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The Ultimate Guide to Nike Lab T Shirts

Most Popular Nike Lab T Shirt Designs

When it comes to Nike Lab t-shirts, the designs are where these shirts really stand out from the crowd. Nike’s designers consistently push boundaries and innovate with each new limited edition Nike Lab collection. So what are some of the most iconic and sought-after Nike Lab t-shirt designs over the years? Here are just a few of the highlights.

Back in 2012, Nike released a series of graphic tees as part of the Nike Knows collection. These shirts featured bold, abstract prints with cryptic phrases like “Nike Knows What’s Up” and “Nike Knows Boundaries”. The edgy aesthetic and air of mystery around the meaning behind the phrases made these some of the most memorable Nike Lab designs.

In 2016, Nike debuted their “Unlimited” collection of Nike Lab t-shirts focused on championing body positivity. These shirts had empowering statements like “Unlimited Strength” and “Unlimited Courage” printed on the back in a distinctive slanted font. The positive messaging resonated with consumers and made the “Unlimited” designs hugely popular.

No conversation about iconic Nike Lab t-shirts is complete without the Nike x Off-White “The Ten” collection from 2017. Designed by Virgil Abloh, shirts from this capsule featured deconstructed details, visible stitching, and Abloh’s signature text like “Logo” and “Swoosh” to reimagine the Nike classics. These remain some of the most coveted Nike Lab tees for streetwear fans.

More recently in 2021, Nike launched a playful collection of graphic tees paying homage to favorite snacks like Oreos and Lay’s Potato Chips. These tees with fun food packaging prints showcased Nike’s lighter, youthful side and were a hit with Gen Z audiences.

At the end of the day, Nike Lab’s innovative designers are not afraid to experiment with new styles, techniques, and themes. This has given us some of the most memorable and sought-after t-shirt designs over the years, elevating the basic tee to an artform and cultural icon.

Top Nike Lab T Shirt Fabrics

One of the key things that sets Nike Lab t-shirts apart is the premium fabrics they use. Nike obsesses over technical innovation and finding the best possible materials for athletic apparel. So what are some of the standout fabrics they’ve used over the years for Nike Lab tees?

Nike Lab released a performance line of t-shirts in 2014 made from Dri-FIT fabric. This proprietary polyester material wicks moisture away from the skin and dries incredibly fast to keep you cool and comfortable. The ultra-breathable Dri-FIT tee was ideal for workouts and became a gym staple.

In 2017, Nike launched a series of Nike On Demand tees focused on sustainability. These were made from recycled polyester created from plastic bottles as well as recycled cotton scraps and fabric waste. The eco-conscious fabrics resonated with environmentally minded consumers.

Nike Lab also released moisture-wicking tees made with Aeroloft technology in 2019. This revolutionary fabric has a featherweight wool-like exterior layered over a breathable foam backer. The result is a super lightweight and cool tee perfect for summer training.

The Nike x Undercover Gyakusou running collection from 2020 featured Nike Lab t-shirts made with AEROREADY technology. This fabric is incredibly lightweight and stretchy to optimize air flow as you run. It also utilizes recycled polyester to reduce waste.

Nike’s Hyperfeel line of training tees utilizes Hyperfeel fabric for a barely-there feel. The fabric is micro-perforated to enhance breathability and flexibility. A seamless construction eliminates abrasion for unrestricted movement.

By continually innovating with high-tech fabrics like these, Nike Lab offers tee shirts perfect for any activity yet comfortable enough to lounge in. The premium materials elevate a basic tee into a lightweight, breathable athletic wear powerhouse.

Nike Lab T Shirt Fit and Sizing

Finding the right fit is crucial for any garment, and Nike Lab t-shirts are no exception. Nike obsessively tests their apparel on athletes of all shapes and sizes to optimize the fit. Here’s what you need to know about fit and sizing for Nike Lab tees.

Nike Lab t-shirts are designed with an athletic build in mind. The fit is snug and streamlined to lay smoothly against the body without restrictive compression. For a looser relaxed fit, sizes can be sized up 1-2 sizes.

