Huckberry’s Best-Selling, Perfect Travel T-Shirt Is on Sale

The GP staff-favorite Proof 72-Hour Tee in ‘Performance Fit’ is 30 percent off — we recommend getting multiple colors while you can.

By Tanner Bowden, Grace Cooper, and Hayley Helms

Published January 29, 2024

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Updated January 29, 2024

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Editor’s note: Right now, Huckberry is offering a great deal on the Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt in ‘Performance Fit.’ You can score 30 percent off one of the best tees on the market using code “merino30” (dropping the price from $88 to $61.60). Check out our review below to see what makes it so great.

I never thought I’d be regularly wearing a wool t-shirt — let alone during the summer — but the Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt changed my mind. Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial, so it doesn’t stink. It also dries quicker than cotton and is more comfortable than your wool sweater memories would have you think. And Proof’s aptly named 72-hour line claims to resistant odors for up to 72 hours — so we put it to the test.

Proof makes a merino wool t-shirt, long-sleeve, polo, long– or short-sleeve henley, hoodie and socks. (I tested the t-shirt in the performance fit.) In each item, the fabric is a blend of merino wool and nylon for stretch and durability. Proof sources the wool from sheep stations in New Zealand and uses a super-fine 17.5-micron yarn gauge to not only guarantee that it won’t stink — but that it’ll be comfortable, too.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Proof 72-Hour Merino T-Shirt: What We Think

Although summer seems like the worst time of year to put a wool shirt to the test, the summer heat was no match for this tee. In fact, I found the shirt quite cooling during time spent outside, and it definitely masked body odor even after hours or days of sweat. On top of that, its simple-yet-elevated design makes it the perfect wardrobe staple, especially for the frequent traveler. It will last you much longer than the typical budget-friendly t-shirt, making that $88 price tag just a little more appealing.

On the flip side, the material was not as soft as I expected or hoped, and it actually feels a little itchy during the first couple wears. And while it does minimize smell quite well, it won’t necessarily hide your sweat stains — and I found I was rather prone to them while wearing this shirt. Additionally, if you frequently wear a crossbody bag or backpack, you might find that the shirt will pill in those areas after a few hours of wear. I’d still recommend the shirt to a friend, but I would warn that it’s not a cure-all garment for summer heat.

Use code 'merino30' for 30 percent off the 72-Hour T-Shirt.

Proof 72-Hour Merino Tee

Pros

Passes the smell test with flying colors
Available in a whopping 18 colors and 5 styles
Lightweight and fits nicely

Cons

Will pill if you carry a crossbody bag or backpack for a while
Doesn't hide sweat stains
Slightly itchy during first wears

$61.60 at Huckberry

$88.00 (30% off)

It’s versatile, stylish and travel-friendly.

Whether you’re spending the summer backpacking or planning a more leisurely trip to escape the winter cold, this shirt is everything you would probably look for. It’s lightweight and thin, so it would take up very little space in your luggage. It won’t wrinkle, and you can wear it for days between washes while still smelling fresh.

The Proof‘s 72-Hour line consists of simple, functional styles that can be dressed up or down. The t-shirt that I tested, for instance, can basically go with anything and makes a great layering piece for colder weather. It also comes in two fits: classic and performance. The fit, material and stitching all feel more premium than your basic sub-$25 t-shirt. And I found this shirt to be very versatile in terms of both style and functionality while testing.

tshirt hanging in closet between sweaters — I found the shirt to be a little itchy out of the box, but the material softened with each wash.

The wool really will minimize smell and keep you cool.

Just because you can wear the shirt for 72 hours, doesn’t mean you would necessarily want to. But I took one for the team and wore the shirt for three days in a row, one of which included an afternoon at an outdoor festival in July, and the lack of smell was truly impressive. Aside from the noticeable pit stains after the hours spent outside (more on that later), I could hardly tell that the shirt had been worn even after giving it a good sniff. (You’re welcome.)

While I was initially enticed by the shirt’s odor-resistant properties, its cooling abilities alone were a game changer. Having always thought of wool as hot and stuffy, I was surprised when it proved to be ultra breathable. I never found myself feeling like I was overheating or even needing to roll up the sleeves. I feel very comfortable spending time outdoors in the shirt, and its 30+ UPF rating is a nice perk as well.

It pills and shows pit stains.

No article of clothing is perfect, and while you may not smell like B.O. when you wear this piece, the shirt itself won’t prevent you from sweating. If you’re prone to pit stains, note that you will not be immune to them when wearing this shirt. I was surprised to see some pretty obvious sweat marks the second time I wore it — but it did make the minimal odor that much more impressive.

closeup of shirt — You can see the faint sweat marks and pilling here.

During a long day of travel I noticed another unfortunate downside of the material. I’d been wearing a crossbody bag all day and the bag’s strap had left pilling all across the front of the shirt. I’d imagine the same would happen if you carried a backpack for a prolonged period. The pilling did look a little bit better after a run through the wash. But for a shirt that feels made for travel and costs almost $90, I was understandably a little disappointed by this effect. It didn’t change my overall positive impression of the shirt, but it does have me rethinking when and where I’ll be wearing it again.

Proof 72-Hour T-Shirt: Alternatives

A few other brands sell merino wool t-shirts at similar price points, if you’re looking for something a little different than Proof’s. For example, Smartwool sells a tee with a similar wool to nylon ratio that goes for $80. And Filson offers a 100 percent merino wool crewneck for a slightly higher price at $95. But Proof still beats both brands with its impressively vast color selection. If you’re on a budget that doesn’t allow for spending $100 on a t-shirt, Amazon offers a few more affordable options, like this 100-percent wool shirt from Merino Protect that’s just $38.

Use code 'merino30' for 30 percent off the 72-Hour T-Shirt.