12 Best Hiking Shirts For Women — For Hot & Cold Weather — Our Wanders
Which are the best hiking shirts for women? What makes one better than another? Having been hiking in everyday T-shirts, tank tops and technical shirts in the past decade, I experienced what a difference it makes to wear proper hiking tops. Sure, you can hike in anything. But hiking is likely to be sweaty, and getting soaked in your own sweat, or having your bare shoulder sunburnt and chafed by your heavy backpack, because you chose to wear a cute tank top, these won’t be too much fun.
The fabric and design of a good hiking top serves you well on the trail — and it can also look good enough to wear off-trail. In this post I guide you through the best hiking tops for women for any season and any kind of weather. Aka, learn from my mistakes before you make yours. 🙂
Comparison: the best women’s hiking shirts
Are you in a hurry? Here’s a comparison chart to help you choose the best shirts for hiking according to your preferences. Pick the ones you’d be interested in, then jump down to the details to read more about them.
How to choose the best hiking top?
What makes one good enough? The basic criteria is fitting your body, being comfortable, breathable and durable, and drying quickly. Even better if it gives protection from the sun, is easy to wash and looks good in town, too.
Long sleeve, short sleeve or sleeveless?
One of the most important things to consider is the style: whether you prefer long sleeve shirts, short sleeve ones or sleeveless tops. While it’s partly a question of taste and personal preference, there are practical advantages and disadvantages of each choice.
Long sleeve shirts offer better coverage, which means better protection against sun, bugs or ticks. It’s a great choice for hikes in dense vegetation, but also for unshaded high mountain trails, or tropical hikes. Some of these shirts have roll-up sleeves, so they can be short-sleeved shirts, too. However, covering your skin is an advantage in the summer months, so rather focus on choosing one that’s lightweight and breathable. For winter, it’ll be part of your layering system, so choose one that traps your body heat and is comfortable to layer on.
Even though I occasionally wear lightweight long-sleeved hiking shirts for summer hikes, especially in tropical climates, short sleeve shirts are my favorite choice for day hikes in the warmer part of the year. They are so lightweight and versatile! Many of them I use not only for hiking, but also for yoga and running. They don’t restrict movement, and they don’t bunch up under another layer. I need to use more sunscreen, because they don’t protect my arms, but at least they protect my shoulders — and not only from the sun, but also from chaffing while wearing a heavy backpack.
Then there are the sleeveless tops. Oh, how much I liked them as a beginner hiker! I like wearing lightweight clothing, and I’d run around barefoot, in shorts and a tank top all year if weather would allow. But I had to realize that tank tops are not the best choice for many hikes. They leave you exposed to the sun, and also to insect bites. They don’t protect your shoulders from your backpack either, especially racerback tanks. You might be comfortable hiking in them if your backpack has excellent padding, and it’s not too heavy. I still like sleeveless tops, but I rarely wear them on hikes these days, and even then it’s most likely a short hike on a very hot day. I like them better for running.
Fabric
One reason you’ll hike more comfortably in tops that are designed for active wear rather than everyday wear is the fabric of the clothes in general. Cotton is one of the most common fabrics used in everyday clothing, and it has a good breathability, but it holds moisture and takes forever and ever to dry. Avoid cotton in your hiking clothing.
For sweaty activities you need fabric that’s moisture wicking and quick drying. That’s mainly synthetic fabrics and merino wool. Which one is better is not that easy to decide though.
Merino wool is a natural fabric that’s odor-resistant, breathable and feels soft. It regulates body temperature quite well, keeping you cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather. However, it’s expensive and less durable than synthetics. It requires a bit more care when washing than synthetics. But most of the time, you can wash it with your other sports clothing, just make sure not to set the temperature too hot, and use medium spin. It’s actually general advice for most sports clothing, synthetics included.
Synthetic fabrics are typically more lightweight, stretchy, durable and cheaper than merino wool. They’re not naturally odor-resistant, but can be treated to improve this feature. The most common synthetic fabrics are polyester and nylon. Polyester is often used in baselayers, because it wicks moisture better, and nylon is often blended with other fabrics to add strength.
Some hiking shirts are made from a blend of merino wool and synthetics, so that they offer the best of both worlds.
Seam construction
The best hiking shirts are sewn with flatlock seams. It means that as two pieces of fabric come together they are not overlaid, so there’s no additional fabric. Why could the additional fabric be bad? Because it can create a rubbing point against your skin, especially around your shoulders and hips where the straps of your backpack creates the most pressure.
