6 Best Plus Size Odor Resistant Tshirts That Handle Sweat and Long Miles

You’re three miles into a steep, humid climb, and your cotton t-shirt is plastered to your back like a wet dishrag. Every time you adjust your pack, you feel the cold, clammy fabric. By the time you reach the summit, you’re not just tired—you’re uncomfortable, and the shirt is already starting to smell. A high-performance hiking shirt, especially one designed to fit and flatter a plus-size body, isn’t a luxury; it’s a critical piece of gear that transforms your comfort and morale on the trail.

Disclosure: This site earns commissions from listed merchants at no cost to you. Thank you!

What to Look For in a Plus-Size Hiking Tee

Before we dive into specific shirts, let’s talk about what actually matters when you’re choosing a technical tee. The goal is a shirt that disappears when you’re wearing it, letting you focus on the view, not on chafing or feeling self-conscious. The three pillars are fabric, fit, and features.

Fabric is your first major decision. You’re generally choosing between Merino wool and synthetics like polyester or nylon. Merino wool is the undisputed champion of odor resistance and temperature regulation—it keeps you cooler when it’s hot and warmer when it’s cool, even when damp. Synthetics, on the other hand, are more durable, dry much faster, and are usually less expensive.

Fit is everything, and this is where many brands fall short in plus-sizing. A good fit isn’t just about making a small size bigger; it’s about thoughtful design. Look for ample room in the shoulders, bust, and hips without being baggy, and a hem that’s long enough to stay tucked or not ride up under a pack’s hip belt. A shirt that fits you properly is the single most important factor in preventing chafing. Finally, look for features like flatlock seams (which don’t rub under pack straps) and a good UPF rating for sun protection.

Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino 150 Tee

Picture this: you’re on a three-day backpacking trip and can only pack one shirt to hike in. This is where Merino wool shines, and the Smartwool 150 is a benchmark. It’s made from a lightweight Merino blend that breathes exceptionally well on hot climbs but offers a touch of warmth when the sun dips behind a ridge.

The real magic is its natural odor resistance. You can wear this shirt for days of hard hiking, and it will smell remarkably fresh compared to any synthetic. This is a huge morale booster on long trips. The tradeoff? Merino is pricier and less durable than polyester. You’ll want to be careful with it around sharp branches or abrasive pack straps, but for multi-day comfort, it’s tough to beat.

Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily for Versatility

If your adventures are a mix of everything—sweaty day hikes, paddles on the lake, and maybe even a trail run—the Capilene Cool Daily is your do-it-all workhorse. This is a synthetic tee, so its primary job is to wick moisture away from your skin and dry in a flash. It excels at this, making it a fantastic choice for humid climates or activities where you know you’re going to get soaked, either from sweat or a sudden downpour.

Patagonia treats this shirt with HeiQ® Pure odor control, which does a respectable job of keeping funk at bay for a day or two. While it won’t compete with Merino on a week-long trip, it’s more than enough for a weekend. It also boasts a high UPF rating, making it a go-to for exposed, sunny trails. It’s a reliable, versatile, and often sustainably made option that handles nearly any day-trip scenario.

REI Co-op Sahara T-Shirt for Hot Weather

You’re facing a hike in the desert Southwest in July or a humid slog up an Appalachian peak in August. In these conditions, your only goals are to stay cool and protected from the sun. The REI Sahara T-Shirt is purpose-built for this exact environment. It’s an incredibly light, airy synthetic that prioritizes breathability above all else.

The fabric is designed to pull moisture off you and let any breeze pass right through, providing immediate cooling relief. It also has a UPF 50+ rating, which is essential when there’s no tree cover. The Sahara is a specialized tool. It’s not the most durable shirt against rock scrapes, nor is it the warmest, but when the mercury soars, its performance is a lifesaver. It represents a fantastic value for a high-performance, hot-weather piece.

Outdoor Research Echo for Ultralight Comfort

For the minimalist backpacker counting every gram or the trail runner who wants to feel like they’re wearing nothing at all, the Outdoor Research Echo is a legend. This shirt is astonishingly lightweight and breathable. The fabric feels silky against the skin and wicks sweat so efficiently it feels like it evaporates on contact.

The Echo series also features ActiveFresh™ odor control and excellent sun protection, making it a true high-performance piece. But this ultralight performance comes with a significant tradeoff: durability. The featherweight fabric is more susceptible to snags and abrasion than heavier materials. It’s a choice for those who prioritize a barely-there feel and low pack weight over long-term ruggedness.

Icebreaker Tech Lite II for Merino Softness

If you’ve ever found some Merino wool to be a bit itchy, the Icebreaker Tech Lite II might change your mind. Icebreaker is renowned for using exceptionally high-quality, soft Merino fibers that feel fantastic next to the skin. This shirt delivers all the classic Merino benefits—amazing temperature regulation and multi-day odor resistance—in a package that feels more like a premium cotton tee than a technical layer.

This is an investment in pure trail comfort. It’s the kind of shirt you put on for a week-long trek and forget it’s even there. Like all Merino, it requires a bit more care and is less durable than a synthetic alternative, but for those who prioritize a soft feel and odor-free performance, the Tech Lite II is a top-tier choice.

Alder Apparel Go-Farther Tee for Inclusivity

Sometimes the most technical feature is a fit that actually works. Alder Apparel was built from the ground up with inclusive sizing and intentional design for a wide range of body types. The Go-Farther Tee isn’t just a standard shirt made in a larger size; it’s designed with details like a comfortable drape and a length that provides coverage without getting in the way.

Often made from soft, breathable, and sustainable materials like TENCEL™ Modal, this tee offers incredible comfort. It might not dry as fast as a pure polyester shirt or resist odor like a Merino one, but it excels in fit and feel. It’s a perfect choice for day hikes, car camping, and for anyone who has felt that traditional outdoor brands just don’t get their fit right.

How to Choose: Fabric, Fit, and Features

Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. Choosing the right shirt comes down to prioritizing what matters most for your adventures. Let’s break it down into a simple framework.

First, fabric is a choice of priorities.

• Merino Wool: Choose this for multi-day trips where odor resistance is your top concern. It’s also the best for regulating temperature across a wide range of conditions.
• Synthetics (Polyester/Nylon): Choose this for durability, fast-drying performance, and value. It’s ideal for hot, humid weather, water activities, or if you’re tough on your gear.

Second, fit is non-negotiable. A perfect fabric in a shirt that chafes is useless. Always read reviews from other plus-size hikers. A shirt with a great fit and a decent fabric will always beat a shirt with a perfect fabric and a poor fit. Look for brands that design specifically for plus sizes, not just grade up from a smaller pattern.

Finally, consider the key features. Look for flatlock seams to prevent rubbing under your pack straps and a UPF rating of 30+ if you hike in the sun. Little details like a slightly longer hem can make a big difference in comfort when wearing a pack. Your perfect shirt is the one that balances these three elements for the trails you love to hike.

In the end, gear is just a tool to help you have a better time outside. Don’t get paralyzed by finding the "perfect" shirt. Find one that fits you well, feels good, and meets the basic needs of your environment. The best shirt is the one you’re wearing when you’re watching the sunset from a hard-won viewpoint, feeling comfortable and strong. Now go hit the trail.