The length of Nike Lab tees hits at the hip for good coverage during activity. For a more streetwear baggy effect, some choose to size up and go for a longer oversized tee. The hems are pre-shrunk so the length stays trim.;

Nike Lab tee sleeves hit around mid-bicep for most, enabling a good range of motion. The sleeves are also raglan style for enhanced mobility. Snug cuffs prevent sleeves from riding up.

Nike Lab tees feature crew neck collars that hug the neck without feeling too tight. The collar retains its shape wash after wash without stretching out.

Materials like lightweight mesh or soft cotton provide a flexible fit that moves with you during a workout. Seamless fabric construction also enhances unrestricted movement.

For women, Nike Lab tees are tailored for an athletic female frame. Cuts are designed to elegantly drape and flatter curves. Adjustable cropped lengths also cater to different preferences.

Nike offers Nike Lab tees in both men’s and women’s sizing. Measurements are provided for each garment to find your ideal fit. Review sizing charts, and don’t hesitate to order multiple sizes at once to find the perfect Nike Lab tee.

Nike Lab T-Shirts for Different Activities

One of the great things about Nike Lab t-shirts is their versatility. Nike makes technical tees suitable for everything from hardcore training to casual everyday wear. Here’s a look at some of the best Nike Lab tees for different activities.

For running and endurance workouts, Nike’s Aeroready and Dri-FIT fabrics are ideal. These lightweight tees wick moisture, breathe well, and soak up sweat to keep you cool and dry on long runs. Reflective details also help with visibility for early morning or night runs.

Nike Lab training tees utilize stretchy, flexible fabrics perfect for the gym. Seamless builds and mesh paneling offer unrestricted movement during lifts, cardio, or yoga. Thumbholes on long sleeve tees also keep sleeves secure.

Golfers will appreciate the cool, breathable feel of Nike Dry or Aeroloft tees on the course. The athletic cut allows freedom of movement for smooth swings. UV protection features guard against the sun’s rays.

For everyday casual wear, Nike’s cotton graphic tees have soft, lived-in comfort right out of the package. Contemporary designs express personal style for everyday errands and relaxing.

Nike Thermo fabrics feature soft brushed interiors that trap heat, making them great for outdoor activities like hiking or bonfires on chilly days. The material is also lightweight enough for layering.

Moisture-wicking fabrics like Nike AeroReady keep you cool and dry under soccer, football, lacrosse, or hockey pads. Stretchiness enables maximum maneuverability.

NikeLab tees also make excellent base layers under hoodies, coats, and flannels as temperatures drop. The lightweight material doesn’t add bulk.

With technical fabrics perfect for workouts and sport along with lifestyle design options, Nike Lab t-shirts can truly do it all. Shop with your intended activities in mind to find your ideal Nike Lab tee.

Caring for Your Nike Lab T-Shirts

Nike Lab t-shirts are designed for premium performance and style. Follow these laundry and care tips to keep your Nike tees looking and feeling great for the long haul.

Always check the fabric care label on your Nike Lab tee for the manufacturer’s washing recommendations. Most can be safely machine washed cold and tumble dried low.

Use a gentle detergent without dyes or fragrances that could irritate skin. Nike recommends their High Efficiency Detergent formulated specifically for activewear.

Wash similar colors together and avoid overloading the machine. Give shirts plenty of room to move around freely during the wash cycle.

Turn shirts inside out before washing to protect graphics and limit pilling. This also minimizes abrasion damage to technical performance fabrics.

If air drying, lay shirts flat on a drying rack instead of hanging to prevent stretch. Hang drying is preferred for some delicate technical fabrics like Nike Dry to limit heat damage from the dryer.

Avoid using fabric softeners or dryer sheets as they can coat technical fibers and reduce moisture-wicking capabilities over time.

Use the delicate or permanent press setting if drying shirts in the dryer. Remove promptly after cycle finishes to limit wrinkles. Hang or fold immediately.

Spot clean shirts as needed between washes. Gently dab stains with mild detergent and cool water using a sponge or soft brush. Avoid vigorous scrubbing.

