The 5 Best Undershirts for Men

In the heat of summer, a good undershirt is one of your first lines of defense against sweat stains. It's also a last resort, allowing you to strip out of your top shirt when things get really hot. And while it may seem counterintuitive, wearing one will actually keep you cooler. That thin cotton layer wicks the sweat from your skin, helping to regulate body temperature. But which one's right for you? It all depends on your needs (and budget). Herewith, some of the best from the dozens we've tried and tested.

Best All-Around

Best All-Around

Inspired by vintage Towncraft 50/50 undershirts from the '70s and '80s, these undershirts are made in the US from a soft, loose knit 50/50 jersey material. The featherweight shirt is ultra soft and the fit is trim, skimming the body without being clingy. It's got a generously cut collar which stays concealed under your button down and the length is just long enough to stay put when tucked.

$36 (for two) by RibbedTee

Inspired by vintage Towncraft 50/50 undershirts from the '70s and '80s, these undershirts are made in the US from a soft, loose knit 50/50 jersey material. The featherweight shirt is ultra soft and the fit is trim, skimming the body without being clingy. It's got a generously cut collar which stays concealed under your button down and the length is just long enough to stay put when tucked.

$36 (for two) by RibbedTee

Stretch + Moisture-Wicking Technology

Stretch + Moisture-Wicking Technology

This modern take on a classic undershirt has all the benchmarks you're looking for—a soft micro-yarn fabric, good stretch and breathability with moisture-wicking technology to keep you dry. There's also a built-in anti-microbial and deodorizing effect. It also comes in various shades including grey and beige, which are easier to hide under light colored dress shirts.

$9.90 by Uniqlo

This modern take on a classic undershirt has all the benchmarks you're looking for—a soft micro-yarn fabric, good stretch and breathability with moisture-wicking technology to keep you dry. There's also a built-in anti-microbial and deodorizing effect. It also comes in various shades including grey and beige, which are easier to hide under light colored dress shirts.

$9.90 by Uniqlo

Lightweight Luxury

Lightweight Luxury

Sunspel designed the undershirt Daniel Craig wore as James Bond, so it's not surprising that the British-made tees have a superior quality to them. What is shocking, though, is how the discreetly thin collar hides in plain sight and how light the two-fold Egyptian cotton feels under a shirt.

$65 by Sunspel

Sunspel designed the undershirt Daniel Craig wore as James Bond, so it's not surprising that the British-made tees have a superior quality to them. What is shocking, though, is how the discreetly thin collar hides in plain sight and how light the two-fold Egyptian cotton feels under a shirt.

$65 by Sunspel

The Second Skin

The Second Skin

Made from silky soft yet durable micro modal (a fabric derived from beech trees), this streamline style is cut to be form fitting, without feeling snug—which comes in handy when wearing slimmer-fitting clothes. Honestly, when you put it on, you forgot you're even wearing an undershirt. The tapered cut is designed to keep everything in place, promising "not to ride up, bunch up, or come untucked." And it hasn't. Not once.

$43 by Tommy John

Made from silky soft yet durable micro modal (a fabric derived from beech trees), this streamline style is cut to be form fitting, without feeling snug—which comes in handy when wearing slimmer-fitting clothes. Honestly, when you put it on, you forgot you're even wearing an undershirt. The tapered cut is designed to keep everything in place, promising "not to ride up, bunch up, or come untucked." And it hasn't. Not once.

$43 by Tommy John

The Hybrid

The Hybrid

Mack Weldon's "18-Hour Jersey" undershirt is made from a fabric that's one part long-staple cotton, one part modal with a touch of stretch. This makes for a slightly thicker fabric for those who prefer a more substantial undershirt. We also appreciate the forward shoulder seam, meaning no seams showing under dress shirts.

$32 by Mack Weldon

Mack Weldon's "18-Hour Jersey" undershirt is made from a fabric that's one part long-staple cotton, one part modal with a touch of stretch. This makes for a slightly thicker fabric for those who prefer a more substantial undershirt. We also appreciate the forward shoulder seam, meaning no seams showing under dress shirts.

$32 by Mack Weldon

Keep
a Spare
Around

For days when your undershirt is swampy by the end of work, keep a spare (or two) at the office. Change just before you head out and it'll feel as if you've showered.