12 Best Hiking Shirts for Women: Personally Tested for 2022

Are you looking for the best shirts for hiking? Well, I am here to help you with a thoroughly detailed guide on the best hiking shirts for women! I’ve been hiking and camping for the better part of my life and have used everything from old gym shirts to extremely fancy technical hiking shirts.

With two exceptions, I have personally tried and tested all the shirts for hiking listed in this post and therefore feel confident I can help you make the right choice.

If you already follow the blog, you’ll know I started wearing merino wool hiking shirts almost exclusively, so I’ve dedicated a section specifically to merino wool. That said, there are also excellent synthetic hiking shirts I still love so I still have some recommendations there too.

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Best Hiking Shirts for Women – Comparison Chart

Finding the best hiking shirts for women doesn’t have to be hard. Simply go through the comparison chart below, where I have neatly laid out all the key specifications and zero down on one that meets your requirement. Then you can jump down to the detailed hiking shirts reviews below.

Best Merino Wool Hiking Shirts

Picture	Name	Material	Style	Price Range
	Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Low Crewe	100% Merino Wool	Crew Short Sleeve Tshirt	$$$
	Icebreaker BodyfitZone Merino 150 Short Sleeve	83% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon, 5% Elastane	Raglan Short Sleeve Tshirt	$$$
	Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve	100% Merino Wool	Crew Long Sleeve	$$$$
	Cool-Lite™ Merino Sphere Short Sleeve Low Crewe T-Shirt	52% Merino Wool, 35% TENCEL, 13% Nylon	Crew Short Sleeve Tshirt	$$
	Smartwool Merino 150 Base Layer Top	87% Merino Wool, 13% Nylon Core	Raglan Long Sleeve	$$$

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Best Synthetic Hiking Shirts

Picture	Name	Material	Style	Price Range
	Arc’teryx Remige Sleeveless Top	100% Polyester	Crew Sleeveless Tshirt	$
	Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 T-Shirt	52% Nylon,  41% Polyester,  4% Elastane,  3% X-static nylon	Raglan Short Sleeve Tshirt	$$
	Arc’teryx Teama Shirt	100% Polyester	Raglan Short Sleeve Tshirt	$$
	Eddie Bauer Mountain Ripstop	100% Nylon	Button-up Long Sleeve Shirt	$$
	Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt	52% recycled nylon, 48% T400 polyester blend	Button-up Long Sleeve Shirt	$$$$
	Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Shirt	100% Polyester ripstop	Button-up Long Sleeve Shirt	$
	Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt	100% recycled polyester	Crew Short Sleeve Tshirt	$

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What To Look For in a Hiking Shirt

I love how much choice there is in hiking shirts, and given that I have tried out almost all types of hiking shirts, I also think I can dish out some advice on what to look for in a hiking shirt.

Style

As you would have seen above, hiking shirts come in different styles. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Here is a quick round-up for you:

Shirt	Tshirt
– Better coverage – Better protection against sun and insects – Excellent ventilation – More weight than t-shirts – More suitable for hot weather conditions	– Great versatility – Better freedom of movement – Raglan style prevents chafing – More lightweight than shirts – More suitable for cooler conditions with added layers on top

Sleeve Length

Sleeveless: Tank Tops or Sleeveless Hiking Tops leave you the most exposed to sun damage as well as insect bites. You should only wear a sleeveless tank top in really hot and humid conditions, on short day hikes. Plus, you should always opt for tank tops with wide shoulders like the Arc’teryx Remige Sleeveless Top to prevent chafing.

Short Sleeves: These are the most popular for their versatility and comfort. They rarely restrict movement and are easier to layer up as they do not bunch up under jackets like long-sleeved shirts.

Long Sleeves: Long-sleeved hiking shirts offer the most amount of protection against the sun and insects and hence work best in tick country hikes. Eddie Bauer Mountain Ripstop is my favourite for protection against ticks. But long-sleeved shirts are heavier than short ones, and hence most hikers prefer synthetic button-up shirts instead of merino wool long-sleeved t-shirts.

Seams

One of the biggest reasons why hiking shirts can feel uncomfortable is when they rub against your skin, backpack or top layers and cause chaffing. If you’re sensitive to chaffing, consider a hiking shirt that comes with a seamless construction like the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 T-Shirt or a Raglan style shirt that off-sets seams from the shoulders.

