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We put women's running shirts from Arc'teryx, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Salomon, Lululemon, and more through a battery of tests to help you find your perfect match
A colorful lineup of some of the best female-specific running shirts on the market today.
We've reviewed over 50 unique women's running shirts over the past 12 years of testing. Our current review compares the 13 best women's running shirts side-by-side. We consistently seek out new brands, explore different styles, and put these shirts through the wringer to stay on top of the latest and greatest running wear. From daily road runs and adventurous trail runs to grueling spin classes and workouts, we pushed each of these tees to their max. We examined these shirts to rank important aspects like comfort, breathability, drying speed, and versatility. Our comprehensive review dives into the specifics of each metric, and we share our expert recommendations for the best women's running shirt to suit your needs and budget.
A running shirt can make or break your run, especially if you regularly go for long trail runs or multi-day adventures. If this sounds like you, check out our in-depth reviews of the top women's running hydration packs and best women's daypacks for hiking. We have tested running gear at length, including the top women's running jackets and the best women's running shorts. Check out our picks for the best running socks for a well-fitting, moisture-wicking pair that can withstand the miles. Grab your favorite running gear and get your feet moving!
The new Arc'teryx Taema Crew is an incredibly well-featured running shirt. From its water-resistant fabric to its 50+ UPF rating, this running shirt shows up no matter the demands. The Taema is the tee we recommend to runners who want a do-it-all shirt that isn't thin enough to be see-through. The slight heft of the Taema is negligible while running, and it provides breathable coverage. It dries quickly and doesn't get as wrinkled after washing as some thinner options in our lineup. The breathable polyester body combines with a relaxed fit for prime breathability, making the Taema a running shirt we recommend to runners, backpackers, and climbers – really, adventure enthusiasts of any kind!
For having so many features, the Taema lacks the reflective logos featured on so many other running shirts. For runners who venture out in broad daylight, this might not matter. But runners who run at dusk or dawn should consider the safety implications before purchasing this otherwise rad shirt. The Taema is not the most expensive shirt in our lineup, but it's pretty close. If you want a shirt with a high UPF rating that's versatile enough to wear on any adventure, we highly recommend investing in this superstar of a running shirt.
With a 50+ UPF rating, durable odor control, and a water-resistant body, the Arc'teryx Taema is one of the most well-featured running shirts on the market. It's durable polyester body is less susceptible to snags than most of the other shirts we've tested.
The Under Armour UA Tech V-Neck is well worth your consideration because it offers many similar features to the more technical shirts in our lineup but at a fraction of the cost. For an affordable price, you can run in style and comfort with this tee. It offers a roomy fit, and although this shirt is stitched with plain seams, we never had any trouble with them rubbing or chafing. This shirt is heavier than many others we tested, so look elsewhere if you want a lightweight option. However, the tradeoff for additional fabric weight is the extra toughness of the weave, which results in a more durable shirt.
Unsurprisingly, the UA Tech V-Neck is less well-featured than its pricier counterparts. Even so, it offers a few reflective areas for visibility. While it is not the fastest drying option, it has a pretty speedy drying time compared to a few heavier shirts we reviewed. If you are looking for a durable running shirt on a budget, we recommend trying out this V-neck tee by Under Armour.
The UA Tech is a basic shirt on the heavier side, but if you want to stock up without spending all your cash, this is a durable workhorse that's a great addition to your running kit.
The Outdoor Research Echo provides everything we want in a road-running shirt, from comfort to features. Weighing in at only 1.9 ounces for a women's size extra small, the Echo is ultra-breathable and thin, with one of the fastest drying times in our lineup. The underarm gusset adds an extra layer of comfort and reinforcement, and the flatlock seams ensure that none of the panels chafe your body as you run. The sleeve length is protective enough to prevent chafing but short enough to be aesthetically pleasing, and the gentle V-neck further adds to the flattering fit. In addition to providing sun protection, Outdoor Research's ActiveFresh odor control is woven into the perfectly stretchy fabric, which cuts down on the amount of stink this recycled polyester shirt retains. The Echo is a worthy choice if you want a lightweight running shirt to wear as you train for your next race.
