REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
Comfortable fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Slow to dry
Under Armour UA Tech V-Neck - Women's Review
A simple and comfortable running tee at a super approachable price for your daily miles
This is a simple, comfortable shirt that can easily meet your shorter distance needs.
Credit: Paige Klugherz
RELATED: Best Running Shirts for Women
Our Verdict
The Under Armour UA Tech V-Neck earns our testers approval for its cute and comfortable style as a basic running tee. Although we did find it to be a bit heavier and less breathable than we'd like, especially considering that it's marketed as part of Under Armour's Heat Gear line, this inexpensive shirt could still be a good pick if hot temps aren't a big concern for you. This easy to throw on top would transition well from your gym workout to your road run and could be a good option for hiking or climbing, as well. To compare it to the competition, check out our article on the top women's running shirts.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Under Armour UA Tech V-Neck - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Budget Running Shirt |  Best Overall Women's Running Shirt |  Best for Road Running | Best for Trail Running | |
| Price | $25 List $17.50 at Amazon | $70.00 at REI | $29.15 at Amazon | $49 List | $50 List $30.96 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Straightforward and stylish, this tee is an easy pick for anyone on a budget | A rugged shirt for enthusiastic runners who want a ton of features packed into one versatile running shirt | Our favorite for road running, this moisture-banishing running shirt is so light and comfortable that you'll forget you're wearing it | This shirt is the hands down winner for your hottest running days | This shirt combines lightweight and high performance with exceptional durability |
| Rating Categories | Under Armour UA Tec... | Arc'teryx Taema Crew | Outdoor Research Ec... | Patagonia Capilene... | Salomon XA Tee - Wo... |
| Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Breathability (30%) | |||||
| Drying Speed (20%) | |||||
| Features & Versatility (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Under Armour UA Tec... | Arc'teryx Taema Crew | Outdoor Research Ec... | Patagonia Capilene... | Salomon XA Tee - Wo... |
| Weight | 3.17 oz (size XS) | 2.86 oz (size S) | 1.90 oz (size XS) | 1.87 oz (size S) | 2.86 oz (size S) |
| Material | 100% Polyester | 100% Polyester | 100% Recycled Polyester | Polyester Double Knit | 89% Polyester, 11% Elastane |
| Reflective Areas | Chest logo, logo on back | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Seam Type | Plain seam | Merrow stitch | Flatlock | Flatlock | Flatlock |
| UPF Rated | No | Yes, 50+ | Yes, 15-20 (based on color) | No | Yes |
| Odor Control | Yes | Yes, DAO (Durable Anti Odor) | Yes, ActiveFresh | Yes, HeiQ | Polygiene |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
This is a cute, relaxed-fit tee, but it lost points for its heaviness and lack of breathability. We would still take it out for some miles in cooler weather or wear it to the gym, but it's not the best pick for summer.
Performance Comparison
We tested this shirt on both roads and trails and found that we liked it best for shorter runs and without any running vests or packs worn with it.
Credit: Paige Klugherz
Comfort
Our testers enjoy the loose fit of this shirt, the softness of the fabric, and the length of the sleeves. We find the body to be a bit long for a running top, but that is a personal preference that can, of course, vary between wearers. Although the deep v-neck is a cute style and adds some visual interest, in practice, we prefer a bit more coverage. Most of the time, if you're running in a t-shirt as opposed to a tank or crop top, you're looking for more sun protection. The Tech-V-Neck exposes more of the chest than any of the other shirts we tested.
When looking at the construction of this shirt, it's pretty simply made. It has plain seams, instead of flatlock seams seen on higher-end tops, and that seam allowance that isn't sewn down could potentially cause chafing over long distances, especially around the neckline and shoulders. The overall quality is middle of the road, and if you're prone to chafing or wanting to wear this under a running vest, it might not be the best pick.
It felt like there was a lot of extra fabric in the body length of this shirt. We would've preferred a slightly shorter cut.
Credit: Paige Klugherz
Breathability
This shirt is fairly heavy for its size, and in this case, that seems to correlate with its degree of breathability. Although the looseness of the fit does help with airflow, our testers still found themselves wanting to tuck up the bottom half of the tee when running in the heat.
The inner label classifies this shirt as “Heat Gear,” but we felt it didn't live up to that name in true summer weather. Keep this top for spring and fall excursions, and you'll likely be satisfied with the amount of breathability the fabric provides.
This shirt was one of the heaviest we tested this season.
Credit: Paige Klugherz
Drying Speed
The UA Tech is one of the slowest drying tops we tested this season — another reason why we wouldn't choose this one for really hot weather.
The slow drying time is also part of why we think this shirt is more suited to road running than trail running, since how quickly your clothing dries can have big consequences for comfort and safety in the backcountry. Additionally, slower drying times combined with the plain seams we mentioned earlier could spell trouble for your skin if you're sensitive to chafing. However, if you're running on roads or in milder temperatures, then this metric might not need to be a big factor in your decision making.
For true desert heat, the Tech V-Neck didn't quite cut it. Our testers found the fabric to be too thick, and it didn't dry as quickly as they'd like.
Credit: Paige Klugherz
Features & Versatility
This tee has a few extra features we appreciate, such as reflective logos on both the front and the back for increased nighttime visibility. The product specs also claim that it uses “anti-odor technology” in the fabric, and while we weren't able to find out exactly what they mean by that, our testers didn't have an issue with odor.
Although we wouldn't necessarily choose this top for long days of trail running or backpacking, we'd wear it for road running, easier day hikes, working out at the gym, and possibly even climbing since the longer body length would stay in place underneath a harness. It loses some points in the versatility category, though, since there's only a certain range of temperatures and weather we'd want to wear it in, and because we wouldn't want to wear it for long periods of time under certain running vests or packs.
Here you can see one of the reflective decals (there is another on the upper back) along with the deep v-neck. This type of seaming, and the way it runs directly down the top of the shoulder, could potentially cause rubbing over long distances or under the straps of a pack.
Credit: Paige Klugherz
Value
The Tech V-Neck is a lower cost option that performs well for the price. Simple garment construction keeps the price down, although that can come with some trade-offs in performance. Taking into consideration its weight and slow drying speed, we still think this shirt could be worth the money if you're mainly running on roads and not going after those ultra distances. Aiming for a 5k PR in the fall? This shirt will be comfy and stylish as you race towards the finish.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're a fan of the low v-neck and you're not exercising in the heat of summer, the UA Tech V-Neck is a solid option for daily running. It's a flattering style at an accessible price point that can take you through a variety of activities. Think of it as an entry-level gear purchase, and then if your running takes a more specific focus (e.g., heat, trails, long-distance), you'll be able to figure out what features are important to you before investing in your next shirt.
—
Paige Klugherz
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