The temperature might be plummeting but the run tee is still a training kit staple all-year round. Three on test from Gore, 2XU and On Running
A well-chosen run tee will deliver hours of mileage into the off-season and beyond. Matt Baird tests three for form, fit and function…
ON RUNNING TPERFORMANCE
£70 Swiss brand On Running have long impressed us with their various Cloud shoes so hopes were high for our first taste of their apparel range. And the racingtargeted Performance-T lives up to these expectations, delivering style and bundles of tech for the (admittedly high) price. It isn’t a tee to stick in the bottom of your kit bag as, once you do, it’ll come out sporting a thousand creases. This is down to the front’s nylon/elastane woven fabric, which is ultra-lightweight, quick-to-dry and surprisingly ‘tear-proof’ (believe us, we’ve tried) for such a delicate material. The front provides the windproofing and ultra-quick drying abilities, while the navy meshed rear brings the ventilation and sweat-wicking attributes. There are neat little hems that keep things in place, too. on-running.com
GORE AIR WINDSTOPPER
£99.99 We reviewed the Air Windstopper mostly positively in the summer, but the off-season is where it comes into its own. Given the collar, zip and shiny Windstopper membrane, we instantly assumed this was a bike shirt, not for running, and the breathability of the internal polyester shell during summer runs didn’t impress. Where it did excel was in batting away winds and beading any rain, largely negating the need for a baselayer underneath – perfect for the upcoming off-season. There’s an elastic waistband to keep things in place, it features a small zipped pocket, and comfort is supplied by the inclusion of elastane. If that price seems high, we’ve used it on the bike, for brick sessions with tri shorts, and for running to and from the pool with jammers. goreapparel.co.uk
2XU XVENT SHORT SLEEVE
£40 For a brand known for their winning compression wear and aero tri-suits, 2XU’s run tees have always felt too billowy and ill-fitting to us. The Aussies say the new XVent Short Sleeve is ‘semi-fitted’ and that’s about right, sitting loose on the body and staying unrestrictive throughout higher tempo runs. That loose fit and the back panels provide plenty of ventilation on hot runs – even if sweat wicking is diminished by the material only intermittently gracing the skin – but it’s still a tee that sits nicely over a base layer. The flatlock seams have continually proven irritation-free, the antibacterial anti-stink treatment has, so far, remained intact, and the £40 price is appreciated. Overall, while not for us, it’s certainly a solid and cheap one for those who like a baggier fit. 2xu.com