The 16 Best T-shirts for Men of 2023
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Travel in style with T-shirts from brands like Hanes, Mack Weldon, and Ibex.
Travel and Leisure / David Hattan
T-shirts never go out of style. Versatile and comfortable for city exploring or hiking, T-shirts are perfect for travel – as long as the fit is right.
We looked beyond traditional brands for travel shirts that look great day and night, use durable and ideally sustainable materials, and can keep men fresh whether they’re chilling poolside or navigating Marrakech's Medina. Overall, the Ibex 24-Hour Short Sleeve Crew came out on top thanks to its Merino wool material – a miracle fabric when it comes to travel. Read on for more options from brands like Ten Thousand, Mack Weldon, Vuori, and Hanes.
Best Overall: Ibex 24-Hour Short Sleeve Crew
Why We Love It
This shirt is extremely versatile and comfortable.
What to Consider
The shirt is on the pricey end since it’s made from merino wool.
What if we told you there’s a material that will keep you warm when it’s cold out, cool when it’s hot, wicks away moisture and is anti-odor, dries super quickly and feels amazing on your skin? Well, the material is called merino wool and there’s nothing better for traveling.
Made from 100 percent wool from merino sheep, this Ibex shirt is comfortable to wear all day long and comes in five attractive colors. Wear this tee on your next flight, walking around all day, and even for workouts or hikes.
Another benefit to this Ibex shirt is that Merino wool biodegrades after a year in a landfill, which is much better for the environment than a material like elastane which takes up to 200 years to decompose.
Price at time of publish: $88
The Details: S to XXL | Merino wool
Best Athletic: Ten Thousand Versatile Shirt
Why We Love It
This shirt is tough yet lightweight.
What to Consider
It only comes in basic shades.
You’ve got to respect Ten Thousand’s commitment to its products. For the New York-based company’s Versatile Shirt, hundreds of hours of research were conducted including 2,000 fit-focused field tests to develop the ideal workout shirt – and we have to say, it was time well spent. The Versatile Shirt fits snugly, but not too tight, it’s anti-odor, and it won’t rip if you happen to get caught on a branch while out hiking.
The Versatile Shirt is also available in short- and long-sleeve options as well as in a tank top.
Price at time of publish: $58
The Details: XS to XXL | 84 percent polyester, 16 percent spandex
Best Budget: Hanes Unisex T-Shirt
Why We Love It
The price is right for this classic tee.
What to Consider
It’s not as fitted as other T-shirts on our list.
Buying a good-quality T-shirt doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. This classic tee from a brand that has been around for nearly half a century is still a great buy thanks to its use of long-lasting heavyweight cotton. With 30 colors, you have plenty of options to show off your personality, and at this price, it’s hard to argue against having one in your suitcase.
Price at time of publish: $12
The Details: S to 6XL | Cotton
Related:The Best Travel Clothes for Men of 2023
Best Splurge: Handvaerk Crew Neck
Why We Love It
This shirt is the definition of hygge.
What to Consider
It only comes in a few basic colors.
Sure you can spend two or three hundred bucks on a T-shirt if you want to splurge, but you can get this top-quality, soft-as-butter shirt from Handvaerk for much less. The New York City brand from a husband and wife duo uses premium lightweight jersey fabric and top-quality Pima cotton to make their shirts so soft. They’re eco-conscious, too, using local manufacturers in Peru that adhere to carbon-neutral energy practices.
Available in seven colors, these shirts may instantly make you look like the smartest person in the room.
Price at time of publish: $95
The Details: S to XXL | Peruvian Pima cotton
Best Sustainable: Everybody Boxier Tubular Trash Tee
Why We Love It
This shirt takes eco-conscious to another level without being too pricey.
What to Consider
The fit is boxy.
Los Angeles-based brand Everybody isn’t satisfied just using recycled cotton to consider itself sustainable. The clothing brand goes above and beyond to reduce its impact on the planet and the workers that produce its products. For the Everybody Boxier Tubular Trash Tee, each shirt is made with waste cotton reclaimed in North America and is knit, sewn, and finished in LA. The shirts are also biodegradable and use less water, fabric, and sewing labor than other shirts out there.
As for the boxy fit, it’s different – no doubt about that. But you’re sure to stand out, and it certainly fits with the 90s and early-2000s trends that are coming back in full force.
