The 6 best henleys for men, tested and reviewed by an experienced fashion editor

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Men's fashion is cyclical. It's not at all surprising to see a trend recirculate years after first gaining popularity, especially if it's been a staple in many men's closets for decades. This is exactly the case for the henley shirt.

It's been around for what seems a lifetime, but has been reduced to a glorified undershirt by many fashion enthusiasts and even professionals for years. Right now, though, the quarter-buttoned crewneck is seeing a major resurgence in the fashion space with celebs and respected men's fashion brands putting effort into upgrading the versatile men's basic.

What makes the men's henley so interesting, though, is its ability to suit a wide range of body types and styles. Several brands now offer options in big and tall sizes and much more premium fabrics, textures and cuts. These shirts usually accentuate the chest and arm area, providing a sleek and effortless silhouette that's versatile enough to rock with trousers to the office or jeans to brunch.

Whether you're already a fan of the iconic henley or want to hop on the classic trend, our men's fashion expert has tested and reviewed over a dozen and picked the six best men's henleys to buy right now.

The best men's henleys, tested and reviewed

• Best overall: Buck Mason Vintage Thermal Henley
• Softest pick: Taylor Stitch Merino Henley
• Most affordable: Hanes T BeefyT Henley
• Best tailored: Suitsupply Ribbed Henley
• Best waffle-knit henley: Banana Republic Waffle Knit Henley
• Best athletic henley: Tracksmith Fells Henley 

How we test

We put all of our products through a rigorous testing process and these men's henleys are no different. We consider the feel and stretch of the fabric, the fit (is it truly standard, slim or tailored, for example), the length, the quality of the material, and more.

You can read more about how we test fashion and accessories on our dedicated page. 

Why trust us

While implementing and enforcing a thorough testing process is essential for producing honest and well-researched content, we also believe that experience is invaluable. This is why all of our testers are experts in their field.

Moriba has been testing and reviewing men's fashion for over six years and formulates the testing methodologies and rubrics we use in our tech, men's style and travel reviews and buying guides.

His reviews are honest, impartial, direct and don't shy away from highlighting the bad as much as the good to help you make the most informed buying decision.

The 6 best henleys for men, tested and reviewed

1.  Best overall: Buck Mason Vintage Thermal Henley

2.  Softest pick: Taylor Stitch Merino Henley

3.  Most affordable: Hanes T BeefyT Henley

4.  Best tailored: Suitsupply Ribbed Henley

5.  Best waffle-knit henley: Banana Republic Waffle Knit Henley

6. Best athletic henley: Tracksmith Fells henley

 FAQs

Are henleys in style in 2025?

Absolutely! While they've remained an evergreen staple in many men's wardrobes, they've gained a major resurgence this year with celebrities and stylists, in particular, incorporating them into both their red carpet and everyday style looks.

Henleys strike that perfect balance between a crewneck T-shirt and a polo and, because of this, they can be styled in a variety of ways for different occasions and settings. 

How do you style a henley shirt?

While every man should definitely own at least one henley, its styling approach fully depends on the type of henley in question. It all boils down to its fabrication and fit. Some have a much more substantial, high-quality fabrication that's made for standalone wear like the Buck Mason Vintage Thermal Henley, the Suitsupply Ribbed Henley and Banana Republic Waffle Knit Henley. Others, however, are a bit thinner and slinkier and are better suited for casual wear or for use as undershirts. An example of this is the Hanes T BeefyT Henley.

For fit, you want to avoid one that's too long or too tight and restricting. My general rule of thumb: if it fits more like a compression shirt or pulls against your chest, arms or abdominal area, it's likely too tight and should either be worn as an undershirt or sized up. Instead opt for a fit that's slightly looser, but still tailored to the body. Slim and tailored fits — and the occasional classic fit — are generally the safest choices for standalone wear.

As for style pairing, henleys look best when worn with a tailored trouser or jeans. While this shirt is ideal for layering under a blazer or a tailored jacket, it won't pair well with a baggy top layer like a hoodie.