10 Best Long Sleeve Shirts for Running Tested

If you’re on the look out for Long Sleeved Running Shirts than you’ve come to the right place! Take a look at our comprehensive list to see the best long-sleeved options 2018 has to options.

When compiling this list, comfort was at the top of our list. Comfort is something all runners prioritize because optimal comfort levels are necessary if we want to perform our best. While looks matter to some, looking snazzy means nothing if you aren’t comfortable during your runs! Check out the shirts we consider to be the most comfortable, affordable, and good-looking options!

Last Updated: April 1, 2018

By Giselle Killebrew:

All of the long-sleeved shirts on this list are some of the best options you will find on the market this year. We gave recently added the Under Armour Threadborne, Vapor Apparel Performance, and Brooks Distance long sleeved shirts. Check out what these awesome shirts have to offer and which one would fit best with your style and running routine.

• Arcteryx Thetis Zip
• 5 out of 5
  Our rating
• Hip security pocket
• Price: See Here

• Salomon Agile Tee
• 4 out of 5
  Our rating
• Interlock stitching
• Price: See Here

• Adidas TechFit Base
• 5 out of 5
  Our rating
• UPF 50+ UV Protection
• Price: See Here

10 Best long Sleeve Running Shirts

 

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1. Under Armour Threadborne

The Under Armour Threadborne running shirt is the best long-sleeved option to choose from. Under Armour is know for their excellent running attire, and they definitely don't disappoint with this shirt!

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This shirt utilizes under armour's Moisture Transport System, which allows it to quick dry as well as keep you cool and dry during your runs. It's stretch and comfortable and allows for full mobility and range of motion as well.

This shirt also comes in several color options (you could have a different one for each day of the week!) and at a great price. With all this shirt has to offer, we definitely believe it is a top pick and a perfect option for all runners!

Pros

• Moisture wicking
• Moisture transport system
• Dries quickly
• Comfortable
• Stretchy
• Affordable
• Comes in lots of color options
• Keeps you cool and dry

Cons

• Runs a little large in size

2. Vapor Apparel Performance

The Vapor Apparel shirt is an affordable, lightweight, and comfortable option that also comes with a UPF of 50+ for Sun protection. This additional sun protection is permanent and the shirt is also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

It also utilizes PURE-tech moisture-wicking technology to keep you cool and dry during your runs. It also incorporates Anti-microbial technology to keep you fresh and odor free.

This loose-fitting shirt is stylish and affordable--it also comes in several color options to choose from, so you don't have to wear the same color/style on all your runs.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Lots of color options
• UV sun protection
• PURE-tech moisture wicking technology
• Anti-Microbial technology
• lightweight
• comfortable
• durable
• loose fit

Cons

• Sizes run small 

3. Adidas TechFit Base

Adidas delivers quality and effectiveness with the TechFit Base. This long sleeve running shirt is ideal for both extensive exercise and intense anaerobic exercise. Suitable for trail running, exercising, HIIT training, and multiple other activities. The TechFit Base keeps you well protected, as it counts with UPF 50+ UV Protection, Climalite® fabric that sweeps sweat away from your skin, and compression technology to reduce muscular vibration.

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With assistance for muscle alignment, this shirt will enhance both performance and endurance. It's highly breathable and comfortable; materials include mesh technology that fights both moisture and heat.

Pros

• Climate®  Sweat Protection Technology
• Solid Compression
• Smart design
• TechFit™ technology gets the most out of your energy
• Soft flatlock seams to prevent irritations

Cons

• Not waterproof

4. DRI-EQUIP Moisture Wicking

Nothing fancy here but a solid budget option for a long sleeve running shirt. This shirt does everything you need: It breathes, it dries quickly and provides a bit of protection. At this price it’s a steal!

Pros

• Highly affordable
• 3.8-ounce, 100% cationic polyester
• Roomy fit and highly breathable material
• Quick drying
• Wide range of colors

Cons

• May not last as long as a more expensive shirt

5. Brooks Distance

The Brooks Distance shirt is an exceptional long-sleeved option for all runners alike. It is made of Polyester and Cotton which allows it to be soft, comfortable, and keeps you warm on those cooler days. It is loosely fitted and odor resistant.

This shirt is highly affordable and comes in 3 color options.

Pros

• Affordable
• comfortable
• loosely fitted
• odor resistant armpit area

Cons

• Only 3 color options available 

6. Nike Women's Element

Nike delivers a long sleeve running shirt design for women. The Element features a half-zipper design. Incorporated DriFit technology protects from moisture and provides warmth.

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The Element includes reflective designs effective in low light.Thumbholes allow the cuffs to stay in place and provide warm. Loops in the shirt will prevent cords frmo bouncing around while running.

