21 Practical Undershirts for Looking and Feeling Your Best

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UNDERSHIRTS FOR MEN are the first layer of defense in your outfit to keep you feeling and looking your best. No matter what your style is or what the occasion calls for, so long you’re layering up, the best undershirts for men will help absorb sweat to prevent overheating and any unsightly stains from bleeding through your dress shirt or button-down shirt. Overall, the best undershirts for men will make you feel calm and collected as you go about the day in layers.

As for what are the best undershirts for men, these are the ones that you’ll forget you’re in fact wearing. I.e., the best undershirts for men should be made from high-quality, breathable, moisture-wicking materials that are soft and smooth to keep you cool and dry throughout the day. In addition, the best undershirts for men need to have a fit that stays in place without bunching up or restricting your movement. Lastly, the best undershirts for men should be versatile enough to be worn on their own or look invisible beneath outer layers.

Read more: Learn How Men's Health Tests Products

Below, our team of style experts has tried and tested over 50 men’s undershirts to find the 21 best undershirts for men that will effortlessly blend in with your overall look and daily comfort. From V-neck t-shirts to tank tops to white t-shirts, these best undershirts for men are the unsung heroes of any outfit.

Made in America T-Shirt

A major qualm with undershirts is their neckline can easily get ratted through the wash. We found Jockey's Made in America tees to keep a strong neckline and provide overall durability as an everyday undershirt. This is one of those cases where it's worth paying the extra bucks for an American-made garment.

The Made in America factor isn't just for show. The quality that comes with it is apparent. The construction is clean and the fabric is thick enough that this undershirt can double as a plain white tee. So if you ever need to shed a layer or two, you can fall back on this as a base layer t-shirt. You can even style it on a hot day with just a pair of shorts.

More importantly, we found that Jockey has nailed the standard 100% cotton plain white undershirt in the best way possible. It feels like a traditional soft cotton tee, but after putting it through the wash and dry cycles since 2021 over a dozen times, it managed to withstand all tear and wear and stay intact, proving its durability. The fabric even has a tech built-in to reduce piling and fading. And I love that the cotton is engineered to be able to wick away sweat in a heartbeat to keep me fresh all day. The only thing is that the fabric isn't wrinkle-resistant, so store these shirts carefully.

Performance Moisture-Wicking Crewneck Undershirt

Hanes is perhaps the most famous undershirt brand on the planet. And if you're looking for a more athletic feel and sweat protection is your priority, then the Hanes Performance moisture-wicking crewneck undershirt is your best bet. The fabric blend of polyester and rayon is designed to wick sweat off your body and dry off quickly, and we found it to be extra soft, smooth, and cool to the touch even after being on our skin all day long. We also love that the fabric blend is much lighter in weight than a traditional cotton undershirt.

Besides, after wearing these white undershirts since 2021, we found that because of the polyester blend, the fabric is resistant to any discoloration that comes with age on cotton shirts. After putting it through at least 10 wash cycles, we also noticed that the fabric didn’t pick up any other color and still fits well.

We also love the tad of stretch this undershirt has, and how they can be easily tucked in to stay hidden and in place. The breathability and odor control are also a nice touch, even after—or during—a sweaty workout as we’ve found. Lastly, Hanes uses the same double-needle stitching to reinforce the neck, sleeves, and hem as with their regular undershirts. This will stand up to years and washing and wearing with steady use.

AIRKNITx V-Neck Undershirt

Mack Weldon was founded to reinvent men's underwear and loungewear with modern advancements in fabric blends and construction. They say you don't want to reinvent the wheel but sometimes you come up with a better wheel. The particular blend of the fabric in this V-neck is what sets it apart from the competition. It feels so soft and natural while providing all those modern tech properties.

Mack Weldon’s stellar undershirt checks all the boxes we're looking for when assembling this list. First, the fabric has the best blend of synthetic fibers (like those you'll find in workout clothes) to feel eternally soft and light, making it ideal for being worn as the base layer on your skin for hours on end. We also love the stretch which moves with our body and doesn't bunch up. The length is nice since it is extra long and we have had no issue making it stay tucked in.

