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10 best women’s running tops for warmer weather

From long-sleeved to tank tees, keep cool while you jog

Lisa Buckingham
Monday 13 July 2020 16:00 BST
They should be a combination of breathable and wicking
They should be a combination of breathable and wicking

Even if you’re a relative newbie to the sport, you’ll know that wearing the right running kit makes a huge difference to your comfort levels.

Many of us started off wearing an old cotton T-shirt before quickly realising that they A quickly start to smell and that smell never washes out and B, it doesn’t dry when it gets wet, whether that’s from sweat or rain, and then feel heavy and start to chafe.

Good running tops should be a combination of breathable and wicking (pulling moisture away from the body to dry quickly) fabric and move easily with your body without feeling restrictive.

Thought should also be given to features like flat seams to prevent chafing.

The tops below have been tested on hot summer runs and are made from technical fabrics designed to keep you cool and comfortable.

We’ve included tanks for people who like as much ease of movement and ventilation as possible, T-shirts for a little extra coverage and long-sleeved tops for those that want better sun protection or don’t like to have their arms on show.

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The verdict: Women's running tops

The Lululemon swiftly tech racerback 2.0 is hard to fault on performance, comfort and looks. We haven’t chosen it because it’s the most expensive but because the price tag reflects the quality. If you like a looser fit around the middle, the Brooks distance tank is also a safe bet. If a T-shirt is more your bag, the Berghaus voyager tech tee ticks all the performance boxes with the added benefit of sun protection and the Under Armour UA qualifier iso-chill short sleeve is also a winner – its performance fabric combined with mesh and back slits perform especially well in the heat.

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