The most notable downside of the OR Echo is that the thin material is more susceptible to snags than tees with slightly more robust fabrics. This is why we recommend the Echo as a road-ready shirt instead of a trail-running shirt. The lighter colors provide a UPF 15 rating, while the darker colors provide a UPF 20 rating. In no way is a UPF 15 shirt a letdown, but if you are in the market for maximized sun protection and a light colorway, you'll have to decide which aspect matters to you more. Bottom line: this one is a great choice if you are in the market for a versatile, breathable, moisture-wicking, and well-featured road running shirt. We also like the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Tee as a lightweight and breathable alternative.
The OR Echo was a winner across the board and become our most reached-for layer when fun runs were on the agenda.
It is not surprising that Salomon makes a hearty, breathable, and all-around badass running shirt perfectly suited for the trails. Unlike many other running shirts that provide breathability in lieu of durability, the Salomon XA Tee manages to offer both. The pinprick holes in the fabric provide much-needed ventilation, even though the polyester keeps things pretty cool. The XA is not impervious to rips and snags, but the cut of the fabric isn't necessarily susceptible to them. If you love to throttle down alpine trails on sunny days, the comfortable, breathable, and sun-protectant XA is a running shirt worth considering.
The Salomon XA Tee weighs 2.86 ounces for a women's size small, which is incredibly lightweight. However, other running shirts weigh in with even lower figures. Due to its slightly more rugged textile, it also takes a bit longer to dry after being saturated when compared directly to other running shirts in our lineup. The extra ounce of weight contributing to fabric toughness is worth it if your trails are laden with tree branches and sharp rocks. If you want something quicker drying and lighter weight, we recommend the Outdoor Research Echo T-Shirt.
Material: Nylon, Recycled Polyester, and Elastane | Seam Type: Flatlock
REASONS TO BUY
Breathable
Seamless body
Available in two lengths
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks UPF
Sleeves are a little short
The Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 is cut differently than most of the other running shirts we tested – luckily, that body style is perfectly comfortable. Instead of having seams or a gusset down the sides, the Swiftly is manufactured more like a tube with cap sleeves. This comfortable blend of textiles is a bit more form-fitting than other shirts. But instead of relying on a baggier fit for the sake of breathability, the fabric of the Swiftly offers plenty of air-flow and moisture-wicking. If you are looking for a cute running shirt that will work as hard as you, this is the running shirt we recommend.
The Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 lacks a UPF rating, which knocks its ranking down slightly. It makes up for it by utilizing Silverscent technology for odor control and providing a reflective logo on the back panel. While we think that the streamlined fit is flattering – especially since you can choose between two lengths – we understand that some runners might prefer clothes that are a bit more spacious. On this note, the cap sleeves are smaller than the standard cut, which could bother some runners. If you want longer sleeves and a UPF rating, we recommend the Arc'teryx Taema Crew. But if you want a breathable, reliable, and nearly seamless running shirt that hugs your curves, the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 is our recommendation.
The tube-like body of the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 tee moves as a part of your body, making it easy to run in style without having to adjust your clothing.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
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The Arc'teryx Taema is one of the highest-scoring running shirts for women. With a ton of features, this is the shirt we choose when we aren't exactly sure where our adventures might take us.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Why Trust GearLab
When deciding which shirts to include in this review, we looked at the most popular running shirts currently on the market. We set out to dig deep, test product claims for ourselves, and delve into new clothing lines from the pillars in the running world. For our testing, we ran across trails in Utah, through dense forest in Washington state, navigated the fog of San Luis Obispo, and suffered through the summer heat of the Sierra Nevada. The diversity of conditions and climates lent itself to creating the most comprehensive round-up of women's running shirts available. Our rigorous, side-by-side comparison also included testing each shirt beneath our favorite women's running jackets, different types of hydration vests, and different styles of sports bras to determine which shirts held up to our imposing demands and which ones left a bit to be desired.
Not only did we run through heat, sleet, and fog in each running shirt, we tested them all beneath some of our favorite hydration vests to ensure that the additional gear didn't encourage discomfort or chaffing.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Our testing of women's running shirts is divided into four different metrics:
Comfort (30% of overall score weighting)
Breathability (30% weighting)
Drying Speed (20% weighting)
Features & Versatility (20% weighting)
Ally Arcuri and Paige Klugherz tackle the testing of women's running shirts throughout the seasons. As a trail runner, fast packer, and climber, Paige puts her gear through the wringer and needs it to withstand backcountry travel.
Ally is a South Lake Tahoe local who splits her time between the mountains and the beaches of Central California. Ally is an ultramarathon runner, a spin instructor, a personal trainer, and a yoga teacher. With access to a variety of environments – from the mountains, up to the high desert, and down to the coast – both of our testers know what to look for when testing outstanding running apparel.