Second, Mack Weldon's undershirt has the ideal construction of a slim fit. Coupled with a rotated shoulder seams to keep your sleeves in place, and a flat-front V-neck collar to stay in stealth mode under your collared shirt, we've found this to be the perfect V-neck undershirt.

We were most impressed by its breathability. In fact, the knit fabric of this undershirt is designed to drive air in. In our experience of wearing them beneath a dress shirt or even sweater, our skin has stayed cool and dry.

Classic Ribbed Tank 3-Pack

There has never been another brand with more hype around it than the early 1990s "My Calvins" undergarment campaign. But Calvin Klein's classic ribbed tank is not just hype, it is actually a really good undershirt. If you prefer the minimal fabric feel of a tank or you just wear them when it's hot out then Calvins are hard to beat. And these, as undershirts, are practically perfect in terms of fabric, fit, and durability.

The full cotton fabric is stretchy as we found, despite having no built-in elastane or spandex. More importantly, we love its soft-to-touch quality as well as natural breathability, the latter helps with wicking away sweat. The classic fit we found is slim without being constricting and they're just long enough to be tucked in if you need to but they can hang out with showing. The classic scoop neckline and seaming have also lasted well, and the fabric after over a dozen wash and dry cycles has remained as stretchy, soft, and breezy as when it was just off the rack.

For layering, we love putting it underneath a button-down or sweater/sweatshirt, though if you’re prone to underarm, we’d advise against this undershirt as your go-to.

Second Skin High V-Neck Stay-Tucked Undershirt (3-Pack)

The V-neck undershirt was invented so that men could unbutton the collar of their dress shirts without exposing the neckline of their undershirts. While v-necks have their place as stand-alone shirts, a hidden neckline is still their primary role.

If you're looking for a good old-fashioned v-neck undershirt then Tommy John is the way to go. This option, meant for being tucked under does everything you want from an undershirt. It's a slim fit without being tight so you can wear it under slim-fit dress shirts without feeling squeezed in your chest or chaffing in your armpits. The V neckline is deep enough so that you can button the top two buttons of your dress shirt without your undershirt showing.

Also made with modal to feel like your second skin, this is the fundamental, barebones v-neck undershirt at its best. We love how the fabric really feels smooth and soft like butter, and on our skin, it is naturally breathable. The nice lend of stretch coupled with the stay-tucked design makes the shirt pretty much bunching-up-proof, and we found that it’s been able to retain its shape wash after wash—no pilling or slimming. In addition, in our experience of wearing this undershirt under button-downs or even polo shirts, we found that the collar always stays hidden.

72-Hour Merino Tee

The key to the 72-Hour Tee is its merino wool fabric. Huckberry engineered this tee to utilize the natural features of merino wool, which is breathable, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and temperature-regulating. The goal of the 72-Hour Tee was to create an undershirt that you can wear for three days straight without getting gross.

Huckberry did some serious field research with this undershirt and stake its reputation for quality on its performance. Since the 72-Hour Tee came out a couple of years ago, the people have spoken and it has been one of Huckberry's top-selling items year-round. So our team tested it as well by wearing them to our trips and long flights. While we initially didn’t like the neckline or the hem—they are not the true undershirt style—we did find that the 72-Hour Tee managed to stay hidden in our outer garments, and thanks to its merino build, pass our tests of smell, sweat, cooling, and softness even after hours of non-stop wear—as long as 16 hours on one of our overseas flights! We also found that the fabric is soft and doesn’t itch, and could withstand wash cycles like a pro.

We can't say for sure how many people are actually wearing their undershirts for three days straight. We hope this attribute is reserved for special occasions like road trips or long flights, but either way, the success of this undershirt speaks for itself.

Conquer Reform Crewneck Short Sleeve

Known as a brand that caters to yogis, Alo also makes top-tier apparel for everyday wear. Case in point: their Reform Crewneck, a form-fitting, breathable tee with a stylish cut. All the properties that make the Conquer Reform Crewneck a great yoga shirt also make it a great undershirt.

The suede jersey fabric is a heftier material than you're probably used to with an undershirt but it is buttery soft. It has plenty of stretches whether you're bending into a downward-facing dog or bending over to pick something up. It breathes really well so it makes an ideal base layer for warmer days. All in all, we love its airy, soft-like-cloud, smooth-like-butter feel that’s great for lounging and layering under. Though we wouldn’t say it’s the best at moisture-wicking, we still had no problem with this undershirt.

