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Most running gear roundups start from the ground up––shoes, then shorts. That’s the order of importance I’d standby as well. But I’d argue running shirts are the most overlooked component of a kit. The bar is low, and most runners settle because of it.
The thing is, yes, any basic athletic shirt can get the job done. But that “it’s just a shirt” mentality is also what keeps most runners from realizing just how good running tops have become over the years. The best ones are engineered with obsessive detail: dialed-in fits, ultralight technical fabrics, and features that actually make your run a whole lot more enjoyable.
If you're someone who runs regularly, or simply wants to explore how much more comfortable you could feel while you’re out there, then you've come to the right place. I’m not here to tell you to go buy that $40 running shirt that’s on sale right now. I’m here to recommend the best shirt for what you need, which might vary based on the kind of runner you are, the climate you’re in, and the kind of effort you're throwing down. Let’s get into it.
What I Consider When Choosing the Right Running Shirt
After thousands of miles, I’ve learned that the “best” shirt is rarely one-size-fits-all. It all depends on the type of run you’re headed out for. What works on a sweaty tempo in July is a far cry from what I’ll wear for a chilly pre-dawn shakeout. Here’s what goes through my mind when I’m choosing which shirt to wear:
Where am I running?
On trails, I want a shirt that’s a bit more abrasion-resistant and can handle overgrown brush or a hydration vest without falling apart. On the road, performance is still key, but I’ll also opt for a shirt that looks presentable if I’m grabbing a coffee afterward. For the track, it’s all about minimal drag.
What’s the weather doing?
A hot, humid day demands a shirt that breathes like mesh but doesn’t feel like a fishnet. It should wick sweat, yes, but also evaporate it. Not all synthetics manage both. In cooler temps, I’m looking for a slightly heavier knit. And if the sun is out, I’m thinking about UV protection.
How hard am I running?
This is the big one. On easy days, I don’t mind a looser silhouette or even a blend that leans more toward comfort than performance. But when I’m racing or doing threshold work, I want a shirt that disappears on my body. No flapping hems, no shifting side seams, no distractions––just airflow and freedom of movement.
What I Look For In The Best Running Shirts
Across all those scenarios, the best running shirts share a few key traits:
Fabric & Feel:
“Technical” doesn’t have to mean scratchy. The best running shirts feel smooth against the skin, especially in high-friction zones like the neckline and underarms. Synthetic materials like recycled polyester, elastane, or nylon are typically best for high-effort activities, but that doesn’t mean they need to feel like plastic. The right shirt uses advanced fibers that are soft, cool to the touch, and glide effortlessly as you move. If it feels stiff or staticky when you first try it on, it’s only going to feel worse at mile five.
Breathability & Moisture Management:
Nearly every running shirt claims to be “breathable” and “moisture-wicking” since most synthetic fabrics have those properties. But not all tech fabrics are created equal. A great running shirt doesn’t just wick sweat, it actively helps regulate body temp by evaporating moisture so you stay light and dry. Look for side venting, perforated holes, mesh zones, and quick-drying blends that don’t cling once soaked. There’s nothing worse than a shirt that just absorbs moisture and doesn’t dispense of it.
Fit:
This one’s personal. Some runners prefer a looser cut that feels more relaxed, while others like a more fitted silhouette. I won’t tell you there’s a “right” answer, except on race day when a close-to-body fit usually makes the most sense. That said, running shirts do tend to stretch, both over the course of a run and over time. A shirt soaked in sweat will often sag, especially at the hem, which is why I gravitate toward styles with a slightly shorter, more cropped cut. It stays put and feels better over longer efforts.
Versatility:
80% of my runs are easy runs, which means a majority of my shirts are not aero or made for race day. I love a running shirt that doesn't necessarily scream "running shirt," so that I might also wear it to the gym, or out for a brief walk. The best running shirt will always be one that you wear a lot––running or otherwise.
Our Top Picks
With all of that in mind, our team has been testing countless running shirts over the past spring and summer season. We’ve worn these shirts on long uptempo runs, short easy runs, hot days, windy days, through the trails, on the roads, and on the track. Here’s where we’ve landed.
Best Overall:
No shirt gets more wear from me in the peak of summer than the Hot Weather Tee from Soar. Its dual-fabric design is unlike anything else I’ve run in—airy, stretchy, open-weave SPACE3D mesh across the torso maximizes airflow and keeps heat from building up, while a closed-knit upper shields the shoulders, upper back, and sleeves from the sun’s intensity. The ultralight Italian fabrics (and I mean ultralight), bonded seams, and minimal construction make it feel almost weightless in motion, yet it works relentlessly to wick sweat, vent heat, and keep you cool at speed. Even on my sweatiest days, it dries astonishingly fast, so it never clings or sags. Yes, it’s an investment, but from the very first run you’ll feel the craftsmanship and care that Soar put into its design. There simply isn’t anything else like it on the market.
