Of all the covert workhorses plying their trades across your body, the humble undershirt deserves a spot in the hall of fame. It’s the last line of defense between your body and whatever prized main layer you happen to be wearing over it.
And though this crucial base layer seems simple at its core, you may be surprised to learn of its complexities. The best undershirts for men come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. They even serve different purposes. Some men’s undershirts, for instance, are designed to wick away sweat, making them ideal for working out or generally being active outside. Others serve the opposite end of the spectrum by recirculating your body heat to keep you nice and toasty for après-ski.
Point is: Undershirts. They’re important. And you shouldn’t stock up on them until you carefully consider your lifestyle and which versions will make the most sense for you. This is serious business. Don’t screw it up.
(Related: This is not serious business, and it’s totally fine if you screw it up.)
We’re going to kick off our opus to men’s undershirts with a caveat. Ready? Here goes. There are a lot of “fancy” underthings on this list. Shirts made with luxurious fabrics. Shirts with elaborate features. Each has its place and function, but here’s the kicker: They’re just undershirts. Let’s not take them too seriously, friends. Let’s stock up, toss them on, and let them work their decidedly unsexy magic.
To that end, sometimes the best undershirts for men is a choice looking you right in the face. In this case, it’s the Hanes tagless t-shirt in a cotton-polyester blend that’s available in 30 color options. Put it on, be comfortable, be happy.
Material: Cotton, Polyester | Colors available: 30 Color Options | Sizes Available: S-5XL | Sleeves: Short
CDLP comes in hot and very much sleeveless with this silky-soft lyocell and cotton undershirt – a serious contender on our best undershirts for men competition. No undergarment-adjacent stone was left unturned in the construction of this relaxed fit tank, making it a clear add to your burgeoning stable of the best undershirts for men.
Now, is this something you’ll want to bust out for rooftop cocktails? No. Nope. Never do that. But is it the clearest of clear choices for wearing under a wool (read: itchy) sweater or during a night at home catching up on a show in your favorite boxer briefs? Yes. Yes, it is.
Material: Lyocell, Pima Cotton | Colors available: White | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Sleeves: Tank Top
It’s true, almost all of the best undershirts for men are available in white. But this one is so pure, so organic, so… still pure, that it would be a travesty to procure it in any other color. Everlane is known for producing strong, durable, handsome garments built to stand the test of time. This humble yet hardworking tee is no exception.
The organic cotton will break in and get softer throughout the years. The fit is slim, so it can be worn below the top layer or be the top layer. It’s time to step up your plain-white-tee game, and it starts with this one.
Material: 100% Organic Cotton | Colors available: White (and 11 others, but… go white) | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Sleeves: Short
Spanx for men? Yes, Spanx for men.
Great, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s shift our focus to what makes this one of the best men’s undershirts out there. The compression of this cotton wonder helps firm anything that needs a good firming. Meanwhile, a hint of spandex keeps you moving without feeling confined, and subtle seams help keep your undershirt undetectable.
Wear it under more form-fitting top layers, or any time a compression undershirt makes sense for you. While this should be considered a nice-to-have addition to your shirt drawer, it’s far from all you need, so stock up elsewhere accordingly.
Material: Cotton, Spandex | Colors available: White, Black | Sizes Available: S-XL | Sleeves: Short
It’s tough to beat the cooling power of Duluth Trading Company’s Armachillo men’s undershirt. Every last stitch has been well thought out with the sole purpose of keeping you cool and comfortable regardless of when you’re wearing it.
The key is the infusion of microscopic jade within the nylon-spandex fabric. Legend (and science) has it that this infusion helps disperse heat and feels cool on the skin. Couple this wizardry with its sweat-wicking performance, smooth seams to reduce chafing, and odor-fighting properties, and you’ve got yourself a technical everyday undershirt minus the technical price tag.
Material: Nylon, Spandex | Colors available: White, Black, Gray | Sizes Available: S-4XL | Sleeves: Short
If you’re a tall guy, you’ve likely encountered the dreaded and all-too-common scenario of your undershirt coming untucked every time you bend over or raise your arms. Mr. Davis and its aptly named The Undershirt That Stays Tucked aim to remedy that once and for all.
Constructed from bamboo and spandex, it’s made to stretch with your movements. And the length of this men’s undershirt comes from an extended section in the back only, which offers a more targeted solution. Bonus: It comes in a handful of colorways, has v-neck or crew options, and is available in tailored or traditional cuts.
Material: Bamboo Viscose, Spandex | Colors available: White, Gray, Black | Sizes Available: XS-XXXL | Sleeves: Short
Neat has brought some interesting tech to the table with its t-shirts and undershirts. Without getting too sciencey on you, these undershirts naturally absorb your sweat and body odor, then channel them through a maze-like network of fabrics built into your shirt. This dispersal of sweat and odor helps keep you feeling dry and comfortable all day long.
Meanwhile, Neat’s technology focuses on keeping the outside of your undershirt wrinkle-free and generally crispy regardless of how much you sweat. This is particularly useful if you’re planning on making your undershirt an overshirt. And if you sweat a lot.