We ran many, many miles in all of these shirts to provide context to how a fabric or feature performs in real life.
A close examination of these shirts (like the comfortable flatlock seams on the OR Echo tee) reveals further details that help us differentiate their rankings.
The slender cut of the Lululemon Swiftly tee makes it one of the best options for when you want to look good and run fast.
Analysis and Test Results
We identified the four most important characteristics of a running shirt. We took copious amounts of notes while out in the field, frantically voice-dictating into our phones all of the details we could feel regarding each shirt's comfort, breathability, drying speed, and features/versatility. Since we did our research ahead of time and picked the best and most popular shirts out there, we had to get nitpicky and really break down the differences. This includes easy-to-bypass details such as seam types and hem lengths. We're confident in our recommendations and excited for you to check out this impressive lineup so you can find the perfect shirt for all your running needs.
We evaluated the specifics of each seam type to better guide you towards finding the running shirt that best suits your body.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Before you start shopping, it is important to determine what kind of running shirt suits your climate and needs. If you do a lot of desert running, seeking out a running shirt with supreme moisture-wicking capabilities and a strong UPF rating might be a good start. If you have sensitive skin that is prone to chaffing, looking for more seamless options might be a good choice. Do you predominately run trails? If so, maybe a heartier, harder-to-snag textile is better than some of the thinner options. Once you dial in your needs, the details we found can help select what is sure to be your new favorite shirt.
What's the Best Value?
For such a seemingly simple piece of gear, running shirts can get shockingly pricey, especially when they are made of techy fabrics. We always evaluate and rank our gear before considering the price tags to ensure each garment gets a fair shake. When it comes to value, you want to ensure that you're getting your money's worth in terms of quality, durability, and performance. We have found that the more expensive shirts are worth their cost if their features fit your running conditions and goals. Sometimes, though, we've found that less expensive options perform far better than expected. We don't want you to shell out your hard-earned cash for a product that isn't worth the extra expense, so we broke things down to the smallest minutiae to determine if the cost of the pricier shirts is actually worth it.
The thickness of the Under Armour V-neck makes it a very durable choice, especially for its affordable price.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Many factors impact value, one being the quality of the fabric and construction. A good way to determine this is to look at seams. Low-profile flatlock seams, such as the ones on the Salomon XA Tee and Outdoor Research Echo, are more expensive to produce but are more durable and more comfortable over long miles than the plain seams on many cheaper options. Many manufacturers are incorporating flatlock seams, which drive the prices of these garments up but reward you with durability and comfort. We didn't have any issues with chafing while running in the shirts with plain seams, as the miles add up, this can become a concern, especially if you are wearing a shirt with plain seams beneath a hydration pack.
The lightness and breathability of the Patagonia Capilene Cool make it a great choice to wear beneath a hydration vest.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Better durability means you won't need to replace your shirt as often, thus increasing its value. Generally, the silkier a shirt is to the touch, the easier it is to snag. Some heavier shirts, such as the Under Armour UA V-Neck, and the Vuori Lux Performance Tank, are more durable simply because their textiles are thicker. The Artc'teryx Taema is a hefty shirt by durability standards, but it comes chock-full of features, making it one of the best values we've tested – even though the sticker shock is real.
The ON Performance-T is one of the few that utilized taped seams. This makes it one of the most chafe-proof options out there - and one of the most expensive.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort
Before all else, comfort is the first thing you should look at when buying a running shirt. Running is a sport of repetitive movement, so when you have fabric and seams rubbing over the same spots on your body thousands of times, you want to be sure that they are as minimally irritating as possible. We are incredibly particular about how our running gear touches us, which gives us our keen eye for detail when assessing the comfort of each shirt. We notice how seams rub our skin and have tasked friends and family members with running in the gear and noting their comfort observations. While all of these shirts seemed comfortable enough at first, we started noticing features that we really liked and others we disliked after hours and miles of moving in them. The shirts that score the highest in this category are the ones we practically forgot we had on by the end of our long runs.
