Technical T-Shirts & Tops

Synthetic technical t-shirts.

The lightest and fastest-drying option, built to move sweat off the skin when you are working hard. Our Elv tee weighs 107g and the Verja hoody 164g, both in 110gsm recycled fabric with UPF 40+ sun protection and an anti-odour treatment. Best for trail running, hot days and high output.

Merino t-shirts.

Merino wool regulates temperature and resists odour naturally, so a merino hiking t-shirt can be worn for several days without washing. Our Mar is a lightweight 150gsm merino t-shirt blended with core-spun nylon, which adds stretch, durability and faster drying than merino alone. Best for trekking and multi-day trips.

Cotton t-shirts.

Soft and comfortable, but cotton holds moisture and dries slowly, so it’s a casual option which usually belongs off the hill rather than on it. Ours cotton t-shirts are organic and Pima cotton, for everyday wear.

Effort and heat.

The harder you work and the hotter it is, the more a light, fast-drying synthetic tee earns its place.

Trip length.

On multi-day trips, merino's odour resistance could matter more than drying speed.

Sun.

At altitude and in summer, a tee with a UPF rating protects your shoulders and back under a pack.

Layering.

In the cold, the same top becomes your base layer. See our technical base layers, and read the Mountain Layering Guide.

Merino or synthetic t-shirt?

Synthetic for maximum breathability and drying speed on hard, hot days. Merino for comfort and odour resistance over longer days and multi-day trips. Read Merino vs Synthetic Base Layers: Which Is Right for You?; the same trade-offs apply to t-shirts.

Is a merino cotton t-shirt a good idea?

Merino-cotton blends are softer than pure merino but dry more slowly, because cotton holds water. We blend our merino tee with nylon instead, which adds durability, shape retention and faster drying without losing merino's softness and odour resistance.

Why not wear cotton for hiking?

Cotton absorbs sweat and stays wet, which chills you when you stop or the wind picks up. Keep cotton for the valley and wear a technical t-shirt on the hill.