The Best Workout Shirts for Women
Whether you’re on an easy run or sweating it out at the gym, these workout tops will keep you comfortable.
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Choosing a workout top requires a few key decisions. What fabric is best for the activity, which style is most comfortable, what features will be most beneficial, and what is the weather?
Overall, you want a workout shirt that is comfortable in two main ways: it moves with you and keeps you dry. If you're running outside on a warm summer day, you might choose a breathable tank in a sweat-wicking fabric. For an indoor strength training session you may prefer a slightly loose, stretchy t-shirt.
Workout shirts range in price from about $15 to upwards of $90. At the lower end of the price range, you can expect comfort and a top that moves with you. On the higher end, you'll find bonus features. Some workout shirts have UPF to help protect you from the sun, compression to support blood flow and performance, and even anti-odor technology to keep you feeling and smelling fresh.
Whatever workout shirt you buy, caring for it properly will prolong the fabric’s technical assets and its life. Avoid the dryer, which can not only shrink your workout tops but also damage the technical fabrics that make your apparel effective. Instead, lay workout shirts flat to let them air dry. Fabrics like polyester and lycra (or other stretchy materials) need some extra love, so a cold wash is best to keep them performing at their best.
Best Workout Shirts for Women
The Expert: I’m an avid runner who has spent the better part of the past 18 years running in the mid-Atlantic, specifically the Washington, D.C., area and Annapolis, Maryland, where I live now. The weather can be somewhat unpredictable, ranging from hot and muggy to cloudy and chilly, so I have plenty of experience testing a variety of workout shirts across the seasons.
Besides running, I keep active with spinning and strength training, so I have experience with workout shirts that perform just as well in the gym. One of my go-to shirts is Under Armour's Tech V-Neck. It's great for a variety of workouts and weather conditions. My health and fitness writing has appeared in a range of top publications, including The Washington Post, Mashable, and Insider.
What to Consider with a Workout Shirt
The ideal workout shirt is durable, breathable, and comfortable. Polyester will keep you dry and nylon offers a lightweight feel. Wool is a super fabric because it’s naturally sweat-wicking, temperature-regulating, and odor-fighting.
Technical fabrics, like stretchy elastane or spandex that afford you extra movement, are designed for activity so they wick sweat and dry quickly. You'll find each brand has a different name for its moisture-wicking technology, like Nike's Dri-FIT and Brooks' DriLayer, but they're all designed to do the same thing: pull sweat away from your skin and onto the fabric itself.
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In addition to material, the fit of your workout shirt is equally critical. You might want a body-hugging top with support for strength training and high-intensity sessions, but something with more room and less compression for your yoga workout, and something in the middle for your morning runs.
How We Evaluated Women’s Workout Shirts
In addition to my own experience, I researched market and online reviews to recommend the best workout shirts for women. I prioritized shirts in breathable fabrics and selected tops based on their performance first, followed by comfort. Above all, they're a perfect mix of breathability, functionality, and design to help you work out in comfort and style.
Options included in this roundup work well for a variety of activities—running, yoga, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength training, and more— and in all seasons, so you’ll be covered no matter your preferred workout. Although each top includes a suggested activity (or activities), all the shirts work well for running, too. Read on to learn which women’s workout shirts made the cut.
Pros
- Perfect for lounging, working out, or running errands
Cons
- Requires sizing up if you prefer a looser fit
This powerhouse top brings together many top-performing features, making it a great overall pick. The material is lightweight with the added benefit of generous stretch. Besides a soft feel, this 32 DEGREES t-shirt is breathable and quick-dry so it's suitable for any activity. It fits well and looks good, whether you're running around a track or running errands around town.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–2XL |
| Materials | 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex |
| Best for | All activities |
Pros
- Breathable
Cons
- Not ideal for colder conditions
When it comes to running shirts, the Glide presents a barely-there feel. It's lightweight and dries quickly, making it a great choice whether you're setting out on a hot, humid day or just going for an intense run. Even though it's a performance-focused shirt, it doesn't sacrifice on comfort—it's incredibly soft.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–2XL |
| Materials | 100% polyester |
| Best for | Running |
Under Armour Women's Tech V-Neck Short-Sleeve
Pros
- Four-way stretch moves in every direction
Cons
- Lighter colors may be a bit see-through
This Under Armour short-sleeve option is an ideal go-to option for all-around training. Its moisture-wicking, quick-drying material ensures the shirt won't weigh you down as you work up a sweat. In addition, this workout shirt is ultra-soft and breathable, offering casual-wear options as well.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–2XL |
| Materials | 100% polyester |
| Best for | Running, HIIT workout, strength training |
Pros
- Extremely breathable
Saucony's Stopwatch singlet offers the highest performance in the brand's range with best-in-class wicking and breathable fabric. It will keep you cool and comfortable during your most intense workouts thanks to its quick-drying capability. The lightweight polyester is made for performance and it washes well.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 2XS–2XL |
| Materials | Polyester |
| Best for | Running, HIIT workout |
Pros
- Also available in a “race length” for people with shorter torsos
- Durable
The Swiftly Tech stays in place and doesn’t bunch, making it a first choice for your most strenuous workouts. Its slim, body-hugging fit isn’t too tight, and the seamless design prevents chafing. Plus, an anti-stink technology woven into the fabric means you can stash it in a gym bag and wear it again the next day without worrying about smell.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 0–20 |
| Materials | 54% nylon, 40% polyester, 3% elastane, 3% X-static nylon |
| Best for | HIIT workout, running |
Pros
- Breathable and lightweight
Cons
- Runs a bit large
If you're hitting the trails in warmer weather or simply working up an extra sweat, this Smartwool tank top will keep you cool and comfortable. Beyond the benefit of merino wool to regulate your temperature, the racerback cut will ensure you're aired out.
