The T-shirt is a staple of the outdoor enthusiast’s wardrobe, and nowadays many clothing makers offer T-shirts made of synthetic fabrics that wick away sweat and dry quickly. Some also claim to mask body odor.

The Echo Tee

I’ve tried T-shirts from a number of manufacturers, including Outdoor Research, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Mountain Hard Wear, and they all have proven satisfactory. If you’re working hard, the shirts won’t wick sweat as fast as you produce it, but they do indeed dry fast. As far as masking stink, my hiking partners are skeptical.

While I like all my T-shirts, I want to single out one for special mention: the Echo Tee made by Outdoor Research.

I tested the Echo a few years ago as one of OR’s Lab Rats and liked it so much that I have bought three others. OR says the AirVent fabric wicks sweat and provides sun protection, while its Polygiene odor control “keeps it fresh whether it’s your second or tenth day out.” The company also says the shirt’s flat seams reduce chafing.

But what really sets the Echo apart is its lightness: it weighs a mere 3.2 ounces. In comparison, OR’s Sequence Tee (which I also own) weighs 5.8 ounces. I love the Echo when trail running on a summer day: it’s as though I’m wearing no shirt at all. It’s no wonder the shirt has received favorable notices in Trail Runner and Runner’s World magazines.

Although I wear the Echo mostly on trail runs, it’s also a good choice for hiking or canoeing on hot days.

The Echo, which sells for $37, comes in a variety of colors for men and women.

Click here to read my review of trail-running shoes made by La Sportiva.

Adirondack trail runners will be interested in a new guidebook written by Spencer Morrissey and Corenne Black.