Material: Cotton, Spandex | Colors available: White | Sizes Available: S-3XL | Sleeves: Short
Before we even get into the impressive technical aspects that help make this one of the best undershirts for men, we need to address the colors. As in, there are lots of them available. Fourteen, to be exact, ranging anywhere from iron blue to brier rose to a moody green dubbed Smoke Spruce.
It’s nice to have options. But it’s also nice to have a shirt made with abrasion-resistant fabric, quick-drying properties, and Lululemon’s No-Stink Zinc technology designed to help reduce odor. It’s an undershirt. It’s the main t-shirt. It’s time to stock up.
Material: Cotton, Nylon, Lyocell, Elastane | Colors available: 14 Color Options | Sizes Available: XS-XXL | Sleeves: Short
Micro modal fabric. What do those three words mean to you? If you said, “I’m so glad you asked because this is all I think about—it’s a type of fabric that’s impossibly comfortable and has the properties of silk minus the maintenance, plus it feels like a second skin like the name of this Tommy John undershirt suggests,” well… wow. Fair enough. Good calls.
But if it doesn’t yet mean anything to you, just pop on this classic crew-neck undershirt and let it take things from there.
Material: Micro Modal, Spandex | Colors available: White, Black | Sizes Available: S-4XL | Sleeves: Short
Though it’s still in its infancy, Vuori has deservedly developed a reputation for delivering outstanding garments that feel like the sartorial equivalent of swan diving into a vat of butter.
Too much? Too bad, because that’s precisely what the Strato Tech Tee delivers on. This worthy entry into our list of the best undershirts for men is sweat-wicking, controls odor, has a 30+ UPF rating, and is likely one of the softest, most comfortable shirts that your torso will ever have the pleasure of meeting.
Material: Polyester, Elastane | Colors available: 10 Color Options | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Sleeves: Short
The winter undershirt is a key article of clothing. Choose an option that’s too heavy, and your layers will work against you, locking sweat in. Go too light, and the elements are inevitably going to find their way in.
Dickies meets your torso in the middle with this heavyweight crew neck that’s not too heavy and not too light. It comes in 15 colors and is roomy enough to be worn on or off the job (even if the job site is a mountain lodge and the job is sipping hot toddies by the fire).
Material: Cotton | Colors available: 15 Color Options | Sizes Available: S-4XLT | Sleeves: Long
The long sleeve undershirt is a fickle beast. Which is just to say… it’s pretty specific and perhaps tough to define. It’s not quite a base layer for those biting days on the slopes. It’s not quite thermal underwear, either. So what is it?
In Uniqlo’s case, it’s a super soft, body odor controlling, moisture-wicking, quick-drying base layer that somehow manages to be damned cozy while it’s at it. We could also see you pulling this look off with a relaxed pair of jeans or fitted joggers. As long as you can see your breath when you step outside, versatility is the throughline here. Unless you just run cold, then it’s whatever.
Material: Polyester, Acrylic, Rayon, Spandex | Colors available: White, Gray, Black, Navy | Sizes Available: XS-3XL | Sleeves: Long
When it comes to men’s undershirts, “performance” can mean a lot of things. Sports performance. Exercise performance. Walking down the street with a turkey sandwich in one hand and a phone in the other… performance.
All that matters is that your performance shirt is stretchy, comfortable, helps wick sweat away, keeps you cool, and doesn’t bunch up in all the wrong places. Twillory’s performance undershirt offers all of those features, plus it’s long enough to stay tucked in, and it comes in a beige color designed to keep it invisible even under a white shirt.
Material: Cotton, Rayon, Spandex | Colors available: Beige | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Sleeves: Short
Hidden in plain sight by design, they’ll never even know this slim fit, extra long, light-as-air ribbed tank is there. The cotton-modal-spandex blend adds just enough weight to let you know it’s there but is otherwise light as a feather, just as any of the best undershirts for men should be.
This is a nice covert addition to a dark happy-hour shirt or any occasion requiring a jacket (as long as said jacket stays on). Means, yes, weddings are fair game as long as you don’t fall victim to the open bar and its devastating ability to de-suit even the most proper of guests. Translation: If you’re going to shed layers, keep this one under wraps.
Material: Cotton, Modal, Spandex | Colors available: White, Navy, Gray | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Sleeves: Sleeveless
There are several advantages to opting for a ribbed undershirt, the least of which involves borderline inappropriate levels of comfort. They’re designed to ebb and flow with your body’s movements, and the best of them are made from Supima cotton—the softest of the soft.
Oh, look, here comes one now. Meet Ribbed Tee’s CoolWear men’s undershirt. Its deep v-neck ensures no errant pima fabric will peek its way through your top layer, while the generous length is designed to stay put when you’re doing your thing on the wedding reception dance floor. If your thing is dancing, that is. Otherwise, we’re afraid we can’t promise anything.
Material: 100% Cotton | Colors available: White, Black, Light Gray | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Sleeves: Short
Once upon a time, there was a four-figure t-shirt made in Italy from some of the world’s most luxurious wool. The end.
