Whether you embrace the heat and humidity of summer running or long for a return to cold, dark winter days, running during the summer can be both exhilarating (all that daylight!) and daunting (all that sweat!) at the same time.
Regardless of your preference, the right running top can keep you cooler and drier while making you feel fast and fashionable. To help you choose the best running tops, we tested over 50 short-sleeve t-shirts and tank tops to find the best moisture-wicking men’s running shirts.
While you’re at it, be sure to check out our picks for thebest running shorts for men and the best running shoes.
Updated August 2024: We’ve added three new shirts to the guide, including a new best value pick from Under Armour. All links and picks are up to date.
At a Glance
- Singlets/Tank Tops
- Best All-Around:
- Best Value:
- Best Airflow:
- Best Splurge:
- T-Shirts
- Best All-Around:
- Best for Trail Running:
- Softest Feel:
- Best Value:
- What to Look For
- How We Test
- Meet Our Lead Testers
All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.
SINGLETS/TANK TOPS
Best All-Around
Adidas Adizero Running Singlet
Sizing: XL-2XL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Silky smooth feeling
⊕ Superb mobility
⊗ Saturates with moisture easily
There’s something about a light, airy singlet that makes me feel fast. No other singlet captured this sensation better than the Adidas Adizero Running Singlet. Made from a thin, lightweight blend of 86% recycled polyester and 14% elastane, the texture feels phenomenal—smooth and silky, easily moving over the skin. Testers praised its soft touch and barely-there sensation, with one noting it as “the lightest and most comfortable singlet I’ve ever worn.”
The fit is slightly slim, but thanks to the stretchy fabric and side slits in the hem, the singlet offers exceptional mobility. I prefer a slightly looser fit, and my typical men’s medium fit that bill perfectly.
The entire singlet has tiny holes in the face to enhance breathability. Testers enjoyed its airy feel but noted that the fabric tends to stick to the skin when fully soaked through, a common issue among most super thin shirts tested. Despite this, this stylish, comfortable singlet stood out as one of the best we tested, one we reached for often. —Cory Smith
Best Value
Path Projects Andes AD Tank Top
Sizing: S-XL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Highly breathable
⊕ Doesn’t cling
⊕ Good value
⊗ Some prefer wider armholes in hot weather
We valued this tank for its lightness and breathability. “The 90% polyester/10% spandex fabric is woven with an interior texture that reduces the amount of fibers touching the skin, and ventilating holes that let it breathe freely,” one tester said. “It never got soaked and clingy against my skin like most tech singlets. It’s slim-fitting without being tight, so it stays close to the body and out of the way. Plus, it falls just past the waistline, so it isn’t bunching over my shorts.” I also appreciated the wider shoulder straps on trail runs, as a little extra protection against brush snags and bug bites.
Bonus: The Andes costs no more than most run-of-the-mill clingy tops. —Scott Douglas
Best Airflow
Pressio Elite Singlet
Sizing: XS-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Good wicking and airflow
⊕ Doesn’t cling
⊗ Baggier fit than some prefer
⊗ Too see-through for casual wear
The first time my wife saw me in this piece, she said, “Singlets have really improved.” She’s right. This and many other tops I tested look and perform better than the sleeve-free tubes of cheap polyester I used to wear for summer running. The Elite rose above most because it didn’t cling, even on runs when I sweated so much my shoes squished with every footstep.
The 100% recycled polyester yarn has a micromesh construction in the front and a larger, stretchy (thanks to 9 percent elastane), nearly see-through mesh in the back to maximize airflow. The drape of the cut and lightness of the fabric make chafing more or less impossible. If you haven’t bought a singlet in many years, the Elite will catch you up on innovations. —Scott Douglas
Best Splurge
Tracksmith Strata Singlet
Sizing: S-XL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Unbeatable heat and moisture management
⊕ Odor resistant
⊗ Costs twice as much as many other well-made singlets
This ultralight marvel is the best singlet I’ve run in during my 40+ years in the sport. The fit is slim but not restrictive, with plenty of stretch. The bluesign-certified nylon/elastane blend incorporates coldblack, a Schoeller Textil technology that reduces heat absorption like nothing else I’ve experienced. As someone who can lose 5 of his 130 pounds on an easy hour run in Maine, I’m used to wringing out gear post-run and leaving large puddles. This simply wasn’t possible when I wore the Strata; although my shorts and socks were drenched, little sweat had collected on the singlet.
