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Black Diamond Rhythm Tee Review

Superior temperature regulation makes this the most versatile shirt we tested, perfect for trail running
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Black Diamond Rhythm Tee Review (Over a year into testing this shirt and the extreme stretch still returns to form, it shows little sign of wear, and...)
Over a year into testing this shirt and the extreme stretch still returns to form, it shows little sign of wear, and carries no scent.
Credit: Jeff Colt
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Black Diamond Equipment
By Jeff Colt ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 10, 2023
90
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 17
  • Comfort - 30% 9.0
  • Breathability - 30% 9.0
  • Drying Speed - 20% 8.0
  • Features & Versatility - 20% 10.0

Our Verdict

The Black Diamond Rhythm Tee is an excellent running shirt and base layer. The Merino wool, nylon blend is soft on the skin and stretches superbly, allowing it to move with your body. It's also breathable, lightweight, and retains little to no odor. We wore it day in and day out, under parkas and packs, and it performed phenomenally, retaining its shape despite the fabric's stretch. This is an incredible layer, making it a natural choice for one of our coveted awards. The marriage of stretch, breathability, and comfort led us to pull it on in the morning and leave it on all day, regardless of activity. Use as a nighty, wake up, adventure, repeat. See how the rest of the competition stacked up in our best running shirt review.
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptional temperature regulation
Highly breathable
Quick-drying
Natural odor control
REASONS TO AVOID
Sags when saturated
Warm in extremely hot conditions
Expensive
Editors' Note: This review was updated on May 10, 2023, to include some additional buying advice.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Running Shirt for Men
Top Pick Award
Best for All-Day Use
Top Pick Award
Best for Hot Runs
Top Pick Award
Most Breathable Running Shirt
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Price $90 List
$75.00 at Backcountry
$55.93 at REI$66 List$70 List$45 List
$45.00 at REI
Overall Score Sort Icon
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86
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This shirt offers superior comfort, breathability, and stretch, all while stay odor-freeWith a relaxed, athletic fit, this is the most comfortable shirt for all-day useOur favorite shirt for running in hot and humid conditions since this model's material sags less and doesn't absorb as much waterWith maximum breathability, this shirt is best for hot dry climates where evaporative cooling is neededProvides excellent comfort and versatility for a great price with plenty of fun colors to choose from
Rating Categories Black Diamond Rhyth... Arc'teryx Cormac Crew Janji Helio Tech Ultimate Direction... Patagonia Capilene...
Comfort (30%)
9.0
10.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
Breathability (30%)
9.0
8.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
Drying Speed (20%)
8.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
6.5
Features & Versatility (20%)
10.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Specs Black Diamond Rhyth... Arc'teryx Cormac Crew Janji Helio Tech Ultimate Direction... Patagonia Capilene...
Weight (Size Medium) 3.3 oz 3.8 oz 2.9 oz 4.2 oz 4.1 oz
Material 57% Nylon, 43% Merino Wool 100% Polyester 100% Polyester 52% Polyester 44% Lyocell 4% Spandex 100% Recycled Polyester
Reflective Areas? Yes, 2 Yes, 1 Yes, 2 Yes, 4 No
Seam Type Flatlock Merrow Flatlock Flatlock Overlock
UPF? Not Stated 50+ 25 Not stated Not Stated
Odor Control? Yes, natural properties of wool Yes, DAO (Durable Anti Odor) Yes, HeiQ Fresh odor control treatment Polygiene antimicrobial odor control Yes, HeiQ Pure

Our Analysis and Test Results

Black Diamond set out to make the lightest running shirt possible with the benefits of Merino wool. At 3.3 ounces, the Rhythm Tee is wonderfully light, very breathable, and our absolute favorite for layering. While the price is steep, this piece offers more than most running shirts in the form of Merino wool benefits. A simple construction paired with amazing stretch creates a layer that doesn't chafe with a pack or layers, has no excessive stitching (thus reducing weight and increasing durability), and breathes well while wicking moisture. It could use some added reflective banding, but other than that it's simply stellar.

Performance Comparison


black diamond rhythm tee - our favorite running shirts are adaptable and work in a variety of...
Our favorite running shirts are adaptable and work in a variety of conditions and temperatures. Keeping us comfortable both in valleys and on ridgelines is a priority and the BD Rhythm did just that.
Credit: Matthew Richardson

Comfort


The Rhythm Tee topped the charts in overall comfort, both when pulling it on for the first time and when performing on the trail. Unlike some Merino wool shirts, there is no itch or discomfort against the skin here. At 3.3 ounces, the lofty fabric feels almost cloudlike and is barely noticeable.


It can't be said enough; the stretch and shape retention of this shirt are ridiculous. While our tester, at 5'10" and 155lb, wore a medium, he likely could have comfortably worn a small or large. Smooth and soft flatlock seams stretch with the Merino wool and nylon fabric, and however perplexing it may be, the shirt kept its form. Even the soft thread used on the flatlock seams contributed to the four directional stretch. Outperforming many shirts with body-mapped mesh panels and underarm gussets, this tee has a very simple design with side seams and raglan sleeves connecting to the collar. Fewer seams, paired with the qualities of the Nuyarn fabric, make for a more comfortable and durable ride by eliminating weak points.

black diamond rhythm tee - talk about stretch! we appreciate the form, fit, and function...
Talk about stretch! We appreciate the form, fit, and function provided by the wildly stretchy merino wool/nylon blend on the Rhythm Tee.
Credit: Jeff Colt