Material

The two primary types of material used to make hiking shirts are merino wool and synthetic fabrics (nylon, Polyester, etc.) Like with everything else, each type comes with some benefits and disadvantages.

My favorite merino wool hiking shirt is the Icebreaker Merino Tech Lite II Short Sleeve T-Shirt and my favorite synthetic hiking shirt is the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 T Shirt or the Columbia Silver Ridge Lite Shirt if there are bugs.

Merino Wool	Synthetic
– Naturally odour resistant – Super soft – A bit heavy than synthetic fabrics – Less durable – A bit expensive than synthetic fabrics – Quick-drying	– Needs odour treatment – Not as soft as merino wool – Lightweight – More durable – Affordable, less expensive than merino wool – Quick-drying

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Best Hiking Shirts for Women – My Top Pick

Best Merino Wool Hiking Shirt: Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS

This is a 100% merino wool hiking shirt that is durable, moisture-wicking, odour-resistant and oh so comfortable to wear. It’s a bit expensive, but in addition to hiking you can also wear it casually with jeans or leggings.

Best Synthetic Hiking Shirt: Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 T-Shirt

As I said above, I still prefer merino wool, however this is my favourite non-merino wool hiking t-shirt when I’ll be doing really sweaty hikes in hot weather.

Best Synthetic Long Sleeve Hiking Shirt: Eddie Bauer Mountain Ripstop

The lightweight shirt with its thick fabric is excellent for protection against ticks and mosquitos. I’ll usually bring a merino t-shirt to wear underneath and I put this on when going through brush or wooden areas that have bugs.

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Reviews – 12 Best Hiking Shirts in 2022

In this section, I will be reviewing 12 hiking shirts and discussing the benefits and unique features of each one of them.

I currently own every shirt on this list except for the Arc’teryx Remige Sleeveless Top and the Patagonia Sun Stretch. I don’t like wearing loose sleeveless tops, however, if that is your style I’ve included the Remige for your consideration. Likewise, I tried on the Sun Stretch and didn’t like it, but I know a lot of people do really like it so I’ve included it on the list.

The Icebreaker Tech Lite II SS Low Crewe is one of the best women’s hiking shirts. It’s made with 100% merino wool, so its naturally moisture-wicking and odour-free.

Its short sleeves, breathable material make it a great all-weather hiking t-shirt. The design is ideal for layering up in winters without the t-shirt feeling bulky. In summers, it works well on its own, thanks to its lightweight fabric and breathable construction.

The t-shirt uses an off-set seam pattern. This means that there is no friction between the seams and your shoulders, and you can easily wear it under heavy backpacks and thicker top layers. This is one of my regular-use shirts for backpacking.

Even though the design does not employ a nylon core, the body-hugging fit reduces the chances of the t-shirt stretching and getting stuck in pointy surfaces.

The merino wool t-shirt is a great fit for everyday use, thus, helping you get the most out of it. Also, its earthy colour tones look great in the outdoors and in town!

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The BodyfitZone Merino 150 Short Sleeve Tshirt is one of the best women’s hiking shirts by Icebreaker due to its excellent design.

The Raglan sleeves prevent any friction between the shoulders and the t-shirts. The merino fabric also regulates body temperature and works not only as an excellent base layer but also as a versatile t-shirt when used on its own for any kind of outdoor activity.

The use of elastane in the t-shirt gives the hiking t-shirt a snug and secure fit that prevents riding up or shifting when worn under additional layers (I actually don’t get to enjoy this feature because mine is a full size too big for me – you may be tempted to go up a size with merino wool – resist that urge!). In addition, I’ve noticed it’s stretched a little bit where the shirt meets my backpack hip belts.

The fabric’s breathability has also been enhanced using a smart use of mesh in certain areas to keep you dry. I find this is the best merino wool hiking shirt for warmer weather.

Overall, this is an excellent merino wool t-shirt for all-weather hiking use.

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There is a certain warmth and comfort associated with a good long sleeve hiking shirt, and the Merino 200 Oasis excels in providing just that. This is my #1 hiking shirt in autumn and early spring. The use of 100% merino wool regulated body temperature wonderfully, especially when you get sweaty going uphill. The shirt is great for use on its own or layered under a sweater.

The flatlock seams and the off-set shoulder seams completely eliminate friction. In terms of the fit, too, the t-shirt sits flat against your body and does not bunch up under layers or a pack. The overall fit of the t-shirt promotes full-body movement making it one of the best wool hiking shirts.