Pros

• Breathable Design
• Half-zip
• Odor-resistant and manages temperature efficiently
• Thumb holes for hand warmth/fit
• Refleftive Approach

Cons

• Neck tape is uncomfortable for some users

7. Under Armour ColdGear

This quarter-zip long sleeve shirt delivered by Under Armour is suitable for almost any challenge. The 100% polyester build makes it extremely comfortable and breathable; no shoulder or side seams to improve comfort. Included Moisture Transport System technology prevents moisture from accumulating and Smooth Armour® panels provide enough protection and style.

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The elastic cuffs allow an easy stretch with a solid fit that remains in place. Both the internal and external sides are utterly soft, providing warmth and superior comfort. This model is perfect for prolongued exercising, maintining you dry and fresh throughout the whole workout.

Pros

• Sweat protection maintains you dry
• Superior breathability and comfort
• Lightweight design with a  4-way stretching system
• Wicking interior regulates moisture

Cons

• Fails to maintain heat while not exercising
• A bit expensive

8. Under Armour UA HeatGear Armour

Beyond stylish, comes in a wide range of colors and has heatgear technology that will keep you nice and toasty to boot. Complete with a long list of pros, a great running shirt overall. Check it out today!

Pros

• Firm and supportive fit
• High grade technology to reduce moisture and keep you warm
• Antimicrobial fabric keeps you feel fresh
• Affordably priced
• Does not restrict range of motion

Cons

• Probably not a great choice for warmer weather

9. Nike Legend Dri Fit Tee

Hard to go wrong with one of Nike’s classic DriFit offerings. This shirt excels in controlling body temperature and does it in style. It also has a Rib crew neck so the collar won’t sag after a bit of use.

Pros

• Lightweight synthetic material
• Classic Nike design w/ swoosh, many color options
• Extra long sleeves, offers some hand protection
• Sweat wicking breathable material, stay cool

Cons

• Some sizes fit a little baggy

10. Tesla Baselayer Cool Dry Compression Top

Tesla Gear’s compression wear is designed for all-season running. The company produces clothing for both athletic wear and casual wear. Non-athletes enjoy the compression of the clothing for general health benefits, which inspired the clothing line to design a wider variety of casual compression wear. The Tesla Baselayer Cool Dry Compression Top releases heat and wicks moisture with a cooling effect.

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The flatlock seam of the Baselayer Cool Dry shirt provides comfort and a seamless feel. No itchy seams bugging you while you’re running. The compression aspect of the shirt promotes earlier recovery after hard workouts by keeping watch over blood waft and forestalling soreness. With UPF 50+, the shirt shields from ultraviolet rays. Other features include: deodorization function; repels unpleasant smells; 87% polyester and 13% spandex; non-abrasive fabric with elasticity and durability; moisture sensing, quick dry, and two-way air circulation.

We do recommend ordering one size up.

Pros

• All-season wear
• Fabric wicks moisture and cools the body
• Seamless build to prevent irritation
• Promotes earlier recovery from hard workouts
• UPF 50+
• Deodorization Function
• Non-abrasive fabric with elasticity and durability
• Two-way air circulation

Cons

• Sizes run small. We recommend ordering up one size.

 

Running shirts are not always paid close attention to let’s face it. Especially when the weather is hot they don’t matter that much, you can pretty much throw on any old t-shirt and get away with it. You can even run shirtless or in a sports bra. But the point at which a running shirt matters a bit more is when weather is unpredictable. In the spring or fall sometimes it’s hard to say if you’re going to be hot or cold during your run. This is where forethought into some long sleeve options can go a long way.

The Criteria We Used For Our Evaluation of the Best Long Sleeve Running Shirts

In order to compile and effective and accurate buying guide, there are certain parameters we use to narrow down out research. Products that don´t meet out research standards are not taken in consideration.

Below, we´ll briefly explain the parameters we stablished for this research, and explain you why we’ve chosen them.

Durability

A main feature to expect from any long sleeved running shirt is durability; hence this was one of our criteria for the selection.

A proper long sleeved running shirt must be able to endure sweat and rain. The sleeves should be durable enough to avoid loosening. We searched for high standards of durability, while keeping in mind related factors such as the facility to wash the shirt and its resistance against deodorant and sweat stains. Stableness is another important factor relevant to durability; the sleeves, neck, and lower cut must not stretch or loosen.

Comfortability

Long sleeved running shirts need to feature comfortability, just like any other piece of running equipment. Many research factors for this research are related to comfortability; materials and breathability to name a few.

The long sleeved running shirts selected for our list meet high standards of comfort. We looked for shirts that maintain a tight fit without being uncomfortably compressed. The shirts should be compressed enough to avoid generating friction between the shirt and the skin. If the shirt is too lose, friction might cause irritation. This applies to wrist and neck bands, which can produce skin marks or irritation if too tightened.

