10 Best CrossFit Shirts Tested & Fully Reviewed
You’ll want a shirt that allows mobility as you’ll be lifting, throwing, jumping, and everything in between. The best CrossFit shirts won’t constrict movement while also keeping up with it.
We spent hours researching many different styles, brands, and materials as well as reading reviews from consumers like you and we are confident we gathered the 10 Best CrossFit shirts that are currently on the market. Scroll through and check out the FAQs as well to get some answers to commonly asked questions. It’s all there to make your search easier.
- Under Armour Raid
- Under Armour Twist Tech V-Neck
- Nike Women's Dry Performance Athletic Training Tank
- Under Armour Waffle Long Sleeve Crew
- Nike Legend 2.0
- Under Armour Short Sleeve Tech
- Nike Pro Fitted Short Sleeve
- Reebok Women's Crossfit SS Graphic Training T-Shirt
- Baleaf Cool Dry Skin Fit Long Sleeve Compression
- Tasc Performance 365 Core Long Sleeve
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Fit
CrossFitters recommend looking for fitted to semi-fitted shirts for CrossFit workouts. Even if you are not ready for skin-tight gear or skimpy tank tops, snuggly fitting clothing will be more beneficial during any WOD. The variety of activities during any given workout will vary widely. Loose clothing can get caught on equipment and can get in the way during lifts. Looser fits can also fly up or roll up during jumping or inversion exercises. It is best to stick with clothing that is at least semi-fitted to avoid distractions and keep you focused on your workout. Bonus points for tighter clothing showing off your great CrossFit body.
Flexibility
CrossFit workouts consist of a wide variety of activities that necessitate an unlimited range of motion. Between kettlebell swings, rowing workouts, burpees and Olympic style lifting, maintaining flexibility across the shoulders, chest, and arms is crucial. Therefore, we looked for CrossFit shirts that have some elasticity to stretch with you through the demands of your workout. We also favored designs with ergonomic cuts and seams to keep your movements from feeling inhibited.
Breathability
At many CrossFit gyms, you will see your fair share of men shedding their shirt half way through their workout. However, for those wanting coverage for the duration of your workout, it is important to have a shirt that will breathe and not cause you to overheat. We looked for shirts with features for breathability including areas of mesh ventilation and lightweight materials.
Style
CrossFit gyms foster a sense of community among their members. There is a great sense of camaraderie in the workouts and you will likely find yourself chatting with other members. Of course, you are there to get in shape, but it does not hurt to look good for your CrossFit fam And you never know who you’ll meet at the gym! Unlike many other workout classes that are dominated by one gender, CrossFit has a pretty even representation between the sexes. So, there may be slightly more motivation to look good during your workout.
Feeling good in your clothing can improve confidence in yourself and in your workout. We looked for flattering fits and styles that you will be excited to wear. Practical considerations about color were also taken into account. CrossFitters may want to avoid whites and lighter colors as they pick up dirt from equipment and the floor more quickly than darker colors. Similarly, gray is not necessarily a great option as it is more likely to show sweat.
Value
There are many factors that play into the value of a good CrossFit shirt. We considered branding, specialization, and durability when it came to justifying the price tag and finding a good value. Either way, even the most expensive of these shirts won't break the bank, and from your very first burpee wearing your new gear, you'll be glad you made the investment.
Top 10 Picks
1. Under Armour Raid
This fitted shirt from Under Armour is ideal for CrossFit. The lightweight HeatGear material and perforated back help to keep you cool throughout your workout. Mesh underarm panels and 4-way stretch fabrication never inhibit range of motion. Men really love the comfortable and flattering fit for any type of exercise.
Read moreFit
The Men’s Raid Shirt has a body tight fit without the squeeze of Under Armour’s typical compression shirts.
Flexibility
The 4-way stretch fabric allows for maximum flexibility in this shirt. No reviewers felt their range of motion was limited.
Breathability
This lightweight shirt offers a lot in the way of ventilation. With mesh stretch panels on the underside and a completely mesh back, breathability is never an issue.
Moisture Wicking
Under Armour’s Moisture Transport System wicks sweat away and dries quickly.
Style
This fitted shirt is available in over 50 colors and patterns. The fit is flattering and the underarm panels create a slimming look. The mesh back appears to be more perforated than the front and is just slightly see-through in some colors.
