Outdoor t-shirts and performance tees are often combination t-shirts and tees that many outdoor and performance brands center their range around. For brands building outdoor collections, and for buyers looking for the right base layer or active top for the right activity, it’s worthwhile to understand the different types of outdoor t-shirts available. Casual t-shirts that are made of cotton are made for comfort and t-shirts designed for outdoor performance are made to be built to last and endure the elements and the environment. Performance t-shirts are made to last and endure the elements and the environment.
Outdoor T-Shirts vs Everyday T-Shirts
When it comes to activities that involve spending extended time outdoors, many people underestimate the differences that specialized outdoor performance t-shirts and everyday t-shirts bring. It begins with performance outdoor t-shirts; the next step is understanding the various types of outdoor performance t-shirts available.
The Issue with Cotton in Outdoor Performance Tees
Everyday cotton t-shirts are comfortable, and are ideal for everyday use, but during activities that require extended periods outdoors, they’re problematic. Everyday cotton t-shirts trap moisture. During outdoor activities, they get wet, become cold, and stay against your skin. In variable weather, and in t-shirts that trap moisture against your skin, heat loss can be substantial, and the risk of hypothermia can become a very real concern.
Moisture management is the first thing an outdoor t-shirt must do. It must pull the sweat away and dry it before it sticks to the body. Every outdoor t-shirt has a different fabric technology and construction method to meet this requirement.
What Makes a T-Shirt Genuinely Suitable for Outdoor Use
A t-shirt truly suitable for outdoor use must have a combination of several different properties. These include moisture-wicking and quick-drying, breathability, durability, and odor management. The incorporation of UPF sun protection is becoming essential as outdoor t-shirts are used for more extended outdoor activities in the sun.
There is a great variety of outdoor t-shirts in the marketplace. Each T-shirt has been designed with a different technology for different activities, environments, and performance needs. This variety gives an opportunity to brands to build product ranges with differentiated outdoor use outside of the competition.
Merino Wool Outdoor T-Shirts
No other outdoor t-shirts compare to the performance of merino wool. Merino wool makes backing t-shirts to support multi-day trips without the ability to wash a preferred choice. Merino wool outdoor t-shirts support the best t-shirt performance after a few days without a wash because merino wool is naturally wicking, soft, and resists odor.
Merino wool supports the best t-shirt performance while helping the body lose and conserve heat during strenuous and light activities. This quality of merino wool makes the outdoor t-shirt ideal for various activities that can involve a t-shirt’s performance being exposed to the elements.
Merino wool’s quality comes at a price. Merino wool is less abrasion resistant than synthetic t-shirts. The end users will find holes at the t-shirt’s edges, underarms, and areas that have the most contact with the backpack. Our merino wool t-shirts feature various weights and constructions at our outdoor tees manufacturing team. Please reach out to us for assistance with your merino t-shirts.
Synthetic Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts
In the outdoor t-shirt market, the leading type of moisture managing t shirts are synthetic t shirts made of manufactured fiber (often polyester or polyester with other blends) moisture managing fabrics). Synthetic moisture managing t shirts use capillary action of the fibers to transport sweat away from the skin, distribute the moisture over a larger area of the fabric, and allow evaporation of the moisture to take place. This process keeps the user dry during prolonged periods of intense activity.
Synthetic moisture managing t shirts dry faster than their merino wool counterparts. Their moisture managing capabilities are highly required for activities that are more intense than the average, like trail running or skiing. For activities that are intense and continuous, the ability to dry is more important than the ability to manage odor over several days.
Synthetic moisture managing t shirts are also more durable and more resistant to abrasion than t shirts made of merino wool. This superiority in fabric integrity is especially important when the t shirt will be in contact with rough or abrasive surfaces. If your brand is developing high performance t shirts for high-intensity outdoor activities, contact our outdoor tees manufacturing team today.
Merino-Synthetic Blend T-Shirts
Merino-synthetic blend outdoor t-shirts offer a combination of the natural odor-resistance and temperature-regulation of merino wool (along with the performance fading of wool) with the robustness and quick-dry of synthetic fibers (with the performance fading of synthetics). This results in a better performance blend. These t-shirts are typically constructed from a merino-polyester or merino-nylon blend with a ratio of 80/20 to 60/40. They are a great option to pure merino t-shirts and offer a significant improvement to the merino t-shirt’s fading of odor and feeling.
