We gave a selection of thermal running tops to a group of Sportsister readers to test out for us. Read on to see which one they thought was the best buy.
Rachael Woolston is a personal trainer who runs the FitBitch bootcamp in Brighton. Rachael and five of her clients have tested a range of thermal tops for us, reporting on their comfort, style, performance and value for money.
It’s been a beastly winter, but the upside is that our testers have had every opportunity to see just how well their thermal tops perform in all sorts of weather, from sun to fog to driving rain and gusting wind – and always, always cold!
Out of the eight tops tested, the Mizuno Active Hooded Top was the runaway winner, with full marks. Five others – across a variety of price ranges – also rated very highly. The Ronhill Aspiration LS Crew Top and Nike Sphere Ladies Long-Sleeve 1/2-Zip Top came bottom due to design faults and – crucially! – lower levels of thermal protection
Fitbitch Boot Camp, a four week intensive non residential fitness camp which revolutionises figures and fitness levels.www.fitbitchbootcamp.blogspot.com
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More tried and tested features
Tried and tested: training jackets
Tried and tested: running hats
Tried and tested: cooling base layers
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The results:
Mizuno Active Hooded Top tested by Fiona
Price: £40 www.mizuno.co.uk
Used for: Boot camp training sessions including kettlebell training, core work and boxing, as well as running – all in wind, rain and bitter cold at 6am!
Comfort rating: 5 – It was great as it was fitted all the way down to the hips, keeping my lower back warm, and didn’t ride up or rub. Best of all, the hood stayed up without having to mess about with the cord.
Style rating: 5 – I loved the top, which was feminine without being “Barbie doll”, and the colour scheme did not fit the usual stereotype of garish pink or pastel for women’s fitness gear.
Sizing: 5 – It fit perfectly over the shoulders, waist and hips, and was snug without being too tight.
Performance: 5 – On really cold and wet mornings, it kept me warm whilst exercising – although it’s not designed to be waterproof so you do need to wear something else on top if it’s wet. Even when it did get wet, however, it never felt sopping and dried out quickly. And best of all, it didn’t hold that horrid sweaty smell like some tops!
Love it or hate it rating: 5 – One of the few pieces of sportswear I can say I really love, because it’s comfortable and looks good.
Value for money? Definitely.
Would you buy this product? Yes!
Wow! Factor: The excellent fit – and that it didn’t move or ride up when moving about.
Let-Down Factor: Just that the hood sometimes got in the way – I’d turn my head and find myself looking at the fabric.
Wash Verdict: Excellent – no shrinkage, no expansion, and no fading. Plus, it dried quickly.
TOTAL: Full marks! 25/25
Marmot Midweight Crew LS Thermal Top tested by Nicky
Price: £40 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Used for: Five intensive outdoor exercise sessions, five mornings a week for two weeks, in all manner of weather from sunny and cold to wet and wild!
Comfort rating: 5 – It was a pleasure to put on at 6am because it felt warming straightaway, and was a great length so it kept my entire torso warm.
Style rating: 5 – I’m not sure how much style you can usually expect from a thermal top but I really liked the colour and a small flower detailing – not that anyone could see it except for me, as I was wrapped up so warm!
Sizing: 3 – The sizing is perhaps a bit too generous – I was worried a medium would be too small for my size 14, but if anything it was a bit roomy.
Performance: 5 – This did fantastically well at keeping me warm without leaving me completely soaked with sweat. I was comfortable even at the end and when I had a jacket on top too (which can often trap in sweat with other fabrics) so it clearly wicked away sweat well.
Love it or hate it rating: 5 – I loved it. I wouldn’t ordinarily think of a top like this for exercising, more for going to the Alps, but it was great!
Value for money? It’s probably more than I’d ordinarily pay for a top to exercise in, but having now experienced what this price can get you, I’d be sorely tempted.
Would you buy this product? I might ask for it as a birthday pressie!
Let-Down Factor: The only little niggle was that it snagged quickly, so over time it might look a bit messy.
Wash Verdict: Brilliantly, and it dried quickly – which was a good job as I wanted to wear it every day.
TOTAL: 23/25
Gore Challenger Windstopper Lady Shirt tested by Rachael
Price: £89.99 www.gorerunningwear.co.uk
Used for: Running long-distance, sprints, and general recovery runs
Comfort rating: 5 – This fitted and shaped the body, so it looked great while also leaving me feeling secure and snug, important when about to brave the elements.
Style rating: 5 – This comes in a variety of colours including black, red and green, all with black detailing – all of which worked for me. More important for me than the colour necessarily was the fact that it was fitted, so it didn’t make me look bulky as some running tops can do.