Store Nike Lab tees folded in dresser drawers away from heat and sunlight which can degrade fabrics over time. Refold rather than hanging to prevent stretching at the shoulders.

By following these best practices for caring for your Nike Lab t-shirts, you’ll keep them looking and performing their best for many seasons to come.

Where to Buy Nike Lab T-Shirts

Nike Lab t-shirts are limited edition pieces not sold at every retailer. Here are some tips on where to buy the top Nike Lab tee shirts.

The Nike SNKRS app is the best place to get first access to new Nike Lab collections as they are released. Limited sizes and quantities sell out extremely fast so you need to be ready to purchase right away.

NikeLab’s website is also a reliable direct source for the latest Nike Lab tee shirts. Inventory is limited but restocks occur periodically when new stock becomes available. Sign up for alerts on items to get notified.

Select Nike flagship stores like NikeTown locations often carry Nike Lab collections in limited quantities. Check the store’s launch calendar or give them a call to check for inventory of specific Nike Lab tees.

Retailers like Kith, Social Status, Atmos, A Ma Maniere, Bodega, Concepts and Dover Street Market collaborate with Nike Lab on capsule collections which they sell exclusively both online and in their retail locations.

Resale sites like StockX and GOAT are options once Nike Lab tee shirts are sold out. However, expect to pay well above retail for the coveted Nike Lab gear as demand drives up resale prices.

Nike Lab tees are also frequently sold on sites like Grailed and eBay. Authentication is crucial when buying from individual resellers rather than trusted retailers.

Boutiques and streetwear consignment shops may also occasionally get authentic Nike Lab items in stock, though selections tend to be limited.

Join Nike Lab’s mailing list for info on new releases. Follow collaborating retailers and resellers on social media for restock announcements. Sign up for launch reminders and act fast to secure the Nike Lab tee you want.

Prices of Nike Lab T-Shirts

Nike Lab t-shirts demand a bit of a premium over regular Nike apparel due to their limited run status and innovative technical design. Here’s an overview of Nike Lab tee pricing.

Standard Nike Dri-FIT and cotton crew neck t-shirts generally retail in the $25-$35 range. Nike Lab tee prices usually start around $45 for more basic everyday styles.

Limited edition seasonal collections like Tech Pack tees fall in the $55-$75 retail price range. More ambitious designs and details command higher prices.

Highly coveted collaborations with brands like Off-White can fetch over $100 retail. The “Ten” collection tees retailed up to $150 originally.

On the resale market, prices vary wildly based on demand. Common Nike Lab tees may resell for $70-$100 above retail. Hyper rare collabs can resell for 3X retail or higher.

Complex construction with tech fabrics, intricate graphics and unique details contribute to higher prices for Nike Lab gear. Made in limited batches, the exclusivity also drives up resale value.

Compared to basic Nike tees, Nike Lab shirts can cost nearly twice as much. But buyers get substantively better performance tech and forward-thinking style in exchange.

While not cheap, Nike Lab tee prices reflect their premium status as pinnacles of performance engineering and design. For Nike fans, the elevated cost often justifies the boost in quality and exclusivity.

Nike Lab T-Shirt Reviews and Ratings

Nike Lab t-shirts are held to the highest standards when it comes to materials, construction and design. Here’s an overview of Nike Lab tee reviews and product ratings.

Across the web, Nike Lab tees earn overwhelmingly positive reviews for their performance and quality. The soft, lightweight feel of technical fabrics like Dri-FIT scores points for comfort.

Breathability and moisture wicking capabilities also rate very highly, keeping wearers cool and dry whether working out or on the go. The athletic cut allows easy movement.

Nike Lab graphics and prints earn lots of praise for their stylish, modern aesthetics. Clever details surprise and delight wearers.

Sizing and fit gets strong marks for the contoured athletic cut suited for sport and daily wear. Reviewers say Nike Lab tees fit true to size.

Many reviewers comment on receiving compliments and questions about their Nike Lab tee designs. The products clearly make a stylistic impact.

