I tried this startup's gym clothes and was surprised that I liked them more than well-known athletic brands'

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Olivers

When you think of athletic wear, traditional materials like cotton or techy synthetics probably come to mind first.

While both of those materials are probably here to stay, , a brand that launched after a 2013 Kickstarter, is using something different — merino wool. 

You might be trying to figure out exactly how a kind of wool is a good fit for athletic wear, or T-shirts in general, but it actually makes sense.

Heavy activity will leave your cotton T-shirts soaked and your synthetic shirts reeking of body odor. Olivers Apparel's Terminal Tech Tee uses a revolutionary mesh design that's made from a combination of merino wool (against the skin) and polyester (on the face). Merino, a naturally odor-resistant material, absorbs moisture and the polyester wicks it away.

Olivers Apparel sent over few items to try out and I can honestly say that the Terminal Tech Tee is one of the best T-shirts I've worn. It fits exactly as a T-shirt should; the neck opening isn't too wide, and the sleeves and torso aren't too long, and it's very comfortable to wear overall.

While I didn't do a traditional workout in the Terminal Tech Tee, I was very active. The first day I wore mine, I did everything from working on my car outside to going out to eat. With other shirts, I'd usually have to change clothes between both activities because my shirt would be too sweaty. That wasn't the case here, and the stretchy material made me confident it wouldn't lose its shape after repeated wears.

The merino wool is used to keep you cool and dry, but its extra-soft feel is a plus, even when you're not being super active.

When you have such a great shirt like the Terminal Tech Tee, it's almost necessary to find shorts that are up to par as well. Luckily, Olivers has the solution for that  — the All-Over Shorts.

What I liked best about the Olivers Apparel All-Over Shorts was that they looked simple, but they are full of useful features.

Most other athletic shorts incorporate bold branding and some kind of color blocking that's distinctly sports focused. While the All-Over shorts are similarly made, they also have a clean look that makes them perfect for casual wear outside of the gym.

When you are ready to be active, these shorts are ready. They're made out of a blend of nylon and spandex, which come together to create a super stretchy material; I wasn't restricted of any motion when I wore them. Extra features like water repellency and an inner pocket for your phone, wallet, or keys give the All-Over Shorts versatility others shorts just don't have.

Oliver's has some of the best athletic wear I've ever worn, even in comparison to big-name sportswear companies. The prices might seem high at $68 each, but this Kickstarter's apparel is well worth the money. These high-quality pieces won't need frequent replacing, they're perfect for working out, and stylish enough for casual wear.

Shop all items at Olivers Apparel now.

Buy the Olivers Terminal Tech Tee now, $68

Buy the Olivers All-Over Shorts now, $68