Sizing: 5 – It was the absolute perfect fit – although it is designed to be worn without anything except perhaps a base layer underneath, so you may want to consider this if you’re used to wearing more. It’s not meant to be long in the body as it’s designed for running, but it does mean that it is not something you’d wear for any other exercise because as soon as you put your arms overhead it would ride up leaving your back exposed.
Performance: 4 – This is equipped with a windproof coating that lends the material a slightly stiffer quality, although you don’t notice it when you’re wearing it. I did notice though how effective it is at keeping out chill winds while also being breathable, a rare thing in a product that claims to be windproof. However, it’s been a cold winter so I didn’t feel secure going out in it without having something additional on top sometimes and while it’s water-resistant, I wouldn’t want to be caught out in a downpour only wearing this!
Love it or hate it rating: 4 – I loved it, except for the fact I’d have liked something a little bit warmer – but I do feel the cold and am one of those runners who’d prefer to overheat than shiver.
Value for money? It’s pricey, but I run and exercise outdoors A LOT so it’s definitely worth the money for me. Besides, it can definitely double up as something that you can wear on weekend walks.
Would you buy this product? Yes!
Wow! Factor: It just fitted brilliantly. I also loved the holes for your thumbs, which meant you could pull them down over your hands to keep them warm against the elements.
Let-Down Factor: Related to that point is the fact that if you pull the sleeves down it is impossible to see a training watch. I got around it by putting my watch on over the top – not as comfortable as it restricted sleeve movement but the best way to deal with it.
Wash Verdict: Really well, although over time I’m not sure how the washing might affect its technical functions, like the fact it is windproof.
TOTAL: 23/25
Saucony Vizi Pro 80512 Drylete Sport Top tested by Rachael
Price: £50
Used for: Running long-distance, sprints, and general recovery runs.
Comfort rating: 5 – Really comfortable, and because the fabric had a thick feel to it, it felt almost like you were putting on a fleecy jumper to cuddle into while watching the TV rather than getting set to go on a run.
Style rating: 4 – Initially, I was taken aback by the vivid colour of this top, but I actually quite liked it. It also fit snugly along the contours of your body so it makes you look slimmer. That and the fact it has long sleeves with holes for your thumbs was a real plus point for me in terms of its style.
Sizing: 5 – Great fit, although short in the body for anything other than running.
Performance: 4 – It kept me toasty but without over-sweating, effectively wicking sweat away from the skin. It does exactly what it says it is going to do in terms of its technical material performance, although it would be nice if it was also waterproof or water-resistant. It’s no good wearing a bright orange jacket for visibility if you’ve got to wear a rain mac on top.
Love it or hate it rating: 3 – I loved it bar the LED light bit, which I ended up tearing off in a fit of pique mid-run. When you’re running a long distance anything that affects your concentration is a big no-no.
Value for money? Yes, but then I’m the kind of person for whom fitness gear is as important as what I wear to a bar.
Would you buy this product? I loved the colour but I think I’d probably go for something else if I was buying a top.
Wow! Factor: The long sleeves and shaped fit.
Wash Verdict: It washed well, although I feel like it might lose its shape over time.
TOTAL: 21/25
Craft Thermal Top tested by Amy
Price: £40 www.craft-clothing.com
Used for: Running, kettlebell training, boxing and core work.
Comfort rating: 4 – This was really comfortable, and felt snug and warm when going out at 6am on a cold winter morning, although the zip on the neck did rub slightly if done right up to the top.
Style rating: 4 – I loved the colour and the fact that it fitted so snugly, so it really shaped your body whilst helping me to actually shape my body through running!
Sizing: 3 – The sizing was great all over except in the body length, which meant that it tended to ride up – not only when I was doing burpees, but when I was just running too.
Performance: 5 – It performed well as it kept me really warm when it was so cold outside, but without getting sweaty. Plus it had reflective patches, so I felt safe that people could see me even when running at night on my own.
Love it or hate it rating: 4 – I loved it all except for the length. It did exactly what it needed to, and it looked so good I even wore it when I wasn’t running.
Value for money? Yes, but probably only if you’re a regular runner.
Would you buy this product? No, just because of the cost - plus the length of the body let it down.
Wow! Factor: The top has long sleeves with cuffs, which were great for pulling down over my hands at the start of a run when I felt coldest, and kept them warm until I’d warmed up. It also has a key pocket, which is great when you’re running as you don’t have to carry them.
Let-Down Factor: It did ride up over the hips once I was active.
Wash Verdict: Brilliant – it dried quickly and retained its shape.
TOTAL: 20/25
Skins A400 Top tested by Tanya
Price: £60 www.skins.net
Used for: Cross-country running, sprinting and kettlebell circuit classes
Comfort rating: 3 – It felt very strange at first – like wearing a swimming costume two sizes too small. But once I got used to that, it felt really supportive, secure and comfortable. Plus it kept my chest warm without being too high in the neck, which is a bugbear of mine with certain running tops.