To allow excellent breathability, the t-shirt employs gusseted underarms. Plus, the natural odour-resistance of merino wool ensures that you feel clean and dry throughout. Thus, if you are a long-sleeve t-shirt fan, I promise you that you won’t find a t-shirt that beats the comfort, fit and performance delivered by this hiking t-shirt.

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The Cool-Lite Merino Sphere T-shirt is one of my most favourite t-shirts, so much so that I wear it casually more often than I wear it on hikes. Of course, this shirt doesn’t perform as well as the Raglan sleeve merino wool t-shirts listed above on hikes. But mind you, this t-shirt is still a fair contender for one of the best quick-dry hiking shirts.

This t-shirt uses a unique blend of merino wool, Tencel, and nylon, making it super lightweight, breathable, and yet packed with all the goodness (i.e. soft and comfortable feel) of a merino wool t-shirt. But because of the nylon mix, the t-shirt dries really fast and wicks moisture away in no time.

However, the seams on this t-shirt are not placed off-shoulder and can cause some chafing if worn under heavy packs. But for a casual day hike, you can easily rely on this t-shirt.

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The Smartwool Merino 150 Base Layer Shirt delivers all-around comfort. This merino wool hiking shirt uses a Raglan design to eliminate friction between your shoulders and seams. The stretch merrow stitching allows the t-shirt to sit flat on all body types. The female variant adds mesh in the right areas for enhancing breathability.

Thanks to its nylon core, it can stay hole-free for a bit longer than other merino wool shirts (this was the first merino wool shirt I owned that didn’t tear within the first season – it’s not been 3 years and it’s good as new!).

It feels super lightweight and supports a full range of body movements. Thus, this is one of the best hiking shirt for women for autumn or springs. The long sleeves, however, may make the shirt feel too warm in hot conditions.

Admittedly, I now prefer the Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Long Sleeve and mostly wear this one as a sleep shirt on backpacking trips. Part of the preference is because I’m now about 20 lbs lighter than I was when I first got Smartwool shirt, so it fits a little big.

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There are a few sleeveless shirts that perform well when hiking. Most sleeveless tops expose the shoulders and cause direct friction with the backpack. The sun protection on them is also not up to the mark, and hence, even though the tops are sleeveless, they are hardly fit for hiking in hot weather conditions. I don’t like wearing a tank top unless it’s extremely hot.

In which case, I think the Arc’teryx Remige Sleeveless Top does a really good job. This tank top covers the entire width of your back with its wide shoulders and a solid UPF 50 sun protection. The merrow stitch reduces the chance of chafing and rubbing as well. The design of this sleeveless tank top sits firmly on your body and doesn’t bunch up under the pack at all.

In terms of comfort, this breathable hiking shirt aces at wicking moisture and delivers a super dry feel. The weight of this t-shirt is also considerably lower than merino wool t-shirts.

Thus, if you are looking for the best women’s hiking shirts for hot weather and don’t mind trying out a stylish wide-shouldered crew neck sleeveless tank top, this design should be your numero uno choice.

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The Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve Shirt is designed for running but is still one of the best T-shirts for hiking. Over the years I’ve owned this shirt in a few styles and colours and have used it for a variety of trips.

The lovely blend of synthetic material also gives it a lovely stretch and shape that keeps the shirt in place while allowing you to move freely. The design also boasts of a seamless construction that eliminates the chances of chafing. The shirt barely moves or rides up even when used while climbing or hiking with heavy packs.

This T-shirt is also one of the most odour-resistant synthetic hiking shirts. It aces at preventing the growth of bacteria on shirts, and you can easily wear it on short or medium-length sweaty hikes that feel like a workout. I brought it on a 22 day camping trip and it didn’t smell. Now that’s impressive.

Thus, overall, this Lululemon T-shirt with its beautiful fabric blend is a delight for serious hikers and backpackers.

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There is something so attractive about a classic hiking shirt that no matter how advanced athleisure technology gets, I still get drawn to it. The Eddie Bauer Mountain Ripstop, in my opinion, is one of the most stylish campsite or hiking shirts available in the market.

The relaxed style of this shirt provides an incredible sense of relief when in the outdoors that is further accentuated by the moisture-wicking technology used on it. The shirt is also powered with a solid UPF 50+ sun protection. This shirt also comes with the option to roll-up shirts to help you adapt better to hot weather.

