. While it’s prone to wrinkles, the top was pretty flattering on the body and encouraged a longer wear time.

Proof 72-Hour Merino UPF Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Best for Backpacking: It’s no secret that washing your clothes on a camping trip just doesn’t happen. And if your excursion lasts several days, you’ll need clothing that can last that long as well, otherwise packing light will be a challenge, to say the least. Before embarking on your multi-day backpacking journey, get yourself Proof’s 72-Hour Merino Long-Sleeve T-Shirt, which is engineered to last three days before showing any signs of dirt or grime, or exhibiting any sort of odor. Boasting UPF 50+ sun protection and nylon reinforcement, the shirt wicks moisture and regulates temperature, while also giving you a nice stretchiness thanks to the 4% Spandex in its material blend.

If you want a shirt that’s a bit more clingy, the Proof 72-Hour Merino Tee is a solid pick. While the torso helps absorb sweat by staying close to your skin, the sleeves are clingy enough that you can pull them up so that they fall where you want them to. And if you want to roll them up when it gets warm, the cuffs will cling to the desired position on your forearm. There are also thumb holes if you want to lock them in place over your palms. While the shirt may wrinkle easily, your body heat will iron these out over the course of your day –– at least enough that it doesn’t necessarily look wrinkled. As thin and lightweight as this shirt was, it was also pretty warm as the temperature cooled down in the evening. There was even a slight breeze, which didn’t make much of a difference.

You’d think a shirt this rugged wouldn’t be comfortable at all, but Proof ensures that its merino construction is soft to the touch as well as defensive against the elements. While it’s not necessarily water-resistant –– the shirt got wet and it soaked through to my skin –– it wicked moisture relatively well from standard sweating. The typical musty smell that would usually get imparted onto my shirt after a hike didn’t happen this time around. After I got home, I kept the shirt on for the remainder of the day since it was just so comfortable and didn’t appear like I had just gone hiking with it. If it matters at all, my wife commented that she loved how this shirt looked on me, so now I’m never taking it off.

Verdict: With a really nice fit on both the torso and sleeves, the Proof 72-Hour Merino Long Sleeve T-Shirt can be worn all day with no problem, even when you’re back from the trail. And it’s construction doesn’t disappoint with a soft touch and noticeably odor-free fabric. Plus, it comes in a several accessible colors that you could add a few of these to your wardrobe.

Kuhl Airspeed

Best Shirt for Humidity: KUHL’s Airspeed LS has a highly-performative name, and we’d be lying if we said that it wasn’t in reference to its inherent design aspects. From the get-go, the shirt was designed to take on the world’s hottest environments, thanks to its articulating five-panel sleeves, the company’s proprietary AirVolution performance fabric, and moisture-wicking technologies. On top of its ventilated characteristics, it’s also quick-drying, offers UPF 30+ sun protection, and boasts one of the more refined architectures on this list, making it a perfect choice for either the workplace or the outdoor space.

If you were to have asked me to guess the material blend of the KUHL Airspeed LS, I would have thought it to have a high percentage of cotton mixed with either nylon or polyester. However, despite a small amount of the material used in the side panels, cotton is almost absent from this shirt, regardless of how soft it feels against the skin. This is probably the coziest hiking shirts I tested (if coziness is even desirable in that regard) and I was even appreciative of the small cotton amounts (15%) in those side panels, since they were tyically placed against areas that were more prone to rubbing, such as the armpits or inner forearms. In terms of mesh panels for breathability, the Airspeed has plenty of them, but also incorporates them into the design well so that they’re not jarring. There’s even a hidden one underneath a piece of fabric in the upper back.

I actually thought this shirt had no pockets initially. However, I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Not only are there deceptively sizable zipper pockets on either side of the buttons down the middle but they’re hidden into the seam to bring the silhouette a cleaner look. There’s also a sunglasses pouch under the bottom hem, although this is a better idea on paper; my sunglasses weren’t staying inside. I liked the hidden button-down collar, even though the button was more difficult to undo, which is only an issue if you’re actually going to use it. Likewise, the sleeves can button up when it really gets warm, but the button takes a minute to loop on with one hand. Conversely, this could have been a snap button instead, but then you’d run into the issue you have with the Columbia button-up above, which is a physical piece of hardware that’s prone to digging into your skin. It’s also important to note that some have reported wear of the plastic buttons over time.

Verdict: Highly comfortable against the skin and fitting really well, the KUHL Airspeed LS is another versatile button-up option with some serious utility, featuring hidden pockets and mesh vents. The material construction is rather meticulous, with mapped out fabric blends to heighten comfort and breathability. The downsides of the shirt are mostly quibbles, making this a solid option for days when you’re going from office to trail.

Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt

Best Cold Weather Shirt: Filson is a staple brand for us around these parts, and their beloved Alaskan Guide Shirt performs perfectly in colder environments. It remains one of the label’s core offerings thanks to the tightly-woven cotton, brushed on both sides of the flannel for thick and reliable warmth. To round things out, the brand has added two pockets to the shirt’s front, allowing it to take on an array of utility items, accessories, or essential outdoor peripherals. Not only does it perform well as workwear, but it also fits in a casual setting.