And then there’s its odor resistance: I ran at least an hour in it every day without washing it during one of summer’s hottest, most humid weeks. It smelled the same on Day 7 as on Day 1. The Strata is expensive, but a good value, given that owning one eliminates the need for all but maybe one other singlet. —Scott Douglas
SHORT SLEEVE SHIRTS
Best All-Around
Walter Sky Merino Tee
Sizing: XS-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Wool softness and odor resistance
⊕ Breathable, non-clinging
⊕ Year-round versatility
⊗ Fabric elongates during longer runs
This shirt’s $75 price tag seems like a lot until you experience its comfort and versatility. “You can both run in it and wear it casually during all four seasons—on its own or as a base layer,” said tester Jonathan Beverly. Innovative Nuyarn construction (70% merino wool/30% nylon) means more merino fibers are exposed to air than in conventionally made merino tops, leading to less moisture buildup and more cooling.
At only 105 grams per square meter, or about two-thirds the heft of many running shirts, it “wicks and breathes excellently and stands away from my skin even when wet,” Jonathan said. It also feels softer than any other lightweight merino tees we have tried, and doesn’t smell even after daily wear for a week. We have made this shirt a mainstay in our year-round running and daily life wardrobes. —Scott Douglas
Best for Trail Running
Adidas Terrex Agravic Trail Running Tee
Sizing: XS-2XL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Mesh-vented back panel
⊕ Superb moisture control
⊗ Short hem length
With all the gear required for trail running, it’s easy to overlook the importance of a trail-specific running shirt, especially when using a hydration vest. What sets this trail running top apart is the highly breathable mesh that covers the entire back—perfect for maintaining airflow while wearing a pack. Even without something on my shoulders, the airy mesh was a game changer, keeping my back dry, venting heat, and preventing the shirt from getting drenched in sweat.
Crafted from recycled ocean plastic, the front of the shirt is incredibly thin and also excels at moisture management. Even during a trail run in near 100-degree temperatures, the shirt barely became saturated. One tester said it kept him cool, dry and comfortable during the surging heat and moisture spikes of a warm-day fartlek workout, and it was the shirt he kept reaching for whenever the morning dawned steamy and sticky.
The fit is described as regular, and I’d concur. My usual men’s medium had ample room in the midsection, though the hem was slightly shorter than expected. —Cory Smith
Softest Feel
Paka Men’s Tee
Sizing: XS-XXL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Versatility
⊕ Softness
⊕ Sustainability
⊗ Gets saturated in hot, humid weather
With the advent of technical fibers, most runners started shunning cotton apparel. This shirt, made of a blend of 85% organic pima cotton and 15% royal alpaca fiber, might make you reconsider. It’s pleasingly soft against the skin, which led Nathan and I to use it for both running and daily life. Moisture management is excellent on easy runs in non-oppressive weather. The shirt doesn’t hug even after sweat starts to collect.
Because of the shirt’s versatility and Paka’s sustainability efforts, Nathan picked this tee as the item he’s most likely to buy as a gift for other runners. —Scott Douglas
Best Value
Under Armour Tech 2.0 Short Sleeve
Sizing: XS-5XL
Pros and Cons
⊕ Affordable price
⊕ Wide range of colors
⊕ Excellent moisture management
⊗ Loose fit can feel baggy
At less than half the cost of most running shirts, the Under Armour Tech 2.0 is an excellent option for budget-conscious runners seeking a lightweight, moisture-wicking top. Made from 100% polyester, this straightforward tee delivers exactly what you need in a breathable shirt with no extras, just reliable performance.
Though intended as a general-purpose workout tee, we found it perfectly suitable for running. The thin, partially transparent fabric provided excellent airflow and dried quickly when wet. The only drawback is that it fits a bit looser than typical running shirts, particularly in width.
