Product Review: Under Armour Tech Tee (Heat Gear)

After wanting to try out some Under Armour apparel for some time, I finally decided to take the plunge. Is it as good as advertised? After some time with their Tech Tee, the simple answer is yes. It is just as good as advertised, and maybe even better.

The Tech Tee is Under Armour's least expensive tee, coming in at just under $20 from most retailers. It utilizes their heat gear technology, which wicks away moisture to keep you cool and dry. Under Armour describes the fit as "loose," which means it fits like a regular tee.

The first thing many people notice about a tee shirt is how soft it is. The Tech Tee comes through in this area, as it is soft to begin with, and gets even softer once it is washed a few times. The only negative is that the stitching around the neck may be a little bit rough at first. However, this will go away with just a few washes, and then the tee is very soft all around.

The shirt is 95% polyester and 5% elastane. It is very thin, but cannot be seen through (at least in black - I cannot comment on other colors). Being thin is actually a desired quality, as it allows air to get through to keep you cool. The material is very flexible, which gives you a full range of unhindered motion. Under Armour tells you not to use fabric softener, as it may hinder the shirt's moisture-wicking ability.

This shirt was tested at the gym while playing various sports. The first thing noticed is that I sweat much less in this shirt than in a regular tee. Every time sweat would start to build up, the shirt would soak it up, and the cooling would begin. Time after time it impressed, and my endurance was greatly improved due to staying cool.

The first time the difference was really noticed was when a normal tee was worn to the gym after wearing the Under Armour tee the previous few times. Sweating was up and I ran out of energy sooner. Coincidence? I think not. Under Armour's technology is no fluke, and it shows through with this tee.

The verdict? I highly recommend Under Armour's Tech Tee to anyone looking for a comfortable shirt to work out in, play sports in, or just wear when you feel like being comfortable and relaxing. This Under Armour tee is also very well made, and should last for a very long time. It has quickly become my favorite tee.