Incredibly comfortable, the Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt is exactly what you’d expect from the iconic brand, especially in terms of durability. There’s a significant bump in quality once you’re getting into the ~$150 price range. And honestly, this option feels like it could easily be more expensive. Made from 100% cotton twill, the fabric is expectedly soft and heavy-duty. If you’re going backpacking or a rigorous hike, this might not be the one you want to wear. Style-wise, it will also have some non-trail applications as well, serving as a standard high-quality flannel shirt. Compared to its competitors, the thick shirt doesn’t look boxy on your body and it’s surprisingly slimming.

My biggest complaint with the plaid-patterned top is the rigidity of its buttons. While the sturdy design prevents the buttons from popping off or coming undone mid-wear, it’s significantly difficult to take the buttons off and on. When I first tried it on, I gave up unbuttoning the shirt halfway and just put it on over my head. Likewise, the two chest pockets are so stiff that I simply didn’t use them at all on my hike, even when I kinda needed them. In terms of the cuffs, the buttons are challenging to do single-handedly, and there’s no button-down option that could easily convert this into a short-sleeve option if it does get warm. It’s also important to note that, like all cotton shirts, the Alaska Guide Shirt did have some noticeable mustiness when I brought it back home after a day of hiking.

Verdict: Soft and fitting true to size, the Filson Alaskan Guide Shirt is one of the most comfortable and best-looking flannel shirts you’ll find, whether or not your going hiking. It’s relatively well-priced and is heavy-duty enough to keep you covered on cooler outings. Our biggest concern was the difficulty of the buttons, which admittedly kept them secure and threaded.

Vollebak Equator Shirt

Best Grail Shirt: No one makes products like Vollebak, an innovative label bringing space-age tech to textiles. And they’ve done it again with the Equator Shirt – a garment inspired by the hottest places around the globe (specifically those found around the equator). Although it’s about a 70% cotton blend, concealed air vents, Italian mesh, and the highest UPF rating possible make for a rugged shirt able to withstand multiple weather conditions. Not only that, but the rare cotton used (one of the rarest on the planet hailing from the Nile Delta) is one of the lightest available. The 12 shatterproof and heat-resistant buttons tie this tank of a shirt together, although it only weighs 200g.

Admittedly, I wasn’t so sure the Equator Shirt was going to fit me well when I started buttoning it up. It fits slim and I’m not slim. However, as I continued up the front, the shirt started to stretch to my torso. Now, this doesn’t mean that it looked like it was being stretched. On the contrary, it actually looked better on me than any other shirt I tested. Despite the heavy-duty buttons, they’re not difficult to loop through like a couple of other items in this guide. Likewise, the sleeve buttons are easy to undo and reattach one-handed, especially the short-sleeve conversion for when your hike heats up. Hiking with this shirt felt odd at first, since it does look a little dressier than most hiking shirts. However, it performed brilliantly, with ventilation even when I didn’t expect it. Although the shirt was reasonably tight against my body, it seemed to stretch out with my body as it was moving.

Vollebak’s flagship hiking shirt has some serious stylistic versatility as well, with an appearance that could easily be transposed off the trail as well. The unique material blend allows it to balance softness, durability, and stretchiness, and all three of those elements shine through when it matters. I loved the hidden zipper pockets right around the collarbone area. The insides are very deep and the zipper stays hidden without completely disappearing. Another one of my favorite aspects is the phantom collar, which gives an individual ethos to the overall visual appeal while maintaining the shirt’s ability to blend in amidst more business casual scenarios.

Verdict: Nearly $400 is a lot to spend on any shirt that’s meant for the outdoors but Vollebak’s Equator Shirt is unique enough to warrant the steeper price tag. Extremely comfortable yet rigid, and with a nice stretch, the button-up long-sleeve also looked better than any other shirt we tested. With durability from the buttons to the shell, this piece was also deceptively breathable while out on the trail. We’re not telling you to pay hundreds of dollars for a shirt if you don’t have the money. But if you do, this needs to be the one you consider most.

Hiking Shirts Comparison Chart

Long Sleeve vs. Short Sleeve

You may have noticed that every pick on this list is a long-sleeved shirt. This is not a mistake; with the advancements in outdoor clothing material, long-sleeved shirts can keep you just as cool as a short-sleeved shirt. Between moisture-wicking capabilities, ultra-light materials, and high UPF ratings, long-sleeved hiking shirts provide essential functions without leaving your skin exposed to the sun or other hazards.

Honorable Mentions

Arc’teryx has plenty of hiking-ready garments, with the Cormac Crew Neck Shirt Long Sleeve Shirt being a popular piece. However, the awkward fit of the shirt kept it off the main list. However, if you’re a fan of the brand, you may want to consider this one.

Similar to the Kuhl pick we tested above, the Ibex Journey Short Sleeve Crew is a great quick-drying option but didn’t make the cut for our guide.

If you want an alternative to Smartwool’s Ultralite Long Sleeve, check out Fjallraven’s Abisko Wool SS M. The Swedish gear brand knows warmth and ruggedness, and this shirt barely missed the cut.

Jack Wolfskin’s Rays Stretch Vent is another attractive and popular button-up option, but we opted for the Kuhl and Columbia in a similar price range.

A lot of people love the Alpkit Woodsmoke shirt, which has a trio of good-looking plaid options. Although, lack of availability at the time of testing ensured we weren’t able to get hands-on with it. If you find it in stock, you should consider it since it’s said to be an excellent pick.

Tested: The Best Hiking Jackets For The Trails

With shirts out of the way, it’s time to get your outer layer. Check out our guide covering the best hiking jackets, where we tested a few of our favorites.