Best Hiking Tank Tops for Women in 2026
I love a good cropped tank top! They are my go-to for hiking. But finding hiking tank tops that are both durable and cute is harder than it should be. I’ve tested several tanks over the years, and many just don’t hold up to the constant rub from a hiking pack. They start to pill, which doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad just not made for rugged, repeated trail use.
Personally, I don’t like wearing tanks that pill easily on hikes, especially since quality tanks can be pricey. I prefer to save those for low-impact days when I’m not wearing a backpack.
In this blog post, I’m sharing my favorite tank tops for hiking — the ones that have held up over time — and a few that didn’t work for me. I’ll continue updating this post as I test new tanks on the trail!
Don’t miss our 10 hiking essentials for even more gear recommendations!
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Top Picks for Hiking Tank Tops
It seems like every time I love a piece of clothing, it gets discontinued! I recently bought this tank top from REI and ended up going back to buy multiple colors because I loved it so much. Now it is discontinued on REI’s website, but they still have it available on Mountain Hardware’s website. 2026 update: It is no longer available on Mountain Hardwear’s website, but hopefully, they will update it once we get closer to spring.
Pros:
- Strong material
- Usually have a variety of colors
- Cropped, but lose enough to put a sports bra under it
- Made for hiking, camping, and backpacking
- Moisture-wicking properties
- UPF 50 filters harsh UV rays
- Lightweight
- Doesn’t ride up
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a built in sports bra (but I personally like that because I can wear a sports bra of my choosing with it)
These Lululemon hiking tanks have truly stood the test of time for me. I’ve owned several in different colors, and they’ve all held up — no pilling, even after years of use. My black one from 2021 is still in excellent shape, and in my opinion, the price is absolutely worth it.
One of the reasons I love this tank is that it provides solid chest coverage, which helps prevent irritation from my hiking pack. Tanks without that coverage tend to cause friction, and I’ve experienced chafing or even the occasional blister on longer hikes. When I know I’ll be out for a while, I sometimes layer a lightweight button-down sun shirt over this tank for extra protection and sun coverage.
Update: As of Spring 2025, Lululemon has discontinued this specific tank. I recently bought the new Glow Up Tank, and so far I’m loving it. It’s slightly longer than the Wunder Tank, which I actually prefer — it hits just above the waistband of my hiking pants. All the pros and cons still apply! The Glow Up Tank top is out of stock, but this Wunder tank top is very similar.
Pros:
- Holds up incredibly well
- Supportive
- Usually have a variety of colors
- Built in bra
- Sizes go up to DD
- Built for training meaning the material is meant to withstand tougher work outs
Cons:
- Expensive
- Aren’t sold in other retailers such as REI
I bought my first Athleta tank top on sale at REI, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure how it would hold up on the trail. Athleta even lists it as being designed for lower-impact workouts like yoga — so I was surprised by how well it’s performed for hiking.
After seeing how well it held up (no pilling yet!), I grabbed a second color when I found another on sale. The only downside for me is the length — I do wish it were just a bit longer, especially when I’m wearing a pack. That said, it’s lightweight, breathable, and has held up better than I expected.
Pros:
- Sold at REI and other retailers
- Cheaper than lululemon
Cons:
- Only best for A-C cups based on their website
- Made for Yoga compared to higher intense workouts
- I can’t find the length of the tank on the website but I feel like it is just a little shorter than Lululemon’s which I don’t like as much
Additional Recommendations
I bought these Vuori tank tops while in Sedona and was super excited to find a hiking tank that didn’t fully cover my chest. But after just a few uses, I noticed they started to pill from the friction of my hiking pack.
That said, I still really like these tanks and continue to wear them — just not for hikes unless I’m layering a shirt over them. They’re soft, breathable, and great for everyday wear or short outings.
The Daily Crop is sold out but this Halo Tank is very similar!
I love these Abercrombie tank tops, even though I don’t wear them for hiking or outdoor activities. Instead, they’ve become my go-to for road trips and casual days when we’re exploring towns or relaxing after a hike.
They’re super comfortable, flattering, and go with pretty much everything. I don’t hike in them mainly because the fabric isn’t designed for heavy movement or pack friction — but for travel days, they’re a favorite.
The REI Ribbed Bra Tank didn’t work for me as a hiking tank. It pilled very quickly and offered zero support — it also doesn’t have a built-in bra, which made it feel flimsy on longer hikes. While it’s more affordable than something like Lululemon, I wouldn’t recommend it for hiking or high-movement outdoor activities.
To be fair, REI’s website does note that it’s designed for low-impact activities like yoga, which makes sense in hindsight. I still own the tank, but I don’t wear it anymore because of how badly it pilled and how unsupported it felt on the trail.
*This tank doesn’t appear to be on REI’s website anymore, but they do have this tank top that looks to be higher quality than the ribbed tank. It has a built in shelf bra and the material looks better!
Pros:
- Cheaper than Lululemon
- Is REI brand + sold at REI so you could return it within a year if you don’t like it after trying it
- If you’re a Co-op member you get REI points!
Cons:
- Pilled easily – not made for hiking
- No support
I’m always on the lookout for new tank tops, so I decided to try these Beyond Yoga tanks that I’ve seen others recommend. They’re incredibly soft and comfortable — perfect for yoga, lounging, or light activities.
That said, I personally don’t wear them for hiking. The fabric feels delicate and not durable enough to handle the friction from a hiking pack. Plus, they don’t offer much support, which makes them less ideal for anything high-impact or full-day trail use.
Pros:
- Comfortable
- Sold at REI
Cons:
- Might pill easily – not made for hiking
- No support