While we worried that the stretch of the Rhythm Tee might cause bunching, and shape retention made us think of discomfort and bunching, it fit comfortably beneath a light windbreaker, fleece hoody, and three layer shell. The highly breathable fabric with its natural wicking properties led us to ditch our normal long underwear. As the lifts stopped spinning in the spring, we lived in this shirt for spring ski missions, often leaving the house on a bike, skinning for hours, ripping down our objective, and biking home.

black diamond rhythm tee - for the most expensive shirt in the review, underarm gussets seem...
For the most expensive shirt in the review, underarm gussets seem like a no-brainer, but the merino wool/nylon blend is so stretchy, an underarm gusset would only add unnecessary seams. The comfort is all there.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Breathability


There are shirts that feature strategic mesh paneling to promote ventilation, and there are shirts that use a uniform polyester blend to capitalize on evaporative cooling. This shirt does not fall into either of these categories. The Rhythm Tee is made with Nuyarn, a fabric that uses Merino wool drafted over a synthetic nylon core. On the outside of the fiber is Merino wool, an excellent wicking agent, while on the inside is highly stretchable nylon. This makes the entire shirt permeable to airflow and equips it with the thermoregulating benefits of Merino wool.


If you have enjoyed the breathability of other Merino wool shirts but felt uncertain about the comfort or durability, this shirt may change your mind. During hill repeats in the heat, it wicked moisture and promoted evaporative cooling. And, while nordic skiing on the spring crust in Ashcroft, CO, it retained enough body heat to keep our testers warm while not sweating through. The best of both worlds.

black diamond rhythm tee - as you see, air can pass easily through the fibers of the shirt...
As you see, air can pass easily through the fibers of the shirt, heightening breathability.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Drying Speed


Our standardized drying speed test helped us compare polyester shirts surprisingly well, but it didn't take into account the feel of the damp material against the skin. While the Rhythm Tee did not exhibit the same drying capabilities as some of the polyester shirts in the mix, on the trails, it performed phenomenally.


When wet, this shirt held 63% of its weight in water. After the first spin cycle, it retained 30% of its weight in water, and after ten minutes in the dryer, only 9% of the shirt's weight in moisture remained. The notable difference here is that at 9%, it felt completely dry to the touch, while polyester shirts feel damp with between 2%- 5% of their weight in water remaining.

Outside of our kitchen lab test, we never reached a point of discomfort while wearing the Rhythm. We did note, however, that when properly wet from a spring rainstorm, the fibers stretched out, and the shirt got larger — though it returned to its normal shape and size as it dried. When wet and stretched out, the fibers were more susceptible to degradation. Since wool is a natural fiber and not a plastic, we tried to avoid direct friction between pack and shirt when it was wet.

black diamond rhythm tee - so light and stretchy, the bd rhythm flows effortlessly with body...
So light and stretchy, the BD Rhythm flows effortlessly with body movements. An excellent shirt for running or anything that will utilize the benefits of the merino wool fabric as a highly breathable base layer.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Features & Versatility


This is one versatile base layer, so much so that it performs phenomenally as a running shirt. We wore it during both hot yoga and freezing dawn patrol missions, and it crushed. For 50 kilometer races and track workouts, same deal. From rock climbing to mountain biking, the comfort and performance of the Rhythm Tee rang true. It is a highly effective base layer for all seasons.


With a tag-less neck and an integrated collar sweatband that stretches with the shirt, comfort was spared at no cost. Sadly, though, the Rhythm Tee doesn't boast UPF protection and only features two small reflective logos, a critical feature that could make this highly versatile shirt a great choice for urban commuters. Nonetheless, the primary features of this shirt remain in the fabric.

black diamond rhythm tee - black diamond's reflective logos on the rhythm tee are on the front...
Black Diamond's reflective logos on the Rhythm Tee are on the front and back of the shirt. Despite being minimal, they still offer a glint of reflection.
Credit: Jeff Colt

We couldn't smell a hint of our efforts on this versatile shirt. It felt like forgetting to record a run on Strava. Week after week, there was nothing to show or smell. The odor-control benefits of Merino wool are striking. We sniffed for odors while exercising in the shirt, after workouts, and after it had been balled up dirty on the floor and found little to no trace of all our adventures. Impressive.

black diamond rhythm tee - on spring ski missions, the rhythm tee was a go to base layer.
On spring ski missions, the Rhythm Tee was a go to base layer.
Credit: Jeff Colt

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Rhythm Tee?


The Merino wool of the Black Diamond Rhythm Tee eliminates odor and offers superior breathability and unparalleled stretch. This shirt is ideal for layering, creating a fit that is excellent for running or as a base layer. For the multi-sport enthusiast or the hundred-mile veteran, this shirt helps with thermoregulation and ventilation and provides a comfortable fit with layers or a pack. The lofty Merino wool is so light that it feels — and smells — like you aren't even wearing it.

What Other Running Shirts Should You Consider?


For a highly versatile layer that performs across elements and disciplines, the Black Diamond Rhythm Tee is still an expensive running shirt. But when compared to other Merino wool base layers, it falls more appropriately in the mix. The slightly heavier fabric weight of the similarly priced Ibex Merino Tencel makes it our top choice as a short-sleeved baselayer. While the Trew Lightweight Nuyarn Merino Basic T is a slightly more affordable Merino wool nylon blend. If the price tags of these Merino tees are daunting, check out the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily tee shirt, our choice for overall value based on its balance of performance and price.

Jeff Colt