If living in athleisure 24/7 were an option, I would be signing up immediately. But alas, I can’t always look like I’m on my way to a workout. So when I find pieces that can actually do double duty as a workout top and also as a T-shirt I can (and do) wear to the office, I quickly fall in love. Enter one of my current favorite sweat-wicking tops, the Vuori Classic Energy Tee.
There’s a lot to love about this T-shirt, which almost feels like an unfair label because it brings to mind the oversized, formless freebie shirts you get at the end of a charity running event—and that couldn’t be further from what this one is like.
How Does the Vuori Classic Energy Tee Perform?
Let’s start with the fabric, a performance stretch jersey made from a blend of 96 percent polyester and 4 percent elastane. It wicks away sweat while also being so airy and lightweight that it’s easy to forget about it altogether.
During my testing, which spanned from workouts to lounging to wearing this top to the office, I found it to be durable even though I’m relatively hard on my clothes. It didn’t snag despite being so lightweight (and despite me having a young cat who likes to climb all over me), which isn’t always the case. I actually got the front of the shirt caught in a zipper and it survived unscathed and tear-free.
Another thing I love about the fabric is that even though it’s super soft, light, and wicking, it doesn’t necessarily scream “technical fabric”—so it can be worn as a regular top that can go straight from daily life to the gym. The fabric wicks sweat really well and my skin never felt clammy during workouts. It didn’t get funky the way technical fabrics can sometimes after getting really sweaty. It’s also a piece that’s perfect for layering in the colder months.
On top of being a standout for day-to-day wear, layering, and for just about every fitness adventure I can think of, it would also be perfect for a travel capsule wardrobe for just about any traveling scenario. It air-dried wrinkle-free overnight after hand washing, and packs down so small that I can fit it into my pants pocket.
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What’s the Fit Like?
The fit is drapey, modern, and super comfortable. Vuori refers to it as the brand’s “relaxed fit.” The way I can best describe it is that it fits like a T-shirt, but elevated. As in, it’s T-shirt-level comfy but also looks polished and put together. The hem hits at the high hip, which gives it a slightly tailored vibe.
While working out in it rowing workouts and functional workouts at home and at the gym, I loved the loose fit because of how breathable and airy it felt. It’s in no way constricting, even while working on things like shoulder mobility work and doing overhead presses.
Since it is so drapey though, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for yoga classes, unless you’re okay with your shirt ending up bunched up around your shoulders during a downward dog. However, it works perfectly for the gym, travel, and the rest of life.
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Sweat-Wicking Tee Alternatives
If you prefer sleeveless options, you’re in luck, because the Classic Energy Tee has a high-neck tank top counterpart. The Vuori Energy Top is constructed of the same performance jersey fabric. If you want the same airy feel but want a looser and flowier fit with a lower hem, the Athleta Move With Ease Tee is a great option. The Beyond Yoga Featherweight Supreme Cropped Tee leans a little more toward a boxy cropped fit, with a slightly higher hem.
Final Verdict
The Vuori Classic Energy Tee is a super versatile moisture-wicking top that has become one of my favorite shirts to reach for. The next-to-skin softness and breathability make it extremely comfortable.
And this top’s versatility is hard to beat. The fabric and fit look and feel great whether I’m on the gym floor, out hiking, running errands, or at work—a pretty tall order for a single T-shirt.
It would be a perfect addition to any capsule wardrobe thanks to how many scenarios it’s a good fit for (pun intended). Thanks to it’s classic look, it will be an evergreen favorite for many seasons to come.
Shop the Vuori Classic Energy Tee
Natascha is an editor and writer covering health, fitness, and the ways people move through the world. She’s been a NASM-certified personal trainer for more than a decade, with a background in functional strength training, corrective exercise, nutrition, and behavior change. She has additional CES, CNC, BCS, and SFC certifications. She is also a level-2 certified Spinning instructor. Her work has appeared in Bicycling, Runner’s World, and other outlets, and her experience spans both editorial and hands-on work across the fitness industry. Whether she’s writing about training, health, or performance, she’s most interested in making complicated topics useful, approachable, and helpful.
