über non sweaty, cool as possible, not really even there climbing t shirt

Patagonia capeline cool

I have a lululemon top that’s designed for hot yoga I think- more ventilation holes than shirt, but really nice and cool indoors.

I use it for CrossFit and bouldering, and it’s so thin it never really gets damp.

Not much direct help but after going through a lot of fancy technical clothing, I've found this material is by far the best for wicking sweat, and not sticking to you

I go to TKMaxx a couple times a year and pull out sports tops with this (or similar) material

Key points to look for:
Meshy, *not shiny*.... Shiny = sweaty, regardless of what the brand says about 'wicking' etc. It feels slightlyyyyy rough rather than super smooth.

It's really difficult to tell what the material is like when buying online, so best to look around shops. Imo.

Not expensive either.

Helly Lifa, been wearing them for several years outdoors right through the winter under a Buffalo Special 6. Excellent things.

Not so good indoors for the OP tho'.

I was going to suggest the same as JamBo - Patagonia Cap Cool. Looks good, works well, lasts well. If you go on their website there's always a colour or two on sale. Don't get white tho'. Works well for running, and as general outdoors baselayer

Try the Fohn DriRelease Tee.. they're very thin, almost cool to the touch and wick very well (which will aid cooling). I bought a couple when it was blinkin' hot over the summer and was impressed. Fox also do some DriRelease tees which are a bit thicker but have more of a perforated weave on the back.

Have a look at some thin running tops.
The Ron Hill tech tops are really light and what I wear on hot days out running.
https://startfitness.co.uk/products/ronhill-tech-short-sleeve-mens-running-top-blue-1

Have a good rest in between problems. Cool down + thinking time. Always worth it and your skin will last.

Failing that, go old school with a vest top preferably one from bitd...stone monkey etc. Needs decent guns though.

Anything made from Polartec Delta fabric. There's not a lot of it about - Wiggle has a few DHB Lab cycling baselayers made from the stuff - eg:

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-aeron-lab-polartec-short-sleeve-baselayer

I have a Macpac Delta tee and it's significantly better than any other hot conditions baselayer I've used including Patagonia's lightweight Capilene Cool. Wore it a lot during the mad heatwave this summer.

https://www.polartec.com/fabrics/base/delta

Helly Lifa

You what!

Jesus wept, no.

Patagonia capeline cool

I've one. Having worn out an identical predecessor. The first top I reach for in heat.

You're going through five shirts "on rotation" in a single climbing session?

Reckon I'd either be filing that under "**** it, I'll be sweaty" or seeing a doctor about hyperhydrosis treatments.

Just embrace your inner climbing hero and wear either baggy climbing shorts or Lycra tights with no shirt.
Don't forget to accessories with a large bucket of icing sugar chalk to make everyone in the place cough like a coal miner after a few minutes from the dust 😉

I climb in a gym bro style vest from decathlon. No need for cool fabric, just wear as little of it as possible whilst still covering your nips

I've got a RAB t-shirt that fits the bill, not sure of the model.

I have to wring out any shirt (and shorts) I mtb in during summer so I’ve given up bothering.

The only option that is going to work here is a mankini.

Speedos with no shirt.

😆 😆

I always wear a vest as it doesn't restrict movement - running vest or similar technical material to avoid sweatiness. Plus baggy lightweight shorts

Are you really sweating that much when it's cooler, gyms are big open and unheated and bouldering isn't really continuous exercise. If I'm are trying problems at my limit I'm spending more time resting than climbing and keeping warm is more of a the problem at this time of year

I'd recommend my ukgravelco technical t shirt as it seems to do the job on sweaty rides on the bike. Drys fast doesn't soak through but does have "gravel gang rider" on the back 😆

I fear the OP doth protest too much,nobody at an indoor boulder wall cares about what a sweaty old 50 something is wearing(or looks like).
4-5 shirts in rotation!,maybe at a northern soul night. 😆 🤣 😂

Depot climbing centre, Manchester, skinny 50 year old man with a protruding gut and an inability to cope with warm temperatures.

Sounds familiar...

They don't heat the place, do they, so that should take care of it fairly shortly?

Just go full retro 80s. Vest and stripey tights, Andy Pollitt headband optional. Or you could go for the Ron Fawcett running short shorts look, although this will possibly lead to a ban for giving people standing around on the mats an eyeful.

You’re going through five shirts “on rotation” in a single climbing session?

You know what, I think I may have exaggerated. Definitely four but I don't think I've ever used 5.☺️

I tend to do quite long sessions, probably minimum of 50 or 60 problems, on occasion a hundred or so, which requires a lot of effort on my part. Much more of a circuit boulderer than projects.

Also, I tend to run very hot whatever exercise I'm doing. Eg I ski in a short sleeved thermal, thin trousers and shell layer down to about minus 8 or so ( Scotland excluded obvs)

Loads of suggestions. Many thanks all.
I shall flex the plastic today.

go fly helicopters in a warzone for a spell. i understand that stops one sweating altogether.

Why not get a t-shirt tattooed on

Just chose a logo that you really like as it will be there a while

Patagonia capilene daily as others have said. I've accumulated a few over the years and brilliant for sweating activities.

I fear the OP doth protest too much,nobody at an indoor boulder wall cares about what a sweaty old 50 something is wearing(or looks like).

If The Depot is the wall I think it is, 40% of the clientelle is duck-pouted young women who spend the afternoon hanging around looking pretty rather than actually doing any climbing. So I can understand why the OP might be concerned about the way he looks, a bad case of Wishful Thinking. 😁

Incidentally, @thegeneralist or any other localish climbers, I was supposed to be taking a new climber to Preston on Sunday and I've had my usual climbing partner bail. So if anyone is free and fancies a scramble, let me know.

(Spoiler: I'm rubbish)

I'm not really able to commit to days out, but am semi regular at the Depot on Wed or Thu.

If anyone fancies a meet then that would be cool. ( assuming we all wear Patagucci Dryflow ubervests obvs 😉 )

Alternative could be go to Rock Antics wall in Middlesbrough. It isn't usually heated. In January I'd recommend taking gloves for getting the blood back into your fingers between problems. How many layers you need is more often the issue than how few!