Value
Under Armour shirts tend to be a bit more expensive than some other brands. However, users note these shirts wash well and offer more durability that the alternatives so they're worth it.
2. Under Armour Twist Tech V-Neck
This is a basic V-neck tee that can be worn with shorts or leggings. It has a flattering fit and wicks away moisture to keep you cool and dry through any workout. It has a looser fit that gives you room to breathe without being too loose.
Read moreFit
This shirt has a fuller cut that fits the body loosely. It has a flattering V-neck cut and is a bit longer, hitting most women around the hips. Reviewers feel confident wearing this top with both shorts and leggings and do not worry about it rising up with lots of movement.
Flexibility
The fabric does not have much stretch but the loose fit is not restricting.
Breathability
There are no added areas of mesh or ventilation. However, almost all users found the material to be very lightweight and breathable.
Moisture-Wicking
Under Armour is well known for its moisture-wicking materials and this shirt is no exception. Made of 100% polyester and featuring UA’s signature Moisture Transport System, this shirt handles sweat well and dries very quickly.
Style
This is a flattering, basic V-neck tee that can be worn for any workout with any pants or shorts. With over 20 color options, you can fill out your workout wardrobe.
Value
These shirts are a bit more expensive than some other polyester shirts but the material is softer and more durable than you may find with the less expensive brands.
3. Nike Women's Dry Performance Athletic Training Tank
This roomy, comfortable and breathable tank is effective and cute. It's perfect for your next workout and will keep you cool and dry during your entire workout.
Read moreFit
This shirt is roomy and looser fitting. It won't fly all of over the place but it also won't constrict you. It has a nice open back to keep you cool and show off your muscular back.
Flexibility
This shirt is 100% Polyester and a has a little stretch, but not much. It's meant to be roomy and loose fitting so watch for that when ordering your size.
Breathability
This shirt is not made from thick material so it is definitely breathable and will keep you cool and dry.
Moisture Wicking
This shirt uses Dry-Fit and Stay Cool Technology so your sweat won't weigh you down.
Style
This shirt is cute, stylish, flattering and it comes in lots of colors.
Value
The price varies by color and can range from average to pretty pricey but it's a Nike product, so that is expected.
4. Under Armour Waffle Long Sleeve Crew
Under Armour Waffle Long Sleeve Crew is the perfect pick for those that do their WOD in a colder box. It has a slight compression and wicks while staying soft to the skin. UA also designed this CrossFit shirt with anti-odor shielding so you can worry less about how your smelling and more about how your feeling.
Read moreSTYLE
Under Armour kept it all in the title, Waffle Long Sleeve Crew. Its long sleeve design makes it ideal for cooler boxes and temperatures. The compression sleeves help blood flow while the loser torso fit allows good mobility.
As we mentioned, it is also made with an anti-odor fabric that prevents smelly bacteria from building up while active. This really makes for a more attractive WOD. Furthermore, you can still just toss in the laundry and wash it as a normal shirt.
It is an all synthetic, super wicking and fast drying. It warms and keeps you free from drench while still leaving you mobile. The smart design of the UA Waffle Crew is becoming a favorite among CrossFit junkies. The softness is also a great option to use for a brisk walk, it comes in many colors and fits most fashion.
FIT
Although the UA Waffle Crew has a slight compression to the arms, helping blood flow, it also fits loosely in the torso and traps your body heat to help regulate temperature. The fabric does the magic by wicking away sweat and using it to work to your favor instead of saturating you and weighing you down
Under Armour Waffle Crew is a buffet of different textures, offering a waffle fabric design, ribbed cuffs, and scalloped hems. These small features make for a better fit in the wrists and prevent saggy hems. Furthermore, the fabric keeps you dry and even dries itself fairly rapidly.
BREATHABILITY
There is a lot going on with the simple looking design of the UA Waffle Crew and although it was made to use in cooler temps, it breathes really well and dries even faster. It doesn't make you sweat but it does use all your bodily functions to help keep you tempered during your WOD.
The synthetic material wicks away sweat and keeps you warm. Most would assume that since it keeps you warm that it holds in heat, rendering it less breathable. However, the unique waffle design uses wicking technology to keep you warm and allows the shirt to breathe and dry fast, giving you a solid functioning CrossFit shirt.
VALUE
You get all the goods in this Under Armour CrossFit shirt. It is priced well and offers you everything you need for a comfy WOD. It makes those colder days and Boxes more manageable while helping you stay dry. There isn’t much else you want, which makes this a great option at a great price.
