Running Tops

Recent Running Top Reviews

REI New Route Henley T-shirt

This merino/nylon blend shirt is the pleasant surprise of the season. Though advertised for casual wear, it is a fine shirt for warm weather hiking.                 A warm spring day in the foothills Being a Merino wool lover, I was looking for a casual henley style shirt for everyday wear. Seeing that it was described as having a "Merino Wool/nylon blend mesh" weave, I thought it might be a comfy shirt in warm weather, so I ordered it up. After wearing it a couple of times, I thought I… Full review

Patagonia Men's Capilene Cool Trail Shirt

Patagonia's Capilene Cool Trail Shirt is a great T-shirt for backpacking, hiking, and running in warmer seasons, and even in shoulder seasons for folks with a high metabolism. It is very comfortable, dries quickly, and doesn’t stink after a few days. In addition, this Patagonia Capilene fabric shirt is Fair Trade Certified and meets Bluesign sustainability criteria, and is now on the top of my T-shirt pile for hiking and other activities. The lightweight construction may wear faster than heavier… Full review

Simms BugStopper Hoody

A comfortable, technical hoody that keeps you cool and blocks biting bugs and the sun. I purchased my first Simms Bugstopper Hoody, last spring. Although I bought it specifically for fly fishing, the Bugstopper quickly became my go-to choice for sun and insect protection for all of my outdoor activities. The Bugstopper is a technological marvel of clothing. The polyester fabric is treated with several of the latest in high tech fabric treatments. These include; Insectshield, a process that binds… Full review

Fjallraven Koster Sweater

A fantastic winter warmer that looks great and is made from natural fibres, though it comes with a hefty price tag. I absolutely love this jumper and I wear it for almost everything in the winter months. It oozes "Scandi-cool," which is very on-trend at the moment. Having heard about the presence of micro-fibres from fleece material in the press I am increasingly turning to items of clothing made from natural fibres. The Fjallraven Koster is made from lambswool with G100 reinforcements on the shoulder… Full review

Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Long Sleeve

If you're tired of stiff performance shirts, this shirt is a great soft and lightweight option. The bamboo polyester blend feels more like a cotton shirt than other performance tops I've found. It is so comfortable that I also wear this shirt around the house and to bed (in addition to hiking, biking, and backpacking). I don't do that with other performance tops. I've had two of these shirts for over three years and I love them. They have no bells or whistles (outside of UV protection). They are… Full review

ioMerino Ultra Tee

The Ultra Tee is a comfortable Merino wool T-shirt that’s great for hiking, running and global travel. I’ve been travelling for the last 18 months and the Ultra Tee has been a great shirt for working out on the road. My Usage Having minimal gear with me whilst travelling makes life so much easier. I like to try and stay healthy on the road and exercise regularly so I pack running shorts, my Altra Escalantes, and the Ultra Tee as my workout clothes. I throw on the Ultra Tee every couple of… Full review

Patagonia Sunshade Technical Hoody

Fantastic option for sunny summer days when sunscreen is either not an option or not enough. I had the opportunity to test the Patagonia Sunshade Technical Hoody during the summer of 2018 in Northern New Hampshire. As someone with a tendency to burn during the summer while also running hot when wearing layers, I was eager to see how this shirt would perform and I was not disappointed by the result. Almost every time I went outside to fly fish, hike, bike, or hang out on the water, I ended up pulling… Full review

La Sportiva Forward T-Shirt

The Forward T-Shirt from La Sportiva is a well-made, comfortable, technical quarter zip tee for trail running and other “high-output aerobic activities.” In my year and a half of use, I’ve found it to fit well, stretch and move with my body, and not cause any chafing (the bane of my running). Its Polygiene anti-bacterial/anti-odor treatment has excelled, with still no whiff of stink, despite many hot, sweaty miles. The Forward T-Shirt is best for running in warm weather. I find it most comfortable… Full review

Patagonia Women's Nine Trails Bike Jersey

The Patagonia women's Nine Trails Bike Jersey is a versatile shirt that keeps me comfortable throughout long days on the trail. It layers well over a tank or short-sleeved tee, and under a wind shirt or other nylon-like outer layer. The three-quarter length sleeves are a nice feature that allow me to ride without the cuffs falling down onto my wrists and gloves. Avoid wearing the shirt under a fleece or other grabby material that could cause the sleeves to bunch. Testing Conditions: I tested the… Full review