Best Wool Shirts For Performance On The Trail

The Icebreaker Tech Lite is our top choice for men’s merino wool tees, excelling in a wide variety of situations.

The Tech Lite is made out of 150 gsm Corespun merino that’s blended with nylon for extra durability. It also boasts a UPF 30+ rating for improved protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

At the same time, the Tech Lite is designed to be both odor-resistant and completely machine washable, so it’s a great choice for every-day use and frequent campers.

That being said, the Tech Lite is a bit heavier than some of its merino t-shirt counterparts, so it’s not great for very hot weather. Regardless, if all-around performance is your goal, it’s one of the best merino wool t-shirts available.

The Smartwool Merino 150 is an excellent choice for fast and light adventurers tackling ultralight mountain missions.

Crafted out of a 150 gsm merino blend, this men’s t-shirt is lightweight enough for summertime adventures. This merino tee is engineered with Smartwool’s Core Spun technology, which blends together nylon and merino fibers for enhanced durability.

It boasts a slim fit and a crew neck for added comfort as well as flatlock seams to reduce chafing after long days on the trail. Plus, it comes with Smartwool’s highly reassuring 2-year warranty, so you can feel confident in what you buy.

That being said, we’re not jazzed about the relatively high price point on this tee, especially since it’s not made from 100% merino. But, if you want a lightweight Merino top to keep you cool and comfortable on the trail, this model is hard to beat.

The REI Co-op Merino Crew Top is a super-soft crew-neck t-shirt designed to be your go-to midweight base layer in the mountains, perfect for any adventure.

REI crafted this tee out of 18.5-micron merino, which is both comfortable and capable of excellent body temperature regulation. It’s also 250 gsm in thickness, so it’s easy to layer under other garments.

This top also features underarm gussets for improved range of motion and has a drop-tail hem that’s made to stay in place under your pack’s hip belt. These small non-standard features may seem negligible, but they make a big difference to the top’s overall comfort and performance.

Some folks might find that this tee is a bit thick for summertime use, but that really depends on where you’re spending your summers! 

The MERIWOOL Merino 190 Base Layer is one of the most affordable men’s merino shirts on the market and performs almost as well as many pricier competitors.

One of the few merino t-shirts made from 100% merino wool, this tee is crafted out of 16.5-micron fibers for added comfort on the trail. This lightweight merino wool comes directly from Australia, too, so you can feel confident that you’re investing in quality gear.

Being 100% merino, this model is also naturally antibacterial and odor-resistant. That means you can go on a week-long trip without washing it and still not scare away all your friends in the process.

We ought to note, however, that this ultrafine merino t-shirt is less durable than some of the alternatives. Nevertheless, for such an affordable tee, it’s hard to beat in terms of overall value.

Blending style and functionality into one unique shirt, the Kari Traa Lokke Crew Top for women is a stunning merino wool long sleeve crew that every female outdoor enthusiast should have in their kit.

Made out of 100% merino wool, this 235 gsm top has an ultra-soft feel for increased comfort on the trail. It’s also capable of keeping you warm when wet and is naturally antibacterial.

The real showstopper with this top, though, is its sweet, Nordic-inspired pattern, which is perfect if you want to look good while also enjoying all the other benefits inherent to merino wool products (not all of which, we assure you, are quite so stylish!).

The downside? The Kari Traa Lokke doesn’t come cheap. For quality and style like this, though, the added cost might be worth it.

The Black Diamond LS Rhythm Tee is a long-sleeve shirt that provides a great range of motion without feeling restrictive.

One of the lightest long sleeves in our review, the Rhythm is made from 95 gsm Nuyarn nylon/merino fabric. Nuyarn is designed to stretch with you as you move, so this top is a great pick for buyers who plan on doing a little scrambling, climbing, or who simply like a little more “give” in their fabrics. 

This high-tech fabric is also very quick to dry, highly breathable, reasonably durable, and a fraction lighter than most of its competitors.

Like many other merino tee models on the market, the Rhythm isn’t exactly most people’s definition of affordable. Regardless, it’s an ultralight top that’s super comfortable to wear.

The Minus33 Algonquin Merino Short Sleeve for men is designed specifically for hot weather making it ideal for summertime mountain adventures.

The Algonquin is made with merino ethically sourced from sheep in Australia and boasts a 170 gsm fabric weight that affords outstanding breathability on hot summer days. It also uses 17.5-micron fibers, making it soft enough for all-day use.

Other winning attributes the Algonquin boasts include a UPF 25 rating for sun protection, and flatlock seams and a tagless label for superior comfort.

Closing caveat: the sizing of some of Minus33’s clothing can be a bit funky, so it’s important to check the company’s sizing charts before you buy!

The Icebreaker Merino Departure is a versatile shirt suitable for a night out on the town and is equally great for wearing on the trail.

This slick button-up men’s merino shirt is made from 150 gsm woolen fabric from New Zealand sheep, which means it offers amazing breathability. It also has a UPF 50+ rating to shield you from the sun’s harmful rays, so it’s a great choice for warm-weather adventuring.

Icebreaker designed the Departure so that it has underarm gussets. As a result, it’s one of the best merino wool button-up shirts out there when it comes to range of motion.

Of course, button-up hiking shirts aren’t for everyone, nor are they particularly great for your finances. But, if you want performance and style in one package, the Departure is a fantastic choice.

The Pendleton Long Sleeve Classic Fit Trail for men is breathable and cozy, making it perfect for shoulder-season hiking.

Although it’s not made from merino, the Trail is crafted from Umatilla wool, which is produced at a family-owned farm in Oregon, USA. This woolen top is naturally water-, odor-, and stain-resistant so it’s easy to layer for body temperature regulation. The Trail also comes with a set of Ultrasuede elbow patches for enhanced durability and a little bit of old-school style.

Woolen flannels like this are a bit too warm for summertime use, maybe, but if you’re in the market for spring and fall hiking shirt, this one’s well worth the investment.