Sportsister gives an athletics club seven women’s running tees to test, here’s the low-down on style, functionality and value for money.
In this, the second of a regular slot featuring you, our readers, we put running t-shirts to the test. Gone are the days when the oversized cotton t-shirt was the norm for many, now we have an abundance of technical t-shirts to choose from. All offer quick drying, wicking, lightweight fabric, so really it’s down to cut, style and price as to whether we want to buy one.
Our group of testers wore the tops for two weeks and tested them mainly at their athletics sessions, but also for the gym, all but one were washed at least once. Our testers then filled in a questionnaire and rated the item 1-5 across a number of categories.
Conclusion:
All the tops scored very well on performance and comfort, and fabrics were praised for being lightweight and wicking. The main negative was the cost of the t-shirts with four out of the seven being classed as too expensive. Sizing was also an issue on two of the shirts, with the testers feeling they were a bit too small for a size medium. So then it’s down to personal taste on style - which is really up to the individual.
Highest score:
All the shirts scored above average but one top - the Nike Core Running shirt - received the highest score.
Nike Core Running tested by Laura
Price: £17.99 Colour: Cerise
Used for: Sprint training on the track
Comfort rating: 5
Style rating: 4
Sizing: 5
Performance: 5
Love it or hate it rating: 5
Value for money/would you buy? Fairly expensive, but I would buy it in the sale.
I really liked the colour and fit and there was nothing I didn’t like. Although for me it was fairly expensive, I think it was not too bad given that it’s a technical dri-fit garment.
Total score: 24/25
Salomon Trail Runner tested by Jess
Price: £25 Colour: Grass Green / White
Used for: Athletics - 200m training
Comfort rating: 5
Style rating: 4
Sizing: 4
Performance: 4
Love it or hate it rating: 4
Wash rating: Fine
Value for money/would you buy? Quite good, yes I would buy this item.
The material is very light and soft - really nice, I liked this item quite a lot and would buy it.
Total score: 21/25
adidas Supernova Short Sleeve Tee tested by Fiona
Price: £22 Colour: Neo Blue
Used for: Track sessions, road and off-road runs
Comfort rating: 4
Style rating: 3 - Nice style - not sure about the colour
Sizing: 4
Performance: 4
Love it or hate it rating: 3
Wash rating: Washed well but appeared quite creased afterwards
Value for money/would you buy? Yes, a good lightweight, quick drying tee. I would buy it in a more conservative colour.
The slash neck was particularly comfortable to wear and the fabric was very breathable. The only down side was the colour, for me it was perhaps a bit bright.
Total score: 20/25
Salomon Evo Smart tested by Jenny
Price: £27 Colour: Turquoise
Used for: Athletics, jogging, sprinting and throwing
Comfort rating: 5
Style rating: 3
Sizing: 4
Performance: 4
Love it or hate it rating: 4
Wash rating: Good, it retained its shape well.
Value for money/would you buy? Probably not, I would opt for a slightly more styled shirt at a lower cost.
I liked the shape of the t-shirt and the back detail, the mesh fabric made it very lightweight and breathable as well as easy to move in. I didn’t like the rounded neck so much, a lower or v-neck would have been better. Overall it was a good t-shirt, lightweight and breathable and great to run in, but the price let it down especially as its isn’t a well known running brand.
Total score: 20/25
Gore Pulse Lady tested by Karen
Price: £34.99 Colour: Light Blue
Used for: Sprint training on the running track
Comfort rating: 4
Style rating: 4
Sizing: 3
Performance: 4
Love it or hate it rating: 4
Wash rating: Good, dried quickly and didn’t lose any colour.
Value for money/would you buy? It’s a good quality t-shirt, but £34.99 is a bit steep, I would buy this if it was a better price.
I liked the fitted shape of the shirt, but a larger size would have been more comfortable to run in. Usually I wear a size 10 so I think this shirt is too snug to be called medium - it felt more like a small. But the quality is excellent.
Total score: 19/25
Sugoi Essence tested by Mariella
Price: £31.50 Colour: Flamingo Pink
Used for: Training sessions on the track and the gym
Comfort rating: 4 - very soft material
Style rating: 2 - a bit too colourful for me
Sizing: 3 - Shape was good although a little too short and boxy
Performance: 4
Love it or hate it rating: 3
Value for money/would you buy? Rather expensive and I wouldn’t buy this colour.
It is a good overall top, but I think it needs to be a little longer to make it less boxy. The material was comfortable and soft, it was very airy, although it did retain the smell.
Total score: 16/25
Helly Hansen Trailwind tested by Sian
Price: £35 Colour: Coral red
Used for: Running and the gym
Comfort rating: 3
Style rating: 3
Sizing: 2
Performance: 4
Love it or hate it rating: 3
Wash rating: Washed fine and dried quickly
Value for money/would you buy? No - too expensive for what it does and I wouldn’t buy it mainly because the size is wrong for me.
The top had a tendancy to ride-up when running although it was fine in the gym, on a plus side the material was good and helped to keep me cool.
Total score: 15/25
The Club:
Birmingham Rowheath Athletics Club was formed in 1996 following the amalgamation of Rowheath Harriers and Borough of Sandwell Athletics Club, the majority of its members hail from the south side of Birmingham. The club has male and female members of all ages and abilities competing in track and field, cross country and road races throughout the year. It also hosts a range of events including a series of open track and field meetings and 5k road races. There are two training bases; one at the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston and the other at Rowheath Pavillion in Bournville, and we are always welcoming to new members, whether its for serious competition, or just for fitness and fun. For further information, go to the website: www.birminghamrowheath.co.uk
Danielle Sellwood, Sportsister.
The Women’s Sports Magazine
Links:
Read our tried and tested on Yoga Pants
Buy:
Nike running gear and more
Nike, adidas, Salomon and Sugoi running t-shirts can be found online at Sheactive.