Some hiking tops are “forward sewn” on the shoulders. It means that the seams are moved away from the top of the shoulder, so that you can wear your backpack more comfortably.
Sun protection
Different shirts give different amounts of protection, mainly depending on how tightly woven the fabric is. The number to check is the UPF rating. An UPF-20 rating means that 1 of 20 UV rays gets through the fabric.
Best lightweight long sleeve hiking shirts for women
So some of the best women’s hiking shirts for hot weather are the long sleeve ones, especially those with good breathability and a high UPF rating.
Best for: hiking in the fall and early spring
Very soft on the skin, wicking moisture when sweating and providing warmth when resting, this 100% merino wool long sleeve shirt from Icebreaker is ideal as a base lawyer under sweatshirts and jackets, or as a single wear in milder weather. The fitting shape and the neck design makes it comfortable to wear under a shirt.
The flatlock seams and offset shoulders prevent any friction, it’s long enough to cover the lower body and it fits nicely, but not too tightly. Sleeves can be a bit long for shorter women, and you find more lightweight wear for the hottest days.
Check the current price here!
Best for: beginner hikers
BALEAF is a good choice for budget-friendly outdoors wear in general. This lightweight, stretchy, quick-drying long sleeve shirt with UPF50+ sun protection is a great choice for hot weather hikes. The Raglan sleeves make it comfortable when wearing a backpack, too, and it comes in countless colors. Though keep in mind that light colors do better for sun protection, because they reflect back the sunlight.
You can use it for unshaded summer hikes, but also for sun protection when swimming, boating, fishing, gardening or simply on a general travel day. Many reviewers from hot states, like Texas or Arizona, use it as everyday wear, because it’s a comfy, nice fit and gives excellent sun protection. It runs small, most people need a size larger for the best fit.
Check the current price here!
Best for: strenuous full day hikes exposed to the sun, backpacking in hot weather
This is probably the best lightweight long sleeve hiking shirt for hot weather. No surprise, it’s one of the best-selling ones, too. It’s so breathable and lightweight, and the vented back shoulders truly make a difference. Thanks to the antimicrobial treated polyester-nylon blend, it can be worn for multiple days without getting stinky, which makes it tempting for backpackers, as well.
It offers excellent sun and bug protection. The sleeves roll up, and you have front breast pockets along with a hidden zippered pocket.
Have you mistaken it for office attire at first glance? The buttons, collars, long sleeves and cuffs surely make it stylish — which might be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your taste. But it can function as a classic shirt, so no problem, if you can’t change after your hike.
It runs small, most people need to size up for the best fit.
Check the current price here!
Best for: hikes in tropical climate
If you’re specifically looking for shirts that give as much sun protection as possible, this is the best choice. The UPF 50+ fabric offers great body coverage, with long sleeves and thumb holes to maximize hand coverage, and with a hoodie to protect your neck and ears. It’s not transparent, but lightweight enough to keep you cool. It wicks the sweat and dries quickly. Flatlock seams and tagfee collar ensure no chafing.
It runs small. Some reviewers also complain about sleeve length and the uncomfortable location of the thumb hole, so it might not fit any figure.
Check the current price here!
Best short sleeve hiking tops for women
Here’s a selection of great short sleeve shirts for hiking. I really don’t think there’s a bad choice, but you might have preferred fabric (and preferred budget), so I brought quite a couple of options. They are mostly for summer hikes and warm weather hikes, but you can also use them as a baselayer, especially the merino wool T-shirts.
Best for: everyday activewear
Columbia Essentials offer great budget-friendly activewear, and this short sleeve shirt is one of the versatile pieces. With UPF 50+ sun protection and a breathable, moisture wicking polyester blend fabric, it’s great for hiking, running, biking or any other sweaty workout. Or just a hot sightseeing day. The scoop back with the straps gives it a unique look, making it even more suitable for wearing in town. It comes with a price though: less skin coverage. So use sunscreen to protect the exposed skin on your back and neck on summer hikes.
Check the current price here!
Best for: wearing as a baselayer both in warm and cool weather
Merino wool is an expensive fabric, but this blend with nylon combines the advantages of merino wool (breathable, soft, odor-resistant, moisture-wicking) with extra durability. It feels very soft on your skin, and many people swear that nothing can be as comfortable as merino wool. With raglan sleeves and flatlock seams, wearing a backpack should also be comfortable. It offers some sun protection, too (UPF 20).
The other great thing about merino wool is that it’s just as suitable for warm and cold weather, because it’s excellent in body temperature regulation. It traps body warmth, so it can be used under other layers in cold weather.
