Best running tops for women 2025 | Tested and reviewed

The Arc'teryx Norvan Women's Crew Neck Tee is a top-tier technical shirt designed for high-performance activities. Engineered with a focus on breathability and comfort, this tee is made from a lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric that efficiently pulls sweat away from the skin, keeping you dry and cool even during intense workouts. The fabric also dries quickly, making it ideal for multi-day adventures where quick turnaround between washes is essential.

The design of the Norvan Tee is minimalist yet functional, with a flattering athletic fit that moves with your body without feeling restrictive. Flatlock seams help to reduce chafing, which is particularly beneficial during long runs or extended periods of wear. The crew neck style provides a secure, comfortable fit, while the short sleeves offer ample range of motion. We think it looks slightly odd not to have any visible seams at all, but upon testing found this to be a very comfortable solution, especially when clocking up the double digit kilometers.

Arc'teryx has incorporated Polygiene® treatment into the fabric, which effectively controls odor, so you can stay fresh even after a long day on the trails. The tee also features reflective details for added visibility during low-light conditions, enhancing safety during early morning or evening activities.

While the Norvan Tee is on the pricier side, its durability, performance, and comfort make it a worthwhile investment for serious athletes. It’s particularly well-suited for those who demand high-quality gear that can withstand the rigors of outdoor adventures. It fits true to size.

The Adidas Terrex Agravic Trail Running T-Shirt is made up of Adidas’ AEROREADY fabric, which is designed to provide essential moisture management, absorbing moisture to keep you dry under any condition. Further ventilation is provided on this T-shirt via airy fabric on the back to maintain airflow, keeping you cool even if wearing a pack. This aerated fabric also extends underneath the armpits ensuring you stay cool.

As a usual XS/8 we found this T-shirt at size S to be a good loose fit running style, that it intends to be, with the side slits on the drop tail hem ensuring full range of movement. The Adidas website also suggests to size up on this item, which we would agree with to ensure full efficiency of the AEROREADY cooling technology.

The Agravic Trail Running T-shirt is made up of 100% recycled polyester, with yarn containing 50% Parley Ocean Plastic, meaning this garment is made up of a minimum of 70% recycled material, scoring points for sustainability.

The Agravic Trail Running T-shirt is a comfortable loose fit (although we would suggest sizing one size up) and ensures you are cool and dry, providing a great top for numerous summer activities. The T-Shirt also comes in numerous colours with fun Terrex details down the front and at a competitive price (£38) compared to other big name running brands; what’s not to love!

The Montane Women’s Dart Running Vest is an excellent option for runners and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a lightweight, breathable, and versatile top. Designed with performance in mind, this vest is made from Apex D-Fuse fabric, which is soft against the skin and highly effective at wicking moisture away. This ensures that you stay dry and comfortable, even during intense runs or hikes in warm conditions.

One of the standout features of the Dart Vest is its Polygiene® permanent odor control treatment. This technology helps keep the fabric fresh by inhibiting the growth of odor-causing bacteria, making it ideal for multi-day use without the need for frequent washing. The fabric is also quick-drying, which adds to the convenience, especially when you're on the go.

The vest’s fit is tailored yet comfortable, with a slight stretch that allows for a full range of motion without feeling restrictive. It’s designed to be close to the body without clinging, making it an ideal base layer under a jacket or worn on its own in warmer weather. Flatlocked seams reduce the risk of chafing, enhancing comfort during long-distance runs.

Though the design is simple, it’s functional, featuring reflective details that enhance visibility in low-light conditions. This added safety feature is a thoughtful touch for early morning or evening runs.
Overall, the Montane Women’s Dart Running Vest offers great value for its quality, comfort, and performance, making it a reliable choice for runners and outdoor enthusiasts who demand both functionality and comfort in their gear.

The North Face Women's Sun Hoody is an important piece of outdoor apparel for keeping yourself safe in the sun - it's ideal for hiking, running, or climbing in any country that regularly feels the searing heat of our closest star. So, not all that useful in the UK but really comes into its own in the alps, or sunnier parts of Europe.

