Go Faster and Further With The 8 Best Running Shirts for Men
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When we run, we want to focus on our stride, breathing, speed and distance, not our T-shirt clinging to our chest or dripping with sweat. Your running shirt matters more than you may think, especially concerning your body temperature and comfort on the run. Some running shirts offer the benefits of compression (like compression shorts do), offer ventilation to help keep you cool, prevent chafing and help wick sweat. Like running shoes, running shirts are designed with an activity in mind, allowing you to focus on running and not the shirt.
As a lover of running, whether following a workout in my favorite running app, sprinting or settling in for a long-distance run, I know how the wrong shirt can become a wet, clinging fabric that can chafe your chest and make you uncomfortably hot. Through consideration of my own experiences and the general needs of runners, I rounded up the best men’s running shirts of 2024 to help you maximize your stride and reach new distances on your next run.
Our Picks for the Best Running Shirts for Men of 2024:
- Best Overall Running Shirt for Men: adidas Own the Run Tee
- Best Breathable Running Shirt for Men: lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt (Updated)
- Best Running Tank Top for Men: Men’s NoBull Tank
- Best Short-Sleeve Running Shirt for Men: Nike Ready Top
- Best Long-Sleeve Running Shirt for Men: Under Armour Iso-Chill Shorebreak Back Hook Long Sleeve
- Best Value Running Shirt for Men: Baleaf Sustainable Crew Neck T-Shirt
- Best Running Shirt with SPF for Men: Janji Run All Day Tee
- Best Quick Drying Running Shirt for Men: Hoka Glide Short Sleeve
Best Overall Running Shirt for Men: adidas Own the Run Tee
adidas
Key Features:
- Price: $35
- Sizes: XS–4XL
- Materials: Recycled polyester
- Best for: Running
When we run, we want a shirt that moves with us and feels like nothing while helping us to stay dry and cool. The Own the Run Tee from adidas is an all-recycled polyester shirt designed specifically for running. Using adidas' AEROREADY cut polyester fabric, the Own the Run Tee helps keep you cooler while absorbing moisture and helping to keep you dry. The shirt is extremely lightweight, with the back sewn with a single jersey design for breathability and the front sewn with an interlocking design to prevent clinging and wrinkles. The Own the Run Tee has a regular athletic fit with a crew neck cut that should fit appropriately according to your size with a slim but not too loose-fitting look. Reviewers attest to the shirt's sizes fitting perfectly, and being available in every size from an XS to 4XL, you should find your right fit.
All 13 color options have the adidas logo on the front and the company's notorious three stripes on the sleeves in reflective but matching shiny silver, making the shirt an excellent choice for safer night runs. Despite being designed for running, the breathable and AEROREADY construction of the shirt makes this shirt versatile and able to be used for various training and exercises. While the name may say it all, this shirt was clearly built by runners seeking the perfect shirt for their run, making it my favorite overall running shirt.
Pros:
- All-recycled polyester
- Reflective logo and stripes
- Soft feel despite a durable build
Cons:
- Logo and stripes available only in silver
Best Breathable Running Shirt for Men: lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short-Sleeve Shirt
lululemon
Key Features:
- Price: $78
- Sizes: XS–XXL
- Materials: Nylon, recycled polyester, spandex
- Best for: Breathable running experiences
Breathability a defining staple of a quality running shirt to help keep you cool. The Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve from lululemon was designed to deliver quality airflow while you run. Made with nylon and entirely recycled polyester, the Metal Vent Tech Tee has a mesh construction to maximize its breathability when you run or train. Elastane, or spandex, is also used in the shirt to help it have a stretchy but supportive feel while adapting to your movements without clinging to your body. Furthermore, an addition of "X-static" treated nylon is used in the shirt, which infuses the fabric with an odor-resistant and anti-bacterial silver which won’t was out (hence the Metal Vent in the shirt's name). Notably, for anyone who has experienced “runner's nipple” (myself included) or general chafing from their shirt when running, lululemon uses minimal seams in the shirt's design to battle chafing when you run or train. These minimal seams, along with the shirt's breathable mesh build and stretchy spandex, are all part of lululemon's "skip-the-chafe" design.
