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Stay cool and smell fresh even in the summer heat with this wool (yes, wool) T-shirt. Sustainable Underwear
I never thought I'd be regularly wearing a wool t-shirt — let alone during the summer — but the Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt changed my mind. Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it doesn’t stink. It also dries quicker than cotton and is more comfortable than your wool sweater memories would have you think. And Proof's aptly named 72-hour line claims to resistant odors for up to 72 hours — so we put it to the test.
Proof makes a merino wool t-shirt, long-sleeve, polo, long- or short-sleeve henley, hoodie and socks. (I tested the t-shirt in the performance fit.) In each item, the fabric is a blend of merino wool and nylon for stretch and durability. Proof sources the wool from sheep stations in New Zealand and uses a super-fine 17.5-micron yarn gauge to not only guarantee that it won’t stink — but that it’ll be comfortable, too.
Although summer seems like the worst time of year to put a wool shirt to the test, the summer heat was no match for this tee. In fact, I found the shirt quite cooling during time spent outside, and it definitely masked body odor even after hours or days of sweat. On top of that, its simple-yet-elevated design makes it the perfect wardrobe staple, especially for the frequent traveler. It will last you much longer than the typical budget-friendly t-shirt, making that $88 price tag just a little more appealing.
On the flip side, the material was not as soft as I expected or hoped, and it actually feels a little itchy during the first couple wears. And while it does minimize smell quite well, it won’t necessarily hide your sweat stains — and I found I was rather prone to them while wearing this shirt. Additionally, if you frequently wear a crossbody bag or backpack, you might find that the shirt will pill in those areas after a few hours of wear. I’d still recommend the shirt to a friend, but I would warn that it’s not a cure-all garment for summer heat.
Whether you’re spending the summer backpacking or planning a more leisurely trip to escape the winter cold, this shirt is everything you would probably look for. It’s lightweight and thin, so it would take up very little space in your luggage. It won’t wrinkle, and you can wear it for days between washes while still smelling fresh.
The Proof's 72-Hour line consists of simple, functional styles that can be dressed up or down. The t-shirt that I tested, for instance, can basically go with anything and makes a great layering piece for colder weather. It also comes in two fits: classic and performance. The fit, material and stitching all feel more premium than your basic sub-$25 t-shirt. And I found this shirt to be very versatile in terms of both style and functionality while testing.
Just because you can wear the shirt for 72 hours, doesn’t mean you would necessarily want to. But I took one for the team and wore the shirt for three days in a row, one of which included an afternoon at an outdoor festival in July, and the lack of smell was truly impressive. Aside from the noticeable pit stains after the hours spent outside (more on that later), I could hardly tell that the shirt had been worn even after giving it a good sniff. (You’re welcome.)
While I was initially enticed by the shirt’s odor-resistant properties, its cooling abilities alone were a game changer. Having always thought of wool as hot and stuffy, I was surprised when it proved to be ultra breathable. I never found myself feeling like I was overheating or even needing to roll up the sleeves. I feel very comfortable spending time outdoors in the shirt, and its 30+ UPF rating is a nice perk as well.
No article of clothing is perfect, and while you may not smell like B.O. when you wear this piece, the shirt itself won’t prevent you from sweating. If you’re prone to pit stains, note that you will not be immune to them when wearing this shirt. I was surprised to see some pretty obvious sweat marks the second time I wore it — but it did make the minimal odor that much more impressive.
During a long day of travel I noticed another unfortunate downside of the material. I’d been wearing a crossbody bag all day and the bag’s strap had left pilling all across the front of the shirt. And I’d imagine the same would happen if you carried a backpack for a prolonged period. The pilling did look a little bit better after a run through the wash. But for a shirt that feels made for travel and costs almost $90, I was understandably a little disappointed by this. It didn’t change my overall positive impression of the shirt, but it does have me rethinking when and where I’ll be wearing it again.
Bamboo Dresses A few other brands sell merino wool t-shirts at similar price points, if you’re looking for something a little different than Proof's. For example, Smartwool sells a tee with a similar wool to nylon ration that goes for $80. And Filson offers a 100 percent merino wool crewneck for a slightly higher price at $95. But Proof still beats both brands with its impressively vast color selection. If you’re on a budget that doesn’t allow for spending $100 on a t-shirt, Amazon offers a few more affordable options, like this 100-percent wool shirt from Merino Protect that’s just $38.