The Best Women’s Running Tops

Browse a great selection of running tops for women, including short-sleeve T-shirts, race-day vests and looser tanks, as well as long-sleeved tops

A great running top should be forgettable. The worst ones bother you from the first step to the last, while the right one fades into the background and allows you to enjoy your run. What counts as the right one will be unique to you, but I’ve pulled together a wide range of options for you to peruse. Rest assured they will all keep you as cool and dry as possible, while being soft and comfortable. You just need to decide on style (long-sleeved, short-sleeved, vest), fit and colour.

These days many running tops are made from recycled materials. If that's the sort of thing that appeals, I’d recommend also investing in a mesh washing bag (like Guppy Friend, £29.99 from Lakeland) to catch the microplastics that are shed from synthetic materials – even recycled ones – in the washing machine so they don't pollute rivers and oceans.

You can trust Coach We give honest reviews and recommendations based on in-depth knowledge and real-world experience. Find out more about how we review and recommend products.

I am continually testing new running T-shirts, long-sleeved tops and tanks in my search for the best running tops for women. You’ll find contributions from other Coach writers who are keen runners too. Most of our recommendations are based on our personal experiences testing the products, although we do include some options we haven't tried. If you see the writer's byline or initials after the text you’ll know it's been tested.

This Danish sock brand has branched out into sustainably made running gear and are off to a flyer with this winning tee, which is nicely cut, figure-skimming and light as a feather without being see-through. You can feel the excellent quality of the fabric, and the use of flatlock seams means it's unlikely to chafe. This tee is made entirely of recycled fabrics, 50% standard recycled polyester and 50% Seaqual, a polyester yarn which actually includes some plastic waste from the ocean (most recycled yarns don't, somewhat surprisingly given the ubiquitous ocean-saving marketing). This running top is also treated with anti-odour technology, so in theory you don't have to wash it as often. There's a choice between four colours, including forest green and the delightfully named dolphin blue.—Camilla Artault

Ideal for a warm-weather race, this lightweight tee feels barely there in the best possible way. The figure-skimming cut is flattering but not clingy, using floaty fabrics that are highly breathable and quick-drying, while the back panel is made of a non-opaque mesh fabric. I liked the pleats between the shoulder blades which allow the top to drape nicely, encouraging more airflow. —CA

This incredibly lightweight running top is the one to reach for on hot, sunny days. It's made with a barely-there mesh—which somehow isn't too see-through—and panels of UPF fabric that protect the shoulders, upper chest and back from the sun (PSA: you can get sunburn when wearing clothes). Bonded seams and no labels reduce the risk of chafing to the absolute minimum.

It's a top-quality technical garment, to the point that when I first tested it, I felt like I should be running an ultramarathon through the desert rather than an easy 10K around my local park. Like other Soar tops, it's cut quite narrow in the body—if you’re between sizes, I’d recommend you size up.—CA

This T-shirt is designed for trail running, with minimal seams that have been positioned to let you wear a rucksack without irritation. It's lightweight, breathable and fast-drying, with a cut that's comfortably roomy and fabric that's soft against the skin. I tested it on some sweaty runs, and while it's stretchy enough for full freedom of movement it doesn't cling. It's a great running top for almost all conditions—you won't want to keep it just for days in the mountains.—CA

This tee is fairly fitted and slightly stretchy without being clingy, and the neckline has flattened bonded seams that sit comfortably. The close cut makes it feel aerodynamic on the run—there's no flapping around in the breeze. It's made with a lightweight mesh that's very breathable and quick-drying but does feel a little warm against the skin; I wouldn't choose it for a run on a very hot day, but it's great for in-between temperatures. It's available in a fluorescent yellow that will certainly keep you visible on the trails, and a muted purple color.—CA

This top is made with BAM's lightweight Novea fabric, a blend of bamboo viscose and a yarn made from sustainably sourced wood pulp. The result feels like a natural fabric, and is supremely soft and comfortable against the skin. The boxy cut and well-placed seams make it flattering, especially with high-waisted leggings.

When wearing it as a standalone top I found it flapped about a bit as I ran, but this didn't bother me particularly and it didn't happen when wearing a jacket over the top. I stayed cool and comfortable in this top, although it doesn't dry as quickly as some others—if you’re planning an especially hard session, you’d be better off wearing a polyester T-shirt.—CA

Even though we’ve all heard Merino wool praised to the heavens for being breathable, moisture-wicking and naturally odour-resistant, the reality is that 100% woollen garments can end up holey, misshapen and don't tend to dry as fast as polyester. Artilect's Nuyarn fabric, however, combines untwisted Merino with polyester, and we tested the Artilect W-Sprint T-shirt during a period of hot weather.

