100 Percent T-Shirts & Shirts

Cotton or Poly-Cotton: Picking the Right Fabric for the Job

Not all 100 Percent T-Shirts are made from the same stuff, and that distinction matters more than it might seem. The core casual tees use premium combed ring-spun cotton - a tighter-spun fibre that's noticeably softer against the skin than standard jersey cotton and holds its shape wash after wash. For wearing to the trailhead, sitting in a van for two hours, or standing around at a race venue, that comfort makes a real difference over a long day.

The 100% tech tees shift to a poly-cotton blend, and that changes the proposition entirely. Poly-cotton moves sweat away from the skin and dries quickly - so if you're heading to the dirt jumps on a muggy July afternoon or spending a few hours raking a berm in the Peak District, you won't end up in a sodden cotton slab by lunchtime. Think of it as the difference between a casual weekend shirt and something you'd actually want to move around in. The cotton tee wins on softness and off-bike feel; the tech tee wins when the effort goes up. Both use high-quality screen-printed graphics that resist cracking under regular washing, and tagless neck labels keep things comfortable when you're wearing one under a heavier layer all day.

If you're comparing across brands, Fox T-Shirts and Endura T-Shirts take similar approaches - casual cotton for lifestyle wear, poly blends for active use - but 100%'s graphics tend to lean harder into the race aesthetic if that's the look you're after.

Fit, Cut, and Where This Range Sits in Your Kit

100% casual shirts follow a relaxed streetwear fit rather than anything close to an athletic cycling cut. There's no drop tail, no articulated shoulders, no underarm gussets. The silhouette is roomy enough to wear comfortably over a base layer or under a flannel shirt, without looking boxy. Sizing runs fairly true to standard casual sizing - if you want to layer underneath or just prefer a bit more room, go up one size and you won't regret it.

It's worth being clear about what this range isn't. If you need abrasion-resistant fabrics, a longer rear hem for coverage in the riding position, or a cut that doesn't bunch up when you're hunched over the bars, that's a different conversation - have a look at the 100% Jerseys page instead. The casual tees and pit shirts here are off-bike apparel first, and occasional light-duty riding second. That's not a criticism; it's just the right expectation to set before you buy.

The pit shirts are worth a specific mention. A collared, button-up shirt carries a slightly smarter register - useful for race day when you're wrenching in the pits or watching from the top of the course without looking like you've just rolled out of a sleeping bag. POC's casual range targets a similar paddock-to-street gap if you want to compare options.

Layering, Washing, and Getting More Life Out of the Prints

In the UK, a single cotton tee rarely cuts it for long. Mornings at trail centres in Wales or the Scottish Borders can be sharp even in August, and standing around at the top of a DH course in November is a different kind of cold altogether. A 100% cotton tee works well as a mid-layer under a 100% Hoodie - it adds warmth without bulk and keeps the branded look consistent if that matters to you. On warmer days, pair a tech tee with 100% MTB Baggy Shorts and you've got a clean, cohesive casual kit that works from car park to café.

Wash care is where a lot of people quietly destroy a good-looking tee over time. Turn the shirt inside out before it goes in the machine - this protects the screen print from abrasion against other clothing. Wash on a cool 30-degree cycle rather than a hot one, which can degrade the ink binder and cause cracking at the edges of the graphic. Skip the tumble dryer entirely. Screen-printed graphics don't like sustained heat; air drying takes longer but the print will look sharp for far longer. It takes thirty seconds of extra thought per wash and it genuinely extends the life of the garment.

For the poly-cotton tech tees, the same rules apply - cool wash, air dry - but also avoid fabric softener, which can clog the synthetic fibres and reduce the moisture-wicking performance over time. A simple routine keeps both the fabric and the print in good shape.