Performance Shirts

[ktang 34]

I am considering getting one of those performance shirts. For those of you that made the switch, I have a few questions:

(i) Long-sleeve or short-sleeve?

(ii) With shoulder pads and elbow pads on top, did the wicking still work, or did the moisture pool up?

(iii) How long does the shirt last?

(iv) Much better than cotton?

Thanks in advance.

[wetwilly17 6]

i) short sleeve for me, if you go long sleeve make sure it has grip on the elbows otherwise your elbow pads will slide around

ii) with the wicking shirts, the moisture evaporates better while you are playing so at the end of the game your shirt and your pads will have less sweat in them

iii) if you get a name brand they last a long time (i have yet to have one wear out after switching to wicking material 3 years ago). i did buy some cheaper generic brands and had stitching problems with one (pair of shorts)

iv) NO COMPARISON - keeps you cooler and dryer

I am considering getting one of those performance shirts. For those of you that made the switch, I have a few questions:

(i) Long-sleeve or short-sleeve?

(ii) With shoulder pads and elbow pads on top, did the wicking still work, or did the moisture pool up?

(iii) How long does the shirt last?

(iv) Much better than cotton?

Thanks in advance.

[Jarick 5]

I've used three, a long-sleeve thicker "cold weather" shirt, a short-sleeve thinner shirt, and a sleeveless shirt with mesh vents. All by Champion from Target around $15 or so.

My favorite was the sleeveless as it kept me cool on the ice and when you skate you feel the air cooling you down. My elbow pads would slip with the long-sleeve version, not with the short sleeves. I've had two of them for over a year and they're holding up great, although the short-sleeve one smells just a bit even after washing.

All of them do a much better job at keeping you cool and comfortable than a regular t-shirt, which feels heavy and disgusting.

[k.nick91 0]

ill never wear cotton again under my pads. i have 3 nike loosefit t shirts and i love them. i keep all 3 in my bag and i just wear a different one everytime i play. the moisture is a lot less noticeable and they are also more breathable. they keep you cooler and feeling better on the ice no question. they also dont get as nasty as cotton so you have to wash them about 10 times less than a plain t shirt. as for quality go for something good (underarmour, nike, etc.) i had a target one and was not impressed at all with it.

[Tikkanen 1]

I only use the Nike ProVent. Breathe better than the regular dry fit. Underarmour tends to make me feel hotter. Haven't had a problem with wearing them out but I also own quite a few so they get rotated as far as use goes. If you want them to last long just line dry them and it says on the tag not to use fabric softener although I do and haven't had any problems.

[english15x 3]

(i) either or. Short sleeve is great, even sleeveless is nice. Long sleeve is terrible on your shoulder pads unless you buy the vapor xxxx shirts that have grip elbow on the shirt.

(ii) I thought that it wicks most of it away but I can't tell my whole shirt is wet at the end of the skate regardless but I hate wearing cotton underneath now.

(iii) As long as you take care of it. Mine really smell a lot, but I rarely wash them. I just air dry them after skates.

(iv) very, much so in my opinion.

Your welcome.

Shirts to use -

A.) Cheap - wal-mart athletics makes shirts for $10.00 to try.

B.) RBK makes nice ones, but there all the same.

[number21 3]

i get the short sleeve ones from target (champion gear). they help keep you cooler, probably not as well as nike, UA but at $10 (on sale) it's easier on the wallet.

just don't buy white, they get dingy looking fast.

[thejackal 46]

i have a yellow longsleeve nike and it bled off on my gloves. pretty annoying.

[daniel91 0]

under armour is quite expensive but you should buy it. i think the long sleve ones are more comfortable but its your choice. it is really light and keeps you dry

[Doctor Hook 0]

I rock a Nike tight pro longsleeve and it's great. No soppage, and like any good piece of equipment--you don't notice it while playing.

I also have some T3K longsleeves as backups.

Sleeve length is personal preference, but I like long just because I sweat all over.

Cotton is for suckers :)

[Steve_v3 289]

I use Under Armour heat gear shirts and underwear. I love them. It definitly keeps you a lot cooler. I usaully wear the short sleeves because as was previous stated your elbow pads slide around. Nike has one with grip on the elbows and UA has hockey specific shirt with grip. I planning on getting a UA one soon. I use them during the summer when I play baseball and they work great.They keep you much drier even on very hot days.