Style rating: 3 – It looked fantastic on and I loved the reflective detail. But I’d struggle to wear it without something on top because it is so tight and shows off every lump and bump.
Sizing: 5 – Sizing is very specific for Skins products and I had to give chest, waist and hip measurements before I was given my size. But it meant that it fitted perfectly.
Performance: 4 – Even though this product is mainly aimed at helping improve performance and aid recovery by pumping blood to the muscles, this kept me warm even on a cold and icy morning. And I definitely noticed fewer aches in my arms and shoulders after doing kettlebells. The only downside is that after exercising you have to whip it off quickly because the sweat dries and you feel really cold.
Love it or hate it rating: 4 – I really liked this top – although I’d be interested to see how it performs in warmer climates.
Value for money? Quite a lot of money to pay out initially, but I think it’s worth it.
Would you buy this product? Yes – and I’m already looking into buying the matching running tights!
Wow! Factor: I really loved the rubberised grippers on the bottom of the top so it doesn’t budge when you’re running, and there are also netted vents under the arms to let your armpits breathe!
Let-Down Factor: I had to snip a few loose threads off the finished seams.
Wash Verdict: It washed really well and dried really quickly, which meant I could wear it again the next day.
TOTAL: 19/25
Ronhill Aspiration LS Crew Top in Hot Violet tested by Belinda
Price: £27 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com
Used for: Running – and lots of it! Off-road, on road, and in various weather conditions, from cold and foggy, cold and wet, to cold and sunny.
Comfort rating: 5 – I love the silky feeling of the Vapourlite (TM?) fabric, which was so lightweight I could hardly feel I was wearing anything. However, unfortunately it wasn’t very comfortable in terms of sizing as the sleeves were too long and loose.
Style rating: 2 – It looked really shapeless; and the colour was neither pink nor purple, which lent a washed-out look to it.
Sizing: 2 – I’m normally a size 12, and this top was a size 10 and still too big. It was too long in the body and big under my arms, so it looked like I was running in a men’s top. I prefer my tops fitted so there’s nothing flapping around.
Performance: 5 – I usually get really hot on runs and overheat, but this fabric was really breathable and kept me at the right temperature without feeling cold, even on an early-morning drizzly run. And unlike with other tops, I didn’t get too cold when I stopped, which shows that it wicks sweat away well. It’s also nice to know that the fabric has sun protection, which is important on sunny days even in winter.
Love it or hate it rating: 3 – I like the fabric of this top, it’s exactly what I look for in a running top and performed well in keeping me warm and dry. But style-wise, it underperformed.
Value for money? In terms of performance, yes – but it looked cheap.
Would you buy this product? No, despite its performance. I prefer my running tops to make me look and feel fabulous too.
Wow! Factor: Again, the fabric – and that it’s reflective, so I felt safe running in the dark too.
Let-Down Factor: The style and sizing. I normally love Ronhill gear, especially their running tights and wind/waterproof running jacket. I think they’ve got it right technically, but suffer from poor designs for women, which can look a bit “old school”.
Wash Verdict: It washed really well at 30 degrees C, and dried within a couple of hours.
TOTAL: 17/25
Nike Sphere Ladies Long-Sleeve 1/2-Zip Top tested by Kim
Price: £31 www.nikestore.com
Used for: Running, boxing, sprinting, kettlebell training
Comfort rating: 3 – It was lightweight and the material didn’t rub, but it felt rough. The sleeve had thumb-loops so the sleeves pulled down, but they were tight and left marks on my hands.
Style rating: 3 – This is not going to win any design awards, but it was OK and not as bad as some tops I’ve seen. It has a couple of reflective strips on the sleeves and back.
Sizing: 4 – It fitted well, being small but not skin-tight, which meant I could wear a base layer underneath – which I needed to. And it was the right length, so didn’t ride up.
Performance: 3 – It wicked away sweat well so I never felt soggy, but it wasn’t great in the cold even with a vest, base layer, and windbreaker on top. Also, the zip kept catching on the seam, which meant I constantly had to stop running to release it – not ideal when you’re running.
Love it or hate it rating: 3 – It was OK.
Value for money? I don’t think this is the best value for money, considering the niggles.
Would you buy this product? No.
Wow! Factor: I liked the fit and the useful zip pocket for holding keys. Plus, it had reflective strips to keep you safe when running at night.
Let-Down Factor: The annoying zip issues!
Wash Verdict: It washed well, the size and shape stayed the same and it dried quickly.
TOTAL: 16/25
Anna Young, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