Beyond the shirt's running benefits, it has a slim-fitting look, making it great for casual wear, especially on hot days. For those tired of being drenched with sweat or gasping for air when they run, the Metal Vent Tech from lululemon is a great tool for getting your body the oxygen and airflow you need.
Pros:
- It provides extensive protection from chafing
- Available in 13 colors
- Made for breathability even during the hottest workouts
Cons:
- On the pricier side
- Sizes only go up to XXL
Best Running Tank Top for Men: Men’s NoBull Tank
NoBull
Key Features:
- Price: $35
- Sizes: XS–3XL
- Materials: Polyester, Tencel, spandex
- Best for: Running in a tank top
Tank tops or singlets provide the breathability and mobility that some short-sleeve shirts may restrict. Nobull's Tank for men offers a top-tier sleeveless tee for intense running or training that lacks that "meat-head" look. With broader shoulder straps and a regular-fitting design, this activewear tank highlights your body without screaming for attention. More importantly, this tank is built to sweat, pant and push yourself in. Using a blend of Tencel (50 percent more sweat-wicking than cotton) and polyester fabric, Nobull's Tank is reliably moisture-resistant and breathable. In addition, Nobull adds spandex to the shirt's construction to allow you to move easily with a full range of motion. Between the lack of sleeves and fabric blend, you can expect an extremely lightweight shirt that should help to keep you dry and enhance rather than deter your running regimen.
Nobull built its Tank with flatlock seams, which help reduce chafing and are a favorite feature on clothing for marathon runners. This running shirt for men has a regular fit, with the neck not dropping super low and resembling more of a sleeveless tee than a lunkish tank top. A huge reflective Nobull logo is on the front with visibility in mind for those dawn patrol runs. Nobull's Tank offers the benefits of a tank top and shirt designed for running while still delivering a sleek look. Making it a go-to tank top you can love running in.
Pros:
- Tank top feel with a friendlier look
- Reflective Nobull logo for visibility
- Includes Tencel in the build
Cons:
- Available in only three colors
Best Short-Sleeve Running Shirt for Men: Nike Ready Top
Nike
Key Features:
- Price: $45
- Sizes: XS–4XL (tall and regular options in each size)
- Materials: Polyester, spandex
- Best for: A short sleeve T-shirt for running
Nike's Ready Short Sleeve Tee is made with the company's "Dri-Fit" treated polyester, plus spandex for an active performance-supporting quality tee. The treated Dri-Fit polyester (75 percent recycled) is designed to be even more sweat-wicking and moisture-absorbing than typical polyester. In addition, the shirt is designed with raglan sleeves (extending fully to the collar), enabling a better range of motion and allowing you to more easily get the most out of your arms and shoulders in your stride. Beyond the Dri-Fit polyester, a mesh construction of the shirt makes for better breathability and ventilation when you train. The shirt runs a little big, giving it a loose rather than slim look. While this may make the shirt less casual wear-friendly, reviewers claim this gives you more breathing room and a cozier fit, likely ensuring you'll find the right size regardless of your body type. Notably, Nike makes this short sleeve pretty accessible to almost all body types, with a size range of XS to 4XL and each size coming in both a regular and tall version. Flatlock seams, an airy feel and a size-inclusive production make this an excellent running short-sleeve for all.
Pros:
- Treated Dri-Fit polyester for extra moisture wicking
- Versatile shirt
- Loose fit and huge size selection makes it easy for most body types to find the right fit
Cons:
- Its loose fit may not be ideal for casual wear
Best Long-Sleeve Running Shirt for Men: Under Armour Iso-Chill Shorebreak Back Hook Long Sleeve
Under Armour
Key Features:
- Price: $40
- Sizes: S–3XL
- Materials: Polyester, spandex
- Best for: Running in a long-sleeve shirt
If made correctly, long-sleeve tees can both help protect you from the sun and serve as a performance-supporting base layer when it's a bit colder out—and Under Armour's Iso-Chill Long Sleeve Tee delivers. The shirt's body is made entirely of Iso-Chill treated polyester, with two mesh panels designed with both treated polyester and elastane for ventilation, easy movement and airflow, designed to keep you cool while wicking sweat. Under Armour treats the shirt's fabrics with Iso-Chill technology, which, according to UA, is a combination of flattened yarn and titanium dioxide to absorb heat and help keep you cooler and retain hydration. Under Armour also claims that its Iso-Chill fabric technology helped athletes during testing to take seven to 12 percent longer to reach their breaking point when training. Notably, as a result of this design, UA's Iso-Chill long sleeve offers protection from the sun, with the long sleeve providing UPF 50+ sun protection for your skin.
