T-Shirts

What is a functional T-shirt and its purpose?

In your clothing system, your T-Shirt is your first layer, or baselayer. When you’re being active in the mountains, this first layer is there to keep you dry and comfortable by absorbing excess moisture from the surface of the skin and wicking it away so that it can evaporate.

What to consider when choosing a functional tee?

What you wear will always depend on the weather, so select your clothing according to the intensity of physical activity and the season/conditions.

Hot weather:
Breathability is key – look for moisture-wicking, fast-drying, and cooling functional fabrics. Hemp is particularly effective in this respect.

Rainy weather (cooler):
Lightweight, long-sleeved functional T-shirts in merino or synthetic blends are a good choice.

Cold weather:
Consider a lightweight or midweight merino long-sleeved top that will work as a thermal baselayer.

Fit:
Your T-shirt should fit snugly, but allow you to move freely at all times, especially across the back and arms. We make T-shirts in a ‘regular’ and an ‘athletic’ fit with seams designed to minimize chafing and that work comfortably under a backpack.

Odour management:
Merino wool and hemp have natural odour-resistant properties, which help maintain freshness over a number of days, making them ideal for multi-day trekking or hiking trips.

We also treat many of our hybrid polycotton Dry'ton tees with a natural anti-odour finish.

Sustainability:
Salewa is committed to providing high-quality, durable mountain sports products that leave as little trace as possible in nature. For this reason, many of our T-shirts feature natural/ renewable materials and recycled content and we abide by the strict environmental and social standards of bluesign® and the Oberalp Chemical Policy.

Durability:
Technical tees have to be able withstand the rigours of mountain trails. Look for shirts made of durable materials that can withstand abrasions from backpacks, rocks, or scrub. High-quality shirts will last longer, making them a worthwhile investment and a more sustainable choice.

Which fabrics are good for a functional T-shirt?

Synthetic fabrics:
Polyester and nylon are popular choices due to their light weight and excellent moisture-wicking capabilities. Polartec® Delta™ tees, for example, will keep you cooler in hot conditions by increasing airflow for faster moisture dispersal and reduced saturation.

Merino wool:
Merino offers natural temperature regulation, keeping you cool in hot conditions and warm in colder weather. We often blend merino wool with Tencel™ lyocell fibres (made from wood pulp) for additional comfort and reinforce it with recycled polyamide for extra durability.

Hybrid blends:
We blend hemp with cotton to make soft, cool summer T-shirts, and use polyester with cotton to make our high-performance, moisture-wicking comfortable Dry'ton tees

What is the benefit of buying a functional T-shirt?

Functional T-shirts help you stay comfortable for longer, especially in the variable conditions that you’re likely to encounter in the mountains. Less technical fabrics, such as cotton, aren’t as effective at wicking moisture away from your skin and can lead to sweat build-up, which can quickly lead to overcooling.

Should technical shirts be tight or loose?

For hiking, trekking, and mountaineering, closer-fitting (athletic) layers wick away moisture more efficiently, while loose layers can leave you sweaty and prone to overcooling. But in warmer weather, say bouldering in the desert, you may want a looser, airier (regular) fit.