An undershirt is not as essential as underwear, but a lot of men can benefit from wearing one. A good undershirt wicks sweat away from your skin, provides extra warmth when it’s crispy and they are gentler on sensitive skin. 

But you have to be careful to choose the right undershirt, otherwise it could end up causing you more discomfort. The wrong undershirt can feel scratchy, leave you feeling too hot and make you sweat even more than usual. 

This is a guide to buying the best undershirts for men. We discuss what to look for when shopping for an undershirt. 

7 Things to Consider When Shopping for Men’s Undershirt

1. Sweat-wicking 

If you sweat a lot, then you might benefit from wearing an undershirt. It soaks up the sweat, ensuring your outer shirt doesn't get any unsightly patches of dampness. It also protects shirts from pit stains. 

But you have to get the right undershirt that can handle the sweat. Look for an undershirt that’s made from a moisture-wicking or absorbing material. 

Most undershirts are made from lightweight cotton. Cotton is great at absorbing sweat and it’s resistant to smells. But if you are a heavy sweater, cotton stays damp for too long and can feel uncomfortable. That’s because cotton is hydrophilic (holds onto water). 

Synthetic undershirts made from polyester or nylon are a better option for heavy sweaters or for workouts and intense physical activities. They wick away sweat instead of absorbing it and they stay dry. On the downside, they tend to get smelly quicker. 

2. Breathable 

A good undershirt should be highly breathable. There are two things that make an undershirt breathable. 

One, how light it is. An undershirt is thinner and lighter compared to a t-shirt, which ensures you don't get too warm even with a couple other layers on top. This is especially important on a hot day. 

Two, the fabric. Natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo rayon, Tencel and wool are more breathable. They are great for hot weather or if you easily get hot. 

But you can also find some cool and breathable synthetic undershirts. As long as the shirt is lightweight and has a loose or mesh weave, it will keep you cool.  

3. Soft Fabric

The undershirt will fit snugly against your skin. So it’s important that the fabric be soft and gentle to avoid chafing and irritation. 

Any fabric can be woven to have a soft texture, so the type of fabric here doesn't matter. The texture is what’s important. 

Watch out for fabrics you might be sensitive to. Some people react to chemicals in polyester fabrics. Others get itchy when they wear anything made from merino wool. 

4. Slim Fit 

A well fitting undershirt should have a slim fit that fits well under your shirt. This is not just for aesthetics, it also makes the undershirt more comfortable. 

Talking of fit, check that it’s also long enough to be easily tucked in and stay tucked. An undershirt that keeps riding up will cause bulging around the bottom of your outer shirt. 

5. Deep V Neck 

Your undershirt should not peek out from the top of your outer shirt, even with one or two buttons open. That’s why most undershirts have a deep V neck. 

6. Anti-odor 

Because your undershirt is what’s interacting with most of your sweat, it is vulnerable to stinking especially if you already struggle with body odor. 

Natural fabric undershirts made from cotton, bamboo and wool have the best odor resistance. For the best freshness, get an antibacterial undershirt like the Hercleon Apollo undershirt. You can sweat buckets in it and even wear it several days in a row and it stays fresh and clean. 

7. Special Features

Some undershirts are designed for special use cases. 

• Compression undershirts - these are stretchy and fit even more snuggle to provide support to muscles during a workout. You can also wear a compression undershirt to create a slimmer figure. They are also called body shaper shirts. 
• Thermal undershirt - these are designed to keep you warm outdoors, particularly in the cold season. They are usually long sleeved and made with wool or heat-retaining polyester. 
• Sweat proof undershirts - if you sweat a lot, a regular undershirt may not be enough to keep the sweat from reaching your outer shirt. We recommend a sweat proof undershirt such as T Thompson Tee. Sweat proof undershirts have padding under the armpits to soak up sweat and keep it from appearing on your shirt.