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Runner Up:
The FSTTShirt from Ciele nails the details in a way few running shirts do. Borrowing from the brand’s premium headwear design, it’s made from fully recycled COOLmatic | PLUS MIKRA mesh, which is basically just an ultra-light and quick-drying fabric that actively cools and resists odor. The fit is dialed: slightly cropped through the body with extended sleeves for a modern, athletic silhouette that moves cleanly at any pace. The best feature, though, are the strategically placed side vents that make this shirt distinctly Ciele. On a hot summer day, the vents boost airflow all around your torso, while flatlock seams and welded construction eliminate any chance of chafing. In this shirt, you can truly feel the breeze at your back.
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The winter chill can help mask the sensation of sun exposure, but don’t be fooled: UV rays are just as prevalent in winter as they are in summer. Sure, you may not feel the warming sensation of a sunburn creeping in when it’s cold enough to see your breath, but if the sun is shining, your skin is susceptible. So lather up. Preferably in a mineral-based sunscreen like this one from Freaks of Nature.
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Best for Hot Weather:
Micro perforated, 75 grams, and made from a four-way stretch Italian fabric. Satisfy changed the game with their Space-O material, spawning countless copycats once it hit the market. Engineered for high-intensity runs and oppressive heat, this singlet all but disappears on your body. The micro-holes in the fabric dramatically reduce its weight and maximize breathability (while also providing an easy way to attach a race bib). This shirt doesn’t just outperform others when the humidity hits 70% or greater––it challenges the very idea of needing a shirt at all.
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Best Race Day Singlet:
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Soar’s Race Singlet helped put the London-based running brand on the map, and for good reason. It’s built for pure, unadulterated speed. Weighing a miraculous 44 grams, its ultra-breathable and cutaway design frees your shoulders and back, allowing full range of motion, while the streamlined, ergonomic fit keeps drag to a minimum when the pace picks up. Made from Italian-engineered 3D mesh fabric, it pulls moisture fast and dumps heat even faster. Bonded seams mean zero chafing, zero distractions. For me, nothing says it’s race day like putting on my Soar Singlet. You’ll feel infinitely faster in this than in anything else you’ll find on the market, offering the kind of marginal gain that, as Soar says, “you won’t feel until you check the watch.”
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Best Value:
Perhaps you’re new to running and need a few affordably priced shirts to stock up on. The Nike Stride shirt is probably where I’d start you. It’s reasonably priced around $50, and meets all our requirements for a good running shirt: breathable, sweat-wicking, and a comfortable fit. There’s nothing fancy going on here, and that’s sort of the point. Made from the brand’s Dri-FIT ADV material (an advanced version of their popular Dri-FIT technology), it keeps you dry and comfortable while you’re out on the road.
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Best Cotton Shirt:
The Lorca Tee proves that minimalism can be a performance feature. Made from papery-light, high gauge Japanese cotton, it carries just enough structure and breathability to shine on hot days without ever feeling overly technical. It has a natural and familiar handfeel, which sets it apart from its synthetic counterparts. And while it may not be as good as polyester at wicking sweat off your body during harder efforts, it certainly doesn’t trap heat like your average cotton tee would if you wore it while running. The Lorca isn’t for every run, and that’s exactly why it’s great. It’s a shirt you choose to wear when pace isn’t the point.
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Best Wool Shirt:
There are a handful of reasons why you’d choose to wear wool while running: odor-resistant, temperature regulating, and versatile in both hot or cool climates. Tracksmith’s Harrier Tee is the best at all of the above. It wears like your favorite everyday tee but is built with a lightweight blend of merino wool and volcanic mineral-infused “37.5 Technology,” which the brand claims is designed to regulate temperature by releasing heat before it becomes sweat. The result is a shirt that feels cool, dries fast, and stays odor-free run after run––which also happens to make it the ideal travel companion for when you can’t easily do laundry. (Yes, I’ve worn this shirt multiple days in a row without washing it, and yes, it held up. Just ask my girlfriend.) Naturally versatile and quietly technical, the Harrier Tee is the best argument for why wool still belongs in your performance rotation.
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Best for Trails:
The Dirt Running Half Zip from Miler is easily one of the most technical, purpose-built trail shirts I’ve worn. Developed and tested over 12 months and made here in NYC, it’s constructed from featherweight Cordura nylon woven in France, paired with VentGrid paneling in high-sweat zones to maximize breathability and moisture management. Every detail is designed to solve trail-specific problems: the Cordura resists the pilling and wear caused by hydration vests, while bonded seams and hems lie flat to eliminate chafing, even on long efforts. With a UPF 50+ rating, it also offers serious UV protection for exposed mountain days. What really sets it apart is the durability-to-weight ratio––at just 78 gsm, it’s incredibly light yet tough enough to handle brush, terrain, and repeated wear without breaking down. Fast-drying when rain- or sweat-soaked, abrasion-resistant, and vest-compatible, this is a shirt built for serious mileage in the mountains.
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Not all miles are created equal, and neither are the shirts you log them in. A shirt that works for a cool morning jog might fall short in the heat of a long tempo run or the rigors of a technical trail. The best running tops aren’t just moisture-wicking or featherlight, but tuned to your environment and your effort. After logging mile after mile in all kinds of conditions, these are the shirts that held up, kept us comfortable, and stayed out of the way. They won’t do the running for you, but they will make the work feel better. And at the end of the day, that’s what really matters.