Price at time of publish: $35
The Details: XS to XL | Cotton
Best Casual: Alex Crane Men's Sun Tee
Why We Love It
This shirt’s vibe fits in anywhere.
What to Consider
Linen can wrinkle easily when packed.
There’s something about the feeling of linen on your skin that calls for sun-soaked travel. This shirt from American clothing brand Alex Crane is not just linen – it’s made from super-soft French linen grown in Guimarães, Portugal, a UNESCO heritage site that has been making linen for two centuries. Besides being light and breezy, linen is antimicrobial, so you’ll stay fresh, and it comes in 13 different colors to choose from.
Price at time of publish: $65
The Details: XS to XX | French linen
Best Fitted: True Classic Crew Neck
Why We Love It
The fit is flattering on most guys.
What to Consider
Tight-fitting shoulders could make you sweatier in the armpits than looser shirts would.
Whether you’re into baggy or tight shirts, every man wants a shirt that fits them well. True Classic has made fitted shirts the lynchpin of its brand and the results are impressive. The company’s Crew Neck fits snuggly across the chest, shoulders, and biceps before falling down to the waist. The fabric is also super soft.
With 20 colors and sizes up to 3XL, you’re bound to find something that fits your style and body type. Multi-packs, V-necks, button-downs, polos, and T-shirts with pockets are also available on the site.
Price at time of publish: $25
The Details: S to 3XL | 60 percent cotton and 40 percent polyester jersey
Best V-neck: Mack Weldon Pima V-Neck
Why We Love It
It’s a classic tee with a clean look.
What to Consider
This shirt is tight and slim fitting which might not be to everyone’s tastes.
Don’t overlook this V-neck from Mack Weldon for your next trip. Soft and clean with a slim fit, it can be a good option for a night out or business trip, especially when worn under a blazer. It works under a zip-up hoodie, too, and on its own with more than 10 color options to choose from.
As for the material, it’s Pima cotton from Peru, which is considered some of the best cotton on the market for its silky-smooth fibers.
Price at time of publish: $38
The Details: S to XXL | Peruvian Pima cotton
Best Polo: Vacay Swimwear Terry Polo
Why We Love it
This is a unique take on a traditional polo shirt.
What to Consider
There are few color options.
Made with travelers in mind, this terry polo from Vacay Swimwear has a unique vintage travel vibe and it never wrinkles. With its buttonless open V-neck, it’s more relaxed than other polos and the seam on the back accentuates the shoulders. The material is 100 percent cotton and it’s available in unique colors like chocolate and creamsicle orange.
Pair it with a matching pair of Terry shorts and you have a sublime resort outfit set.
Price at time of publish: $65
The Details: S to XXL | Cotton
Best Versatile: Vuori Strato Tech Tee
Why We Love It
This shirt is silky soft and can be worn all day long.
What to Consider
Muscular guys may have to size up, as the shoulders can fit tight.
Vuori’s Strato Tech Tee isn’t just a workout shirt. It has four-way stretch, anti-odor, and moisture-wicking capabilities so you’ll stay fresh on your hikes or workouts. It’ll also block the sun with UPF30+ protection. But what really stands out about this tee is that you can easily throw it on over a pair of jeans and instantly look put-together.
Price at time of publish: $54
The Details: S to XXL | 96 percent polyester, 4 percent elastane
Best Black: Keeprwear Organic Cotton T-Shirt
Why We Love It
It’s buttery soft and accentuates your chest.
What to Consider
The scoop collar might not be to everyone’s liking.
You don’t need to be a buff surfer to wear a scoop-neck T-shirt. This Keeprwear Carbon Tee has a relaxed fit that feels beachy, but could easily be worn to dinner or the club. The triangle cut at the bottom adds to the style, plus it’s extremely soft.
If you want to spice things up even more, try this black vintage stone-washed style, too.
Price at time of publish: $60
The Details: XS to XL | Organic cotton
Best with Pocket: Alex Mill Vintage Wash Pocket Tee
Why We Love It
We’re obsessed with the vintage wash look.
What to Consider
The fit is relaxed.
Wash is back, and this shirt from Alex Mill will have you rocking the trend in style. With a slim yet relaxed fit, it accentuates the shoulders, and the chest pocket adds to the overall look.
