Hexoskin Smart Shirt: Honest Review from a Real User

Last updated: October 2026  |  Independent review – not sponsored

Most wearables sit on your wrist and estimate. The Hexoskin Smart Shirt sits against your chest and records. This page goes through what Hexoskin says the shirt measures, who it suits, how it differs from a chest strap, and what to check before you buy. We have not worn or tested this shirt, so everything here comes from Hexoskin’s own website and general product knowledge, and we have left out the price figures we could not confirm. Hexoskin describes its garments as clinically validated, so the main question is whether you need that level of data at all.

What Is Hexoskin Smart Shirt?

The Hexoskin Smart Shirt is a biometric compression garment developed by the Canadian health technology company Hexoskin. Unlike traditional fitness wearables strapped to your wrist, this shirt embeds textile electrodes and sensors directly into the fabric itself, allowing it to collect data far closer to the source – your chest, lungs, and heart.

The shirt connects to a small, lightweight recording device (the Hexoskin Device) that clips into a pocket on the side of the garment. This device stores and transmits data via Bluetooth to the Hexoskin app, giving you access to real-time and post-session biometric insights including heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), breathing rate, breathing volume, and activity cadence.

Hexoskin describes its garments as clinically validated and cites around 300 scientific publications on its site. Its range includes Smart Shirts for men, women and kids, a ProShirt aimed at clinical studies, and Astroskin research garments. Check the product page for sizing, washing instructions and what is included in each kit.

Key Features

Heart Rate and HRV Monitoring

Hexoskin says its garments record a one-lead ECG and heart rate continuously, using textile electrodes in the fabric rather than an optical wrist sensor. Chest-based electrodes are generally steadier than wrist optics during hard intervals, but we have not measured this ourselves, so compare against a chest strap if exact figures matter to you.

Respiratory Rate and Breathing Volume Tracking

Hexoskin says the shirt also tracks breathing. For endurance athletes who care about ventilation, that is the main thing a standard chest strap does not offer. Check the product page for exactly which breathing metrics your chosen shirt reports.

Activity and Movement Data

The onboard accelerometer tracks steps, cadence, and movement intensity, providing a complementary layer of activity data alongside the cardiac and respiratory metrics. It’s not a replacement for GPS-based running watches for distance and pace, but it adds meaningful context when combined with the breathing and heart rate feeds – particularly useful for interval sessions where you want to understand effort at a physiological level rather than purely a pace-based one.

Long-Duration Data Logging and API Access

Hexoskin states on its homepage that the device can run for up to 36+ hours on battery and record for up to 100+ days. It also offers research and coaching tools. Check its site for current API and data platform details before relying on them.

How Hexoskin Smart Shirt Compares

Feature	Hexoskin Smart Shirt	Polar H10 Chest Strap	Garmin HRM-Pro Plus
ECG-Quality Heart Rate	✅	✅	✅
Breathing Rate Monitoring	✅	❌	❌
Breathing Volume Tracking	✅	❌	❌
HRV Monitoring	✅	✅	✅
Machine Washable	✅	✅	✅
Price Range	Check current price	Check current price	Check current price

Pros and Cons

Pricing

Hexoskin’s homepage does not show prices, and the figures this page used to quote could not be confirmed, so we have removed them. Prices, kit contents and UK delivery terms can change. Check the current price, what is included (shirt, recording device, app access) and the shipping, duty and returns terms on Hexoskin’s shop before you buy.

Check Current Price at Hexoskin →

Who Is Hexoskin Smart Shirt Best For?

Perfect For:

• Endurance athletes (runners, cyclists, triathletes): Breathing data alongside heart rate is the main extra over a chest strap.
• Sports science coaches and researchers: Hexoskin offers research and coaching tools, so it is built with this group in mind.
• Clinical and rehabilitation settings: Hexoskin markets clinical-study garments, but any medical use should be decided with a clinician, not from a review page.
• Serious amateur athletes who want to train smarter: If you have outgrown a fitness watch and want to look at heart and breathing data, this is the sort of kit to consider.

Not Ideal For:

• Casual gym-goers: If you mainly want step counts and calorie estimates, this is more than you need.
• Swimmers: Hexoskin’s homepage gives no water-immersion rating, so do not assume the shirt is suitable for the pool. Check the product page.
• Budget-conscious fitness enthusiasts: A chest strap such as the Polar H10 will cover heart rate and HRV for most recreational athletes at a lower price.
• Those who want GPS and smart notifications in one device: You’ll still need a running watch alongside the Hexoskin shirt – it doesn’t replace that functionality.

Our Verdict

The Hexoskin Smart Shirt is a niche product. If you need breathing data alongside heart rate from a garment, it is the kind of kit to look at. Hexoskin says its garments are clinically validated, but we have not tested one, so we are not giving it a score. The decision comes down to price against what you will actually use the data for.

For most fitness enthusiasts, a chest strap will do the job for far less. For coaches, researchers and endurance athletes who want breathing data, check the current price and terms on Hexoskin’s site and decide from there.

See the Hexoskin Smart Shirts →

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the Hexoskin Smart Shirt for heart rate monitoring?

Hexoskin says its garments are clinically validated and record a one-lead ECG using textile electrodes in the fabric, and its site cites around 300 scientific publications. We have not tested the shirt ourselves, so we cannot give an accuracy figure. If exact numbers matter, compare it against a chest strap yourself.

Can the Hexoskin Smart Shirt be used for swimming?

Hexoskin’s homepage does not give a water-immersion rating, so do not assume the shirt can be used for swimming. Check the product page and care instructions before getting it wet, and remove the recording device before washing if the instructions say so.

How does the Hexoskin app work, and is it available in the UK?

Hexoskin has a companion app that connects to the recording device. Check the app store listings and Hexoskin’s site for supported phones, current features and any subscription for the data platform. Hexoskin’s homepage does not state UK shipping terms, so confirm delivery and returns before ordering.

What is the battery life on the Hexoskin device?

Hexoskin states on its homepage that the device can run for up to 36+ hours on battery and record for up to 100+ days. Check the product page for the figure that applies to the device you are buying.

Is the Hexoskin Smart Shirt worth it for recreational athletes?

For most recreational athletes, a quality chest strap will meet heart rate needs at a lower cost. If you are an endurance athlete who wants breathing metrics, or a coach building a data-driven programme, it may be worth the extra. Check the current price first.