To see extra of the finest exercise garments and kit handpicked by GQ editors, try the GQ Health Awards.
The Greatest All-Round Exercise Shirt: Rhone Reign
Rhone’s four-way stretch Reign tee clings in all the proper locations (across the biceps, for instance, in order that the sleeves don’t trip up and down) and not one of the mistaken ones (the shoulders, the armpits, and—[shudder]—the intestine) due to raglan sleeves and a barely looser match. It’s breathable sufficient to forestall soak-throughs, however not so skinny that {that a} brisk day will spotlight your nipples to everybody on the monitor. The perfect half, although, is that the material is infused with little bits of gold for anti-odor safety, which the corporate says delays the onset of that dreaded perpetual funk that the majority different exercise shirts succumb to ultimately. It sounds dumb, however for us, contemporaneously acquired shirts from different manufacturers have already acquired a sure musk that this one, mercifully, has not.
The Greatest Funds Exercise Shirt: Nike Dri-FIT
Each model now makes their very own model of sweat-wicking material, however after nearly three many years in the marketplace, Nike’s Dri-Match remains to be a more-than-capable challenger to a few of the costlier counterparts. Excessive armholes and a slim physique make the tee comfy sufficient for runs and fitted sufficient for weightlifting, whereas an array of basic colours allow you to put on this shirt on the common with out signaling to others that yeah, you carry, bro. At half the price of our different prime picks—plus, Nike merchandise regularly go on sale at retailers—that is probably the most cost-effective resolution to the reprehensible cut-off tee assortment that you just’re nonetheless clinging to.
The Greatest Vented Exercise Shirt: Lululemon Vent Tech 2.0
A shade looser than the Rhone, this up to date model of considered one of our favourite Lululemon exercise tops deserves its spot in these hallowed rankings as a result of it allows a complete lot of air. That is thanks largely to a collection of seen, larger-than-usual holes that by some means don’t present any pores and skin. Additionally, the heathered colorways and contrast-stitched seams present a pleasant reprieve from the intense stable colours out there at your native sporting items retailer. For these of you who aren’t inclined to shill for an athletic attire large with out an endorsement deal in place, the brand—already small and unobtrusive—is tucked away on the again, slightly below the neck.
The Greatest Chilly Climate Exercise Shirt: Below Armour HeatGear Compression
Below Armour’s HeatGear compression shirt will enable you focus in your exercise with none interruption from the brisk winter climate. Its super-light material delivers superior protection with out weighing you down. It features a mesh underarm and again panels for higher air flow to assist wick sweat and preserve you dry. For an inexpensive $32, this HeatGear long-sleeve prime is a must have. The chilly will not be an excuse subsequent winter.
The Greatest Exercise Shirt for Runners: Tracksmith Strata
Tracksmith has carved out its personal area of interest within the operating neighborhood for its preppy New England athletic attire—assume Prefontaine-era silhouettes with a touch of retro Ivy League fashion. Its Strata tee, a 2023 GQ Health Award winner, is an excellent light-weight prime that provides a barely-there really feel so you may focus extra on clocking miles than ensuring your nipples aren’t chafing. An added UV therapy to the outside protects your pores and skin from the solar’s damaging rays, and the tee manages to wick away moisture from the physique and expel it from the shirt in order that you do not emerge from a run soaked in sweated.
The Greatest Exercise Tank: Rhone Swift Tank 2.0
Chest day bought you feeling such as you wish to present a little bit extra off? Fellas, behold the muscle tank. In our testing, the revamped Swift Tank, with its refined neckline and added bindings on the sleeve openings, muscled its solution to the highest. A further anti-odor therapy cuts again on any over-the-top funk as you emerge from the fitness center, and its general flattering design can have you feeling like probably the most svelte man within the weight room.
The Greatest Lengthy-Sleeve Exercise Shirt: Lululemon License to Prepare
Even past the lifeless of winter, some of us choose to work out in a long-sleeve, whether or not it is to assist take up extra sweat or to create a warmer atmosphere that helps you sweat it out much more. Lululemon’s License to Prepare tee is finest for these varieties of individuals—due to its building, it will not cling to your sticky pores and skin, whereas the anti-odor properties will not have your fitness center bros holding their distance from you if you’re in want of a spotter. Additionally, in contrast to so many different long-sleeve tees that prioritize a slim match for accentuating the look of your higher physique, this feature has a regular-fit that is simple to slide off and toss within the laundry hamper at house.
The Exercise Tee That is Additionally a Menswear Grail: Fulfill Cloudmerino
Most exercise shirts seem like, effectively, exercise shirts. Fulfill Operating is among the few manufacturers which are making athletic gear fit-pic worthy. The model’s Cloudmerino tee is cosmic cool and a far cry from what you may discover at your native sporting items retailer. Not solely does it look extra like a trend piece than a bit of substances, as a result of every one is dyed by hand, no two would be the identical. So you may relaxation assured that you just nonetheless will not have the identical precise tee on the very swaggy fitness center you attend. And it is greater than only a fairly shirt. The Cloudmerino tee is made utilizing an especially light-weight merino wool (a.okay.a. Mom Nature’s wonderfiber) which does lots of the fancy stuff that artificial efficiency materials do—particularly, moisture wicking, temperature regulating, and odor blocking.