Despite the button-up style, its weight stays fairly low. In fact, I love how this shirt is perfect for tick country hikes. It is lightweight and breezy, and yet the material is thick enough to protect against ticks. Note that the merino long sleeve shirts above do not prevent mosquito bites!

What’s also impressive is that the use of Polyester prevents unnecessary creasing, and the shirt looks crisp even after prolonged use.

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A 100% polyester T-shirt is one of the best bets for outdoor activities that involve a lot of climbing, walking and moving. This T-shirt by Arc’teryx is a great mid-point between a dry-fit t-shirt and some of the best lightweight, long sleeve hiking shirts.

This is because, just like a dry-fit tee, this one also excels at moisture-wicking. It dries pretty fast, too and, like most synthetic shirts, weighs much lower than a full merino-wool T-shirt. Thus, for day hikes and short hikes in moderate weather conditions, this t-shirt will give you great comfort. But for hiking in slightly cooler conditions, you will long for the soft warmth of merino wool.

Nevertheless, if you are a fan of synthetic, you can top this t-shirt with layers, and the t-shirt won’t cause any chaffing or shifting thanks to its smart seam placement.

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If you are looking for one of the best lightweight, long sleeve hiking shirts, you should be checking out Patagonia hiking shirts. In fact, this shirt, one of the best women hiking shirts for hot weather.

It comes with solid sun protection, and the nylon-polyester blend renders it suitable for dry, lightweight, all-day comfort. But what makes this shirt particularly suited for hiking is that it is stretchy and enhances ease of movement. Plus, to prevent chin-chafing in windy conditions, the collar snaps keep the collar in place.

The shirt also possesses some unique features, such as hidden chest pockets that can store a compass, lighter and other essentials. It also comes with a hidden fabric for quickly cleaning your glass lens – a great add-on for hiking in rough weather!

That said, I find the shirt doesn’t offer the same ease of movement that the other two synthetic hiking shirts do. I tried it on and felt restricted in the arms and chest.

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The Columbia Silver Ridge Shirt is one of the most chic-looking Columbia hiking shirts. Unless you look at it closely, you won’t even realize it’s a hiking shirt, thanks to its clean buttons, collar, long sleeves and cuffs.

This isn’t a shirt I would have sought out myself, but my friend found it in my size at a second hand store and encouraged me to try it on. Wow, I am so glad she did. It was very comfortable, the material felt stretchy. It’s lightweight but still thick enough for bug protection.

In addition, the Omni-wick full polyester fabric that feels soft on the skin and wicks moisture surprisingly fast. The long-sleeves are perfect for protecting against harsh sun. But the shirt itself is also fortified with advanced sun protection.

Moreover, given that synthetic shirts aren’t naturally odour resistant, the shirt uses an anti-odour treatment that performs well in sweaty, humid conditions and stops you from looking for a short-sleeved alternative. I haven’t used the shirt in hot weather yet though, so I can’t vouch for this.

Thus, if you seek the comfort of a long-sleeved durable hiking shirt, you should try out one of these Columbia Women’s hiking shirts. If you don’t like the white one, you can opt for a slightly less dressy-looking colour.

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If you like cool hiking shirts to combat hot weather, the Capilene Cool Short Sleeve Shirt is perfect for you. To maximize air circulation, the t-shirt uses side vents and a scoop neck design. The simple loose-fitted set-in sleeves also enhance air circulation and allow full movement of the body.

To combat bad odour on sweaty, hot weather hikes, the shirt comes treated with an anti-odour technology that fairs adequately compared to other synthetic hiking shirts.

What makes this t-shirt even more awesome and perfect for hot weather hikes is that it is ultralightweight. The barely-there feel of this lightweight hiking shirt makes it compatible with other outdoor activities such as mountain biking, trail running as well. Thus, if you want more value for money than regular hiking button-up shirts, you should opt for this Capilene Cool Short Sleeve Shirt.

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Final Thoughts on Women’s Hiking Shirts

I hope you’ve found this post helpful! So which hiking shirt did you like from the list above? My personal favourites are the Merino Tech Lite II (merino T-shirt), the Swiftly Tech 2.0 (synthetic T-shirt) and the Mountain Ripstop (synthetic long sleeve). If you have any questions, please let me know!