Hiking, mountaineering and trekking are physically demanding activities that require high-performance clothing which keeps you comfortable, no matter the conditions. A hiking shirt is one of the most vital pieces of hiking clothing because it is in direct contact with your skin. Therefore, it should be breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-drying. For long hiking trips, it is a huge benefit if a hiking shirt is also made of antimicrobial material that prevents the growth of odor-causing microorganisms.

In this review you will find a selection of the best short-sleeved hiking shirts. We selected the best five short-sleeved hiking shirts currently available and reviewed them to make your buying decision a little easier. All shirts in this review are breathable, quick-drying, odor-resistant and moisture-wicking. They can be worn as standalone shirts or base-layers under mid-layer garments, such as a fleece jacket.

If you are looking for a hiking shirt with long sleeves check out our review of the Best Merino Wool Base Layers instead.

1. Our Hiking Shirt Picks

1. Icebreaker Tech Lite II Shirt
2. Arcteryx Cormac T-Shirt
3. Columbia Zero Rules Shirt
4. Outdoor Research Echo Duo Tee
5. SmartWool Merino 150

2. Comparison of Hiking Shirts for Men

Feature/Product	Icebreaker Tech Lite II Shirt	Arcteryx Cormac T-Shirt	Columbia Zero Rules Shirt	Outdoor Research Echo Duo Tee	SmartWool Merino 150
Material	100% Merino Wool	100% Polyester	100% Polyester	100% Polyester	87% Merino wool, 13% Nylon
Fit	Regular	Regular	Regular	Regular	Slim
Antimicrobial	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Washing	Machine Wash	Machine Wash	Machine Wash	Machine Wash	Machine Wash
UV Protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

3. The Selection

1. Icebreaker Tech Lite II Shirt

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Running
• Everyday use

The Icebreaker Tech Lite II t-shirt is perfect for hiking, mountaineering and other outdoor activities. It is made of 100 % Merino wool and has a fabric density of 150 g/m² and therefore the shirt is suitable for all seasons. The fibers of the Merino wool is approximately 18.9 microns in diameter – which grades the wool as extra fine. Therefore, the fabric is very comfortable to the touch and does not cause any itching. The Icebreaker shirt also provides great breathability, odor-control and is moisture-wicking. The shoulder seams are off-set to prevent chafing from carrying a backpack, and the Icebreaker Tech Lite II has a regular fit which is neither too snug nor to lose. Thus, the t-shirt offers great freedom of movement. For those looking for diversity, the shirt comes in a multitude of colors and with various graphic prints, which change from season to season. The Icebreaker Tech Lite II is best for those who want a comfortable shirt for their outdoor adventures.

Women's Version: Available - Icebreaker Women's Tech Lite II

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

2. Arcteryx Cormac T-Shirt

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Running

The Arcteryx Cormac Crew t-shirt with short sleeves is made of the Ostria fabric (100 % polyester) which is a lightweight gridded stretch knit which provides excellent moisture wicking performance and air permeability. To inhibit odor-causing bacteria, the fabric is treated with a durable anti-odor (DAO) treatment, based on silver salts. It has a UPF50+, which is one of the highest UPF ratings among the hiking t-shirts featured in this selection. In terms of construction, the Arcteryx hiking t-shirt is made with flatlock seams, gusseted underarms and reflective blazes. The flatlock seams prevent rubbing and chafing while the gusseted underarms provide great freedom of movement. The Arcteryx Cormac is also available in a Logo version with a large print of the Archaeopteryx fossil across the chest.

Women's Version: Not available

 

3. Columbia Zero Rules Shirt

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Running
• Everyday use

The Columbia Zero Rules shirt is a great option for hiking, mountaineering and trekking in warm weather. It is made of 100% zero interlock polyester and features Omni-Wick, Omni-Shade and Omni-Freeze technologies. The Omni-Wick technology ensures that moisture is quickly moved from the skin to the fabric where it is dispersed across the surface to evaporate quickly. The Omni-Shade technology blocks UV rays and thus protects your skin against sun burns, while the Omni-Freeze technology decreases the overall temperature of the fabric to keep you cool in warm conditions. The fabric is also treated with antimicrobial agent to eliminate odor-causing bacteria. In addition to that, the shirt features a printed (non-chafing) label and flatlock seams. It comes in 9 different colors and has a relaxed fit. The Columbia Zero Rules is an excellent shirt for hiking in very warm conditions.

