Running is a fantastic activity for both fitness and fun. There's no equipment required and you can do it just about anywhere! Whether you're trying to improve your health or complete a 7k, wearing the right gear is essential for optimum comfort and performance.
In this article, we've got the lowdown on which performance-enhancing features to look for, such as reflective strips and moisture-wicking fabrics to combat sweating. To give you a head start, we've also ranked our 10 best buys, including long sleeves for winter, T shirts, and the perfect summer tank tops, all from leading brands like Adidas, Under Armour and Ronhill.
Wearing the right top when you run will improve comfort and help enhance your performance. Read on for our advice on the key features to look for when shopping online!
Running tops are a functional garment designed to help you get the most out of your sport. Whether you're taking part in a marathon or just keeping fit, here are some design features to look for.
If you're working out hard, the likelihood is you're going to sweat. While sweat is necessary for our bodies' temperature regulation, a build up of sweat results in bacteria overgrowth which can lead to a host of nasty skin conditions as well as unpleasant body odour.
To combat this, try to look for fabrics with moisture-wicking properties. These help channel away sweat from the body as you run and allow the skin to breathe.
Some good moisture-wicking options are nylon and bamboo, though we recommend polyester as our top choice. It's easy to find, and it's lightweight, breathable and non-absorbent, which means it'll dry quickly if you get caught in the rain, and be ready to wear again soon after you take it out of the wash!
Men's running tops are available in various different styles, and while we'll cover the basics of fit later, the most important thing to consider when choosing a functional running top is the sleeve length.
The weather in the UK is often changeable, and for those of us who prefer running outside, it's important to make sure you're dressed for the elements. When the weather is cooler in the autumn and winter months, long sleeve tops are a great choice. They'll give you a little extra protection and insulation as you warm up, without needing to carry along another layer or jacket.
Once the weather finally heats up a bit in the spring and summer, and for those who prefer running indoors, short sleeves are ideal. You may even want to forego sleeves entirely and opt for a running singlet or vest.
These days running gear is available in a full spectrum of colours. While our first impulse may be to choose the one that complements the rest of our kit, there are a few other things you should take into account.
Think about when and where you like to run – whilst dark colours like black and navy aren't bad choices for during the daytime or when hitting the treadmill, if you head out at night you'll be difficult for traffic to spot. Which can be especially dangerous if you run alongside the road!
Bright and fluorescent colours like orange, yellow and lime are easy for drivers to see when visibility is poor. Similarly, you could also look for tops with reflective patches on the front, back and sides.
You may also want to consider white or light grey on sunny days to reflect some of the light, but be aware that these colours show mud, dirt and sweat more easily than others.
Unlike other garments you can get away with wearing a few times before hitting the laundry bag, you're going to want to wash your running tops after every wear. So, to prevent cleaning from becoming too much of a chore, seek out tops that are machine washable.
Most sports tops you buy should be safe for your washing machine, but some may be hand wash only, so it's best to double-check. When washing, make sure to follow the care instructions printed on the label to keep it looking better for longer, and to keep technical fabrics at their best.
It goes without saying that your top needs to fit, but deciding on the right size can be tricky. As a general rule, running tops should fit closely to the body without being too tight or baggy. A fitted top creates less drag making it more aerodynamic, thus helping you to achieve faster times!
If you're particularly broad in the shoulders or wider around the waist, look for tops with elastane, which offers a bit of extra stretch to better fit the contours of the body and avoid pulling or sagging.
Compression tops are another popular choice for various athletic pursuits as they're thought to increase blood flow, which in turn delivers more oxygen to your muscles for better recovery and performance results.
Of course we're not all running around with perfect six pack abs or vying to beat Mo Farah's record at the next Olympic Games. So, don't think you need to go skin-tight if you'd feel more comfortable in a looser fit.
On your marks, get set and... here are the top 10 ranking running tops for men to buy online in the UK!
