Top Trumps We review and rate 20 new running tops
Time to throw out those stinky old training tees and add a little zest to your kit drawer
1 // Ronhill Momentum S/S Tee £28, ronhill.com
Some people prefer tops without all the (metaphorical) bells and whistles. This T-shirt does the simple things right and is all the better for it. It’s nicely cut, dries quickly, offers effective breathability and does a good job of regulating temperature.
2 // Soar Classic T-shirt 3.0 £62, soarrunning.com
This is an elegant top that not only looks great (well, we think so), but also offers unbeatable wicking thanks to its premium Italian mesh fabric. The antibacterial material ensures that on a long run you won’t smell nearly as bad as you probably look.
3 // Castore Pilson £55, castore.com/uk
The polyamide and elastane mix in the fabric means this is a springy, figure-hugging top that dries in the blink of an eye, and the laser- cut mesh on the back ensures you get that crucial ventilation. The bottom and sleeve hems are elasticated, which eliminates irritating flapping.
4 // BAM Panelled Bamboo Vest £32.00, bambooclothing.co.uk
BAM makes all its clothing from bamboo, a sustainable alternative to cotton that is also breathable and offers UV protection. This athletic- cut vest has a handy pocket in the back neckline and a reflective strip just below it.
5 // Inov-8 AT/C Short Sleeve Half Zip £47, inov-8.com
Keeping a top to just 69g (the weight of a couple of light bulbs, since you asked) while managing to incorporate a generous half- chest zip is no mean feat, but Inov-8 has managed it. Seams have been kept to a minimum to cut down on chafing on the trail.
6 // Adidas Own The Run £24.95, adidas.co.uk
You can count on Adidas to do the simple things right, and this top is the epitome of elegant simplicity. The breathable mesh extends over the top of the shoulders and the recycled polyester (49 per cent) makes it supremely soft, even after a long run.
7 // Gore R7 £74.99, gorewear.com/uk
Pricey, but there’s so much bang for your buck here: flat shoulder seams and shoulder grips for optimal backpack efficiency; reflective details on the front, rear and side; light material; and superb breathability and drying. All in all, this is ideal for long runs in warm weather.
8 // New Balance Q Speed Breathe Tee £32, newbalance. co.uk
This T-shirt benefits from its jacquard mesh, a weave that is stronger and stretchier than other types. It also features New Balance Ice technology, which is designed to help keep you cool when you sweat: perfect for summer.
9 // Mizuno Aero Tee £40, wiggle.co.uk
One of those reliable pieces of kit that turn out to be a staple item in your running apparel drawer. It’s especially good for those lateevening or earlymorning runs: the reflective sides extend around to the front and to the meshed back, ensuring you’re always visible, cool and airy.
10 // Brooks Stealth Singlet £27, brooksrunning.com
This vest is snug around the body and loosefitting in the underarm area, and the mesh side panels ensure that overheating is never an issue. It’s about as unfussy a piece of kit as you’ll find and simply lets you get on with the main business of running.
1 // Tribesports Easy Glide Tank £40, tribesports.com
If you want to try a sleeveless top but don’t like the idea of thin vest straps, tanks are an excellent option. As with all Tribesports kit, this features anatomical engineering for a close but unrestrictive fit, and a luxurious soft touch that a more expensive top would be proud of.
2 // Under Armour Qualifier Short Sleeve £36, underarmour.co.uk
This might look like a standard top, but there’s a great deal of engineering involved. By using a hex-shaped mesh pattern, Under Armour claims to have solved the problem of being too cold when you start and too hot when you speed up.
3 // Columbia Titan Ultra II £45, columbiasportswear.co.uk
Columbia’s Omni Freeze Zero technology is designed to use your sweat to activate a polymer that creates a prolonged cooling sensation. ‘ We see sweat as a renewable resource,’ say the makers. There’s only one way to test this notion, so off you go.
4 // Smartwool Go Far Feel Good Tee £53.95, alpinetrek.co.uk
Every thread of this sleek T-shirt has a nylon core wrapped in merino wool. The result, not surprisingly, is a soft, versatile and extremely light top that is comfortable in both warm and cool temperatures, and it also has odourresisting properties.
5 // Gore R3 Women Sleeveless Shirt £59.99, gorewear.com
When the sun comes out, you’re going to need something made specifically for high temperatures. It has a sleek racerback design on the rear and there’s also a cleverly hidden pocket at the front hem for lightweight items. Handy for the gym.
6 // On Comfort-t £40, on-running.com
This top dispenses with complicated seams (it comprises just two panels of material) and mesh sections, instead opting for a V-shaped rear collar for extra ventilation. With a loose fit, it’s built for comfort and allows for a wide range of movement, making it a good choice for yoga, too.
7 // Brooks Distance Graphic T-shirt £30, brooksrunning.com
This casual T-shirt strikes an excellent balance: it will keep you dry and comfortable on the run but you can also wear it when you’re out and about. There’s a sustainability bonus, too: it’s made from 88 per cent recycled polyester.
8 // Adidas Atteetude £24.95, adidas.co.uk
There’s something a little bit Sporty Spice about this retro crop top, that finishes above your belly button. The side slits at the hem mean your range of movement isn’t impeded so you’re free to chase that zig-a-zig-ah that you really, really want. ( That’s enough of that: Ed)
9 // Asics Crop Top £30, asics.com
This top is (almost) as light as a feather and is perfect for layering up. Its airy fit and wicking technology mean it’s going to keep you dry, and the soft French terry fabric is almost unrivalled when it comes to comfort. It also features a lower hem at the rear to cover your bum.
10 // Zaazee Azura £37, zaazee.co.uk
Established in 2014, British company Zaazee quickly garnered a reputation for quality casual sportswear and this top continues in that line. The material is fade-resistant and is a stretchy fit, thanks to its 10 per cent elastane content, which also helps it to quickly wick away sweat.