Layer up with these long-sleeve running tops for the colder months

The best long-sleeved running tops are just what you need when it’s too chilly to run in just a t-shirt but not cold enough for a running jacket.

Humble it may be, but a good long-sleeve run tee is essential in any outdoor athlete’s kit drawer. Come the chillier months, you’ll be looking towards one of these for warmth and comfort, as well as visibility if not wearing a jacket.

Although we used two testers here – one male and one female – most of these tops come in men’s and women’s versions and colourways.

Meet our testers

Helen Webster is 220 Triathlon editor, a marathon runner and prolific gear tester.

Triathlon author and former 220 staffer Matt Baird is currently editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine. The expert reviewer has completed most kinds of triathlon imaginable.

Former 220 content editor Rob Slade is now deputy editor of Live For The Outdoors, and loves taking on triathlons and two-footed adventures.

1. Montane Dragon Pull-On Fleece

Price	$64 / £60
Materials	Cotton and polyester, Polygiene odour control
Features	3/4 zip, thumb holes
Sizes	XS-XL men’s

This is a versatile piece of running kit as it can be used as a mid or base layer. The fit is true to size and the garment sits close to the body. There’s plenty of length both in the body and the arms, too.

The brushed inner feels soft and comfortable against the skin, while flatlock seams ensure zero irritation.

Reflective detailing lights well at night, the high collar is cosy and keeps the wind out well, while the zip neck proves effective when you need to dump heat.

There’s even thumb loops and ‘emergency windproof mitts’ built in. The only thing missing is a small zip pocket.

It’s ideal as a base layer when the temperature drops below 10°C/50°F, but it’s also an ideal mid layer in colder conditions.

The fabric also does a decent job of wicking moisture away, while an anti-odour treatment stops it ponging.

Review by Rob Slade

2. Inov-8 Merino L/S

Price	$70 / £60
Materials	100% Merino wool
Features	naturally odour-resistant
Sizes	Women’s: UK6-18 / 2XS-2XL; Men’s: XS-XL
Colours	Navy, Black

Oooh, merino wool… The Inov-8 Merino L/S is one of those tops that you love from the moment you pull it on, thanks to that fabric. Northern trail gurus Inov-8 have constructed this from ethically- produced mulesing-free Merino wool certified by the Responsible Wool Standard.

It comes in sizes 6-14 for women (again, larger sizes would be good to see here) and S-XL for men and two colours. It’s breathable and naturally resists odours, something that I can confirm through testing! Sizing is snug but the top has plenty of stretch.

Designed for hiking it might be a bit warm for hard sessions, but for my morning jogs on frosty autumn mornings I didn’t overheat. This one comes in at 144g/5.07oz for my UK14.

3. Alpkit Koulin

Price	$34.99 / £29.99
Materials	100% recycled polyester
Features	Polygiene anti-odour, wicking, mesh panels
Sizes	Women’s UK6-20 / US2-16; men’s: UK XS-2XL, US 34-44

The lightweight Alpkit Koulin comes in at 145g /5.11oz for my women’s UK14. This is constructed from wicking and fast-drying recycled polyester fabric featuring Polygiene anti-odour technology. 

The fit was great on me and the mesh under the arms provided reasonable ventilation. I also managed to get away with a few runs before I felt like this top needed a wash so the fabric definitely works!

There’s a nifty key pouch with loop and sizing is good at 6-20 with two colours available.

Men can choose from three colours and XS-XXL.

4. Soar WoolTech Top

Price	$280 / £215
Materials	Merino wool faced (polyamide, wool, elastane), sweat-wicking
Features	3/4 zip, thumb holes, bonded seams, laser-cut hems, rear pocket
Sizes	Men’s XS-2XL; women’s XS-XL

The Soar WoolTech Top is not cheap, but this thermal top carries a lot of tech. For a start, it’s constructed out of a blend of synthetic and natural fibres, which combine antibacterial properties, good moisture management and fantastic warmth to weight.

For a relatively lightweight garment it packs some heat, well suited to temps under 10°C/50°F. The deep 1/4-length zip allows you to ventilate.

The fit is close, while elastic hems on the wrists and waist help keep the cold out, though we did find the latter would rise up a little mid-run.