One component of comfort is the fabric itself. Some shirts in this review are 100% polyester, others are polyester blends, and some use natural fabrics like Merino wool. They all have very different feels against the skin, with some feeling more like traditional athletic wear, such as the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 and the Outdoor Research Echo, and others being so soft they feel like shirts meant for lounging on the couch, such as the Vuori Lux Performance Tank. Additionally, the shirts all utilize different weave patterns to increase breathability, like the gridded polyester knit of the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Tee. Depending on the weave, some shirts can be pretty see-through, which is something to note if you want to prioritize coverage.
A close up look at the weave patterns of our two highest-scoring running shirts. On the left is the Arc'teryx Taema, while the Outdoor Research Echo is on the right.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Oiselle Flyout has one of the more unique fabric patterns, with its texture looking and feeling more like a honeycomb shape than anything else. Holding the Flyout in your hands might lead you to believe that it won't be as soft on your skin as other options. But every single time we ran in this shirt, we found it to be one of the most comfortable and breathable, mile after mile. It also has a loose profile with a flattering cut, making it a nice choice if you want to take your running shirt for a spin at the gym or another place where you want to look acceptable.
The unique structure of the Oiselle Flyout provides great comfort and breathability.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
After fully assessing the fabric of each running shirt, we pivot and look at fit and how it relates to our range of motion. While some of this will come down to personal preference and how each shirt fits your specific body, we noted things like stretchiness, gussets around the sleeves, and the length of the sleeves and body. We have found that we feel the most comfortable in shirts that skim our hips without providing too much extra fabric to fiddle with as we run.
When pulled as long as it can get, the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 offers more length than many runners need.
Though we don't typically run with our arms lifted like this, we like knowing we have enough coverage in case we want to. In the case of the HOKA Glide, the answer to this question is 'just barely'.
Since all bodies are different, it is important to ask yourself what qualities you look for when assessing the comfort of your gear. Some tees have smaller sleeves than others, which can be negligible to some and earth-shattering for others. While all of our testers and friends unanimously agreed that the Smartwool Merino 150 is an outstanding layer and running shirt, it fits each body type completely differently. The Merino 150 doesn't have quite as much natural stretch as some of the other textiles, but its fabric makes it a comfortable choice as a short-sleeved base layer.
If you have a well-developed upper body, we recommend sizing up in the Smartwool Merino 150 as its slim profile doesn't provide as much real estate as some of our testers would prefer.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Vuori Lux Performance Tank and New Balance Impact Run Tank tanks offer longer, more relaxed fits, serving runners with longer torsos. The fit of the Salomon XA Tee strikes a happy medium between tapered and relaxed, with its slight scoop neck and sleeves that hit at just the right length and lay flat against the arm.
The comfortable cut and fit of the Vuori Lux Performance Tank make it great for shoulder-exposing runs and couch-lounging at home.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
While the Outdoor Research Echo is slightly shorter, the body of this shirt, combined with the cool, soft touch of the fabric, allows it to stand leagues above most of our other shirts in the comfort department. The flatlock seams are smooth, and the gentle V-neck provides great cleavage coverage, a flattering fit, and an athletic range of motion. Tops that include gussets underneath the arms, like the Echo, gain additional points here for an increased range of motion. The addition of the gusset aids each running shirt's ability to suit an array of body shapes.
The neckline of the OR Echo is wide enough for comfort but small enough to provide ample coverage. The comfortable sleeves and neckline combination make this breathable shirt one of our favorites.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Under Armour UA Tech V-Neck and the Arc'teryx Taema both fit like a favorite relaxed t-shirt, while the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 provided a form-fitting, flattering silhouette. The Swiftly comes in two different lengths, regular and race length. We tested the regular-length version, which offered a bit more length than we needed. When scrunched up to sit at our hips and fully stretched long, the Swiftly is one of our top picks for comfort and style.
The body of the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 lacks the seams and gussets that we are used to seeing on some of the highest-scoring running shirts. The tube-like design is part of the reason why this shirt feels like part of your body as you run.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Not only did we evaluate the seams used, but we also looked at how many seams each shirt had and where they were located. Found on numerous shirts, including the Patagonia Capilene Cool and the Oiselle Flyout, the low profile of flatlock seams are comfortable and the least likely to cause any chafing. The taped seams of the ON Performance-T are top-tier for comfort and come with an equally top-tier price tag. If you are looking to skip over even the potential to chafe, a loose-fitting shirt with taped seams might be your perfect match. Currently, the Performance-T is the only one in our lineup that utilizes taped seams; ultimately, they are the gold standard for non-chafing seams.
