Real Essentials 5 Pack: Men’s Short Sleeve Dry Fit Active Crew Neck T Shirt – Athletic Running Gym Workout Tee Tops

Great Shirts That Show Off Your Hard Work – wife approved
me – 55 y/o, 5’10”, 200 lbs., 15-20 percent body fat (guessing from comparison pics online)purchased large sizeBeen lifting for 2 years now and have my upper body well defined. Still have stubborn fat the size of a double meat Chipotle burrito on my stomach that is my final goal to lose (got rid of the visceral fat!) Sucking in the gut works to hide most of it.These shirts are light and breezy. The material feels like any other wicking shirt one might use at a gym or daily. snug as a bug in a rug. Everything will be on display, which I like because I put a lot of time into my muscles. Everything pops: arms, shoulders, traps, chest, back. I like to think of it as everything is accentuated. Love the arms, especially if you put time into them.Good news is even though it is painted on when I first put on the shirt, it stretches out during the day to not be too tight. That way I don’t look like I am trying too hard to be noticed and I can give my gut a break.

Lightweight and Breathable Athletic Tees, but Size Up for Comfort
I purchased the 5 Pack Men’s Active Quick Dri Dry Fit Crew Neck T Shirts about a month ago for my husband, who enjoys gardening, light home workouts, and casual summer outings with our kids and cat. I wanted affordable, moisture-wicking shirts to keep him cool during sweaty tasks in our backyard or while playing with our 10- and 11-year-old relatives on the trampoline. After he’s worn each shirt 3-4 times, here’s my detailed take on their performance, including pros, cons, and tips for other buyers.How I Used ItI chose a Large size (his usual) in a 5-pack with mixed colors (black, navy, gray, blue, maroon), expecting a standard athletic fit for his 6’0”, 190-pound frame. The shirts are 88% polyester/12% spandex, designed for quick-dry and 4-way stretch. He’s worn them for gardening (2-hour sessions digging and mowing), bodyweight workouts (push-ups, squats), and casual walks with the kids in 75-85°F weather. I’ve washed each shirt 3 times (cold cycle, air-dried) to test durability, color retention, and shape. They arrived well-packaged in a single zip-lock bag.ProsEffective Moisture-Wicking: The quick-dry fabric excels at keeping sweat at bay. During a sweaty gardening session, the shirt dried fast and didn’t cling, unlike his old cotton tees, aligning with reviews praising sweat absorption.Breathable and Lightweight: At about 7.5 oz per shirt, they’re light and airy, perfect for summer heat. He stayed cool during workouts, and the fabric feels soft, not scratchy, even after hours of wear, as noted by users.Great Value: For $34-$40, getting five high-quality athletic shirts is a steal compared to Under Armour ($25 per shirt). The variety of colors adds versatility for workouts or casual wear with his BALENNZ shorts.Flexible Fit: The 4-way stretch and non-restrictive cut allow full range of motion, whether he’s reaching for garden tools or doing burpees. The crew neck is classic and doesn’t chafe, per customer feedback.Durable So Far: After 3 washes, the stitching is intact, colors haven’t faded, and there’s no pilling or shrinking. The printed tag (no physical tag) prevents irritation, a nice touch for sensitive skin.ConsRuns Small: The Large fits snugly, more like a Medium in Under Armour or Nike, as many reviews warned. It’s fine for his athletic build but tight in the chest and arms. Sizing up to XL would’ve been better for a looser fit.Wide Neck Collar: The crew neck is looser than expected, drooping slightly on his 17-inch neck, which looks a bit sloppy for casual wear. Some users noted inconsistent collar sizes across the pack.Thin Material: The fabric is lightweight but thinner than premium brands, feeling almost tissue-like, as one reviewer compared to Under Armour. It’s not see-through but may tear with rough use (e.g., snagging on branches).Loose Threads: One shirt (gray) had a long loose thread on the sleeve, which I trimmed. It hasn’t unraveled, but it suggests spotty quality control, as mentioned in some feedback.ComparisonsCompared to the SPXTREME 5-Pack Dry-Fit Tees (Walmart), these shirts have a softer feel and better color variety, but SPXTREME’s sizing is more consistent. The Real Essentials 5-Pack (similar price) is nearly identical in fabric but includes a mesh version, which might be cooler for intense workouts. Against his Under Armour HeatGear shirt, these are thinner and less durable but half the price, making them a budget-friendly alternative for casual fitness. The boys’ athletic T-shirts I bought earlier fit better for kids but share the same quick-dry benefits. For a premium option, Gymshark’s muscle-fit tees offer thicker material but cost $20+ each.Tips for BuyersSize Up: Order one size larger than usual (e.g., XL for a Large wearer) for a comfortable, non-tight fit, especially if you prefer a relaxed style for workouts or errands. Check the size chart, as Large fits like a snug Medium.Inspect Threads: Check for loose threads upon arrival and trim carefully to prevent unraveling. Most shirts in my pack were fine, but one needed minor cleanup.Wash Smart: Wash cold and air-dry to maintain stretch, color, and shape. Avoid dryers, as some users noted slight shrinking with heat.Choose Dark Colors: Darker shades (black, navy) hide the thinness better than lighter ones (gray), which can look slightly sheer when stretched.Who Should Buy This?This 5-pack is ideal for men seeking affordable, lightweight athletic shirts for summer workouts, running, gardening, or casual wear. It’s great for budget-conscious buyers or those with active lifestyles, but size up if you prefer a looser fit or have a broader build. For heavy-duty use or premium durability, consider Under Armour or Gymshark.Overall, these shirts have been a solid addition to my husband’s active wardrobe, keeping him cool and comfy during backyard tasks and playtime with the kids. The value is hard to beat, though sizing up and checking for threads would improve the experience. I might grab another pack in XL! If you’ve tried these or have tips for athletic wear, share in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Great value!
It’s really difficult to find clothes for my husband. These are great! They are comfy, wash and dry great, no wrinkles, and wear very well. We started with a couple shirts last year and just ordered 2 more 5 packs! You cannot beat the value!

Fit is true to size and no shrinkage when washed
Fit is true to size – these are lightweight and perfect for summer here in the midwest where it’s HOT! They did not shrink, I washed them in cold water and tumbled them dry on delicate setting, no wrinkles when I pulled them out and hung them up.

Super

These are really good quality. A little smaller fitting than anticipated if you like a looser fit. Recommend going up a size if you have bigger arms and shoulders.

These tops are good for working out, decent quality and look nice, however a bit on the small side. I usually get an XL and things are a tad baggy, these I got in XL and they are pretty tight. Good tops though