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.