Although if the story of this over-the-top garment had a second version, it might include being mentioned in a roundup of the best undershirts. Why? Because it comes in a handful of stunning colorways and is so comfortable that it may as well not even be there. Why else? Because even the man who has everything probably doesn’t have one of these.
Material: Wool | Colors available: White, Black | Sizes Available: XS-XL | Sleeves: Short
And so we find ourselves at the end of our journey through the finest men’s undershirts in the land. Hey, this has been fun—but it’s nowhere near complete without the ubiquitous and oh-so-necessary undershirt multi-pack.
Carrying the honor in this category is none other than the crown prince of Americana himself, Ralph Lauren. What this slim-fit, 100% cotton three-pack lacks in sartorial accoutrement, it more than makes up for in pure utilitarianism. All you need to know is that your torso is in good hands with these crispy white or black base layers.
Material: 100% Cotton | Colors available: White, Black | Sizes Available: S-XL | Sleeves: Short
This men’s undershirt is all about combating sweat, smell, and other nasty “s” words (but mostly those first two since we can’t think of anything else at the moment). The laundry list of summer-friendly features seems endless—underarm pads designed to wick sweat away, a tagless design to prevent itching, lightweight and breathable cotton construction.
If you sweat a lot, this shirt is an absolute must. But you’ll also want to stock up on these immediately if you’re a fan of the minimalist look and oftentimes find yourself outside during the warmer months. Or if your job or general lifestyle frequently calls for a base layer with something more formal on top of it. Or always.
Material: 100% Cotton | Colors available: White, Black, Green, Navy, + | Sizes Available: XS-3XL | Sleeves: Short
Girav was founded in the Netherlands under the simple premise that guys there are generally pretty tall, and undershirts aren’t typically designed with pretty-tall guys in mind.
To that end, every Girav shirt is available in standard, long-fit, and extra-long-fit sizes. If you’re a taller guy and can’t seem to find an undershirt that doesn’t go rogue every time you’re active, the long or extra long Sydney would like a word. It’s a basic crew neck shirt you can wear with a suit, a sweater, or as its own top layer. No wrong turns here.
Material: 100% Cotton | Colors available: 35 Color Options | Sizes Available: S-3XL | Sleeves: Short
If you’re not wearing your v-necks loud and proud as a top layer for everyone to see, you’re not doing it right. And by that, we mean the exact opposite of that. Make no mistake about it, the V (particularly the deep V) should be out of sight, out of mind.
Enter this super soft Tencel number from Evo. Its deep V will respect the “under” in undershirt, but you’re also working with a few other bells and whistles like a forgiving stretch, thanks to the perfect amount of spandex. It’s also got a long back tail to keep it from coming untucked. Party up front, business in the back.
Material: Tencel, Spandex | Colors available: White, Light Gray, Tan | Sizes Available: S-XXL | Sleeves: Short
What To Look For When Buying The Best Undershirts For Men
Purpose
With so many options to consider when looking for the best undershirts for men, it’s no wonder there are seemingly endless utilities for them.
There are technical undershirts, sweat-wicking undershirts, even options for short and tall men. Before jumping at the first name-brand 6-pack of undershirts, look around to see if there’s a brand that caters to your specific needs (hint: there is).
Color
Though it might seem trivial at first blush, the color of the best undershirts for men can have a big impact on the overall look of your outfit. Some shirts come in shades designed to mimic various skin tones, which help them become more undetectable under white or light shirts.
Others are offered in a rainbow of colors that can be worn above or below another layer. Though the typical inclination is to automatically opt for white, each color has its purpose.
Length
If your undershirt is made of an exceptional fabric that you don’t mind using as a top layer, you’ll want to opt for a length that’s appropriate to be shown off for everyday wear. The best undershirts for men are plenty and should be considered.
But if you’re in the market for a true undershirt that you’ll wear beneath a top layer, there’s no shortage of extended-length options designed to stay tucked in while you’re active.
Final Verdict
With the dizzying array of options at your disposal, it can be easy to fall down a hole while searching for the best undershirts for men, especially when looking at of styles, fabrics, bells, and whistles. But at the end of the day, these are undershirts… let’s not overthink them.
Topping our list of the best undershirts for men is the humble Hanes tagless t-shirt, which was no accident. It’s important to keep your shirt drawer full of interesting garments for all occasions, sure, but it’s also important to keep it full of battle-tested workhorses.
FAQ
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The tank top is a popular and widely available style to wear as an undershirt. Avoid wearing it under white dress shirts, though, and never pair this very specific garment with a suit. Tank tops could be a good fit if you don’t sweat much but prefer a soft (often ribbed) shirt between your skin and a non-white top layer.
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A better question might be when shouldn’t you wear an undershirt. With so many options and utilities, the best undershirts for men should work for almost every situation you might find yourself in. Generally speaking, you should wear an undershirt any time you’re looking for an effective line of defense between your top layer and your body’s sweat and odors.
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