10 Best Moisture-Wicking Shirts for Women
Let’s face it: the endorphins we get from working out feel great, but wearing a soggy t-shirt is far from an enjoyable experience. That’s what makes moisture-wicking materials such a lifesaver, since they help regulate your body temperature and leave you feeling cool and dry. If you have an active lifestyle but you’re lacking the clothing to match, this list of the best moisture-wicking shirts for women has something to fit every need and every budget.
What is moisture-wicking fabric? (And why we love it for travel)
Moisture-wicking fabrics are specially designed to move moisture away from your skin during any kind of physical activity. Essentially, moisture-wicking clothes have two key functions: (1) wicking sweat towards the fabric’s top layer, and (2) having a quick-dry effect once they’re wet. Synthetic fabrics (like polyester and nylon) have been expertly engineered to wick moisture, whereas wool is a naturally moisture-wicking fiber. With that said, synthetics are sometimes preferred since they’re better for all-year wear, and tend to be less expensive.
Personally, we love moisture-wicking clothes for travel because of their tremendous versatility; in addition to keeping you cool throughout the summer, sweat-wicking shirts can help you stay warm in the winter months, too. This means you can pack them in all seasons for layering or individual wear, and you can count on being comfortable for the duration of your trip.
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10 best moisture-wicking shirts for women
1. Best cropped moisture-wicking shirt: Outdoor Voices
If you’re a fan of crop tops but you’d like one with more range of wear, Outdoor Voices has you covered. As part of their Sweatee line, OV’s Fast Track Tank is made from a performance cotton blend that has built-in technology to move moisture away from your body and onto the surface of the fabric. In other words, this shirt is notably lightweight and breathable, and has been specifically designed for you to sweat in. The comfortable feel and flattering, fitted shape of this crop are sure to make it a staple in your warm weather wardrobe.
Price range: starting at $48
2. Best moisture-wicking shirt with sun protection: BALEAF
Moisture-wicking shirts that have added sun protection are the ideal choice for outdoor activities like running, hiking, swimming, and more. This top from BALEAF is a lightweight, quick-dry design that has some major UV protection to boot. The UPF 50+ fabric provides serious protection against harmful ultraviolet rays, while still wicking away moisture to keep you cool and comfortable. Plus, the flat-seam construction ensures a full range of motion and reduced chafing, regardless if you wear this as an undershirt or as a stand alone piece.
Price range: starting at $23
3. Best sustainable moisture-wicking shirt: Patagonia
Patagonia’s Cool Daily Shirt is a versatile, technical top that’s full of awesome features designed with your comfort in mind. This pick has set-in sleeve construction for enhanced movement, minimal stitching to cut down on chafe, and quick-drying materials to keep sweat (and odor) at bay. And speaking of materials, this shirt is actually made with 50-100% recycled polyester that’s been Fair Trade Certified™ sewn. We’re big fans of those efforts in sustainability, and we have no doubt this top will come in handy in all kinds of conditions.
Price range: starting at $35
4. Best long sleeve moisture-wicking shirt: Under Armour
The HeatGear long sleeve from Under Armour has been thoughtfully designed with 4-way stretch construction and flatlock seams to deliver the most comfortable fit possible. Not only does the soft, pinhole mesh provide exceptional breathability, but the polyester and elastane fibers also pull sweat away from the skin to help regulate your body temperature. For anyone who prefers a little more coverage from their base layers and/or activewear, this fast-drying top is a great option you can put on for all weather and all occasions.
Price range: starting at $20
5. Best pullover moisture-wicking shirt: ELESOL
If you want to up the *cozy factor* of your moisture-wicking shirt, we’d definitely steer you in the direction of this top from ELESOL. This zipped pullover is made from stretchy, breathable materials that are enhanced with rapid dry technology — i.e. it’ll wick sweat away from your skin and onto the fabric's surface, where it quickly evaporates. Other notable features include thumbholes and a mock turtleneck collar, plus a variety of colors (and sizes) to choose from. Overall, this is a terrific shirt for times you need more warmth than a short sleeve top can provide.
Price range: starting at $22
6. Best affordable moisture-wicking shirt: Hanes
There was really no question that this long sleeve from Hanes would be named ‘best affordable moisture-wicking shirt,’ seeing as it comes in at just $10 and has more than 37,000 positive ratings. Those are some pretty incredible stats, if you ask us! Made from 100% polyester, this performance top will keep you dry and cool no matter you’ve got on the agenda. And along with its maximum comfort, this shirt is also equipped with advanced odor protection to make sure you’re always feeling fresh (even when you go a little longer between wash cycles).
Price range: starting at $10
7. Best racerback moisture-wicking shirt: Aeuui
We love a racerback moment when we’re on the go or even just hanging at home, which is why this pick from Aeuui has a place on our list. This tank is made from 95% polyester and 5% spandex, meaning it’s super soft and breathable — and has a nice amount of stretch, too. In addition, this fabric blend also wicks away moisture so you feel extra fresh as you’re moving around in it. This top is perfect for a workout or everyday wear, and would make a great add-on to your travel bag since it’s both compact and machine washable.
Price range: starting at $18
8. Best compression moisture-wicking shirt: WANAYOU
Compression clothing is designed to promote blood flow during a workout and alleviate muscle fatigue following your exercise routine. What’s more, some compression garments even have moisture-wicking abilities — as is true of this pick from WANAYOU. This compression shirt releases heat and wicks moisture for a cool, dry effect that’ll have you feeling comfortable *and* confident. On top of that breathability, the 4-way construction will help you move better in every direction whether you’re practicing yin yoga or exploring a new hiking trail.
Price range: starting at $27
9. Best pack of moisture-wicking shirts: icyzone
What’s not to love about multiple moisture-wicking tees for under $25? This pack from icyzone includes three t-shirts (in three different colors) that are all breathable, lightweight, and cool to the touch. Their flat-lock stitching is a great way to reduce chafing, while the stretchy crew neckline and tagless neck label offer ample comfort and ease of wear. It’s clear that these tops combine function with performance, which is what makes them such an awesome and affordable option for whatever type of outing or activity you have planned.
Price range: starting at $25
10. Best short sleeve moisture-wicking shirt: Lululemon
This short sleeve top from Lululemon is part of their Swiftly Tech collection, which is ‘powered by seamless construction’ and designed with added ventilation to keep you cool wherever you go. A blend of nylon and recycled polyester gives this top its sweat-wicking and quick-drying abilities, while the 3% elastane helps improve its stretch and shape retention. And if that wasn’t enough, this shirt also incorporates special Silverescent™ technology to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. In the words of Lululemon: go ahead, get sweaty.
Price range: starting at $68
Common FAQs about moisture-wicking shirts
Are moisture-wicking and Dri-FIT the same thing?
Moisture-wicking fabrics are those that pull moisture away from your body so sweat can quickly evaporate (and so you can stay feeling dry). While the term ‘Dri-FIT’ is often used in reference to these technical materials, it’s actually the brand name for moisture-wicking clothing from Nike.
Do moisture-wicking shirts show sweat?
Because wicking fabrics don’t absorb moisture, clothing made from these materials dries faster in heavy sweating conditions. In other words, moisture-wicking shirts help sweat evaporate directly into the air without showing through your clothes or leaving an unfortunate stain.
Do moisture-wicking shirts smell?
While some moisture-wicking shirts will retain body odor after a workout, many garments are now designed with innovative technology to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. This way, your clothes will not only keep you dry, but they’ll eliminate strong smells at the same time.