The Best Workout Shirts for Men Keep You Looking Sharp and Smelling Tolerable

Best Workout Shirt for Runners: Tracksmith Van Cortlandt

Tracksmith has carved out its own niche in the running community for its preppy New England athletic apparel—think Prefontaine-era silhouettes with a dash of retro Ivy League style. Its Van Cortlandt tee is one of the brand’s most popular styles because of its iconic sash motif, but it’s also just a great top for working out in. It feels good on the skin, even during long-distance runs, and it’ll keep you cool while helping to quickly wick away your sweat.

The Best Workout Tank: Abercrombie and Fitch YPB Cropped Muscle Tank

Chest day got you feeling like you want to show a little more off? Fellas, behold the muscle tank, a sleeveless way to show off your gains during intense workouts, HIIT training, or cardio days. In our testing, Abercrombie’s YPB cropped tank offers just enough shoulder-baring action without alerting the gym staff to a flasher situation. These are also great for arm days, when you need to show off the firepower you’ve been accumulating doing all those curls, dips, and tricep extensions. Plus, wearing a muscle tee at the gym just sort of… rocks. (We’re leaning into the meatheaderry in 2025.)

Best Breathable Shirt for Working Out: Bandit Micromesh

No matter how low-impact my work out might be, I’m guaranteed to work up a sweat. Bandit’s Micromesh performance tee is best for people like me—because of its construction, it won’t cling to your sticky skin, while the anti-odor properties won’t have your gym bros keeping their distance from you when you’re in need of a spotter. Its holey construction makes it super breathable, though we don’t recommend wearing this if it’s windy out because you will get chilly. We’ve noticed zero chafing during runs (which makes sense, since Bandit prides itself as a running apparel brand), and this makes a great base layer under a crewneck or hoodie. Also, unlike so many other long-sleeve tees that prioritize a slim fit for accentuating the look of your upper body, this option has a relaxed fit that’s easy to slip off and toss in the laundry hamper at home.

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What to Look for in Workout Shirts

Material: Cotton feels great on the skin and is super breathable, so you might be surprised to hear that it can make for a not-so-great workout shirt. That’s because cotton absorbs moisture instead of wicking it away. So as your cotton T-shirt takes on sweat, it blocks airflow and can make you feel hotter. Most activewear brands avoid using all-cotton fabrics for that reason and it’s also why you’ll rarely ever see an athlete wearing a jersey made of the stuff. Instead, the best materials for gym shirts are polyester or a polyester blend. They’re not only breathable, but moisture-wicking and fast-drying too, so your sweat can dissipate through your most grueling gym sessions. Some workout shirts are even designed with strategically placed mesh for more airflow. But it’s not just about keeping cool. Your workout shirt or tank should also have enough stretch to accommodate a wide range of motion for that next-level yoga pose and work with you when you’re trying to set a personal best on the shoulder press machine. High-quality workout shirts will use elastane or spandex that will stretch and conform to your every move, and remain flexible for the long haul.

Fit: Fit is another consideration, depending on how you want to train. Tighter activewear garments like compression shirts can help increase blood flow for better performance and decreased soreness, while looser-fitting gym shirts have better airflow to cool you down. It’s all a matter of preference.

How We Tested

We put the best workout shirts for men through their paces by running, lifting, training, and sweating abundantly in them—even anointing some our favorite fitness pieces of all time with a GQ Fitness Award. Some are extra-ventilated with mesh panels, others offer UPF50 sun protection, while still others are so fly that they provide extra motivation for getting out there to run laps in the dead of winter. Above all, they’re the perfect medium of comfort, breathability, and design to help you work out in style—with bonus points given to any shirts with sweat-wicking and odor-blocking properties. Here are some of the best workout shirts for men that deserve a spot in your fitness rotation.

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