The shirt runs a little big but is designed to fit easily. Furthermore, a giant UA logo is on the back, with a small one on the front and an Iso-Chill reference on the side of your lower back. If you prefer a more straightforward, logo-free look, this may be a bit flashy for you, yet if you're looking for a long-sleeve to push yourself to the limit, in or outside the gym, and regardless of the sun, this is a tremendous long-sleeve choice.
Pros:
- Built-in vents provide quality ventilation
- Loose fit for an airy feel
- It offers protection from the sun
Cons:
- The back logo may be a bit flashy for some
Best Value Running Shirt for Men: Baleaf Sustainable Crew Neck T-Shirt
Baleaf
Key Features:
- Price: $25
- Sizes: S–3XL
- Materials: Recycled polyester
- Best for: Affordability
Quality running shirts should be accessible without running through your savings. The Sustainable Crew Neck from Baleaf offers an eco-friendly running tee made to run, sweat and train in, while providing the same, if not more, benefits of other competitive top-of-the-line running shirts. Baleaf's Sustainable Crew Neck is available for only $25 and despite the price, the shirt is made of entirely recycled polyester, which is sweat-wicking and notably eco-friendly. The shirt is made with 10 percent spandex and a four-way stretch fabric to help ensure it moves with you as you run.
Sustainable in the shirt’s name refers to the recycled polyester, silicone-derived logo and the shirt's biodegradable packaging. While many companies use the eco-friendly stamp to hike up a shirt's price, Baleaf doesn't. The Sustainable Tee's crew neck and sharp-cut design make it equally great for running as casual wear. The cut highlights your body while still preventing clinging and being lightweight or comfortable for intense runs and training. Offering conscientious consumers a choice, plus versatility at a bargain rate, makes the Sustainable Tee an excellent choice for runners looking for a shirt that offers the most for the least.
Pros:
- Competitive design at an affordable price
- Chafe-resistant flatlock stitching
- Eco-friendly (sustainable)
Cons:
- Extra small and body types needing larger than 3XL may not find the right fit
Best Running Shirt with UPF for Men: Janji Run All Day Tee
Janji
Key Features:
- Price: $56
- Sizes: S–XL
- Materials: Recycled polyester
- Best for: Running shirt with sun protection
Runners who are easily sunburned or have sensitive skin shouldn't have to trade sunny outdoor trail running for a treadmill and cheap gym lighting. Wearing sunscreen and clothing with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) can help protect your skin. The Janji Run All Day Tee is a running shirt that offers UPF 25 protection from the sun. The all-polyester running tee is treated with HeiQ-fabric cooling technology, which helps with odor control and moisture absorption, and, according to HeiQ materials, “maintains a four-and-a-half-degree cooler fabric temperature.” In addition, the shirt is cut to prevent it from clinging to your body and is designed with a large neckline and flatlock stitch to prevent or minimize chafing. While its UPF and cooling features make it an excellent solution for overwhelmingly sunny days, the Run All Day Tee has a reflective logo on the front and a watermark on the back that helps with visibility if you run at night.
The Run All Day Tee is also an excellent choice for runners looking to make more conscientious purchases. The T-shirt is made with entirely recycled materials, and Janji donates two percent of every purchase of its running gear products to clean water initiatives worldwide. Notably, Janji is quite confident in the durability and reliability of this tee, offering customers a five-year warranty on the shirt. Also available in a tank version, the Run All Day by Janji is a great tool for safer running in the sun.