A closer look at the taped seams and breathable weave of the ON Performance T.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Style is the last component of this metric. Although it's obviously not as important as how a shirt feels after twenty miles, it's still nice to like how you look when sweaty and breathing hard. The Oiselle Flyout has a slightly tailored fit, while the Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0 hugs your curves in all of the right ways. The more slender profile of the Rabbit Bunny Hop Tank is extremely comfortable and well-fitted, though all runners might not prefer the slimmer shape. The Capeliene Cool felt virtually weightless and made us feel like we looked like really fast runners, and that has to count for something.
Maybe it is the split seam or the scoop neck, but we feel fast and breezy in the Capilene Cool Lightweight by Patagonia.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Breathability
Whether it's hot or cold outside, running is pretty much synonymous with sweating, and how breathable your clothing is will play a huge role in how comfortable you will be throughout your miles. Breathability describes how well a shirt allows air to pass through it, and while we don't have as controlled of a test for breathability as we do for drying speed, we tested this metric by running in as many different weather conditions as we could and taking notes on how we felt each time. If we got through a hot, full-sun run in the desert without wanting to strip down to just a sports bra, that was a win. We also awarded bonus points to shirts that performed well beneath some of our favorite hydration vests. If you run with a pack, then you likely know how uncomfortable the sensation of removing your pack to reveal a saturated shirt is. The shirts that allowed our backs to breathe beneath a pack became our superstars in this metric.
One of the first things we did was weigh each shirt. This doesn't perfectly correlate to how breathable a shirt is, but it does give a good starting point. It also gave us a bit of insight as to each shirt's potential drying speed, though this is a metric that we systematically tested later.
The Salomon XA uses a breathable fabric and holes for added air flow.
We also looked at any features incorporated into the fabric, such as the pinprick-sized holes in the Salomon XA Tee that let air move through more efficiently. Some shirts rely on an overall looser fit to create breathability, like the ON Performance-T with its flowy back panel or the Arc'teryx Taema with its overall looser fit. Shirts like the Outdoor Research Echo rely on ultralight fabrics to allow airflow.
The lightweight and breathable fabric of the OR Echo makes it a go-to recommendation for runners who find themselves running when the sun is high.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Patagonia Capilene Cool, which utilizes an all-over gridded pattern in double knit polyester, allowing air to flow through the thinner fabric of the grid lines, is one of the more breathable running shirts we have gotten our hands on. The Oiselle Flyout impressed us by utilizing a durable mesh-like textile throughout the entire body, much like the Rabbit Bunny Hop Tank. In addition to the Bunny Hop being a stylish tank top, the rabbit-shaped mesh spanning this shirt makes it an exceptionally cool choice. We also found that the Impact Run Tank by New Balance married breathable poly knit mesh with polyester and a loose fit for prime breathability.
The fabric weight of the Patagonia Capilene Lightweight looks and feels really great while in motion.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Smartwool Merino 150 relies on the nature of the wool fibers themselves to achieve this quality. Even though the shirt is slightly heavier than others, it effectively wicks sweat away from the body and keeps you comfortable in a variety of different temperatures. We found ourselves reaching for this layer on sweltering days, cool, windy days, and even on ones where we expected to encounter a bit of drizzle. This is one of our favorites to wear as a base on cooler runs, making it the most versatile running shirt we tested.
Its moisture-wicking abilities and UPF rating make the Smartwool Merino 150 great for hot days. But the natural wool fibers can help hold in heat beneath other layers on days when you need to run in cooler temps.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Drying Speed
Drying speed is another important factor in your overall comfort while running. In hotter weather, quicker drying times mean more efficient and effective evaporative cooling effects, and in cooler weather, a faster drying time can be a safety component, making sure you don't get too chilled. This is another metric where you can look at the weight of the shirt to get a general sense of how fast a shirt will dry, even though it's not an exact parallel.
To test this metric, we started by washing all of the running shirts in our washing machine. We put them through a standard wash-and-spin cycle and removed them immediately following the spin cycle. We then assessed each shirt's moisture content before tossing them into the dryer. Even before putting the shirts in the dryer, some only felt mildly damp to the touch. We put all of the shirts into the dryer and set a timer for 5 minutes. We removed the shirts and again assessed the dampness of each garment. The Arc'teryx Taema, the Outdoor Research Echo, and the New Balance Impact Run Tank were all completely dry after this short stint in the dryer. Be advised that the Taema is the only shirt of these three that will provide full coverage of a bra worn below.
