Recommend me tennis shirts/fabrics that will stay DRY:

[MAXXply]

I've just returned from a summer night's tennis, dripping wet in an adidas Clima-Cool tennis shirt that I just bought today. I may as well have gone to my local Wal-Mart equivalent and bought a cheap sports shirt. The adidas shirt was damp within 15mins and I don't think I'm a guy who perspires all that much.

Can any experts recommend any brands or fabrics that stay relatively dry? Note I've never actually tried Nike Dri-Fit apparel before, and given the $$$ I dropped on this adidas shirt and a Tacchini New Line S-Tech polo last month, I don't think I'm in a hurry to try overpriced/overhyped apparel anytime soon. The Tacchini stuff isn't much cop either - I'm beginning to think modern polyester/Cool Max type fabrics are all B.S

Thanks for any ideas.

[Carolina Racquet]

MAXX...
I also found the Clima-Cool shirts failed in the heat. I believe it has something to do with the thickness of the fabric and/or the thread count.

I found more success with shirts that are more light weight, such as Reebok and Russell. They seem to ventilate much better keeping me cool and I feel they stay drier because the moisture can better evaporate.

They don't tend to hold up as well from wear, but I find the trade-off to be worth it.

Good Luck!

[hcb0804]

Originally Posted by MAXXply

I've just returned from a summer night's tennis, dripping wet in an adidas Clima-Cool tennis shirt that I just bought today. I may as well have gone to my local Wal-Mart equivalent and bought a cheap sports shirt. The adidas shirt was damp within 15mins and I don't think I'm a guy who perspires all that much.

Can any experts recommend any brands or fabrics that stay relatively dry? Note I've never actually tried Nike Dri-Fit apparel before, and given the $$$ I dropped on this adidas shirt and a Tacchini New Line S-Tech polo last month, I don't think I'm in a hurry to try overpriced/overhyped apparel anytime soon. The Tacchini stuff isn't much cop either - I'm beginning to think modern polyester/Cool Max type fabrics are all B.S

Thanks for any ideas.

The only shirt I have ever had that actually stayed close to dry while playing in the heat, was a Fila shirt from 2008, it was a crew that was gray and had a yellow swirly geometric pattern on it. It was about as much ventilating holes as it was fabric. It really did stay pretty dry, because it has so much ventilation that the sweat would dry just about as soon as it hit the fabric. But, it's the ONLY shirt I have ever had that did, regardless of the claims of Nike Dri-Fit, adidas Clima cool, or any other clothing maker.

[MAXXply]

Originally Posted by Carolina Racquet

MAXX...
I also found the Clima-Cool shirts failed in the heat. I believe it has something to do with the thickness of the fabric and/or the thread count.

I found more success with shirts that are more light weight, such as Reebok and Russell. They seem to ventilate much better keeping me cool and I feel they stay drier because the moisture can better evaporate.

They don't tend to hold up as well from wear, but I find the trade-off to be worth it.

Good Luck!

The adidas Clima-Cool shirt I bought is no thicker or thinner than the many other shirts out there, and it is of normal light weight. The Tacchini New Line S-Tech polo is a relatively heavier shirt in the style of a classic polo cotton pique fabric - and I still stepped off court in that shirt sopping wet also.

I really now think all activewear fabrics are just cheapo synthetics with zero evaporative qualities - it all boils down to the porousness or size of the fabric mesh that allows the moisture to evaporate...

[Speed Kat]

Nike Dri-fit, Adidas Clima-cool etc. are all useless.. I have tried them and prefer 100% cotton t shirts to everything.. If its nippy out just wear two.. these gimmick clothes sometimes have cool color and designs and you can match with your favorite player but otherwise nothign to 'em... Until few years ago polyester and nylon clothes were considered the cheap alternative and you paid a premium for a pure cotton clothe.. now 100% polyester t's selling under sports name brands retail like IRO $40.. Ridiculous!

[Gasolina]

The adidas Edge Fall/Winter collection works for me. Fabric is very light plus the fit is a little wide allowing better air circulation.

Of course, the shirt would stay wet in the summer heat. I don't think any short (moreso cotton) can stay dry during summer play.

[Speed Kat]

Originally Posted by Gasolina

Of course, the shirt would stay wet in the summer heat. I don't think any short (moreso cotton) can stay dry during summer play.

