Working in hot conditions without the correct gear is unpleasant and can even be a health risk: staying cool helps avoid heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Your employees need work shirts designed for the heat, which is why the best work shirts for hot weather are breathable.
What to Look for in Breathable Work Shirts
Breathable shirts for work allow evaporated perspiration to escape through the fabric to the outside of the shirt. This keeps the shirt wearer cool and dry. Cotton, polyester, rayon, and nylon are all breathable fabrics.
In addition to being breathable, the best work shirts for hot weather offer sun protection — check to see if the shirt has an SPF or UPF rating. Breathable shirts for work often feature moisture-wicking technology, which helps draw sweat away from the body to evaporate on the outside of the fabric. Anti-odor technology is also helpful, as perspiration can cause microbial build-up, affecting the shirt’s smell.
Breathable Work Shirts and High-Visibility
Breathable work shirts often play more than one role. In addition to keeping your employees cool, hi-vis breathable shirts help prevent accidents in low-visibility or high traffic areas. Check ANSI 107 standards for your workplace to choose the right visibility levels for your work environment.
The Best Work Shirts for Hot Weather
At Triple Crown Products, we offer a wide variety of breathable short- and long-sleeve summer work shirts. Below are ten of the best breathable shirts for work sites as diverse as construction sites, outdoor kiosks, and office environments.
- CROWN’s ANSI Class 2 Moisture-Wicking Safety Green Tee with Pocket
Made from 100% polyester birdseye fabric, the ANSI CLASS 2 Moisture Wicking Safety Tee with Pocket by CROWN offers a cool and comfortable fit for hot outdoor work. The shirt’s bright color and 2-inch reflective front and back strips meet ANSI 107-2015 Class 2 Standards, while reinforced shoulder and pocket seams ensure durability.
- CROWN’s ANSI Class 2 Cotton Rich Tee
The ANSI Class 2 Cotton Rich T-Shirt by CROWN is a breathable and flexible 55/45 cotton/polyester blend with segmented reflective taping. Cotton gives the shirt superior comfort while polyester fibers wick away sweat for a cool, dry fit.
- CROWN’s Performance Polo Shirts
The CROWN Performance Polo is one of the best work shirts for hot weather in environments where the need for high visibility is not a factor. This smart-looking polo wicks away moisture eight times faster than cotton, as does its companion, the Women’s Performance Polo. The polo resists fading, sheds wrinkles, and is built with a Flat Knit “No Curl” Collar.
- Long-Sleeve Carefree Poplin Shirt by Port Authority
The Port Authority Long Sleeve Carefree Poplin Shirt is one of the best breathable long-sleeve summer work shirts on the market. Ideal for office work, retail, and the hospitality industry, this budget-friendly shirt is lightweight with dyed-to-match buttons and a left chest pocket that’s the perfect location for an embroidered logo. The shirt’s companion piece, the Ladies Long Sleeve Carefree Poplin Shirt, allows you to outfit both men and women in complementary shirts.
- Red Kap’s Hi-Visibility Class 2 ANSI Ripstop Work Shirt
Red Kap’s 65/35 poly/cotton Ripstop fabric is ANSI Class 2 compliant and makes the company’s Hi-Viz Ripstop Work Shirt one of the best work shirts for hot weather offered through Triple Crown Products. This durable shirt is almost 35% more breathable and 15% lighter than traditional 100% polyester, and 75% stronger than other poplin workwear fabrics.
- The X-Back Breakaway Mesh Vest by PIP
The ANSI Type R Class 2 and CAN/CSA Z96 X-Back Breakaway Mesh Vest by PIP is ideal for railway workers, construction workers, shipyard crews, and municipal workers. The vests' breathable polyester mesh keeps workers cool, while 2-inch silver reflective tape keeps them visible.
- CROWN’s ANSI Class 3 Long Sleeve Moisture-Wicking T-Shirt
If you’re looking for breathable long-sleeve summer work shirts that are ANSI Class 3 compliant, consider the Long Sleeve Moisture Wicking T-Shirt with Pocket by CROWN. These shirts are available in Safety Green and Safety Orange, and are made from breathable 100% polyester birdseye fabric for a soft, cool fit.
- The Caterpillar ANSI HiVis UPF Hooded Banner LS Tee
The ANSI HiVis UPF Hooded Banner LS Tee by Caterpillar is ANSI Class 2 compliant and features both breathability and moisture control. These 100% polyester long-sleeve summer work shirts provide UPF 30 sun protection to protect against sunburn while keeping your employees cool.
- Under Armour’s Corporate Rival Polos
The Men's Corporate Rival Polo by Under Armour and its companion piece, the Ladies' Corporate Rival Polo, are made from light, breathable 100% polyester with moisture-wicking and anti-odor technology. Both polos are ideal for outdoor restaurant or retail work, as well as for kiosk staff.
- The Premium Breathable Jacket by OccuNomix
Hot weather doesn’t preclude the chance of rain — in some regions, wet weather is synonymous with higher temperatures. When you need a breathable high-visibility jacket that’s also waterproof, look no further than the ANSI Class 3 Premium Breathable Jacket by OccuNomix.
Finding the Best Work Shirts for Hot Weather
The ten breathable work shirts listed above are just a fraction of the many shirts offered by Triple Crown Products. Whether you need short or long-sleeve summer work shirts, contact us and we’ll help you choose the best work shirts for hot weather and high-visibility environments.