The lightweight, super-stretchy tee does have more of a woollen texture than your average running T-shirt and is slightly clingier, but it's breathable and dries fast on the run. It felt like it might chafe but happily didn't, and it remained reasonably smell-free after the run. The current colour choice may not be for everyone, though.—CA

This is a comfortable and flattering running T-shirt that has the added bonus of making you visible around traffic after dark. What looks like a subtle pattern of grey blobs on the raglan sleeves is in fact a subtle pattern of highly reflective blobs made up of tiny glass beads that gleam astonishingly brightly when a light is shined on them. The effect is bright when you need it, but quite unnoticeable otherwise. The T-shirt itself is body-skimming and fairly long, with a feminine cut, and the material is lightweight but densely woven – so there's no chance of it being see-through. It's available in seven colours including sky blue, teal, purple, hot pink and even a fluorescent yellow, if you wish to be even more visible.—CA

If you’re running in hot conditions, this is a good top to reach for. Under Armour's Iso Chill fabric feels cool to the touch, drawing heat away from your skin. The fabric is very stretchy but hangs nicely, allowing for extra airflow. While the front is plain, the back features laser perforations all over, mesh panels on the shoulders and two cut-outs on the shoulder blades. It provides plenty of ways to feel extra ventilated and helps you avoid getting a clammy back.—CA

This featherweight running tee is supremely breathable and quick-drying, giving a "barely there" feeling. The cut is cute and boxy, with cap sleeves and side splits, and the shorter length means it's perfect with high waisted leggings or shorts. Bonus: the fabric's been given an antimicrobial treatment to keep smells at bay.

A soft and stretchy T-shirt in a fun multicolored print from Montirex, which started out as a small independent brand and is now owned by JD Sports. The T-shirt is cut quite narrow and I found it slightly clingy, though comfortable. While I didn't experience any chafing, the seams on the inside of the armpits are raised, not flat, so they could potentially rub. While running I did find this top a little warmer than most others.—CA

We are always sceptical of environmental claims, but sportswear brand Presca really does seem to be going above and beyond, while producing comfortable sportswear. This T-shirt is made with 100% recycled polyester and Presca promises to take it back and recycle it – the company is working towards circularity, too. The fabric feels silky-smooth and the cut is figure-skimming. There's a slit on the collarbone so you can keep your headphone cables out of the way, which is useful if you remain wary of wireless running headphones, while breathable panels and armpit gussets help keep things cool and comfy.

The two-colour panel design wasn't to my taste, but there's a choice of colourways: teal, purple and black. The company offers "ecowash" tips on reducing your environmental impact, although there's no antibacterial treatment on this T-shirt so you may not get multiple wears out of it between washes.—CA

Compression specialist CEP has created this Wingtech running top to help you run as efficiently as possible. The stripes running down over the shoulder blades like wings promote better posture and therefore better lung function and minimise the chances of posture-related injuries (at least according to CEP). Better posture means a stronger back too, so this top might be a good choice for runners with back problems. However, if you don't like clingy T-shirts, steer clear of this.—CA

Meet your new favourite race vest. It's airy and hangs nicely, with taped seams and a slightly longer hem at the back. Made from a Japanese technical fabric, it's soft, super-light, and extremely fast-drying.

This lightweight running vest features a mesh racerback and generous armholes to keep you cool and allow for maximum freedom of movement. The curved hem offers a little more coverage front and back without getting in the way of your stride, and the soft fabric is made from recycled polyester. Take your pick from a delicious array of colours.

If you’re looking for a race top to help shave seconds off your race time, consider this vest from Soar Running, which has returned to making women's running gear after a brief spell focusing on men's kit. It can be hard to find race gear that's designed to fit the female form and that doesn't flap around or distract. The four-panel construction of this vest allows room for female anatomy without relying on stretch. It's designed to be close-fitting so as to be aerodynamic, so the cut won't appeal to everyone.

The vest's stand-out feature is the featherlight fabric: it's silky soft, breathable and excellent at wicking sweat away. It looks like it's made of mesh but isn't see-through when worn. Seams are bonded to avoid chafing and the hem is slightly elasticated to keep it from riding up. The armholes allow for plenty of room for movement around the shoulders, although the sizing is on the snug side – if in doubt, size up.—CA

This body-skimming tank is perfect for summer weather: the racerback shape with large armholes allows heat to escape, while the high neckline keeps the sun off your chest. The thin fabric manages to keep you cool without being see-through or clingy. It's available in black, green and pink.—CA

An airy top that will keep you cool on a humid day, this is a racerback tank with a mesh panel on the lower back for extra airflow. The armholes are generously cut so there's nothing to distract you from your speed work.

