Running Tops

Featured review by G00se

Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoodie is an ideal alternative to the grease and chemicals of sunscreen. Weighing in at 4 ounces, the Echo Hoodie provides SPF15 sun protection, with material that wicks sweat and keeps you comfortable when the sun is beating down on you. This hoodie and a ball cap completely negated my need to carry sunscreen (and bug spray) over the summer.

The Echo Hoodie became my go-to shirt for all outdoor activities this summer. I hiked in it—a lot. I ran in it. I rappelled into a cave in it. I mowed my yard and took a follow up nap on my deck in it. I even wore it on a winery tour for style and sun protection.  Balk Knob, Shawnee National Forest Rock Island State Park, Tennessee Cumberland Mountains, eastern Tennessee Initial Impressions Right out of the package, I was surprised by how light and thin the hoodie was. The shirt packed down to the size of a softball in my hand and only weighed 4 ounces.  The fit was just right.

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Reviewed by Mary Beth Skylis

The Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie is a terrific outdoor companion to anyone who values high-quality activewear made from natural fibers. The midweight, wool hoodie is great at moderating temperatures and resisting odors, while providing you with an eye-catching, cozy mid-layer. It's also a versatile piece for year-round performance—as a nighttime layer around a summer campfire, as a hiking layer in cool temps, or as part of a system of winter layers.

Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie If I could make every garment I own out of wool, I probably would. I love the material for its sustainability, efficiency, and general comfort. And the Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie is perfectly demonstrative of these points. Available in men's and women's sizes, the hoodie is made from 230 gsm, midweight merino wool, which is an environmentally, biodegradable fiber (although some dyes prevent previously biodegradable fibers from degrading). Plus, it’s one of the coziest garments that I own.

Read more: Showers Pass Basecamp Merino Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The OR Astroman Sun Hoodie is an extremely lightweight, long sleeve, hooded shirt designed primarily as a sun layer for climbers. However, I believe this shirt has uses far beyond that—biking, exposed peaks, glacial travel, on the water/ paddling, travelling, and as a wind layer. The shirt boasts a UPF rating of 50+, full coverage hood, packs tiny, and weighs in at 6 ounces (no reason to leave it at home!). The thin fabric requires a little extra care around rough rocks, thorns, etc to ensure it lasts.

 *This review is for the Astroman Sun Hoodie (available in men's and women's), however Outdoor Research also makes an Astroman S/S Sun Shirt and an Astroman L/S Sun Shirt, both in men's and women's.*   As you can see the fit is quite boxy, not much tailoring, great for airflow.  FIT/ COMFORT The fit of the Astroman Sun Hoodie definitely airs (pun intended) on the boxy side. There is plenty of room underneath for air movement to keep the user cool. I've worn the hoodie both directly against the skin (it's uber soft) and with a thin merino tee, with a high level of comfort in both.

Read more: Outdoor Research Astroman Sun Hoodie review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The Smartwool Merino 150 Pocket Tee is an active wear, base layer made up of 87% merino wool and 13% polyester. The high wool content maximizes one of nature's greatest insulator's ability to regulate temperature, ward off the multi-day stink, and manage moisture, while the polyester content adds durability and comfort. A lightweight wool tee allows for an endless amount of uses—from a thin sun shirt on hot summer days, to an excellent next to skin layer as part of a clothing system in winter. I've worn this from the trail, to the crag, to the pub, to the lake, to chasing the kids around the yard; it is really just that versatile. The fit is a little baggier than I would like, but that one constructive criticism is more than offset by the comfort, function, and versatility of this tee.

  First off, a disclaimer—I am an unabashed wool fan. It's amazing to me that man has made so many "revolutionary" fabrics designed to do, well...exactly what wool does. Mother Nature has shown us the exact fibre to be using for years. Our ancestors knew it, most experts that make a living outdoors know it, walk through the Scottish Highlands/Canadian North/Siberia, and see what their clothes are made off- natural materials.  Wool is, by nature, "scratchy" to some people. It has come a long way from the ragg wool of past, and high quality, low micron wool, like the kind used in this tee, are a lot softer.

Read more: Smartwool Merino 150 Pocket Tee review (1)

Reviewed by Jake W

The Montane Dart Zip-Neck is a long-sleeved synthetic shirt that is an ideal year-round base layer (a short-sleeved tee is also available). It wicks moisture away from the body very quickly, is exceptionally tailored, and protects the skin with a high UPF factor. If you’re looking to start your cold weather kit from skin out, I’d highly recommend it.

