Becoming an undershirt guy ... UPDATE

[terryg]

It has always seemed to me that there are guys who always wear undershirts and guys who never wear them. I have always fallen into that last category. Well, except, when I was in the Marine Corps that is. You had to wear them then. But when I got out, I stayed in Hawaii for a few years and I thought it was too dang hot for an undershirt (not that Houston is any cooler mind you).

But those that wear them swear that they don't make you hot in the summer and actually help with sweat. I have been trying them this winter and I gotta say, they do make carrying about 500% more comfortable. So I'm gonna try to give it ago this summer. As spring comes on, it hasn't been too bad yet - but the truly hot days have yet to break upon us.

But I also guess I need to find a better t-shirt. I have tried both Hanes and the fruit guys (yeah, I'm a cheapo Wal-mart kinda guy) - both of which claim 'Generous Length' and both of them disappoint in the category.

So anyway, we will see if a person can change after 40+ years and become an undershirt guy ...

[gregthehand]

Go to the tall sizes. I get tall sized undershirts off the Internet for cheap.

[anygunanywhere]

In the summertime I switch to the wife beater tees in the heat.

They are much more comfortable than the full tees and keep my IWB gear from rubbing on skin.

Anygunanywhere

[WildBill]

I stopped wearing them in the summer when I moved to Texas, but I have recently changed my position.

[Grammy]

I go with the wal-mart hanes tank "wife beater". You can strech the length to make them work. I'm 5'-11" 225.

The only time I ever wore a t-shirt was when I was in the service as well or the winter time, since I got my CHL I have become an undershirt guy.
Jim

[fulano]

I know this is going to draw some flames but....

At about $12 apiece you can't beat a Polo (as in Ralph Lauren) sleeveless. They are long and they don't shrink. I've had to recycle them as cleaning rags (gun cleaning of course) due to wear holes after a few years and a few hundred washings...can't beat that for value.

I worked in Houston for several years in the days before "casual days" and I can tell you a light wool suit is steamy there. I can't imagine a dress shirt under a suit without a light sleeveless tee shirt to catch the sweat and aid preventing getting raw. Also, I'd recommend linen as opposed to cotton casual shirts for the climate there.

My summer dress (now that I'm retired) is a linen shirt over a sleeveless tee with the tail out on the shirt (I like the guayaberas). They conceal great and the tee cushions the IWB or shoulder holster.

[WildBill]

I know this is going to draw some flames but....

Why would this draw flames? CHLers aren't exactly known for being fashion police. Wear away!

[terryg]

In the summertime I switch to the wife beater tees in the heat.

I tried the wife beaters, but I must be sizing them wrong cause it feels like I am being squeezed to death. (All day hug anyone???) I buy large t-shirts and they fit perfect, but the large wife beater looks like it was sized for a kid.

[Grammy]

In the summertime I switch to the wife beater tees in the heat.

I tried the wife beaters, but I must be sizing them wrong cause it feels like I am being squeezed to death. (All day hug anyone???) I buy large t-shirts and they fit perfect, but the large wife beater looks like it was sized for a kid.

I buy the 2X, with the 1X I have felt the day hug, like I said I'm 5-11 225.
Jim

[TxA]

Another option is from Target. They have C9 wicking shirts by Champion for around $8.00 a shirt. I've bought several for summer carry and seem cooler than a plain cotton undershirt. Might give them a try and see if you like; and as stated above, look to see if they have them in tall sizes because it helps. These are much cheaper than the name brands like Nike, Reebok, etc...

[WildBill]

In the summertime I switch to the wife beater tees in the heat.

I tried the wife beaters, but I must be sizing them wrong cause it feels like I am being squeezed to death. (All day hug anyone???) I buy large t-shirts and they fit perfect, but the large wife beater looks like it was sized for a kid.

I buy the 2X, with the 1X I have felt the day hug, like I said I'm 5-11 225.
Jim

[Slowplay]

I agree with the shirts that are made to wick. I switched to synthetic undershirts (polyester) a few years ago as they seem to wick a lot better than cotton. Dri-fit style with a smooth finish are the most comfortable for me (without obvious logos that would be visible through a dress shirt). They are more expensive, but if you have to wear them all the time they might be worth it. I'll have to make a trip to Target to check theirs out..

[Kythas]

I've tried wearing UnderArmor shirts instead of cotton t-shirts and have found that, while they're cooler if worn by themselves, they're hotter when worn as an undershirt with another shirt over them than regular cotton t-shirts are. At least to me.

I've always - ALWAYS - worn t-shirts. I wear a white cotton t-shirt under a printed t-shirt. Seriously. It's a habit I got into in the Army, and reinforced by my college fraternity and my time in law enforcement. But I don't wear the wife beater shirts. I see those too often on COPS.

My favorite plain white t-shirts are currently the Puritan brand at Wal-Mart. They are soft cotton and breathe well.

I couldn't imagine carrying concealed without an undershirt of some sort.

[Slowplay]

One thing I've found with Under Armor and other Dri-fit shirts is that you can't use any fabric softener on them. If they are washed or dried with softener, they seem to lose their wicking capabilities and are miserable as undershirts.

[terryg]

In the summertime I switch to the wife beater tees in the heat.

I tried the wife beaters, but I must be sizing them wrong cause it feels like I am being squeezed to death. (All day hug anyone???) I buy large t-shirts and they fit perfect, but the large wife beater looks like it was sized for a kid.

I buy the 2X, with the 1X I have felt the day hug, like I said I'm 5-11 225.
Jim

Ok, cool. Glad I am not the only one. The funny thing is, the chest sizes printed next to the 'L' (whatever they are, I forget the numbers) were the same for the t-shirt and the wife beater. So it's like they are supposed to fit like that. (I'm 6'3" 200).

But when you see them on cops, they are usually hanging loose on the skinny guys - so I am like WTHeck?