If you think of tank tops only as underwear to be worn under a shirt or only as something to wear at the beach, they are a lot more versatile than that. They are perfect for outdoors, great for the gym and you can even get a formal tank top that you can comfortably wear around town. 

Tank tops are especially useful for traveling thanks to their versatility. Here are all the reasons why you should pack a tank top or two when going on your next trip.  

They are Cool (for Fashion)

Whether you wear it on its own or pair it with a shirt, a tank top can be a great way to style up on casual trips. 

A regular white looks great on its own at the beach, outdoors or even around town on a hot day. You can pair it with a pair of jeans to make it slightly more formal or wear it with shorts for an extra-casual look. 

White tank tops also go really well with a shirt. Combining a tank top with a shirt creates a less casual look that’s suitable for restaurants, city tours, a visit to the museum and other situations where a bare tank top would be a bit much. 

Open just a few buttons of your shirt to show the top of the tank top or open it up all the way for a more casual style. 

You don't have to get a regular white tank top that people could mistake for underwear. There are plenty more stylish textures, shapes and colors of tank tops. 

Our very own Hercleon HercShirt tank top is available in several colors and looks good enough to wear on its own. As a bonus, it’s also antimicrobial, meaning it doesn't smell sweaty even when you wear it multiple times without washing. You can wear it throughout your backpacking trip and it’ll stay fresh. 

They are Cool (for Comfort)

If you are traveling during spring or summer, then a tank top is even more useful. It exposes more skin than a t-shirt, which lets you stay cooler in warm weather. 

Even better, you can layer a tank top with a shirt, making it easy to adjust to changing temperatures. If it gets hot, just take off your shirt and leave the tank top (or unbutton the shirt). 

They Are Versatile 

One of the tricks to traveling light is packing versatile clothes that you can use in multiple ways or mix and match with other items. 

A tank top is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing for travel, both in terms of aesthetics and practicality. 

Style-wise, we’ve mentioned how you can wear it in different ways (on its own or under a shirt) and in different situations. 

Functionally, you can use a tank top as an undershirt, wear it as the only shirt and you can even use it as nightwear. For dudes, if you prefer not to swim shirtless, a lightweight and close-fitting tank top made from synthetic material is perfect for the pool or ocean.   

It Protects Your Shirt

We’ve written before about re-wearing clothes without washing them. One of the ways to pull this off is by wearing a tank top under your shirt. 

The tank top provides a first-line defense against sweat, smells and dead skin cells. Your shirt stays fresher and cleaner so you can easily wear it a couple more times. 

Even if you don't plan to re-wear the shirt, a tank top can still prevent your shirt from developing pit stains and sweat patches. Just make sure the tank top is breathable, sweat-wicking and fast drying. 

3 Tips for Choosing a Comfortable Tank Top

• Be careful not to get a tank top that makes you hotter and sweatier when you pair it with a shirt. Choose a cool and breathable material like wool, cotton or cashmere. 
• For active activities like hiking, gym or running, either pick wool or a synthetic tank top. Synthetic tank tops typically have a mix of polyester, nylon and elastane. 
• Cotton tank tops are soft and breathable. But avoid them for any situation where you expect lots of sweating. Cotton stays damp for longer than other fabrics.