This is the perfect undershirt to wear for a day at the office then a trip to the gym on the way home. It can pull double duty as an undershirt and then a gym shirt thanks to the fit which hugs our body without restricting.

The Fundamental T-Shirt

Lululemon’s fundamental undershirt fits and feels incredible in all the right places. Built for movement with buttery-soft, abrasion-resistant fabric, it looks sleek enough as a standalone tee, feels, like no other at keeping you comfy as an undershirt, and works as a stylish under-layer too if unbuttoned shirting is your style.

Broken-in V-neck T-shirt

Available in v-neck as well as a plain crew and pocket version, these light under-layers are soft yet strong and come in a trio to make sure you’ll never run out of undershirts. At this price, fit, quality, and comfort, it’s a no-brainer bargain.

We especially love the V-neck version of these J.Crew undershirts. The cut is deep enough that we have been able to undo a few buttons on our dress shirts without worrying about showing the neckline, but it’s not too low to look funky or overly casual. We also love the softness, thanks to the garment dye and washing process that makes the fabric even more smoother but also more durable, making the undershirt strong enough to survive wash after wash, wear after wear.

Pocket Tee

The first thing you will notice about the Prospect Tee from Brooklinen is that it is impossibly light and airy. It's a perfect undershirt because you will forget you're wearing it. But it is also a perfect T-shirt because, when it is hot out, you won't want to wear anything else over it.

The beauty is in the jersey fabric that Brooklinen uses and the relaxed fit they cut it in. The company's whole vibe is loungewear but this is a shirt you can spend all day in, no matter what you're doing.

It styles really well by itself with a pair of jeans. You can throw a light jacket over it or an unbuttoned Oxford shirt.

Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee

Sometimes you need an extra thick base layer to build your outfit on top of. That's when you should have a Field-Spec Cotton Heavy Tee from Buck Mason on hand. It's made from a 100% cotton jersey fabric that was inspired by old rugby jerseys. The fabric is twice as thick as the fabric of regular t-shirts.

It is the perfect undershirt for cold days or a plain t-shirt for rugged pursuits. It's cut in a classic fit that is slightly boxy but the sleeves are not too long. This is a heartier undershirt for those times when a light cotton or blend won't do but you don't want to wear it for athletic activities or in extreme cold. That thick cotton will just absorb all your sweat and weigh you down if you're working out and put you at risk in the extreme cold.

Stay Tucked Cooling Undershirts

Made with high-quality nylon, these anti-sweat, moisture-wicking undershirts will cool you down when you get too hot while caressing your skin in silk-like softness. With no polyester, we found that its breathability is off the chart, keeping us cool and dry and looking sharp. Aftering wearing this to travel and commute since 2021, we love that the spandex makes it stretchy and shrink-resistant. Overall, it’s a versatile undershirt that’s ready for all.

Sweatproof Undershirt

If you insist on wearing undershirts under another piece of garment—paying due respect to who they are, indeed—then you had better not show it. We love how Thompson Tee’s shirts come with a deep V-cut so the neck will not be visible under a button-down or sweatshirt, and they come with underarm sweat pads to make sure the shirt—and you—will stay fresh.

Element Tee

Rhone’s Element Tee is the lightweight undershirt you’ll want to put on to feel like you’re not wearing an undershirt—except, you know, you actually are. And its performance is definitely not lightweight; oh-so-soft and breathable and odor-fighting, it’s a reliable first layer for any activity.

Georgia Crewneck T-Shirt

You've definitely heard of Pima cotton and all the hype around it. Pima cotton is longer fiber cotton than regular cotton which means it's softer and more durable. Robert Barakett uses 100% Pima cotton in their Georgia crewneck t-shirt. Now, this is definitely a shirt that works as both an undershirt and a solo t-shirt.

A big selling point of the Georgia Crewneck is that it comes in 23 different colors. So if you're looking for a simple go-to tee in a range of colors then look no further. This is the best undershirt to wear as a stand-alone t-shirt because of the flattering fit and, thanks to the color selection, the limitless styling options. It's lightweight and soft enough that you'll want to wear it with everything anyway.

