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Best Men’s Merino T-ShirtProof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt

$78 Huckberry (Classic Fit)

Wool&Prince Signature Tee

$80 Wool & Prince (Crew)

Best Merino Wool T-Shirt for TravelUnbound Merino Merino T-Shirt

$95 Unbound Merino (Men's)

Best Women’s Merino Wool T-ShirtArtilect Utilitee

$90 Artilect (Men's)

I was born and raised in Southern California, land of the perpetual T-shirt. I think I was about 24 before I realized there were, in fact, shirts other than the T-shirt. Why would you want to wear anything other than a soft, comfy, short-sleeve T-shirt?

I used to wear cotton T-shirts, and I still do sometimes, but somewhere along the line I discovered merino wool. Merino wool is much more comfortable than cotton, and it’s thermoregulating, which means you'll stay cool even in the summer heat. The best part? You can wear merino T-shirts for days and they won't smell. These are the best merino wool T-shirts I've tried. For simplicity, I've linked the crew-neck versions, but nearly all of these are available as V-neck T-shirts if you prefer.

Want more than a T-shirt? Check out our full guide to all the best merino wool clothes. Once you’ve got your base layers sorted, be sure to read up on the Best Rain Jackets, Best Puffer Jackets, and Best Hoodies.

Updated April 2026: I've reorganized this guide, added new t-shirts from Merino.Tech and Wool & Prince, and a new section on caring for your merino T-shirts. I've also updated links and prices throughout.

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- Honorable Mentions

- Why Are Merino Wool T-Shirts So Great?

- Are Merino Wool T-Shirts Worth It?

- How to Care for Your Merino Wool T-Shirt

- How Long Can You Wear a Merino T-Shirt Without Washing It? Really?

- Best Men’s Merino T-Shirt

Courtesy of Huckberry

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Proof

72-Hour Merino T-Shirt

$78 Huckberry (Classic Fit)

$78 Huckberry (Slim Fit)

Huckberry's Proof-brand 72-hour Merino T-Shirt is my favorite all-around merino tee. The cut and style are not overly sporty, making it more versatile than some others, and it's incredibly soft even after six months of wear and washing.

At 87 percent 150 gsm superfine merino wool (16.5 micron) and 13 percent nylon, this T-shirt makes a great starter for those new to merino wool. There's enough nylon to be stretchy, making it suitable for everything, from everyday wear around town to a trip to the gym. The nylon does mean it'll smell sooner than 100 percent merino T-shirts (I find 72 hours to be a very accurate name), but it makes it a touch more durable than a 100 percent merino tee.

I also like that this shirt comes in a wide variety of colors, more than any other shirt in this guide. Proof uses the exact same fabric to make long sleeve tees, as well as polos and henleys, if that's your bag.

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Courtesy of Wool & Prince

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

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Wool&Prince

Signature Tee

$80 Wool & Prince (Crew)

$80 Wool & Prince (V-neck)

Wool & Prince's Signature Tee is a close runner-up for the best merino T-shirt. Like the Proof shirt above, the cut is casual and the color I tested (gray heather) did not have that shiny look that sometimes afflicts merino T-shirts. This shirt is hard to tell from your typical cotton tee, at least until you put it on. Once you do, it's much softer and more comfortable than any cotton T-shirt, and of course you get the benefits of merino wool. The Signature Tee is made of a blended fabric that's something like Nuyarn, with a 78 percent merino, 22 percent nylon blend. I wish the merino count were higher (Wool & Prince does have a 100 percent merino tee), but that's about my only complaint on this one. It's a soft comfortable T-shirt I can, and do, live in.

I've found that the Signature Tee resists odors quite well, especially for a blended shirt. I have no trouble going several days without a wash. It does seem to hold water a little more than some of the others, but not enough to matter much in most cases. Wool & Prince has a wide selection of colors and sizes available, as well as V-neck, long sleeve, polos, and henley versions.

- Best Merino Wool T-Shirt for Travel

Courtesy of Unbound Merino

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Unbound Merino

Merino T-Shirt

$95 Unbound Merino (Men's)

$95 Unbound Merino (Women's)

Unbound Merino's T-shirt has long been a favorite of WIRED readers. It's the most popular T-shirt in our merino guide and well loved by travelers. It's very soft, and because it's 100 percent merino wool it'll stay odor free longer than any other shirt in this guide. It's also lightweight and packs down to a tiny roll, which is perfect if you're looking to si

Best Merino Wool T-Shirts (2026): Ibex, Icebreaker, Unbound Merino | WIRED