10 Best Long Sleeve Shirts for Running Tested
By Ryan Sabin
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Searching for Long Sleeve Running shirts? Take a look at the best shirts of 2017 and what to be aware of before buying them online or in a store.
When it comes to running gear, one of the priorities is comfort. If a shirt, shoe or backpack is uncomfortable it’s bound to be more hassle than it’s worth. No matter how snazzy it looks wearing, it’s not a good buy if it invites discomfort. So considering this in all aspects of your gear and running clothing is important.
10 Best long Sleeve Running Shirts
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1. Arc'teryx Thetis Zip
- Zippered security pocket
- Sleek design
- Excellent weight to warmth ratio
- Minimalist collar, fits perfectly, no rub
- Thumbholes, consistent sleeve positioning
- Made from 100% cotton
- Rather expensive brand
2. Salomon Agile Tee
- Advanced active drying technology
- Interlock stitching for max durability
- Breathes well
- Provides a little structure and support
- Fairly priced
- Limited color choices
3. Adidas TechFit Base
- Climate® Sweat Protection Technology
- Solid Compression
- Smart design
- TechFit™ technology gets the most out of your energy
- Soft flatlock seams to prevent irritations
- Not waterproof
4. DRI-EQUIP Moisture Wicking
- Highly affordable
- 3.8-ounce, 100% cationic polyester
- Roomy fit and highly breathable material
- Quick drying
- Wide range of colors
- May not last as long as a more expensive shirt
5. Solitary Walker Outdoor Quick Drying
- Ventilated materials on chest, keeps you cool
- ultra-thin design, contours well to the body
- Good cost-to-value ratio
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Bright and low key color options
- Tends to ride up
6. Nike Women's Element
- Breathable Design
- Half-zip
- Odor-resistant and manages temperature efficiently
- Thumb holes for hand warmth/fit
- Refleftive Approach
- Neck tape is uncomfortable for some users
7. Under Armour ColdGear
- Sweat protection maintains you dry
- Superior breathability and comfort
- Lightweight design with a 4-way stretching system
- Wicking interior regulates moisture
- Fails to maintain heat while not exercising
- A bit expensive
8. Under Armour UA HeatGear Armour
- 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
- Probably not a great choice for warmer weather
9. Nike Legend Dri Fit Tee
- Lightweight synthetic material
- Classic Nike design w/ swoosh, many color options
- Extra long sleeves, offers some hand protection
- Sweat wicking breathable material, stay cool
- Some sizes fit a little baggy
10. Patagonia Fore Runner Shirt
- lightweight 100% recycled polyester, breathes well
- 15-UPF protection and polygiene odor resistance
- Locker loop, easy to hang up
- Contours to body perfectly
- Extremely durable, will last years
- Won’t chafe or restrict
- This brand is quite expensive
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
Sources
- , Ask the Gear Guy, Running enthusiast publication, Jul 29, 2015
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