We repeated a 5-minute dry cycle and were pleased to discover that the Patagonia Capilene Cool, Salomon XA Tee, Vuori Lux Performance Tank, Lululemon Swiftly Tech 2.0, and ON Performance-T were all dry. We continued this process until all of the shirts were completely dry, a process that maxed out at a mere 25 minutes. Then we ran all of the shirts through a wash-and-spin cycle again before hanging them to dry. We checked in every 5-minutes and were delighted when this test yielded the same results.
While most of our tee testing took place out in the field, we conducted a few specific tests at home to ensure our field finds were reliable.
We also hang-dried all of our shirts to see which ones dried fastest when exposed to a light breeze.
We also paid attention to drying speed during our real-world testing, especially noting how shirts saturated with sweat felt underneath a running vest since wet conditions are more likely to cause chafing. We were pleased to see that the results here correlated with our less precise testing, and we assigned ratings accordingly.
Coastal runs mean sweaty through dense fog and humidity. We weighed our sweaty shirts after running to get an idea of how much moisture each tee retained. Although the Salomon XA tee isn't the fastest drying, it excels in other ways.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Features and Versatility
Running shirts are pretty straightforward, so the features we look for are small but can be very valuable depending on the conditions you run in. Like you, we often use our running shirts for a lot more than just running. We love multi-sport days and changing up our activities according to the seasons, and we often find ourselves traveling while living out of just a backpack. This is where versatility comes into play, and if we found that a shirt was usable all year long for a variety of purposes, it scored higher in this metric. These details include the level of sun protection, reflective elements, and odor-fighting properties in the fabric. An additional feature that we saw on some of the new shirts this year was an integrated hanging tab, which can be handy in locker rooms and while traveling.
The Merino 150 does really well in this category because of the natural odor-fighting properties of the fabric and how well it performs across changing temperatures, making it a great travel shirt. The Salomon XA Tee is another standout because it works well for so many sports, fights odors, and is more durable than some other lightweight tees. The addition of odor-blocking technologies can cause the price to creep up, which might not work for you. But for us, odor-blocking has started to feel more like a necessity than a fancy add-on. We ran sans deodorant to test how odor-blocking each shirt really was, an endeavor that made our running buddies cringe.
The Smartwool Merino 150 has a more earthy look than many of the higher-tech options on the market. This, combined with its odor-resistant properties, make it a versatile shirt for multiday adventures.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Fight the Funk
Odor control can be achieved in a few ways, with one being the use of natural fibers like Merino wool and another being specific treatments on polyester fabrics such as Polygiene. Both fight the growth of bacteria that cause lasting smells, so if you're going to be in scenarios where opportunities to wash are limited, such as backpacking, this feature will be very appreciated both by you and the people around you!
We included features like hanging loops and reflective bits in this metric, as well. Many shirts include a reflective logo for visibility in lowlight conditions, making it a non-negotiable safety feature for many runners. Loops for hanging out shirts are not especially necessary, but we found that we utilize them in locker rooms and while traveling.
The reflective logos and piping on the New Balance Impact Run tank are safety features that runners who venture out in lower light will appreciate.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
The Arc'teryx Taema is the reigning queen in this metric because of how many features are stuffed into this just one shirt. The Taema comes equipped with odor-blocking technologies, a UPF rating of 50, and it is water repellent. The looser fit of the Taema increases its breathability and versatility, making it suitable for most outdoor excursions. We have also become increasingly concerned about sun protection as we have gotten older, so this feature is becoming more of an essential than an add-on as well. The Merino 150 has an impressive UPF 20 rating, while the Outdoor Research Echo has a UPF of 15 or 20, depending on the color.
Chock-full of features while offering a relaxed and comfortable fit, the Arc'teryx Taema quickly became one of our most recommended running shirts for women.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Conclusion
Picking out your next running shirt may not be as complicated as finding your next pair of trail running shoes, but there is still a surprising amount to consider before investing, especially when you are considering pricier options. The shirts we chose this season were some of the best-reviewed, so each one is already a step above many others, even if it scored lower in our review. We hope our thorough testing and explanations help you narrow down your decision. Remember that the best running shirt for you is the one that fits your specific running needs, be it long miles or short, heat or cold, or something that works for everything. Identify what really matters to you and let our ratings serve as a guide. We'll see you out there — happy trails!