Constructed from quality materials, Nike Lab tees hold up well to repeated washing and wear without shrinking, warping or unraveling.

Critical feedback focuses mainly on the premium pricing, especially for highly sought after collabs. But overall the quality justifies the price for most.

With elite fabrics and technical design, Nike Lab t-shirts satisfy both form and function. Stellar reviews confirm the tees deliver on comfort, performance and standout style.

Limited Edition Nike Lab T-Shirts

One of the hallmarks of Nike Lab t-shirts is their limited edition status. Here’s an overview of some of the notable limited run Nike Lab tees over the years.

In 2016, Nike released an exclusive collection of Basquiat-inspired NikeLab tees paying tribute to the late artist’s signature style. Only available at NikeLab locations and on Nike.com, the Basquiat line was an instant hit.

To celebrate the 2018 World Cup, Nike dropped a small capsule of NikeLab soccer tees with country-specific graphics. With only a reported 60 shirts per design made, the World Cup tees are extremely rare.

Buzz around Virgil Abloh’s Nike “The Ten” collection in 2017 was massive, with only limited quantities of the NikeLab tee shirts produced. Reselling for huge sums, they remain grail items for streetwear collectors.

NikeLab’s What The Shanghai and What The Beijing tees put a localization spin on the classic What The aesthetic. China exclusives, finding them stateside today is nearly impossible.

Supreme and NikeLab have done many coveted tee collaborations over the years only sold at Supreme stores and on their website for short windows. Resale prices today exceed $500 in some cases.

Concepts, Undefeated and other top sneaker boutiques have all had NikeLab tee capsule drops with as little as 12-50 shirts per style made. Sold out instantly, they now command way above retail.

With such small batch production runs, when NikeLab tee shirts sell out, they are gone forever. The rarity and exclusivity adds to their appeal for hardcore Swoosh fans.

Nike Lab T-Shirt History and Origins

Nike Lab has created some of the most forward-thinking apparel of the last two decades. But what are the origins of these innovative Nike Lab t-shirts?

Nike launched NikeLab originally in 1978 under the name Athletics West. It focused on designing performance running gear for elite athletes. They operated as a small skunkworks R&D offshoot from mainline Nike.

In the 1980s and 90s, early NikeLab shirts featured patented moisture wicking fabrics designed for training. This genesis of technical athletic tee shirts laid the foundation for later innovation.

NikeLab as we know it today was formally established in 2000. The focus expanded beyond just creating performance gear to fashion-forward lifestyle clothing as well.

Some of the first modern NikeLab tee collections like Futura, Stash and De La Soul featured graphic tees celebrating art, music and street culture. This set the tone for future collabs.

NikeLab partnered with brands like Undercover, Stone Island, Sacai and Comme des Garcons over the years to fuse performance technology with avant-garde style.

Collections evolved to include things like sustainability-focused shirts made from recycled materials, and 3D-knit tees prototyping future manufacturing techniques.

From modest beginnings engineering running shirts in the 70s and 80s, NikeLab now represents the pinnacle of Nike’s innovation, style, and culture. The t-shirt in many ways has been their canvas for creative expression.

Features That Make Nike Lab T-Shirts Unique

Nike Lab t-shirts stand out from standard tees thanks to special touches and design details. Here are some key features that make Nike Lab tees unique.

They use exclusive high-tech fabrics not found in regular Nike apparel. Innovative materials like Dri-FIT ADV, Aeroloft, and AeroReady optimize moisture wicking, ventilation, stretch, and more.

Limited edition seasonal collections feature original graphic prints and logos designed specifically for that Nike Lab capsule, unlike core Nike graphics used across collections.

Collaborations with brands like Off-White, Sacai, Undercover, and Comme des Garçons result in mashups incorporating distinctive elements of both labels.

Some Nike Lab tees are customized for specific cities, events, or occasions, like the Beijing and Shanghai “What The” shirts or World Cup collections.

They often feature subtle design details like textured fabric panels, asymmetric cuts, deconstructed seams, and quilting that add visual interest.