Crafted with UPF 50+ fabric, it offers excellent sun protection, shielding your skin from harmful UV rays during extended exposure. The hoody's relaxed fit allows for easy layering over a base layer or under a jacket, providing adaptability across various weather conditions. Thumbholes at the cuffs add extra coverage for your hands and help keep the sleeves in place during movement, which is a thoughtful touch for those on the go. The three-piece hood design offers a snug fit around the head, providing additional sun protection without being overly tight or restrictive.

The Sun hoody also has great sustainability credentials. Made from recycled materials, it aligns with The North Face's commitment to reducing environmental impact without compromising performance. However, the fabric is relatively thin, which is great for breathability but may not provide sufficient warmth in cooler conditions. Additionally, we found that the armpits also retain odours more than other running apparel we've tried out, and we'd have like to have seen a Polygiene® treatment for this garment.

Overall, however, The North Face Women's Sun Hoody is an excellent choice for those seeking reliable sun protection in a lightweight, comfortable, and eco-friendly package, making it a must-have when trail running under a blazing sky. Just wash it after every use or you'll end up with no pals.

The INOV8 Women’s Performance Running Top delivers exactly what you’d expect from a well-designed piece of gear. The fit is streamlined and functional, offering just the right amount of stretch without feeling restrictive. It’s comfortable without being overly snug, making it a solid choice for any run - it fits absolutely true to size as well.

The fabric is lightweight and does a good job wicking away sweat, keeping you dry even on longer runs in higher humidities. It’s also durable enough to handle regular use without showing too much wear, which is always a plus. Happily, it washes well without bobbling or warping.

Practical features like well-placed seams reduce the risk of chafing, while reflective elements provide some added visibility for early morning or evening runs. There’s nothing overly flashy or groundbreaking here, but it gets the job done and it does it for a good price too, and in a good range of colours.

Overall, the INOV8 Performance Top is a dependable, no-nonsense option for runners who want comfort and functionality without unnecessary frills. It’s a straightforward piece that fits well into any running wardrobe.

The Montane Women’s Dart T-Shirt is a practical option for those who need a reliable base layer, for any sport including running, hiking, or things to do with keeping an eye on a ball. The 100% recycled APEX fabric is soft and lightweight, plus it's been infused with Polygeine anti-odour treatment, making it comfortable to wear over several days.

It’s breathable enough to keep you cool during more intense activities, and it does a decent job of wicking away moisture, helping you stay dry and comfortable.

The fit is pretty good too, with a good length in the sleeve for UV protection, and adequete coverage on the waist for any arms-up activity. The flatlock seams reduce the risk of chafing, which is always a plus, especially on longer romps.

The Dart doesn’t offer anything particularly ground-breaking in terms of design or colour schemes—it’s simple and understated, which might appeal to those who prefer their gear to be more about performance than style.

Overall, the Dart T-Shirt is a solid addition to the trail running wardrobe. It’s dependable, versatile, and sustainable to boot, making it a good choice for trail running, among other outdoor activities.

The On Running Women's Performance-T is one of the first tops our old gear editor Kate Milsom tested, and it quickly distinguished itself as a luxurious pick that we can't help but rate despite the biting price. Its lightweight, engineered fabric efficiently wicks moisture, and the thinner back panel is a welcome addition while dedicated ventilation zones keep you cool during the toughest runs.

We found the construction ideal for those who prefer a precise, athletic fit. All the seams are nice and flat to minimise chafing, and the shirt's cut allows for a full range of motion despite being quite close to the body. The panelled design meets at the back in a T pleat, which supposedly is to provide more space for movement across the shoulders.

Having said that, the fit won't suit everyone, so we'd only recommend the Performance-T if you like a tapered shirt which suits a leaner profile. We found that an XS provides a fitted look for a size UK8. Overall, if it suits you, this tee strikes a smart balance between style and function, making it a dependable pick for serious runners.