Merino-synthetic blend tees also occupy a good market segment in the outdoor t-shirt market. They provide a great performance balance with a cost that is lower than a pure merino t-shirt. In addition to the great performance balance, merino-synthetic blend tees allow for the completion of a variety of outdoor activities. These blend tees can be used for t-shirt activities that are completed over the course of days (without the t-shirt being cleaned) and that can also be used for t-shirt activities that are completed outdoors to test the limit of the t-shirt.
Our hiking clothing manufacturing team develops merino-synthetic blend tees along with a full range of hiking clothing to ensure that all apparel used on the hiking trails is consistent in both fabric and price placement in the market. Please feel free to contact us to begin the development process.
UPF Sun Protection T-shirts
These t-shirts are specially designed to protect people from UV radiation. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. This is rated to see how much UV radiation a fabric allows to come through to the skin. For example, fabrics rated at UPF 30 would be considered good, while UPF 50 ratings indicate that a fabric would block more than 98% of UV radiation.
Sun protection t-shirts are essential for outdoor activities that take place at higher altitudes. UV radiation is more intense at higher elevations than at lower altitudes. Springtime ski activities, hiking, and t-shirt activities that take place in water and in the desert all expose people to UV radiation in ranges that protection is inadequate from a regular t-shirt.
Long sleeve t-shirts that are rated for UPF protection cover the arms and are especially effective at providing protection from the sun. Sunscreen must be reapplied consistently, but t-shirts are a more effective and convenient form of protection. For companies that are creating camping apparel, t-shirts that are rated for UPF protection are an excellent opportunity for a functional design in a competitive space.
Trail Running Performance T-shirts
These t-shirts are at the highest end of outdoor performance apparel design. They are for people who have very high levels of perspiration while running outdoors. These t-shirts are designed to be as lightweight and breathable as possible.
Moreover, trail running t shirts have a lightweight and breathable synthetic construction, featuring mesh panels for ventilation during high intensity efforts. These are typically designed with an athletic cut and a close fit to reduce excess fabric which may move and cause chafing on long runs.
Furthermore, flatlock seaming is a construction technique that significantly reduces chafing for long runs, and is highly desirable to serious trail runners. This type of seaming presses the seam allowances flat, and uses a flat stitch to eliminate the ridged effect of an overlock seam that moves against the skin. Our team of outdoor t shirt manufacturers uses technical mesh and flatlock construction in their trail running t shirts. Get in touch with us to discuss your requirements for trail running apparel.
Base Layer T shirts
Base layer t shirts, unlike other types of outdoor t shirts, are designed to be the innermost layer of clothing while outdoors. Base layer t shirts have the ability to control moisture and temperature to serve their purpose of transporting moisture from the skin to the outer layers of the clothing system.
Base layer tees pull in the moisture from the rest of the system. A moisture-wicking base layer tee helps the mid-layer fleece and shell work even better because a dry base layer wicking moisture retains its insulating properties.
Base layer tees come in different weights. Lightweight base layer tees are for high-output activities in cool weather, while midweight base layer tees are for moderate activities in cold weather, and heavyweight base layers are for low-output activities in extremely cold weather. Along with the right material, choosing the right weight is as important as activity level for low and high impact activities.
Recycled and Sustainable Performance types of outdoor t-shirts
The newest development types of outdoor t-shirts is the combination of t-shirts with recycled materials and sustainable materials. The latest trend in the outdoor apparel industry is outdoor t-shirts with a technical performance t-shirt with recycled materials and sustainable materials. Recycled polyester t-shirts made with post-consumer plastic bottles lessen the carbon footprint and resources while maintaining the durability, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying essentials of polyester.
Another option for premium sustainable outdoor tees is the use of post-industrial wool textile waste combined with recycled merino wool. Brands can also offer blends of organic cotton that are certified through GOTS, providing a sustainable option for natural fibers and meeting customers’ preferences for organic materials.
At EcoJersey, we combine tactical outdoor apparel manufacturing and outdoor tee production with a complete line of certified sustainable fabrics. Contact us to learn how you can add sustainable options to your outdoor t-shirt line while maintaining the performance standards your customers expect.