Strato Tech Tee

Tech and comfort collide in Vuori’s softest workout tee that can be layered on or off. As a solo top, its UPF and quick-dry knacks will kick in to play up to your exercises. As an undershirt, its breathable knit, anti-chafe seams, and lightweight feel can make you forget you’re even wearing an undershirt.

Slim-Fit Cotton Tanks

Nice and clean, these classic tank tops have a slim fit that’s not too awkward to be worn stand-alone, but still snug enough to fit underneath another garment. And reviewers have reported favorably on its durability: how it can withstand wash after wash but still feel soft and strong.

Superfine Cotton Underwear T‑shirt

Sunspel is second to none when it comes to cotton wardrobe basics. Take its undershirt made from the softest cotton. It’ll feel so nice you’ll want to lounge and sleep in it too. It’s also long enough to be tucked in, and the V-Neck makes it invisible underneath an open shirt collar.

Active Cotton Blend Crew Undershirts (8-Pack)

This is a deal made in heaven: for under $30 you get eight performance undershirts that can last. They’re light and moisture-wicking to keep you cool and dry in your office fit or layers. And they stay tugged for a sharper look.

The Essential Organic V-Neck Tee

Backed by a 365-day guarantee for replacement, and having survived 25 wash cycles as well as three tests for fade and piling, this workhorse V-Neck is one undershirt that you can depend on for the rest of your life. And we’re not exaggerating when we say it might just be the only undershirt you’ll ever need.

Essential Cotton Square-Cut Tank 2-Pack

Putting on some gains lately? Staying ripped or chiseled? Then show it off with these ultra-breathable muscle tanks that won’t bring the bulk to your bulk. Its lean, contoured fit means you can wear it nicely under another shirt, and its low neckline will not intrude on your layers.

How to Choose the Best Undershirts for Men

Different guys will want different properties to achieve their undershirt bliss, depending on their needs, body type, and undershirt-required occasions.

Type: this refers to the neckline of an undershirt—crewneck or V-neck. Obviously, the realest undershirts should hide and not show their card beneath another layer, so the best undershirts often tend to be V-neck which won't be visible under a sweater, sweatshirt, or dress shirt with the top buttons unbuttoned.

But in many cases, as seen in our list, some crewnecks are cut low enough for a no-show look as well—some even come with a deeper cut that's more like chest-line, not neckline. On the other hand, we have tank tops which are often cut the lowest, to the chest, and show the least under another cloth or on its own, which is why tank tops often make some of the best undershirts as well.

Fit: undershirts for layering should come in a slim, snug, almost body-hugging fit since a relaxed or loose fit will cause discomfort and move around if another piece of garment is layered over it. A slim fit stays put and gives more space for layering. However, for standalone undershirts, a loose fit works just as well.

Color: for layering under a dress shirt and a button-down shirt, you'll want undershirts in colors that, again, won't show—i.e., colors that are undetectable under another shirt. In this case, white is the best since it is pretty much invisible under a white shirt, as well as any other color of shirt. If you're wearing an undershirt for style-purpose—under a jacket or on its own—then it's entirely your decision: whatever looks good on you, go for it.

Length: undershirts should stay tucked if you're wearing them as true undershirts—beneath a top layer, which is why the best undershirts for men come with extended, beneath-the-waist lengths designed to be and stay tucked under the top layer. But if the undershirt is your top and only layer, then you can cut it some slack and opt for a shorter length that's apropos for everyday wear.

Material: we discuss the best material for men's undershirts in depth below. But in short, you'll want to look for fabrics made of a soft performance blend that is breathable and moisture-wicking and comes with stretch for movement.

What Material Is Best for Undershirts?

A good undershirt includes fabrics like high-quality cotton or some type of performance blend that are breathable and moisture-wicking to keep you cool and dry—which is why a blend of materials like nylon, Lyocell, and modal are popular. Note: polyester is a popular shirt material since it's moisture-wicking and quick-drying, but it is not breathable.

If you're an active guy, your undershirt material should also have a level of stretch—courtesy of elastane or spandex—so you can move around without restriction. If it is good quality cotton that you need then just plain old supple cotton will do the trick—it even gets cozier with age. If you like a tighter fit though, you should look for a blend with stretch in it.