The best thing is to read the label.. some "dry fitting" items have a 60/40 poly cotton ratio and some are almost 100% polyester.. best bet is around 60/40 for a bit of the cottons breathability characteristics

[kevoT]

I use a random shirt I got when I bought some pro touch shoes (pro touch shirt, obviously). I sweat bucket loads and my shirt only comes out damp.

[MAXXply]

Originally Posted by Speed Kat

The best thing is to read the label.. some "dry fitting" items have a 60/40 poly cotton ratio and some are almost 100% polyester.. best bet is around 60/40 for a bit of the cottons breathability characteristics

Interesting point - might give that a try if I can find some

[parasailing]

Not all Dri Fit shirts have the same composition of fibers and might vary from sport to sport. During winter months, I wear Nike Dri Fit running shirts instead of Nike tennis polos which are great for wicking moisture.

[adidasman]

Originally Posted by MAXXply

The adidas Clima-Cool shirt I bought is no thicker or thinner than the many other shirts out there, and it is of normal light weight. The Tacchini New Line S-Tech polo is a relatively heavier shirt in the style of a classic polo cotton pique fabric - and I still stepped off court in that shirt sopping wet also.

I really now think all activewear fabrics are just cheapo synthetics with zero evaporative qualities - it all boils down to the porousness or size of the fabric mesh that allows the moisture to evaporate...

To me, all shirts get wet. The question is how much do they weigh while they're wet, and how quickly do they dry? No fabric can just make the sweat evaporate instantly. For me, the ClimaCool stuff works really well; it's light, doesn't get heavy and soggy even when it's soaked, and it's dry and ready to go a half hour after the match is done. Also, it holds its shape and size much better than cotton does, and goes through the washer and dryer with much less noticeable damage to the material.

[Gasolina]

Originally Posted by Speed Kat

The best thing is to read the label.. some "dry fitting" items have a 60/40 poly cotton ratio and some are almost 100% polyester.. best bet is around 60/40 for a bit of the cottons breathability characteristics

I tried a 50/50 (or something close) Cotton/Poly shirt for a game and I'll never do that again. I only wear them for now for hitting or casually walking around.

I admit the breathability of hybrid cotton shirts are something polyesters can't match, but once you really perspire these hybrids won't stand a chance drying up even during windy days.

I think the best thing about polyesters is that if they do get wet, they won't hold on to the moisture as much as cottons do

[frunk]

I usually play with the Vamos Lawn Crew. Since I have a really strange body shape, it's just perfect on my stomach area, but the shoulders are kinda loose. That's my perfect shirt: when it gets wet, it doesn't feel any heavier.

[JoelDali]

Originally Posted by frunk

I usually play with the Vamos Lawn Crew. Since I have a really strange body shape, it's just perfect on my stomach area, but the shoulders are kinda loose. That's my perfect shirt: when it gets wet, it doesn't feel any heavier.

100% true...great shirt...

[militaryman2477]

I know it sounds crazy but I used to wear them to work put in and they feel great. Champion C9 training tee at target 9.99 and wicks moisture well for 1 quarter of the price.

[Totai]

I found FILA shirts to be the best shirts

[WildVolley]

I have a New Balance shirt made of dri-release branded fabric. It is a mixture of cotton and poly and dries faster than some of my 100% poly clothing. However, I have a poly/cotton shirt from Nike that might as well be 100% cotton, because it saturates quickly and stays that way.

I sweat at a moderately heavy rate and I find that cotton doesn't dry as quickly as poly. I prefer the feel of cotton when I'm not sweating, but when I play I'm not a fan of a cotton shirt sticking to my back.

[Tar Heel Tennis]

why not just take several shirts with you and change when necessary?

[MAXXply]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel Tennis

why not just take several shirts with you and change when necessary?

Yes I already do - apart from the shirt on my back I also pack two more in my bag. I was just expressing my frustration at how easily so-called moisture wicking fabrics get sopping wet under normal use.

[Jim A]

Nike sphere is a rougher fabric which helps pull the moisture off the body and to the outside of the shirt where it can evaporate. This also allows it not to cliing to the body when it gets wet.

When I lived in TX it was the only thing I could run in that wouldn't be stuck to me as if I was just in the pool with it during the heat

I'm not sure if they make tennis specific Sphere tennis apparel, however it is available in general.

other companies may have similar material or options, but I am not as familiar with them