Mobility was also taken in consideration, as a very tight shirt will restrain running motions and lead to improper form. Lastly, the elasticity of the shirts also has an impact on the comfortability; thus we included it as a parameter. The elasticity of the material should allow the runner to perform the full range of motion properly.

Design

Design not only refers to the appearance of the product. While it is true that many athletes prefer good-looking clothes, it’s not something you want to focus on as a priority.

The design of a long sleeved running shirt also involves the way in which technologies are applied. For instance, technologies to improve breathability are strategically placed on parts of the torso where heat is likely to concentrate. Additionally, the shirts should feature multiple designs in different colors. Each running usually shirt comes in multiple designs for different situations. This includes flashy colors for trail running and multiple other color options.

Materials

The materials used for running shirts will determine the quality of many other features. For instance, low-quality materials will affect both the comfortability and durability. Using these materials might result in skin irritation, easy deterioration, uncomfortability, deodorant marks, water saturations on the shirt, and so on.

On the other hand, high end materials offer a large list of benefits. Not only are they more durable; high quality products usually feature technologies to improve the materials. These technologies can offer from odor prevention, to dynamic stretching, light builds, and increased breathability.

We looked for long sleeved running shirts which meet high standards when it comes to the materials. During our research, we focused on proper materials that can easily fit aerobic activities rather than low quality materials that obstruct it.

Other Important Factors  to Consider When Selecting the Best Options

There are multiple other factors that you should keep in mind while looking for the top products. These might not seem as important at first sight, but we´ll explain you the impact they have on the quality of the shirt.

Breathability

Breathability is a delicate subject when it comes to long sleeved shirts, especially running one. All aerobic equipment should feature enough breathability to allow the user to stray refreshed.

We consider this factor to be of extreme importance. The lack of breathability will result in concentration of heat in certain spots of the body. For instance, heat concentrations might happen in the armpit areas. Additionally, the lack of breathability on a long sleeved running shirt will have a negative impact on your performance.

While compiling our list of the best long sleeved running shirts, we looked for high standards of breathability. The shirts should include light and breathable materials such as mesh and linen.

Protection

Running is an activity that can be performed in a very wide variety of surroundings. Long sleeve shirts are not an exception. Knowing this, we looked for running gear that can provide enough protection in almost any situation or surrounding. There are many factors that contribute to the general protection offered by the shirts. For instance, materials resistance to sweat and unwanted odors help maintaining hygiene.

Another important factor to consider is the protection against the sun. This not only covers normal sunny day; it also offers and additional layer of protection to your body with UV protection. The sun can be harmful under certain circumstances, such as frequent runners that run during sunny hours.

Price

There are some things we kept in consideration while judging the prices of the shirts. No one wants to overpay, that’s totally fine; but remember that pro equipment isn’t cheap. With higher quality, comes higher price, as simple as that. For dedicated runners, spending on a high-end shirt will instantly let them know the difference between cheap and pro.

However, this doesn’t mean that all expensive items are good. Prices must be relevant to the quality of the product; some brands will offer poor quality for a big price.

The use of technology might seem expensive at first sight. Though, it offers superior endurance and effectiveness to the equipment. It basically comes down to this; cutting the budget, is cutting the quality.

FAQ

We compiled a list of the most FAQ regarding long sleeve running shirts. Please refer to this FAQ when in doubt, and feel free to leave a comment if your question wasn’t answered. We’ll try to get to you ASAP with an answer.

Q: Will long sleeve designs obstruct breathability?
A: While long sleeve shirts certainly cover more skin, they are properly equipped to maintain a fresh flow of air to avoid heat accumulations.

Q: Are expensive brands really worth it?
A: Like we previously explained, you can’t get pro equipment for cheap. Pro equipment comes with a large variety of advanced features; so expect the price to be proportional to the quiality.

Q: What kind of activities are these shirts for?
A: The long sleevee running shirts in this guide are meant for aerobic and anaerobic activities. Basically, it can handle both soft motions and intense training.

Q: How adaptable are these shirts?
A: The slimfit approach along with stretachable technology allow the long sleeve running shirts to expan and contract accordingly within their size range. As long as it’s within your size, it should adapt just fine.

Q: Are they warm enough for cold environments?
A: The running shirts in this list feature warming technology that keeps decent body temperature. Isolating  features prevent moisture, humidity and heat from accumulating; keeping the user fresh and dry.

We hope this buying guide was helpful to you. Please follow this guide when looking for the best long sleeve running shirts, our parameters will guide you into high quality products. Lastly, feel free to add your own research parameters that help you find the product that is the most suitable for you.

Here are some sources we used while conducting our research