5. Nike Legend 2.0
Nike is making a bunch of noise with their Dry-Fit technology so why wouldn't they make a near perfect CrossFit shirt with the same good stuff. Legend 2.0 wicks while softly laying against the skin, never compromising any comfort or mobility. Furthermore, with so many color options, you can get a color to fit any WOD.
Read moreSTYLE
Nike Legend 2.0 CrossFit T is short-sleeved and made ergonomically to give more natural mobility. It‘s sewn together with flat seems to keep away irritation and chaffing, offering a relaxed fit that also helps keep you cool.
It seems it’s all in the seams. The Legend 2.0 advanced the durability in the crew neck design by sewing in taping, giving the shirt more life from all the wiping and pulling. The material also dries rapidly while wicking the sweat from the body.
FIT
Made with a 100% polyester fabric, the Nike Legend 2.0 is soft and allows for all the movement while protecting the skin. It doesn't absorb and hold sweat, preventing it from clinging to the body. As we mentioned, the quick drying properties of the popular Dry-Fit fabric seriously eliminate sweaty issues that other shirts just can’t compare too.
What’s more, the relaxed fit allows air to break through and cool the skin while the shirt does its magic. All this technology and smart fit design are working together for the betterment of the active body. It is an all over well-made shirt that’s fit for CrossFit.
BREATHABILITY
This Dry-Fit we keep mentioning is the reason this very normal looking CrossFit T-shirt isn't so normal. Legend 2.0 is the epitome of breathability, the only thing it is missing is a pair of lungs. It “inhales” the perspiration then pushes it to the top of the material where the heat from your body aids in rapid drying- the exhale.
Pushing that heat through the material is the maximum airflow, which is due to the relaxed fit of the shirt. Nike knows purely that it is all in the details. They aren’t a top rated brand for lack of design knowledge in workout gear, and the Legend 2.0 reflects this.
VALUE
Rocking a simple Nike logo and a whole lot of Dri-Fit, The legend 2.0 is just another great Nike product. You’ll be able to move and not sweat the sweat from all the CrossFit insanity. It doesn’t cost a fortune and you can color coordinate your WOD wardrobe with the days of the week.
Legend 2.0 CrossFit shirt is quickly becoming a favorite among consumers. Therefore, we are pretty confident it’s gonna do more than enough to keep you moving, dry, and pushing reps without worrying about how your clothes are fitting. And we agree with the masses, making it a great neutral option on our 10 Best CrossFit Shirts line-up.
6. Under Armour Short Sleeve Tech
The Under Armour Tech Shirt is lightweight and very breathable. Made of 100% polyester it wicks sweat away from the skin and dries very quickly. It has a looser fit across the shoulders and torso than many of our favorite CrossFit shirts but it is slim enough to stay out of your way during lifts.
Read moreFit
The Under Armour Tech T-shirt has a loose fit that diverges from their typical compression gear. This shirt has a more fitted feel than you may expect from a loose fit. Most men find it is slim enough to keep excess fabric out of your way but still loose enough to breathe and provide more modest coverage.
Flexibility
The 100% polyester fabric does not have much stretch but the loose fit will give you enough room to move. Users do not note any limitations in range of motion.
Breathability
The entire shirt is made from thin material that users find very breathable. It does not have any targeted areas of ventilation but the loose fit and light weight make it perfect for hot workouts.
Moisture Wicking
Polyester fabric and Under Armour’s Moisture Transport System control moisture to keep you cool and dry through the toughest WODs. Men accustomed to cotton T-shirts are blown away by the quick dry time on these tees.
Style
This shirt has a more relaxed fit and is available in over 40 colors and patterns each with a large UA logo on the left chest.
Value
Price may range depending on color and size. Despite the very thin fabric, reviewers note these shirts hold up to machine washing and tough workouts without tearing or snagging.
7. Nike Pro Fitted Short Sleeve
This Nike Dri-Fit shirt has most of the same features as the Under Armour Raid but at a lower price. It fits snugly across the shoulders and is slightly looser around the torso but is still relatively form-fitting and stays close during workouts. It also features thin Dri-Fit material and a mesh back panel for breathability.
Read moreFit:
The fitted design skims the body without being tight like a compression shirt. This shirt is intended to have a tighter fit across the shoulders and chest with a slightly looser fit through the torso.