Arc’teryx are known for their highly technical but also extremely pricey gear. The Norvan Tank, a performance running vest produced by Arc’teryx promises to provide exceptional airflow, wicking and temperature regulation. With a plethora of fancy design features, I wanted to test if this vest lives up to Arcteryx’s promises and justifies its £70 price tag. 

This vest is certainly lightweight. The hybrid construction consists in part of performance Phasic™ FL fabric, leaving a super soft feel on the skin. Alongside merrow seams and laminate finishes in high abrasion areas, this combination allowed me to run for miles with no noticeable chafing. This is paired with an ultralight Delta back mesh, keeping temperatures down and allowing for sweat to evaporate away from the skin. Whether road running or trail running, this vest sits nicely either under a running pack or out in the open. 

With a vibrant electric blue colour and flattering cut this vest is also a looker. The higher neckline and racer back allowed for an optimal amount of coverage from the sun without compromising an airy feel. My only criticism is that the cut came in slightly too close to the armpit area. I am prone to feeling claustrophobic and would have appreciated slightly more room in this aspect. 

Regarding sustainability, Arc’teryx is an early signatory to the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (UN Fashion Charter), a member of the Outdoor Industry Association’s Climate Action Corps, a co-founder alongside the Pembina Institute of the Catalyst Business Coalition and one of the first 400 companies to set a verified Science Based Target. Despite looking good on paper, sustainability watch dogs such as Good On You have reported a distinct lack of evidence to support Arc’Teryx claims regarding water usage and human rights protections among other areas. They could do better. 

To conclude, the Norvan Tank by Arc’teryx is a delight to wear. Sweaty summer runs are no issue with the ingenious hybrid construction, and we would recommend it to friends and runners alike. The price tag is large, but if you are looking to treat yourself to a high-quality running vest this product will not disappoint.

The Vayper T-shirt is designed to be close to skin, enabling it to wick sweat away in the heat, whilst also trapping pockets of air to keep you warm when worn as a base layer underneath bigger layers.

As a size 6-8 in T-shirts, the Vayper at a size 8 does feel tighter than other outdoor T-shirts we've tried, however this is how the T-shirt was designed and we do find it keeps us cool, whilst not restricting movement when wearing for climbing, hill-walking or running.

The Polygiene treatment is a nice touch, prolonging the wear of the T-shirt, making it perfect for longer trips. It also ties in with Alpkit's sustainability credentials by reducing washes required, therefore reducing energy and prolonging the life of your clothing.

It's also made up of 100% recycled polyester, which scores points with us for being good for the planet. Overall, the Vayper Short Sleeve T-shirt provides an all-round, all-weather, all-activity base layer - just size up for a better fit.

The OMM Nitro Tank is one of the softest and lightest vest-tops we've come across for running. Coming it at a mere 35g, the tank's made of a four-way stretch nylon material which feels very gentle against the skin.

Airflow is pretty much uninhibited due to the large arm openings and thin, wicking fabric, which also provides built-in UPF 15 sun protection. A nice touch. In terms of sizing, a S fits a UK8 perfectly.

We like the female-specific cut which translates to slightly scooped hems, being shorter in the body than men's tops, and having a relatively high neckline. There are also flatlock seams placed away from key chafe points to avoid any rubbing, which works a charm.

On the sustainability side, there's no mention of eco fabrics or practices, though OMM do have a refurb and recycle project to increase the lifespan of their products and reduce their environmental impact.

The Ronhill Golden Hour Tee may look like an unassuming colourful collage of a top, but take a closer look and you’ll find an intricate webbing-like texture across the whole garment called Polartec Delta. This is a cooling fabric Ronhill has used to make the top not only breathable, but also sweat wicking.

In terms of performance, the first thing we noticed with this top is how extremely soft and gentle it feels against the skin. This has to be the comfiest running top we’ve come across. It’s not a skin-tight fit, giving a relaxed yet flattering silhouette.

On the sustainability front, the ‘odour-resistant’ material is made of 49% recycled polyester, with a further 49% Lyocell which is a synthetic fibre made from wood pulp, the final 2% is elastane giving it that necessary stretch for a comfy fit.