Women's Version: Available - Columbia Women's Zero Rules

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

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4. Outdoor Research Echo Tee

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Running
• Everyday use

The Outdoor Research Echo Tee shirt is another great option for hiking and mountaineering in very warm weather. The shirt is made of the AirVent polyester fabric which is very light and porous. Therefore, it provides great breathability and dries very fast. The fabric is also treated with Polygiene antimicrobial agent for odor-resistance. The t-shirt features raglan sleeves and flatlock seems for comfortable wearing. It has UPF rating of 15 (sun protection) which is rather low but understandable because the fabric is very porous. The shirt is available in many different colors and has a regular fit. The Outdoor Research Echo Tee shirt is, due to its porosity and low weight, best for hiking trips in very warm conditions.

Women's Version: Available - Outdoor Research Women's Echo

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

5. SmartWool Merino 150

Suitable for:

• Hiking
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Backpacking
• Climbing
• Running
• Everyday use

The SmartWool Merino 150 shirt is made of blend of Merino wool and nylon. Therefore, it is durable, breathable, moisture-wicking and odor-resistant. The fabric has a density of 150 g/m2 which makes the shirt suitable for all seasons/conditions. The SmartWool t-shirt also features a crew neck and comfortable flatlock seams which efficiently eliminate rubbing and chafing. The fit is snug, but the t-shirt provides great freedom of movement nevertheless. The SmartWool Merino 150 shirt is perfect for long hiking trips because it is comfortable and provides great odor-control. It is available in three different colors; blue, green and black.

Women's Version: Available - Smartwool 150 Women's

Note: Women's version might slightly differ from the men's version.

 

4. Hiking Shirt Buying Advice – What is important?

Material:

Hiking shirts are typically made either of polyester or Merino wool because these two materials are quick-drying, moisture-wicking and breathable. Hikers, mountaineers and trekkers often face a dilemma whether to buy a Merino shirt or a polyester shirt. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages. In this review we listed two Merino shirts and three polyester shirts (see the table above).

Polyester Shirts:

Polyester dries faster than Merino wool and absorbs less moisture (sweat). However, polyester shirts do not match Merino shirts when it comes to breathability and odor resistance. Some polyester shirts are treated with antimicrobial agents to be odor-resistant, but these agents sometimes wash out. Polyester shirts are also less comfortable to the touch.

Merino Shirts:

Merino shirts are super soft to the touch and provide great breathability and odor resistance. Note that Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial. However, they are pricier than polyester shirts and less durable. Nevertheless, manufacturers often add nylon fibers (up to 15%) to the fabric to improve the durability of Merino garments. Merino shirts are, in contrary to common belief, also suitable for warm summer days because Merino wool can be knit into very thin fabrics (150 g/m²) and the fibers also protect against UV-radiation.

Sun protection

The UPF-rating of a garment indicates how much UV-radiation it can protect against; a shirt with a UPF20 blocks all but 1/20 (≈5%) of UV-rays. The UPF-rating is dependent on various factors such as tightness of weave (think denim versus loose knits), fiber type (wool, polyester, cotton etc.), amount of stretch, dyes, treatments and condition of the garment (brand-new or worn-out). Read more in our article Sun Protective Clothing for Hiking.

Comfortable seams:

The seams on a shirt should not cause any rubbing or chafing. Manufacturers usually use flatlock seams to prevent seam chafing. Flatlock seams do not have any layers to the underside and are therefore very comfortable.

Antimicrobial properties:

It is a great benefit if a shirt is antimicrobial. This means that it will stay fresh after days of use. Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial while polyester can be treated to provide odor-control. This anti-odor treatment will eventually wash out.

Durability:

A hiking shirt should be machine-washable. It should also maintain its properties after regular washing.