Check the current price here!
Best for: backpacking in any kind of weather
This 100% merino wool hiking T-shirt is super comfortable, breathable and odor-resistant, just like any merino wool clothing. It’s equally great as a standalone wear or as a baselayer, which makes it suitable for any season.
The underarm gussets help with ventilation, and it doesn’t only dry quickly, but it keeps you warm while doing so. Offset shoulder seams prevent chafing while wearing a backpack, and it reaches well past your hips which is a great feature if you hike with a heavy multi-day pack, since the shirts won’t constantly ride up your back.
Check the current price here!
Best for: hot, sweaty hikes
A great synthetic blend (nylon and polyester) is the Lululemon Swiftly Tech T-shirt, with raglan sleeves and seamless construction to prevent chafing when wearing a backpack. It’s extremely lightweight and breathable, also surprisingly odor-resistant. Originally, it’s designed for running, but it’s just as good for hot, sweaty hikes, because it cools you down as it dries. For the same reason (and because it’s super lightweight) it’s not ideal for cooler temperatures, you find much better baselayers.
The slim fit can be an advantage, because it’s a really cute T-shirt for everyday wear, too, but some might find it uncomfortable.
Check the current price here!
Best hiking tank tops for women
I know some would say tank tops are just not suitable for hiking. It leaves you exposed to the sun (and the bugs!), and wearing a backpack is probably not that comfortable either. I don’t buy tank tops solely for hiking. But I have tank tops that I like wearing when running or simply on hot summer days, and sometimes I wear them while hiking, too. Mostly on short trails when I don’t hike with a heavy load.
So hike in sleeveless tops if that’s what you prefer. Just make sure to regularly apply plenty of sunscreen on your shoulders, neck and back areas that it doesn’t cover. But if you plan a longer hiking trip for the first time ever, also make sure to pack short sleeve T-shirts and lightweight long sleeve shirts, even if you have a strong preference for tank tops. Your preference might change as the trip progresses. 😉
This Smartwool sleeveless baselayer gives you all that makes any merino wool clothing extremely comfortable, and the racerback design allows the maximum freedom of movement. Being a slim fit, it’s just as great for summer concerts or for sitting out in the beer garden as for sport activities. It’s really the versatility and the feeling of freedom that I like in tank tops the most.
Check the current price here!
If you prefer non-racerback tank tops, this wool-nylon blend from Icebreaker could be a great choice. With a nice color pattern, it’s a lightweight and comfortable activewear and everyday wear that feels super soft on your skin.
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I’ve already praised the Lululemon Swiftly Tech T-shirt, and this is the same, just the tank top version of it. It has odor-treatment, a lightweight, durable fabric that lasts for years, and a slim fit that makes it a versatile piece in your wardrobe.
Check the current price here!
So when I was pregnant and in search of maternity clothing, two things were extremely important to me: comfort (obviously, since being pregnant is uncomfortable on its own) and versatility (I didn’t want to buy a ton of new clothes that I only wear for a few months). This athletic maternity shirt from AMPOSH suffices both. You can use it for any sports (and yes, pregnant women with a normal pregnancy can stay active), wear it on its own or as a baselayer, and you can also choose to buy it with short or long sleeves.
The polyester-spandex blend is durable, moisture-wicking, stretchy and comfortable, including not causing itchiness on the belly. It runs small, most reviewers recommend sizing up.
Check the current price here!
The things you should NOT wear while hiking
Denim and cotton materials. They absorb moisture and take super long to dry. It causes you to feel sweaty all day in hot weather and makes you feel cold in cooler weather. Of course, you wouldn’t go for a hike in jeans (oh, my, I did… long years ago when I haven’t really heard about hiking pants, but still; these days I can barely believe how it could’ve happened), but it also includes denim jackets, cotton underwear or bra.
No-show socks. They might look good, and you might like them for everyday wear, but hiking is different. You’ll walk a lot. You want socks that won’t bunch up in your shoe so that you have to stop to adjust them. Ideally, your socks cover your ankle and the back of your foot, and fit your foot perfectly. This is the trick to prevent rubbing, irritation and blisters.
Bras with clasps. There’s a reason you wear sports bras or tops with built-in bras when working out. Because the metal or plastic clasps on your bra are irritating when you sweat. It’s the same when hiking. I found it equally irritating when my bra clasps got unhooked accidentally when I took my backpack on (even better on a winter hike, with three more layers atop).
Sweet perfume or deodorant. You don’t want to attract all the bugs in the area!
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Originally published at https://ourwanders.com on June 21, 2022.