Key Features to Compare Across Types of Outdoor T-Shirts
When assessing the performance and marketability types of outdoor t-shirts to buy or produce, particular features are critical for each type and application:
Moisture Management – The speed that moisture is drawn away and the speed the fabric dries impacts performance for high-output activities. Rapid drying synthetics and odor management over multi-day use merino.
Odor Resistance – The natural odor resistance of merino wool is preferable to synthetics which require antimicrobial treatments that wash out over time.
UPF Rating – A rating of UPF 30 is sufficient for general outdoor use. For multi-day activities in an exposed environment, a rating of UPF 50 is preferable
Fabric Weight – Lightweight active performance t-shirts are in the 130-160 GSM range; general outdoor use t-shirts in the 160-200 GSM range; warm base t-shirts are 200 GSM and above.
Seam Construction – General use t-shirts can have standard overlock seams, while t-shirts for high-output activities and sustained motion use flatlock seams.
Durability – For high-wear and contact areas on a t-shirt, merino blended with synthetics has the greatest abrasion resistance
Sustainability Credentials – Innovative outdoor ranges use recycled polyester, blends of recycled merino with genuine organic certification, and other natural fibers.
Building an Types of Outdoor T-Shirts Range for Your Brand
Of all the apparel categories, types of outdoor t-shirts have the greatest versatility and accessibility for commercial opportunity.
A versatile outdoor tee range offered across multiple styles featuring functional differentiation can encompass merino wool tees for multi-day backcountry adventures, synthetic tees for high-output activities, and merino wool tees with UPF sun-protection for warm weather and high-altitude activities. Such a range can cater to multiple customer segments.
Moreover, the addition of outdoor tees and complementary outdoor layering systems, such as outdoor fleece and softshell jackets, can provide your customers with outdoor gear to meet their needs for every season and every outdoor customer, and can help improve the average order value.
Would you like to get your outdoor t-shirt and performance t-shirt range into production? Get in touch with our expert in types of outdoor t-shirts manufacturing. Our teams offer an outdoor t-shirt range expertise from fabric selection and design services, to bulk t-shirt production with guaranteed quality and delivery.
Conclusion
Today’s range of types of outdoor t-shirts is extensive in terms of the technology and offers a wide choice commercially, and goes from premium merino wool t-shirts that can be worn on multi-day backcountry trips, to ultra-light synthetic t-shirts that are great for trail running, to UPF sun protection t-shirts that are suitable for open and high-altitude activities. Understanding the various offerings that are available, and how they differ, gives outdoor brands the ability to create focused and commercially viable outdoor ranges for their customers. It also helps customers select the outdoor tee that is best suited for their activity, conditions, and intended multi-day use.
When designing performance tees, knowing the application and context of the various types of tees on the market is essential so you can avoid any pitfalls during the selection process.
If you’re looking to develop a collection of outdoor t-shirts, check out the full range of outdoor tees manufacturing services and get in touch with us to kickstart the process.
FAQs
What is the best fabric for types of Outdoor T-Shirts?
For high-performance, multi-day outdoor activities, merino wool is the best option since it regulates temperature and naturally resists odor. For durability and fast drying for high-intensity, single-day activities, synthetic polyester is best. For a balance of each performance profile, consider merino-synthetic blends.
Why should I avoid cotton t-shirts for outdoor activities?
During outdoor activities, especially those involving higher levels of exertion, cotton t-shirts trap moisture and humidity. This, coupled with the reduced insulation of the cotton after it absorbs moisture, can result in a dangerous hypothermia risk.
What UPF rating do I need for high-altitude outdoor activities?
For outdoor activities at high altitudes where there is extended sun exposure, a minimum UPF 50-rated t-shirt is recommended. This is because typical, everyday t-shirts would not provide adequate protection at a lower altitude for a full day outdoors.
What is flatlock seaming, and why is it important in trail running tees?
A flatlock seam stitch flattens seam allowances and completely flattens the seam, which makes the seams almost completely disappear and drastically reduces friction. This technology helps overcome one of the most difficult issues in trail running and creates a more enjoyable experience for running athletes.
