Running t-shirt buying guide

A running tee might seem like a simple purchase. But, as with anything you’ll be wearing to clock up the miles, you’ll want to make sure you’re spending your money on something comfortable and durable that will help rather than hinder your performance.

Long or short sleeve?

The first thing to factor in here is temperature: obviously, long-sleeve tops are going to keep you warmer than short-sleeve tops. But of course, it’s not as simple as that. You may want to wear a breathable long-sleeve with UPF protection in the heat to protect your skin. You may run hot and prefer to have your arms out all winter long. Really, only you can decide this one – but don’t feel constrained to long-sleeve in the winter and short-sleeve in the summer.

Material

A key thing you’ll want to look out for is the material. Make sure you opt for something that wicks moisture well. Polyester and nylon are classic go-to materials for keeping you dry. If you want a more sustainable fabric then Merino wool or bamboo are a great option. If you’re going to be running in the heat a lot then it might be worth opting for something with a bit more breathability, too. Mesh panelling and ventilation holes are a good starting point.

Visibility

If you’re going to head out road running in the early morning or evening, even if it’s mostly light in the summertime, you’ll want to consider visibility. Some of the t-shirts listed below have reflective detailing, but if you want to take the extra step the here’s our guide to high-vis running kit.

Style and personal preferences

Most importantly, you should have a think about your own preferences when you run before buying. Do you prefer a longer tee, for more coverage, or would you feel more comfortable in a looser crop? You might like more form-fitting, technical fabrics that offer a bit of compression, or you may prioritise a lightweight, soft material that you can barely feel.

If you’re a beginner runner and you’re not sure where to start, we’d recommend visiting your local running shop or sports store to try some things on. You can also check out our testers’ reviews below for more detailed advice on specific t-shirts.

FINDRA Elphin Next-to-the-Skin Base T-shirt

FINDRA Elphin Next-to-the-Skin Base T-shirt

Material: 87% Merino wool, 27% nylon
Sizes: XS-XXXL
Special features: Ultra-lightweight
RRP: £65

What our tester said

“I absolutely love this tee. I have it in a charcoal colour, which is right up my street. The fit and feel (supersoft, lightweight merino), makes it a perfect layering piece, but also brilliant on its own. I wear it on rotation on runs, hikes and down the gym. It goes with everything and fits beautifully. It’s called ‘next to the skin’, but my one sort of skims rather than fits tightly, which is just the way I like it.

It’s just one of those tops that I tend to reach for, largely because of that beautiful soft feel of the fabric against my skin. It’s so light and breathable that it’s ideal for summer running. But I know it’s going to be a winner in the autumn too, when the temperatures start dropping, as a base layer. I have to say it’s a reasonable price for Merino too. Available in three colour options, but I love my version best!”

ASICS Road Seamless SS Top

ASICS Road Seamless SS Top technical details

Material: 65% recycled nylon, 35% polyester
Sizes: XS-XL
Special features: ACTIBREEZE technology
RRP: £49

What our tester said

“I love the colour, fit and feel of this product. I’ve not come across a seamless running top other than those that cling to your body. This top is loose fitting, comfortable and sweat wicking. It also feels nice and soft, which is a bonus. While it definitely performs well, I think the price point is high at £49 for what is a relatively basic tee. Price aside, this is a great product and it feels lighter and more comfortable than other running tops thanks to its seamless construction.”

RAB Sonic Ultra Tee

RAB Sonic Ultra Tee technical details

Material: Dryflo Air single jersey
Sizes: 8-16
Special features: odour control treatment, reflective branding
RRP: £45

What our tester said

“Oh my god, the design of this is elite! The subtle colour blocking (light blue at the front, grey at the back) makes it look absolutely incredible on. Rab kit comes from a hiking heritage, which you can really see and feel here. It’s made for all-day comfort, and works fantastically as a light baselayer, as much as a top on its own. It’s beautifully light, so it’s going to be a godsend when the temperatures start picking up. I found it soft and light on longer runs, it did its sweat-wicking job, and it looks really gorgeous on.”

Flanci Super Lightweight Tech T-Shirt

Flanci T-Shirt technical details

Material: 75% polyester, 25% spandex
Sizes: XS-4XL
RRP: £34.99

What our tester said

“I loved the colour of this top and the material is really soft, comfortable and lightweight. It feels really well made. I’ve worn it to the track for hard interval sessions and haven’t overheated in it. I’d not worn a v-neck running top before testing this and I must say I’m a convert. I’m doing the Reverse London Marathon this year and Flanci are doing some tops for the event; while I don’t strictly need another top, after trying this one I’m sorely tempted to get one.”

Gym+Coffee Relentless Tee

Gym+Coffee Relentless Tee technical details

Material: 90% recycled polyester 10% elastane
Sizes: XXS-XXL
RRP: £30

What our tester said

“This is a great all-rounder. It’s one of those classic tees that you’ll quickly find on regular rotation – a block colour, a flattering fit, and a light, wearable fabric. Mine is in a lovely dark green, created from a featherlight technical fabric and has a fitted shape. I’d say that the fit is a little closer than other running tees in this bracket, so bear that in mind, and perhaps size up if you prefer a more relaxed fit. That said, it’s super flattering when close-fitting, and it performs brilliantly.

There was no riding up and it moved with me. It has a dipped hem at the back, which I love, and a discreet logo. All in all, this is part of a great range of running gear from a brand that deserves more airtime. Good pricing, sizing, and really good function to boot.”

