Do You Need a Special Shirt for Running? Here's What to Know (and Our Picks).

ProsLightweight and breathableFour-way-stretch fabric allows unrestricted movementPermanent odor-control treatmentConsMore expensive than a basic running shirtNo sun protectionYou don’t want to spend mile after mile tugging at your shirt or thinking about how it feels against your body. That’s exactly what we like about the Ten Thousand Interval Shirt. When the brand designed its flagship tee, it minimized distractions without stripping away the substance that makes it useful for more than running.Its odor-control treatment helps keep smells in check, while flatlock seams reduce the risk of chafing around sensitive areas such as the armpits. The lightweight, stretchy fabric sits close to the body without clinging excessively as sweat builds during a run.The Interval is a favorite among our editors and has also earned a top spot on our list of the best workout shirts. Ten Thousand does offer a more running- and conditioning-specific option, called the Session Shirt, but we’ve simply logged more workouts and miles in the Interval. There is also a fine line between breathable and flimsy. The Interval has enough weight and structure to work for lifting and other workouts, and it never feels as though it might dissolve against your body by the end of a hard session.Read More: Best Workout ShirtsFabric84% polyester, 16% elastaneFitAthleticUV Protection?NoOdor Control?YesProsExceptionally soft performance fabricLooks good enough for casual wearMoisture-wicking and quick-dryingConsPremium priceSoft knit is not as airy as an open-mesh running shirtAlmost a year after first testing the Vuori Strato Tech Tee, I still haven’t found another performance shirt that feels as soft. That softness doesn’t come at the expense of durability, either, with my lone Strato Tech Tee holding up remarkably well through countless wears, workouts, and washes.Every MH editor who contributed to this article has sweated in the Strato Tech Tee at some point—it is, after all, one of our most-reviewed shirts—and the consensus is that it handles moisture fairly well. Personally, I find that the ultralight fabric can become somewhat clingy when soaked, especially during longer runs.Still, the comfort, fit, and versatility keep it in regular rotation for hot and humid trail runs. And when the temperature rises, or the shirt becomes too saturated, its lightweight, stretchy fabric makes it easy to pull off, tie around a running belt, and keep moving.Read More: Best Moisture-Wicking ShirtsFabric96% polyester, 4% elastane FitModern athletic fitUV Protection?NoOdor Control?YesAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsMore affordable Spandex provides stretchOffers sun protection ConsNot as ventilated as a running-specific mesh shirtLooser cut may not the best for long runsPerformance tees have become luxury goods, and the Flowknit Breeze feels especially sensible in that landscape. For a brand that is expanding into a lot of different markets, from bedding to supplements, we can’t deny that Quince has got something with this shirt.For a solid price it gives you the things that actually matter—four-way stretch, a flattering cut, and a soft moisture-wicking fabric that moves without bunching—without charging you for a logo or an elaborate origin story.Our editors liked the slim, clean fit, which skims the body without squeezing it and looks considerably more polished than its price suggests. It is not the most technical shirt here, and serious summer runners may want something lighter and more ventilated. But for daily miles, strength sessions, and the occasional coffee run afterward, it does the job with very little fuss. At roughly half the price of several premium picks on this list, the Flowknit Breeze delivers the performance and fit most runners need without the usual markup.Fabric88% recycled polyester, 12% spandexFitAthleticUV Protection?Yes, UPF 40+Odor Control?YesProsMicroventilated fabric promotes airflowLightweight and quick-dryingDesigned specifically for runningConsNo odor controlProvides little insulation in cooler weatherIf you do most of your running on trails, then consider this shirt by outdoor retail giant REI. It is light, relatively affordable, and, unlike several shirts on this list that merely moonlight (well, we should say) as running gear, built specifically for the job.Raglan sleeves and flat seams help keep friction to a minimum as your arms swing, while REI’s featherweight SwiftTex polyester fabric moves sweat off your skin and dries quickly when the trail turns difficult. There are also reflective patches on the back if you like to run at night. It skips some of the premium extras, including dedicated odor control and a listed UPF rating, but nails the fundamentals that matter most once you are several miles from the trailhead.Just know that this is a warm-weather specialist. You’re probably better off wearing it when the air is heavy and the climbs are relentless, but once temperatures dip, you will want another layer or a thicker shirt.Fabric100% polyesterFitRegular athletic fitUV Protection?NoOdor Control?NoAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsExceptional fabric feelSharp looking designOdor-blocking and sun protectionConsOne of the more expensive shirts on the listA recurring presence in the Men’s Health Fitness Awards, the Rhone Reign Tee has become one of our favorite shirts for nearly any workout thanks to its blend of sharp styling, technical features, and all-day comfort. The UPF protection and odor-control treatment make it especially well-suited to outdoor runs, while the raglan sleeves extend to the collar to eliminate some of the seams most likely to rub as your arms move.The price is admittedly steep, but the details help justify it. Side vents create extra room through your stride, odor-fighting fabric keeps the shirt fresher between washes, and straddle stitching reinforces the seams while giving the tee a cleaner, more polished finish. The Reign may not be the lightest option for the hottest days, but few performance shirts transition as easily from a morning run to the rest of your day.FabricNylon, polyester, and elastane; exact percentages are not givenFitAthletic UV Protection?Yes, UPF 50+ Odor Control?YesProsPromotes evaporative coolingFeels soft against the skinOffers UPF 50+ sun protectionConsFabric feels heavier than some other running shirtsComes in one colorPacterra Athletics is a smaller running brand best known for its compression shorts, and the Draper Performance Tee is currently its only shirt (in one color). That limited catalog seems to have worked in its favor: the tee feels considered, from the fabric blend to the fit and seam placement.The first thing I noticed was how soft and substantial it felt. It is heavier than the barely-there running shirts on this list, but not in a way that traps heat or feels cumbersome. Instead, the added structure makes it look more like a polished everyday tee than something you would wear only for speedwork. Some weeks, I wear it more when running errands than actually running. The fit helps, too, sitting close through the shoulders and chest before falling more naturally through the torso.It still checks the essential performance boxes. UPF 50+ protection helps on exposed runs, COOLCORE technology keeps me noticeably less sweaty, and the minimal seams work because I didn’t feel any friction points anywhere during my eight-mile runs. Because the fabric is a bit weightier, the Draper also feels useful across more of the calendar, working on warm summer runs without becoming obsolete as soon as fall arrives.Fabric66% polyester, 29% lyocell, 5% elastaneFitModern athletic fitUV Protection?Yes, UPF 50+Odor Control?NoAndrew Gutman, NASM-CPT is a journalist with a decade of experience covering fitness and nutrition. His work has been published in Men's Health, Men's Journal, Muscle & Fitness, and Gear Patrol. Outside of writing, Andrew trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, helps coach his gym's kickboxing team, and enjoys reading and cooking. Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.