[Hockeyman11385 1]

UA is the way to go. You get what you pay for and since UA has built their name on performance underwear, they are definitely the top company. Sleeve length is personal preference. I use short because of the elbow pad issue. I have also noticed the I tend to sweat a lot less than I used to (when I just wore a cotton t shirt). Hope this helps.

[SuperMan3 1]

I have the Itech Neckgaurd shirt, i've been using them since last year and probably would never switch back, they are worth the money imo

[prokennex 0]

I use loose fitted long sleeves and love them. They are way better than cotton in every way. I have not had any issues with elbow pad slippage, and for me the brand doesn't matter. I have a jock plus, made by itech, a nike and a new balance, all of which I picked up at Winnner's (Canada's version of TJ Maxx) for under $20. They all work and feel the same and I have been using each for roughly a year.

[chole 0]

I have never used the shirts, however the shorts help a lot. Keeps things alot drier and more comfortable. I have to imagine a shirt would be the same.

[BGM 0]

The Manzere and Bro have excellent support.

[IceBeans13 0]

I'll vouch for UA as well. I bought a long sleeve and sleeveless back when they were the only ones really making these "performance shirts" (6 years ago?) and both still work great.

I also agree about the long sleeve causing slipping on the elbow pads, short/sleeveless is the way to go.

[A2rhino 77]

I prefer long sleeve tops. I have a couple of Warrior LAX tops called Vaprotech I believe. They are great tops but my overall favorit is by North Face. The tops are light, durable, comfortable and one thing I really like is that they have a little loop that you can put your thumb threw to secure the shirt when you put your elbow pads on so the sleeves dont bunch up.

[Chadd 916]

i get the short sleeve ones from target (champion gear). they help keep you cooler, probably not as well as nike, UA but at $10 (on sale) it's easier on the wallet.

just don't buy white, they get dingy looking fast.

I wear a lot of the C9 stuff for lounging around the house but it's not even close to WSI or Puckskin for game wear.

(i) either or. Short sleeve is great, even sleeveless is nice. Long sleeve is terrible on your shoulder pads unless you buy the vapor xxxx shirts that have grip elbow on the shirt.

B.) RBK makes nice ones, but there all the same.

Neither is true. I only wear elbow pads and both my DR EP44 and Jofa 8025s fit perfectly and don't move at all.

[ashtonhutch05 0]

Long Sleeve tight UA shirt and leggings. I always had a problem with straps rubbing my ski and was never comfortable, but with this I can't even feel it. No elbow pad slippage but then again I have V-14 protective wit grip print in them. Keeps me cool and dry, plus I look sexy in tights.

[Zac911 317]

The Manzere and Bro have excellent support.

i prefer the Bro over the Manzere. i would also take a UL600 over a pirate shirt.... any day of the week.

[BottlePopper4 0]

i find that if you get the cotton wet (due to a sloppy water bottle,etc.) it starts feeling ridiculously uncomfortable and could chafe

[english15x 3]

i get the short sleeve ones from target (champion gear). they help keep you cooler, probably not as well as nike, UA but at $10 (on sale) it's easier on the wallet.

just don't buy white, they get dingy looking fast.

I wear a lot of the C9 stuff for lounging around the house but it's not even close to WSI or Puckskin for game wear.

(i) either or. Short sleeve is great, even sleeveless is nice. Long sleeve is terrible on your shoulder pads unless you buy the vapor xxxx shirts that have grip elbow on the shirt.

B.) RBK makes nice ones, but there all the same.

Neither is true. I only wear elbow pads and both my DR EP44 and Jofa 8025s fit perfectly and don't move at all.

TYPO: meant to put elbow pads.

[rubberduckie 0]

I have an UA shirt and love it. I never wore anything underneath before, and had some reservations, but it is good. Keeps you dry and cool. Personally, I found the cooling effects are noticable too. As said before though, the long sleeves can cause elbow pads to slid around... though only my right arm seems to have that problem. Some shirts have different material in this area to help with this problem I assume.

[Andoy 5]

I use Puckskin. I also have an UA longsleeve and it doesn't even come close.