ASICS Nagino Run Adjustable Short Sleeve Top

ASICS Nagino Run Short Sleeve Top technical details

Sizes: XS-2XL
RRP: £40

What our tester said

“This top is part of ASICS’ new adjustable fit range, which we are very much enjoying here at WR. On first glance, I thought this top would be way too loose for running but no, I was wrong. It’s now become the top that I’m disappointed to discover in the dirty-laundry basket because I want to wear it all the time. The fit is adjustable by an elastic drawstring on the waist and one on each sleeve, so you can customise it to you and your needs that day.

The fabric feels like cotton but actually contains 20% Lycoll (for softness and wicking) which is a lovely touch.”

Artilect Women’s Sprint Tee

Artilect Women’s Spring Tee technical details

Sizes: XS-XL
RRP: £70

What our tester said

“This top feels a bit different to the usual technical fabrics, because it’s made of environmentally-friendly merino. To be specific, it’s made from one of the world’s lightest weight merino fabrics. At first feel, it’s softer and slightly cosier than your average running top. But it’s also certainly a lot thinner than you’d expect from a merino top. The fabric means it feels super soft on, and also that it dries incredibly quickly.

I’ve worn it dozens of times now over the past month or so, and it’s not lost any shape, colour or performance no matter how many washes. I love the slightly warmer feel of merino on chillier mornings, and like wearing this layered under longer sleeve tops. And the pink colour I have is lovely too!”

INOV8 Airlite Pro Short Sleeve T-Shirt

INOV8 Airlite Pro Short Sleeve T-shirt technical details

Sizes: 6-18
RRP: £60

What our tester said

“I have this little champ in dark grey and I’m not the only one to love it. Every time I run with Esther, she coos about how nice it is. The length sits on the hip and the classic tee shape allows for freedom of movement without restricting my enthusiastic arm swing. The material is technical and breathable and it doesn’t chafe on longer runs. Honestly, if you can give me a classic tee that is flattering and performs well, I’m a happy person. Another cracking product from INOV8.”

WEASIE long-sleeve training top

WEASIE long-sleeve training top technical details

Sizes: 6-16
Material: 70% nylon, 30% Spandex
RRP: £54

What our tester said

“This clever top solves the dilemma of wanting to wear a pair of shorts you love that don’t have pockets. It’s neutral so you can pair it with whatever you want, and more to the point, it’s got plenty of its own storage. This is something you don’t tend to see in running gear (we have to steal tops from the cycling section to get enough pockets usually). In fact, it has five pockets: a rear zip pocket, two side slip pockets, and two drop-in pockets on each side for easy access to gels or your phone. It doesn’t stop there because there are thumb holes on the cuffs, and a watch hole too. It’s available in white or black, so it’ll fit into your running rotation seamlessly. All in all, this is another great women-specific product from Weasie.”

TOG24 Leonie long-sleeve

TOG24 Leonie long-sleeve technical details

Sizes: 8-18
Material: 90% polyester, 10% elastane
RRP: £40

What our tester said

“I really like running in this top. It’s lightweight, breathable and does a great job of wicking away sweat. Even though it’s full length, it’s so quick drying that it never clings when you’re hot and sweaty. The generous fit and stretch mean it actually moves with you, plus it’s super soft and comes in a gorgeous Black Raspberry colourway which is striking, unusual and goes with absolutely loads of my other gym kit. It’s a huge yes from me all round.”

Peak Performance Repel UPF long-sleeve

Peak Performance Repel UPF long-sleeve technical details

Sizes: XS-XL
Material: UPF40+ single jersey
RRP: £60

What our tester said

“Another gorgeous piece from Peak Performance. This top is super soft and impossibly lightweight. It offers UPF40+ protection, so a great option when the sun comes out on chillier days. The length is completely perfect for me; just cropped enough to fall slightly below the waistband of my favourite shorts, without any awkward midriff showing. The pale blue colour is stunning and neutral enough to pair with all my kit, and I love the thumb holes for chilly hands. It’s a really versatile piece, acting as a baselayer in the winter or a spring/autumn top layer. Is £60 worth it? I’d say so, considering the quality.”

Proviz Long Sleeve Reflective Training Top

Proviz Long Sleeve Reflective Training Top technical details

Sizes: 8-20
Material: 125gsm Interlock Polyester
RRP: £39.99

What our tester said

“This is a super top for staying visible in the winter months. It’s comfortable, lightweight and the reflective details cover most of the arms, so it’s great for those dark runs that aren’t cold or wet enough to need a jacket. During winter, I will mostly add a gilet so it’s great that my arms will still be reflective. Not having the reflective material on the body means sweat can escape well. I’ve been wearing the teal which is a pleasant colour for daytime running, but still has amazing reflective qualities at night. The top also comes in an impressive array of other colours, too.”

Helly Hansen Shine Long Sleeve Crew

Helly Hansen Shine Long Sleeve Crew technical details

Sizes: XS-XL
Material: UPF50, 80% polyamide, 20% elastane
RRP: £60

What our tester said

“I adore the cut of this top. It’s got a loose-fit, crew-neck design that is both flattering and functional. Most of the loose long-sleeve running tops I have come down below my bum, but this one finishes around my waist which I love; no extra material to be fighting with on the run. The fabric is stretchy but not too form-hugging, which makes the top lovely and breathable. It’s the perfect transitional piece for those days where you’re not sure whether to go for long or short-sleeve – and it’s got UPF50 protection just in case the sun does appear. The only thing that bothers me a little is that the fabric gets creased very easily after washing. The creases fall out quickly but I do often start my runs looking a little crumpled!”