Flexibility:
The looser fit and low collar make this shirt easy to move in. Despite the snug fit across the shoulders and chest users do not feel range of motion is limited.
Breathability:
Back panel mesh and thin material provide excellent ventilation. Reviewers find this shirt works great for humid runs as well as at the gym.
Moisture Wicking:
Nike’s signature Dri-Fit Material wicks sweat away and keeps you dry throughout your workout.
Style:
The flattering fit of this shirt is great for most body types. It hugs in close around the shoulders and arms where most men have the most muscle and gives a little bit more space where they may be carrying more weight. It has a small Nike Swish just below the collar and is available in 10 colors.
Value:
The mesh panels and soft Dri-Fit material set this shirt above budget activewear and may be worth paying a bit extra for.
8. Reebok Women's Crossfit SS Graphic Training T-Shirt
This shirt is designed with CrossFit in mind. Strategically placed seams give you the same range of motion in the shoulders as a racerback tank with the coverage of a T-shirt. Women love this tight-fitting top for any CrossFit workout. It is on the more expensive side for a shirt and the CrossFit branding is very small.
Read moreFit
This shirt has a body-hugging fit with short sleeves for unrestricted shoulder movement. It runs a bit long in the torso and is great for wearing with shorts and leggings.
Flexibility
Ergonomic racerback seams and fabric with a bit of a stretch provides unlimited range of motion in the shoulders.
Breathability
There are no added panels for ventilation but the cotton and polyester blend is breathable and lightweight.
Moisture-Wicking
Polyester in this fabric works to wick moisture away from skin, keeping you dry. It also features anti-microbial Cubron fabric to fight odor.
Style
This shirt has a tight and feminine fit, with flatlock seams at the back, and cool CrossFit inspired graphics on the front and back.
Value
While this may be on the pricey side for a T-shirt it is designed with CrossFit in mind. It allows for full range of motion in the shoulders and has a slim fit that will move with you and never be in your way.
9. Baleaf Cool Dry Skin Fit Long Sleeve Compression
This long sleeve compression shirt works fits like a second skin. Thin moisture wicking material wicks moisture to the surface to keep you cool and dry. Elastane in the fabric provides great flexibility and gentle compression that may improve blood circulation and muscle recovery.
Read moreFit
This long sleeve compression shirt provides more squeeze than others on this list. The tight fit can be slimming and improves blood circulation and muscle recovery.
Flexibility
With 10% elastane in this fabric blend, this is a great option for flexibility and will allow you to move through any workout. Strategically placed seams also enhance mobility in shoulders and arms.
Breathability
There are not any added features for ventilation and the material is thin but not the most breathable.
Moisture-Wicking
The thin polyester fabric does do an excellent job of wicking moisture from skin for quicker evaporation.
Style
This shirt has a flattering cut with seams and compression fabric to create a slimming look. It is available in 8 solid colors with brightly contrasting seams.
Value
This compression shirt is very inexpensive in comparison to the better-known brands.
10. Tasc Performance 365 Core Long Sleeve
This women’s long sleeve is a great option for a CrossFit warm up and has UPF 50 for some added protection when exercising outside. Tasc’s MosoTech fabric blend is made up of cotton, bamboo viscose, and lycra to create a soft and silky feel with breathable coverage. Despite the snug fit, it has a nice amount of stretch and can be worn easily over a tank top.
Read moreFit
This long sleeve shirt has a slim fit that hugs the body without squeezing. Reviewers love the longer torso and long length of the sleeves as they do not roll up and stay close to the body during sets.
Flexibility
There is 5% lycra in the fabric blend to give this shirt a good amount of flexibility.
Breathability
The fabric is largely cotton and bamboo which makes for a very breathable and lightweight material.
Moisture-Wicking
Tasc’s MosoTech fabric blend has moisture wicking properties to keep you dry when you start to sweat.
Style
The fabric is thin and lightweight without being see-through. It has a flattering fit that is long enough to wear comfortably with leggings and is available in 6 colors.
Value
These shirts are a bit more expensive compared to your standard long sleeve. However, the high-quality materials and soft, lightweight comfort make this a great versatile shirt for any workout wardrobe.
Sources
- What NOT to Wear to a CrossFit Class, Web Article ,
- What You Should Wear For CrossFit, Web Article ,
- The Pros (and Cons) of Each Type of Activewear Fabric, Web Article ,