Brunt is an American boot and workwear company founded on the idea that the people who are out there doing real work know what they need better than someone behind a desk. They are committed to supporting the trades, not just with high-quality products, but also by donating boots to trade schools and through their Bucket Talk podcast. After learning this, I was thrilled to give their McKenna shirt a trial run on my farm during the hottest days of a Tennessee summer.
First Impressions
Brunt sent me two McKenna shirts; one in Blue Heather and one in Safety Yellow. The shirts came neatly folded in thin plastic bags. The tags were attached with real metal pins, not the cheap plastic fasteners you find with most brands, a small detail that underscores Brunt’s commitment to using real materials. The pins prevented those tiny holes that plastic tags can leave behind.
The first thing I noticed was the fabric. I have never felt anything like it. The shirts were extremely lightweight, soft, and stretchy. The fabric is smooth like a rashguard while being as soft as a cotton T-shirt.
Look and Fit
What can I say about the Blue Heather? This is a handsome T-shirt. I would feel comfortable leaving work and heading straight to a casual restaurant or bar in it. It wouldn’t draw any funny looks if worn out on a hot day. In Safety Yellow, it definitely gives more of a ‘work shirt’ vibe, but still looks smart.
Safety Yellow seems like a great shirt for those who are required, or would benefit from, hi-vis workwear. The Heather Blue is perfect for those who have to go straight from working in the field to family activities. It’s also great if your work involves being in the office and going out into the field. You wouldn’t have to change to transition from indoors to the woods or worksite.
For me at 5’11” and 175, this shirt leaves a bit too much space for a belly. It’s not exactly baggy, but there is extra fabric for sure. I don’t think a medium would fit my shoulders, and I normally wear a Large. Still, I would rather have extra space for my tummy than not enough. Aside from that, the fit was nearly perfect. There was plenty of space for bigger arms for those men whose work requires heavier lifting, too.
The shirts are a great length, without looking like a tall-tee. The extra fabric makes flexibility and mobility seamless. I was a bit worried the mesh would look funny or be too transparent. But the mesh doesn’t call attention to itself in a negative way and is not revealing.
Features
These shirts are breathable like no other workshirt I’ve worn. And I have worn a lot, from the big workwear brands to outdoor gear. The side mesh panels help with breathability, but the shirt itself allows for good airflow and wicks moisture well.
There is enough fabric in this design to protect your skin against the Sun. The McKenna shirt is also an excellent choice to layer a jacket over, as the soft, thin material will prevent chafing and rubbing. The McKenna shirts provide UPF 50+ sun protection, which I truly appreciated working while working midday in the height of summer. The neckline of the shirt is also slightly higher than a lot of work T-shirts, which prevents that line of sunburn you may have experienced.
My size Large (L) shirts weighed in at 6 oz, while the Brunt website claims an impressive 4.87 oz of fabric on the size S. The fabric itself is a blend of polyester and spandex that provides plenty of stretch in four directions, preventing that limiting and restricting feeling. I noticed this freedom of movement most around the shoulders and arms when shoveling, lifting, and carrying.
The flatlock seams are easy to overlook, but make a big difference in providing all-day comfort in the McKenna shirt. Most workshirts have seams that stick out and rub on your skin as you move around throughout the day. If you have to go through a large range of motion or perform repetitive movements, this can quickly become uncomfortable and lead to chafing or itchy spots. The flatlock seams prevent this problem and feel much softer than typical shirt seams, especially around the collar. In addition to this, the shoulder seams are dropped on an angle so that as you move your arms, they don’t chafe the tops of your shoulders. Instead, they line up with the hollow between your collarbone and deltoid.
Testing
I wore my two McKenna shirts around my farm for a month of routine work. I started by pulling weeds, hoeing soil, and transplanting some seedlings. The McKenna was comfortable while getting down on the ground and using any tools. Then I moved on to mowing, weed-eating, and spreading mulch, and carrying heavy loads. I was grateful for the moisture-wicking and UPF 50+ in the 90+ degree heat. The shirt kept me relatively cool, allowing me to finish up my work without having to duck inside to cool off or stop working until the sun dipped below the treeline.
The shirts help up well to daily work and the farm maintenance that I perform less often. I trimmed up a few bushes and trees in the McKenna shirts. I was a bit worried about carrying armloads of cut branches, but the shirt held up, protecting my skin without getting any holes or snags.
Overall
It’s hard to find a lightweight, high-quality workshirt that can double as a base layer. Based on my past experience reviewing Brunt’s products, I was confident their McKenna shirt would be up to the job. I put it to the test, and it delivered. It may be the most breathable workshirt I’ve ever worn, especially with its side mesh panels bumping the ventilation up to the next level. I felt protected from the sun while wearing it, but not burdened or bundled up. While there was a bit of extra fabric for my frame, it was comfortable and attractive.
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