The performance doesn't come at the expense of comfort—this piece is soft. Plus, the tank has a long, flattering cut that will give you room to move.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–XL |
| Materials | 53% merino wool/47% TENCEL lyocell |
| Best for | Running, HIIT workouts, hiking |
Pros
- Soft, barely-there feel
- Built-in watch hole
Cons
- Limited color options
The Nathan Rise Long Sleeve top is my go-to for fall and winter runs. It's perfect on its own in chilly weather but also layers nicely when it gets even colder. The lightweight, stretchy material moves well without clinging. Finally, a back mesh panel combined with quick-drying fabric will keep you dry and comfortable.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 2XS–2XL |
| Materials | 100% polyester |
| Best for | Running |
Pros
- Available in 12 color options
- UV protection
Cons
- Not ideal for high-sweat workouts
This tank is a great option for almost any workout, whether an easy run, weightlifting, or yoga. The fit is loose and flattering without being boxy, and it includes the performance benefits of moisture-wicking to keep you dry.
Its stretchiness allows freedom to move, plus it performs just as well during a workout as it does while lounging on the couch or running errands.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–2XL |
| Materials | 63% Polyester, 36% Rayon, 1% Spandex |
| Best for | Strength training, yoga, easy runs |
Pros
- Plenty of color options
- Great support without having to wear a sports bra
Cons
- Limited sizing options, and it runs small
If you’re looking for a stylish crop top to pair with your favorite high-waisted leggings, the Lemedy is a terrific option. Besides being an attractive and inexpensive option, it’s comfortable with soft material and offers a form-fitting cut. There's also a built-in sports bra. You may want to size up, however, because it runs small.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S–XL |
| Materials | Nylon and spandex |
| Best for | Yoga, strength training |
Pros
- UPF 30
- Underarm mesh panels keep you cool
Cons
- Runs small
The Fourlaps Stamina Tee has a loose-fitting style that may not lend itself to performing well in high-sweat environments. It features 37.5 technology, a form of thermoregulation, which is different from wicking technology (which spreads moisture out among a fabric) in that it removes moisture vapor before it turns into liquid sweat.
While it seems counterintuitive, wearing multiple layers of 37.5 technology will increase the fabric's capability to absorb water vapor, therefore keeping you cooler for longer.
Key Specs
| Sizes | 2XS–4XL |
| Materials | 100% polyester |
| Best for | Running, hiking, mountain biking |
Pros
- Repels light rain and snow
- Temperature-regulating for all seasons
Cons
- Requires extra care when washing to avoid shrinking
Wool may not be the first fabric that comes to mind for workout gear, but it's a fantastic choice because of its temperature-regulating and anti-odor properties.
The Janji Repeat Merino Tech long-sleeve's 37.5 Technology offers these benefits in a soft, durable feel. Whether you use it as a base layer on a chilly day or on its own, you'll stay comfortable during all your outdoor activities.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS–XL |
| Materials | 47% merino wool/38% 37.5 nylon/15% nylon |
| Best for | Running, hiking, outdoor workouts |
Fit, sun protection, and material: Expert Marissa Lemar Weighs in on How to Pick Your Next Workout Shirt
RW: How should a workout shirt ideally fit?
M.L.: Your workout shirt can have all the high-performance features, but if it doesn't fit well it's no good. Generally you'll want your shirt to be form-fitting without being constricting.
Look for a fabric that moves with you; often that means it has a material like elastane or spandex. Also, it should offer enough coverage so you're not worried about baring everything as you bend over for a deadlift.
RW: For summer runs, should I have a shirt with UPF?
M.L.: Yes, it provides additional protection beyond the sunscreen you're already wearing on exposed skin. Plus a UPF top has the added benefit of not requiring re-application of sunscreen and won't have the risk of sweating it off.
As runners, we spend more time in the sun so it's important to take extra precautions and look at sun-protective gear.
RW: Is there a type of material to avoid?
M.L.: In general, it's best to avoid material that is going to weigh you down. This means naturally heavy materials and ones that get heavy because they gather all of your sweat, like cotton—though it's worth mentioning RW has its very own cottonphile in Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate.
Additionally, standard polyester (without the moisture-wicking technology outlined above) tends to hang on to bacteria so if you don't wash it promptly it will start smelling fast.
Marissa is an avid runner who has spent the better part of the past 18 years running in the mid-Atlantic, specifically the Washington, DC, area—she has run races of all distances, from 5Ks to full marathons, but an unconventional 5K run-walk in Indonesia remains her favorite. Her health and fitness writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Mashable, and Insider. Follow her on Twitter @mcruzmissile.
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