Real Essentialsmens Classic

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.

I love these shirts I wear them to work daily and I work in a very hot warehouse but these keep me cool!!! They are very lightweight and comfortable. I just bought me another 5 pack for this year and my fellow co workers always ask me where I got them. I’m very satisfied with Amazon basics for the prices and the quality of the products.

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!

Super comfortable and light weight. Wicking material great for every day wear especially in warmer areas. Super durable and great quality. Colors are pretty true to color. Haven’t notice any shrinking and have washed them a lot. Great value for a great product. Will order more

Mine have lasted years and have held up well. They wick away sweat/moisture, and keep one cool. That being said, they may be a bit "too breathable" for temperate use. I do recommend these and they're a great value.

Joey Here! This is not a Vine review. It is a review of items I bought. This is second time I purchased these. I purchased the first ones in December of 2022 and except for the heat seal labels wearing off on some of them, they are a strong 5 star. However this second order just is not up to the first one. Things that are different have to do with the sizing and feel. They are very tight at the front of my shoulders and upper arms. The hems on the first ones are 3 fingers above my elbow. These new ones have shorter sleeves and hems are 4 fingers above my elbow. They are also very tight under my arm pits. It notes they are designed in the USA and imported. I assume the design is the same as I saw no need to change it since they were a perfect 5 star. So what has changed must be the manufacturing import? It does not state where it is imported from. Who except the Essentials Brand knows? All and all, I am very disappointed but I will not send them back as a replacement most likely will be just the same. I suggest ordering a larger size than you normally wear. These are a large rather than a medium and they are still small. I am 5'9" and weigh 163 pounds if that helps you.

Good fit, thin but not too thin to wear. Great for the gym. They don't shrink is the best part im 6'1 200lbs and they fit great usually im a Large Tall but I went 1 size up to XL and they fit fine. 5 gym (dry fit/silky) shirts for 35 bucks is hard to beat

Very good quality, size does run small as stated in other reviews. I wanted to review just to give people a heads up on the size. I have a few Under Armor shirts just like this that are XL, I ordered 2XL in these and they are the exact same size as the UA XL when placed on top of each other.