Made with 60 percent recycled cotton, the brand owned by the son of J. Crew is making an effort with sustainability while using premium materials.
Price at time of publish: $75
The Details: XS to XXL | 60 percent recycled cotton, 40 percent cotton
Best Button-up: Duvin Tropical Floral Buttonup
Why We Love It
Not only are these shirts fun, they’re also super soft.
What to Consider
The production of rayon is often criticized as being bad for the environment.
If you want to turn heads wherever you go, consider this shirt for your next tropical vacation. Covered in flowers and with palm trees and flamingos printed on the back, you’re guaranteed to make a statement with this shirt, especially if you pair it with matching swim shorts. Duvin makes its button-ups with rayon, which is unbelievably soft and silky to the touch.
Price at time of publish: $63
The Details: S to L | Rayon
Best Moisture-wicking: Rhone Reign Short Sleeve
Why We Love It
This is a workout shirt you can wear all day.
What to Consider
The diagonal seam on the front shoulder makes the shirt look distinctly athletic.
Extremely comfortable, this workout shirt from Rhone is stretchy enough to allow for full movement and features GoldFusion technology, meaning it’s moisture-wicking, anti-odor, and quick-drying. With so many colors, you can easily wear this throughout the day on your travels, not just as a workout shirt, and you’ll be protected from the sun with its impressive UPF50+ rating.
Price at time of publish: $68
The Details: S to XXL | Nylon, polyester, elastane
Best Graphic Tee: Patagonia Men's P-6 Mission Organic T-Shirt
Why We Love It
This shirt is as eco-conscious as the message on the back.
What to Consider
Patagonia has other options if you’d prefer a different graphic.
Patagonia is known for its high-quality products and its commitment to the environment. If you’re environmentally conscious and want to spread the word, this graphic tee is perfect for you.
Patagonia’s products are built to last and this T-shirt is no different. Made with fair-trade organic cotton grown in Texas, it’s premium quality (only 1 percent of cotton in the world is organic) and very soft.
Price at time of publish: $45
The Details: XS to 3XL | Cotton jersey
Related:The 8 Best Men’s Travel Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Best Oversized: Everlane Premium-Weight Relaxed Crew
Why We Love It
This is a high-quality shirt with a funky style.
What to Consider
The heavyweight fabric might be too warm for hotter climates.
If you’re sick of fast-fashion T-shirts made with thin materials you need to toss after a year or two, this shirt from Everlane is a refreshing change. Made with heavyweight cotton, it’s thick and long-lasting while looking really stylish – the oversized look is very on-trend. We love that a shirt of this quality is also affordable, which makes it accessible for any budget.
Price at time of publish: $45
The Details: XS to XXL | Cotton
Tips for Buying Men's T-Shirts
Prioritize versatility
One of the biggest differences between traveling and staying at home is that you have fewer clothing options. That means what you pack must be versatile, especially if you only bring a carry-on.
For T-shirts, look for something you can wear for multiple occasions, i.e. walking around the city and hiking, chilling poolside, and going out to dinner.
Know how you want it to fit
Do you prefer a slim, tight-fitting shirt or something more baggy and relaxed? Knowing how you want your T-shirt to fit is important when choosing a shirt you’ll get the most mileage out of.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a men’s T-shirt fit?
For most men, a T-shirt shouldn’t be skin-tight – you should have some room to breathe. That said, a shirt that’s tighter on the chest, shoulders, and upper arms can accentuate a man’s upper body. As for the sleeves, they shouldn’t be stuck in the armpits restricting your movement – you should have some wiggle room.
How do you wash a T-shirt?
Always defer to your specific garment’s washing instructions if you’re unsure how to care for it. If you plan to throw it in the washing machine, we advise washing on cold and either tumble drying or hang drying. If you want to be really careful (or if you’re on the road and a washing machine isn’t available), you can always opt for hand washing and hang drying as well.
How can I make my T-shirt look better?
Opt for a shirt that’s more fitted to your body for a cleaner look. For a night out, consider wearing a leather or jean jacket, vest, or blazer over it and you’ll be good to go.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
T+L writers are shopping and product experts who use personal experience and expert recommendations to choose the best items for shoppers. For this article, writer Joel Balsam, a frequent traveler who has visited more than 55 countries, reviewed and selected from the industry’s best options
Related:The 10 Best Travel Suits for Men of 2023
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