The highlight? It comes in over 20 color options, including regular and tall sizes. While it may not be the most technical running shirt, with its simple polyester construction and lack of stretch, it’s budget-friendly enough to grab a few in different colors. —Cory Smith
What to Look for in Summer Running Apparel
Dressing for summer running is straightforward—you want pieces that breathe, wick moisture, move naturally, don’t stink, and don’t get in the way. Shirt choices come down to how much skin coverage you prefer, fit, and material.
Here are some quick tips on buying the best without going broke:
- Look for high-quality synthetic fibers. Yes, our top picks include a few items with natural fibers. But for the most part, specially designed varieties of polyester, polyamide, nylon, and the like can handle summer running’s high sweat rates better than wool and cotton.
- Seek sun protection. Even if you run at dawn or dusk, or on trails, sun damage can be insidious. Many shorts and tops come with a UPF coating. Well-ventilated hats reduce squinting while shedding heat. Running tan lines aren’t something to be proud of.
- Check for chafing. If you’ve ever been rubbed raw by a rigid seam or sagging liner, you won’t want to repeat the experience. Abrasion accelerates when you’re drenched in sweat. Look for flat seams, unobtrusive logos, and other elements of construction that will minimize chafing.
- Go with the flow. Our picks in this review strike the right balance between being loose enough to allow cooling air flow but not so billowy that they impede normal running form.
- Banish bacteria. Many high-quality summer running items incorporate an anti-bacterial treatment that greatly reduces nasty odors setting up shop. These pieces not only can be worn many more times before needing to be washed, but also lessen your chance of developing a funky skin situation.
- Invest in quality. It can be tempting to think, “Whatever I run in is going to get soaked anyway, so I’ll just buy the cheapest gear out there.” Such reasoning quickly falls apart when, well, the item itself starts to fall apart because of constant exposure to sweat and frequent laundering. Fewer high-quality pieces that hold their form and don’t hold odors are better than more cheaply made gear that will start disintegrating in one summer.
How We Test
- Number of testers:10
- Number of products tested: 20+ singlets, 40+ short sleeve tees
- Number of brands tested: 45+
- Number of miles run in testing:4,500+
- Highest testing temperature: 101 Fahrenheit
Our testing team ranged across the U.S.—from the California beach town of Santa Barbara to central Wisconsin and the high plains of Nebraska, to the urban bake sites of Chicago and Houston, and, for good measure, the running hub of Eugene, Oregon. All are dedicated runners with average weekly mileage ranging from low 20s to mid-70s over both roads and trails. Some have been running for 30 or more years and can compare today’s running apparel to previous attempts to keep runners cool in the summer. We focused on a subjective combination of moisture management, comfort, versatility, and value—and looked to answer a simple question: Of all the apparel you logged summer miles in, which would you be most likely to recommend to fellow runners?
Meet Our Lead Testers
Cory Smith
Cory Smith, a former Division One runner at Villanova University, has been running since the mid-1990s. With over a decade of experience testing and reviewing running apparel and shoes for publications like ϳԹ and Runner’s World, he continues to compete as a masters athlete, boasting a personal best of 4:31 in the mile. He consistently logs 30 to 40 miles per week over roads, trails and on the track.
A 13.25km trail race Cory Smith ran while testing the Adidas Adizero Running Singlet.
(Gaia GPS is owned by ϳԹ Inc.)
Scott Douglas
I’ve run more than 130,000 miles since starting as a teen in the 1970s, and have always loved how daily runs undergird and elevate the rest of my life. As and a writer/editor about fitness, I’m fortunate to have my personal and professional lives mesh. I sweat like crazy despite living in Maine. [Editor’s note: Scott managed testing and wrote the reviews for this guide through the spring of 2024]
A portion of the trails Scott Douglas ran on regularly while testing running shirts and singlets:
(Gaia GPS is owned by ϳԹ Inc.)
Other testers included:
- , a Nebraska resident who is a senior running gear editor for ϳԹ and has also been running since the 1970s.
- , a doctor of physical therapy who founded the Pineries Running Lab in Wisconsin.