£22.51
Material | Polyester |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Sleeveless |
Colours Available | Blue, white, red, grey. navy, black |
Reflective | No |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
£19.98
Material | Polyester |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Short sleeve |
Colours Available | Black, navy, red, lime, multi |
Reflective | Yes |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
£31.68
Material | Polyester, elastane |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Long sleeve |
Colours Available | Black, grey |
Reflective | Yes |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
£22.49
Material | Polyester |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Long sleeve |
Colours Available | Red, orange |
Reflective | Yes |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S, XL, 2XL |
£14.99
Material | Polyester, elastane |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Short sleeve |
Colours Available | Black, grey, navy, red, white |
Reflective | No |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
£31.52
Material | Polyester |
---|---|
Type | Short sleeve |
Colours Available | Grey, black, burgundy, white |
Reflective | Yes |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - XL |
£18.97
Material | Polyester, elastane |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Sleeveless |
Colours Available | Grey, black, blue, green, yellow, white, lime |
Reflective | Yes |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
£29.99
Material | Polyester, elastane |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Long sleeve |
Colours Available | Black, grey, blue, black x grey, yellow x grey |
Reflective | No |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
£14.99
Material | Polyester |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Short sleeve |
Colours Available | Various colours and combinations available |
Reflective | No |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - XL |
£4.99
Material | Polyester |
---|---|
Sleeve Length | Sleeveless |
Colours Available | Black and white |
Reflective | Yes |
Machine Washable | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL |
Image | 1 ![]() Kalenji | 2 ![]() Ronhill | 3 ![]() TCA | 4 ![]() Under Armour | 5 ![]() adidas | 6 ![]() Under Armour | 7 ![]() ASICS | 8 ![]() Under Armour | 9 ![]() New Balance | 10 ![]() ASICS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Men's Running Breathable Tank Top | Momentum Short Sleeve Running Top | Men's Fusion Pro QuickDry Long Sleeve Half-Zip Running Top | Streaker 2.0 Running Vest | 25/7 Rise Up N Run Parley Running Top | UA HeatGear Compression Shirt | Icon Long Sleeved Half Zip Running Top | Men's UA Streaker Long Sleeve 2.0 | Accelerate Short Sleeve | Men's Gunlap Singlet |
Features | A Good Quality Buy for a Reasonable Price | A Casual T-Shirt Specifically Designed With Runners in Mind | Top Choice for an Affordable Winter Running Top | The Best Ventilated Running Singlet for Men | An Eco-Friendly Running Top Made From Recycled Materials | A Popular Compression Top That Protects Against UV Rays | Long Sleeved, Loose, and Ideal for Tall or Broad Guys | A Lightweight Long Sleeve That Feels Like a Second Skin | A No Frills Running Top for Daily Wear | A Mesh Racing Singlet for Training |
Price | £4.99 | £14.99 | £29.99 | £18.97 | £31.52 | £14.99 | £22.49 | £31.68 | £19.98 | £22.51 |
Material | Polyester | Polyester | Polyester, elastane | Polyester, elastane | Polyester | Polyester, elastane | Polyester | Polyester, elastane | Polyester | Polyester |
Sleeve Length | Sleeveless | Short sleeve | Long sleeve | Sleeveless | Short sleeve | Short sleeve | Long sleeve | Long sleeve | Short sleeve | Sleeveless |
Colours Available | Black and white | Various colours and combinations available | Black, grey, blue, black x grey, yellow x grey | Grey, black, blue, green, yellow, white, lime | Grey, black, burgundy, white | Black, grey, navy, red, white | Red, orange | Black, grey | Black, navy, red, lime, multi | Blue, white, red, grey. navy, black |
Reflective | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Machine Washable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Sizes Available | S - 2XL | S - XL | S - 2XL | S - 2XL | S - XL | S - 2XL | S, XL, 2XL | S - 2XL | S - 2XL | S - 2XL |
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In the market for some other running gear upgrades to help you conquer that charity run, smash your treadmill PB, or keep you hydrated on the trails? Look no further than the related buying guides below!
Sports kit that looks and feels great to run in can help keep us motivated to hit our individual fitness goals. With so many options online, perhaps we've convinced you to finally throw out that musty old t-shirt and invest in a proper running top!
Author: Wren Mann
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