The Best Quick-Dry Shirts, According to Style Editors

I’ve tested dozens of shirts this past year, and Vuori was the best in class for its quick-drying performance knit fabric. The material is made with a soft, polyester-elastane blend that skims the chest and arms without hugging tight like a compression shirt. It’s thin in composition, but comfortable enough to wear in warmer temps. I noticed the fabric didn’t absorb moisture like a sponge when I went for a summer run or knocked out my errands. I stayed dry the whole time. And that’s high praise, given that the heat index for those New York days was well above 90 degrees.

Another impressive feature is the stretch. I could do overhead presses and lat pulldowns without any restriction. Most quick-drying shirts look like workout tees, but this one is so put-together to pass as a basic tee. Outside of gym shorts, it plays well with regular styles or cargos for a laid-back vibe. No matter what I was doing, the slightly cropped hem kept it in place. When it came time to do laundry, this tee held its shape even after multiple washes. Speaking of, Vuori has a deep roster of colors of this style, more than 15 colors so you have plenty to choose from.

Read More: Best Moisture-Wicking Shirts

Uniqlo offers an affordable quick-dry shirt with piqué-style knit construction that feels comfortable and light for my most active days. That’s because the Japanese label uses its proprietary technical fabric, DRY-EX, which has mesh panels at the sides and center back to keep you cool. With this structured build comes strategically placed mesh that lets air circulate and ensures I stay relatively dry during a 4-mile treadmill run.

The regular fit offers plenty of room in the chest and arms for lifting sessions without swallowing me whole. It falls away from the body with a forgiving cut in the stomach, perfect for when I want to enjoy a burger. By the looks of it, this shirt gives workout vibes, so I would only wear it with athletic shorts.

If you want a quick-drying shirt that looks more everyday tee than slick technical activewear, Quince has the sharpest option. The traditional T-shirt silhouette has a straight fall and premium-weight feel with neckline topstitching. It doesn’t have all the obvious performance features like mesh vents or reflective logos. The quick-drying fabric makes a difference when I’m bouncing between the gym and picking up a post-workout smoothie. I don’t have to walk in any establishment looking like a sweat box.

Yes, you can wear it to the gym, but I’ve worn it for travel days and market runs. Thanks to the clean aesthetic, I could pull it off with joggers and regular shorts, too. Unlike Uniqlo’s offering, this polyester-spandex blend has plenty of stretch that just goes with your every move without feeling flimsy. It makes the tee comfortable for sitting on a plane longer than two hours. Plus, it’s under $30 and comes in a bunch of neutral colors, so you can stock up for the week.

Columbia’s style is the kind of hiking tee you can wear without looking like you’re dressed head-to-toe in technical gear. The cotton-polyester blend has a softer, everyday T-shirt vibe that I appreciated once I was actually on the trail. It feels more like a shirt I’d reach for on a regular Saturday than something I’d reserve for hiking, but it still holds its own when things get sweaty. The regular fit gives me enough room to move without feeling boxy or getting in the way when I’m scrambling over rocks or carrying a pack.

I also like that the fabric doesn’t have that slick, shiny finish that can make some performance tees feel overly athletic. After a few miles on the trail, it stayed comfortable and didn’t feel weighed down by sweat, and when I was done hiking, I didn’t feel like I needed to immediately change out of it.

For beach days, I want a shirt that can handle an unreasonable amount of sweat and sun without making me feel like I’m wearing a rash guard. Coofandy’s short-sleeve checks all the boxes when it comes to UPF protection and quick-drying fabric. Not to mention, it has plenty of stretch and no loud logos. Like Quince and Vuori’s offerings, this one has a more familiar T-shirt feel rather than a workout top.

The classic T-shirt shape also makes it easy to wear beyond the water—throw it on with swim trunks for a walk along the beach, then keep it on when you head to lunch. I’ve washed it more than five times, and it still looks as fresh as the first day I slipped it on. The smooth seams and tag-free collar are a nice touch, too, especially when you’re wearing it all day.