Recently, merino wool has been incorporated into undershirts. Wool may seem like a bad idea at first, but if it's knitted loosely enough to breathe well and use the right wool, like fine merino, it will also be soft enough. Wool's natural properties of being antimicrobial and sweat-wicking actually make it perfect for an undershirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can undershirts for men be worn alone?

While most undershirts for men are designed to be thin and worn as a base layer beneath other garments, they can also be worn alone as just a t-shirt or a tank top in certain situations. For instance, a high-quality, well-fitted undershirt can be worn on its own during hot summer days or as part of a casual loungewear outfit. In fact, undershirts with breathability and moisture-wicking properties are perfect as standalone shirts as well. These undershirts often have a slightly thicker fabric, additional detailing (like a pocket), or a more fashionable cut to ensure a polished look that doesn't make you look like you're just wearing a true-and-true undershirt.

Should a man wear an undershirt?

Wearing an undershirt is a wise choice for men seeking both style and practicality. The best undershirts for men will help absorb sweat and prevent it from seeping into your outer garments as sweat marks, keeping you fresh and dry throughout the day. Hence, for men who are prone to sweat, undershirts will really extend the lifespan of your outer garments by acting as an additional layer of protection between them and your body. For men who run hot, undershirts made from breathable materials will also keep you cool by wicking away moisture.

The best undershirts will also help enhance comfort by acting as a barrier between your skin and the rough texture of certain fabrics (like itchy wool), reducing irritation and preventing your outer shirt from clinging to your body. During colder seasons, an undershirt also adds an extra layer of warmth.

How many undershirts should a man own?
The number of undershirts a man should own depends on his personal preference and lifestyle. However, as a general rule of thumb, it's recommended to have a rotation of at least 5 to 7 undershirts to ensure you have a fresh one for each day of the week. This gives each undershirt ample time to rest and recover between wears and allows for regular washing, ensuring you always have a fresh undershirt ready. This rotation not only helps prolong their lifespan but also makes sure each undershirt is not subjected to excessive wear and tear.

How We Selected

To find the best undershirts for men, our editors and writers have personally tried on over 50 options since 2021, and tested each of them for at least two weeks, such as wearing Hanes’ Cool DRI tees under our dress shirts to the office, donning Calvin Klein’s tank tops under sweatshirts and sweaters before going out, layering Mack Weldon’s V-neck undershirts under a jacket for our everyday fits, or using Lululemon’s Fundamental tee as a standalone tee before putting another shirt over it.

Read more: Learn How Men's Health Tests Products

To get a feel for how these undershirts really felt and how they held up, we vetted them by taking notes of their style, comfort, price point, versatility, and performance such as moisture-wicking, stretch, and breathability. We examined whether they fitted well and wouldn't bunch up, whether they provided comfort all day long, and whether they stayed intact after a few wash cycles.

To ensure unbiased results, we gathered feedback from multiple testers with different body types and undershirt-wearing preferences. This helped us provide a comprehensive and balanced assessment of each undershirt's performance.

Why Trust Us

A product review story that doesn’t actually test anything hands-on or in person isn’t worth your precious time. Thankfully, we at Men’s Health don’t produce any of that nonsense. While we do sometimes start our picks from top sellers or top-reviewed items on Amazon or trustworthy e-commerce sites, we then always make sure to actually test and use them ourselves before considering whether to include them. Therefore, rest assured that our product recommendations derive from first-hand experience. You can read more about our testing process here.

More importantly, at Men’s Health, we have a whole fashion closet dedicated to calling in, trying out, and selecting the best as well as newest products in menswear. For instance, we put them on stylish, fit guys to hear what their opinions are and see how the items look on them before making our final decision. And as style editors, we constantly go into the fashion closet to feel a product’s fabric or materials—even put it on ourselves for a spin—to test it.

Lastly, you can trust our opinions on shopping recommendations, whether it’s the products, styling tips, or trends. Not only do we have Fashion Director Ted Stafford and Deputy Editor, Commerce Christian Gollyan, but we also have a panel of style experts—including stylists, fashion influencers, and designers—whom we regularly seek shopping guides. Therefore, our product recommendations and buying tips are all driven by professional, expert opinions.

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