I'm a big fan of this British brand, which makes eco-friendly sportswear – this lightweight number is made from recycled plastic bottles – and sells it at affordable prices. Quick-drying, soft, stretchy and breathable, it's well suited to taller runners because it's long in the body. The relaxed fit and racerback design will also help to keep you cool in summer.

Whatever the season, it's good to have a few workhorse long-sleeved tops in your running wardrobe. As well as being an essential warming layer in winter, a long-sleeved top can be worn on its own during transitional weather and shield you from the sun in summer.

This seriously lightweight long-sleeved T-shirt has all the technical features I’ve come to expect from On. It's made with a high-quality lightweight mesh fabric that's highly breathable and quick-drying—it kept me cool when running yet warm when standing around. Bonded seams ensure minimal irritation, and the pleat between the shoulder blades allows the top to drape away from your sweaty back, maximizing airflow. The fabric has been given the antibacterial treatment so you can get more wear out of it between washes. Not just a boring base layer to hide under a jacket, this is a top that comes into its own when worn by itself.

This long-sleeved top can be worn on its own or under another layer in cold, wet or windy conditions. It's form-fitting but not clingy, and the open-weave jacquard fabric is breathable and comfortable against the skin, wicking sweat away efficiently. I used it as a base layer under a running jacket in chilly spring weather and it kept me cool and comfortable. I liked the high neckline and long cuffs with thumb holes—they kept my hands warm, although they made it difficult to check my running watch.

Runderwear is best known for its comfy underwear for runners. This soft and stretchy long-sleeved base layer has all the moisture-wicking qualities you’d expect, but there are also targeted breathable panels where you most need to let off steam. The sleeves have built-in fold-over mitts to keep your hands warm on cold days.—CA

Soar pairs temperature-regulating Merino wool with silk for a sleek, comfortable feel in this lightweight base layer. It's a fast-drying, sweat-wicking top that's designed to be worn close to the skin to trap air and keep you warm. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial so it stops smells from developing, and I can confirm you can get several runs out of this top before it needs a wash. While this top is meant to be close-fitting, it runs pretty small – I’d recommend sizing up if you’re between sizes.—CA

Bamboo fibre is known for its softness and natural feel against the skin, but normally it's not nearly as lightweight or as effective at wicking away sweat as polyester. This new fabric from BAM combines bamboo viscose with a fibre made from wood pulp, which BAM says is responsibly sourced and made with a low-impact process – a great alternative to synthetic fibres. I loved the silky softness of the Novea base layer, which is lightweight and breathable, quick-drying, and less prone to whiffiness than untreated polyester. This long-sleeved base layer has generous sleeves with thumb holes.—CA

This long-sleeved top is from Castore's new running range. The smooth, lightweight fabric feels cool to the touch, and kept me at the perfect temperature on the run, wicking sweat and drying quickly. The cut is very form-fitting but the stretchy fabric manages not to be too clingy. The arms are a generous length and the high neckline offers good coverage. The top is currently available only in white, but be warned, it's noticeably see-through—if that matters to you.

Extra soft and form-fitting without being skin-tight, this long-sleeved number is expensive but I reckon it's worth it for the excellent quality and feel. The longer length should ensure it won't ride up above your waistband, and your hands and wrists will stay warmer thanks to longer cuffs with thumb holes. Subtle perforated sections allow for extra breathability in high-sweat areas: the back, armpits and even the oft-overlooked underboob zone.—CA

When I first wore the Dash tee I was immediately struck by the softness of the fabric. Made with a combination of nylon, polyester and elastane, it's one of the most comfortable long-sleeved tops I’ve tested, yet it's really breathable – there's none of that sweaty, sticky feeling. My only gripe is that there are no thumb holes to keep your wrists and hands warm.—Alice Ball

Camilla Artault is a writer and keen runner. She has covered women's running gear – testing leggings, jackets, running bras, tops and shorts – for Coach since 2018, as well as interviewing experts and writing about a range of health and lifestyle topics.

Can Adidas Bring Back The Magic With The New Boston 12 and Adios 8 Running Shoes?

Inov-8 Trailfly G 270 V2 Review

Here's What Apple Needs To Learn From Garmin's Map Features

By Nick Harris-FryNovember 01, 2022

By Nick Harris-FryOctober 27, 2022

By Nick Harris-FryOctober 26, 2022

By Nick Harris-FryOctober 25, 2022

By Nick Harris-FryOctober 24, 2022

By Will GriceOctober 20, 2022

By Nick Harris-FryOctober 17, 2022

News