Pros:
- Five-year warranty
- Offers sun protection
- Treated to wick sweat and moisture more than typical polyester
Cons:
- The largest size is an XL which may not fit larger body types
Best Quick Drying Running Shirt for Men: Hoka Glide Short Sleeve
Hoka
Key Features:
- Price: $52
- Sizes: XS–XXL
- Materials: Recycled polyester
- Best for: Drying quickly on the run
It's nice to break a sweat, but running in a soaking wet T-shirt that feels like a swimming pool on your back can interrupt your flow and deter your performance. Quick-drying shirts can help you focus more on running than feeling gross, with the Hoka Glide Short Sleeve being a great choice. The Hoka Glide uses 100 percent recycled treated polyester that absorbs sweat, bacteria and moisture to help keep you and the shirt cleaner and dryer faster. The shirt wicks sweat quickly and its grid-like build allows for easier airflow, potentially keeping you cooler and less sweaty.
The Glide has an armhole gusset for better shoulder and arm mobility, with bonded seams to keep it stretchy and super lightweight. The Glide also has an attractive slim-fitting cut that is nicely designed to move with you without clinging to your body. Produced for running, the Glide also has a reflective logo on the front and a reflective mark on the side seam and back for increased visibility when running near traffic. Hoka's Glide Tee is designed to keep you cool and comfortable regardless of how much you sweat, making it my favorite quick-drying running shirt.
Pros:
- Versatile and great for cross-training, backpacking or hiking
- Reflective details for night running
- Slim fit look that doesn’t cling or restrict
Cons:
- Reviews suggest the logo may peel off in the wash over time
What To Look For in Running Shirts for Men
Running shirts should be lightweight, sweat-wicking and cut to enable a full range of motion for your upper body, so you can incorporate your shoulders, arms and core in your stride without feeling restricted. The better the running shirt, the more it feels like you aren't wearing one. This usually means the shirt uses breathable, quick-drying four-way stretch polyester infused with responsive spandex and sewn with a flatlock stitch.
Most importantly, you should consider and understand your needs as a runner. How much do you sweat? Are you a trail runner or a treadmill runner? What shirt type and size is best? Does the shirt fit your budget while still helping you reach my goals? By asking these questions in advance and consolidating your research, you should find that perfect running tee that works for your body type and running needs.
How We Chose the Best Running Shirts for Men
By considering the priorities and needs of runners of all fitness abilities and sizes, we scoured the running shirt market and took into consideration runner feedback. We chose what we deem to be the best men’s running shirts according to each shirt's most stand-out feature.
Running Shirts for Men FAQs
What is the best shirt material for hot weather running?
The best shirt material for running in hot or warm weather is a blend of the following fabrics:
- Polyester: Wicks sweat and absorbs moisture while generally perforated or treated to be breathable.
- Tencel: A eucalyptus-derived fabric that is far more breathable than cotton and still super durable and antimicrobial.
- Merino wool: While meant for running when in cold weather, Merino wool is incredibly soft, moisture-absorbing and sweat-wicking.
Do running shirts make a difference?
Running shirts absolutely make a difference. Regardless of the weather or surroundings, we all may want to run shirtless. However, whether taboo or weather conditions are the reason for running shirts, the wrong running shirt can slow you down, make you uncomfortable and disrupt gains. Therefore, the shirt you wear when you run matters because it will disturb your running performance if it's not made to accommodate it.
What shirt material is good for sweat?
Polyester tends to be the most used fabric in running clothes such as running socks or shirts due to its superior sweat-wicking abilities, especially compared to other fabrics such as cotton or silk.
Is it better to wear a tight or loose shirt when running?
This is up to your preference and the quality of the shirt's construction. For example, a slim-fitting shirt may be clingy if made cheaply, but if blended with proper spandex and four-way stretch fabric, it may show off your profile while offering performance-supporting compression without interrupting your run. Furthermore, a looser fitting shirt may be easier to find the right size in and have an airier feel, but catch wind gusts or feel or look messy. It's best to research the benefits of each, compare them to your body type and needs, and go from there.
Final Thoughts
Like running shorts for men, T-shirts also are essential in ensuring your clothing contributes to your pace and distance rather than get in the way. Workout clothing is merely a tool; our fitness journey always comes down to our body and will. However, proper activewear or running apparel is a pretty helpful tool that shouldn't be taken for granted.
Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.