Advanced manufacturing techniques are used like seamless knitting machines and 3D-printed embroidery to create complex shirts impossible to make traditionally.

Limited run quantities ranging from dozens to hundreds per style make each Nike Lab tee more exclusive and rare than mass produced items.

Premium materials, new production methods, and exclusive designs make Nike Lab the pinnacle of technical and aesthetic innovation for tee shirts.

Customizing and Personalizing Nike Lab T-Shirts

One of the coolest things about Nike Lab t-shirts is the ability to customize and personalize them. Nike offers several ways to make your Nike Lab tee one-of-a-kind.

Nike’s Nike By You platform lets you pick the colors, fabrics, logos and details to create a custom Nike Lab tee shirt tailored to you. Choose from hundreds of color and material combinations to design your own look.

Some Nike stores like NikeTown locations offer on-site Nike By You customization stations to personalize Nike Lab tees. Work hands-on with expert staff to bring your vision to life.

Nike’s NikeCraft workshop created made-to-order artisan Nike Lab tees hand-dyed with custom patterns. This VIP service created truly individual shirts through expert craftsmanship.

Collaborating boutiques like Undefeated and Dover Street Market have produced limited custom co-branded Nike Lab tees available exclusively through their stores.

Adding custom screen printing or embroidery offers limitless options to personalize Nike Lab tees. Some sneaker shops offer customization services for Nike apparel.

Swapping out standard Nike labels for custom tags or patches lets you add signature branding. Sewing or ironing on items lends personal flair.

With Nike’s robust customization platforms and services plus DIY modification options, Nike Lab tee shirts can be as unique as you are.

How Nike Lab T-Shirts Are Made

Nike Lab t-shirts represent the pinnacle of Nike’s innovation and quality. Here’s an inside look at how these elite athletic tee shirts are made.

It starts with researching and developing groundbreaking new technical fabrics that perform better than anything before. Nike’s “Kitchen” lab rigorously tests materials like Dri-FIT ADV and Aeroloft.

Next, Nike’s designers sketch concepts for new Nike Lab collections focusing on aesthetics, fit, and functionality. Computer rendering helps visualize the shirts.

Fabric is sustainably sourced from recycled materials when possible then carefully cut and sewn using advanced techniques like seamless knitting for precision.

Skilled technicians operate specialty machines to seamlessly knit the fabric or assemble shirts with minimal seams and lux details.

Graphics and logos are embedded into the shirts using next-gen processes like 3D printing that apply durable illustrations without stitches.

The completed Nike Lab tee shirts are inspected for quality control and perfect fit. Only the shirts that meet extremely high standards are approved.

After photoshooting upcoming collections, the shirts are packaged up and shipped in limited quantities to select Nike stores and partners worldwide.

Meticulous attention to detail and cutting-edge manufacturing allow Nike to make tee shirts suited for the world’s greatest athletes.

Future of Nike Lab T-Shirts

If the past is any indication, Nike Lab t-shirts of the future will continue pushing the boundaries of performance engineering and stylistic design. Here’s what the future likely holds for Nike Lab tees.

Fabrics will incorporate new science like adaptive temperature regulation, energy harvesting, biometrics monitoring, and dynamic breathability to create “smart” tee shirts.

3D knitting and printing technology will enable seamless shirts with intricate embossed logos, personalized designs, and variable compression zoning.

Sustainability will be a bigger focus with shirts made completely of recycled materials like ocean plastics along with pioneering new eco-fabrics.

Athleisure and streetwear style will influence cuts and graphics with oversized fits, cropped lengths, bold prints and mixed media embellishments.

Specialized Nike Lab tees will target specific activities from golf and tennis to surfing and climbing with advanced sport-specific engineering.

More immersive retail experiences will surround new Nike Lab releases with innovation pop-ups and in-store customization stations.

As a concept lab, Nike will continue using NikeLab tees as testbeds for bleeding-edge manufacturing techniques before expanding successful ones wider.

If the last 20 years are any predictor, expect NikeLab’s next era of tee shirts to be its most innovative yet while setting the tone for all future athletic apparel.