Long-sleeve Dart Zip Neck on the left, short-sleeve Dart T-Shirt, also reviewed, on the right FIT AND COMFORT The Dart fits exactly as I would design an active base layer to fit. Slim, without being restrictive, and with a little extra length in the hem. I am 6 foot, 170 lbs and the size large fits perfectly. This is one of the main selling points to me, compared to a cheaper competitor's synthetic shirt. There is no extra baggy fabric around the stomach/chest/arms to bunch up and the extra length keeps it tucked in under a waist belt or harness.

Read more: Montane Dart Zip-Neck review (1)

Reviewed by PhilNC

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 t-shirts, and the trim fit means take care with the sizing.

I like to wear T-shirts most of the year until it really dips consistently below freezing. For me they are a good base layer top for everything but deep winter, as I generate heat really quickly and prefer only my torso to have full layers leaving the arms with less layers for additional venting. The Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt is now one of my go-to's after several months of use. Fit: The Patagonia sizing chart was quite accurate. They call this a "Regular" fit. Their Large size fit me (6'0"/183 cm, 170 lbs/77 kg) perfectly.

Read more: Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt review (1)

Reviewed by Lori Saldana

Smart design, adjusts to changing temps: Hood up for cold mornings, down as the sun rises and activity level increases. Breathable wool is naturally odor-resistant, can be used longer between washings if traveling . Durable, functional, stylish and well-made. Recommended for active/exercise wear, travel, and layering.

Found the original design of this jacket at an excellent price several years ago, on sale at a local outdoor specialty retailer. I bought it primarily with travel in mind. I also liked the technical aspects of the jacket that make it functional over a range of conditions and activities. (FYI—the new design—the "Quantum II"—has changed a bit.) It's heavier than what I usually wear at home. IceBreaker considers it a medium weight (260) technical jacket, that can be used under a heavier outer layer for "alpine" activities in cold weather.

Read more: Icebreaker Quantum Long Sleeve Zip Hood review (1)

Reviewed by Jon Reinschreiber

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 the organic repellant permethrin tightly to the fabric. It is very effective in repelling almost all biting insects and Simms guarantees the treatment to last the lifetime of the garment.

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Reviewed by Sean Van Cleve

Ibex's 24 Hour all-merino wool crew has all the benefits of sustainable, natural construction paired with excellent design. The light/medium weight short-sleeve top is designed for both casual use and as a next-to-skin layer for active outdoor activities such as hiking in cold to warm temperatures. Initial testing has shown that although not ideal for hot temperatures, this crew is well suited for all other temperature ranges.

The world’s opinion isn’t objective. On the outside, gear companies often boast having the "first," the "best," or the "original." Sometimes people can peer through the gimmick, through the subjective "opinions" that appear in headlines. Fortunately, there are resources consumers can utilize to educate themselves about what may be best, or what may be best for them.  Since Ibex’s revival in 2018, the company has been incorporating both old and new designs to keep them separated from the rest of the "merino wool herd." Although not too much changes with a crew shirt, the 24 Hour Short Sleeve Crew pairs the benefits of merino wool with high quality construction to create a versatile product worth considering.

Read more: Ibex 24 Hour Short Sleeve Crew review (1)

Reviewed by Clint & Beth Beadles

This shirt is super flattering, comfortable, functional, and perfect for all types of physical activity throughout pregnancy. It’s long enough that it won’t ride up or expose the back or belly, and is designed to expand with you as your baby develops and grows. The fabric is flattering and wicks moisture. This product is best for physical activity in moderate temperatures, such as jogging, hiking, yardwork, Pilates, barre, etc. I would recommend it for all pregnant mothers that want to stay active throughout their pregnancy.

Conditions: I’ve tested the Arctic Lynx Maternity Activewear Midweight T-shirt for a few months now and find myself wearing it often for both housework and exercise. A typical week for me consists of two several mile runs, and 2-3 Barre workouts that are about 40 minutes in length. I also ran a 5K at 21 weeks pregnant while wearing the shirt and I am happy to report it was super comfortable throughout the entire run, wicked moisture, didn’t cause chafing, and didn’t ride up while jogging.

Read more: Arctic Lynx Maternity Activewear Midweight T-shirt review (1)