Comfort is great, with a soft inner and bonded seams working well. The only blot on its record is that the rear zip pocket which, while useful, sometimes feels like a minor irritation.

Meanwhile, reflective detailing helps boost visibility.

Review by Rob Slade

5. Asics Core LS Top

Price	$35 / £32
Materials	minimum 50% recycled polyester
Features	flat seams, quick-drying, dropped hem
Sizes	XS-2XL

The Core LS Top might not boast a long feature list but it’s a functional, well-crafted and stylish top that largely ticks the performance boxes. 

Coming in at a lean 113g/4oz, it sits smoothly on the skin, aided by its flatlock seam construction and a 100% polyester build that’s floaty and unrestrictive.

Ventilation from the slightly meshed material is decent enough, although for me, the lighter if pricier Montane Dart Lite seemed to edge the breathability contest.

The 100% recycled materials help with the Core’s eco credentials, although it’s lacking the odour control, wash-every-other-run quality. At £32/$35, however, the Core is neatly-priced and the construction feels durable enough for multi-running season use.

Sizing comes in at XS-2XL and our medium felt true to size. The reflective Asics logo on the chest offers a touch of visibility but more visible colours are also available for both men and women.

Review by Matt Baird

6. CEP Cold Weather Shirt

Price	$64.95 / £69.95
Materials	90% recycled polyester, 10% spandex
Features	thumb loops, brushed inner, slightly raised collar
Sizes	S-2XL

Let’s start with the positives. CEP’s Cold Weather Shirt offers decent visibility and it fits well. It’s true to size, sits close to the body and is long in the sleeves.

It’s warm, too, and for most would stand up to temperatures teetering around freezing without the need for extra layers.

When it’s a little milder, the garment deals with sweat well, wicking it away effectively without feeling particularly damp.

Having said that if the temperature goes above 10°C/50°F, you may start to overheat a little. There’s a fiddly zip on the side of the neck, but its small size means it’s not that effective. In fact, alongside the noticeable seams, it negatively impacted comfort.

A rear zip pocket is a faff, too, with the same small zip, and while the latter is useful for stashing items, anything heavy will bounce around.

Review by Rob Slade

7. Proviz Reflect360 Long Sleeve

Price	$62 / £39.99
Materials	125g interlock polyester
Features	very reflective, 6 colours, sweat-wicking
Sizes	Men’s S-5XL; women’s 6-22
Colours	Blue, pink, green, yellow

Proviz has long impressed our review team with their reflective but often affordable cycling garments, so how does this running top do?

The performance of the Reflect360 is adequate enough, with the 100% polyester construction lacking venting and breathability. Due to the lack of elastane, the fit isn’t figure-hugging. Sweat wicking isn’t brilliant either.

The price is relatively low. But where the top outdoes the competition is with its reflective trim and logos, which genuinely illuminate when faced with car headlights on night runs.

Although we’ve probably forever numbed its brightness by wearing this at the 10-miler Sodbury Slog mud run (much recommended).

Review by Rob Slade

8. Alpkit Laika

Price	$64.99 / £49.99
Materials	100% recycled polyester fabric, Polygiene anti-odour
Features	3/4 zip, thumb holes, wind-resistant, 4-way stretch
Sizes	Men’s XS-2XL; Women’s UK 6-20, US 2-16
Colours	Black, Easy Blue

The Laika from Alpkit is billed as a ‘performance mid-layer’. I’ve loved it for hiking on cooler days but, given this is a long-sleeve running tops test for a triathlon magazine, the thickness and lack of ventilation make it less than ideal for higher intensity activities.

The Laika is lighter than it looks at 191g/6.8oz and it stashes down. The 1/2 length zip does offer some temperature regulation benefits, but there are no ventilation channels or mesh areas of note, making this more winter wear than spring or autumn.

Further weather-battling features include its knit finish for added cosiness and wind protection, a high collar and a full-length zipper guard for further wind deflection. I’m a sucker for thumb loops and these do the job in keeping your palms warm and stopping wind up the sleeves. 

The Laika feels ideal as a lightweight fleece for hiking on chilly days. Points are scored for the 100% recycled polyester construction, however, and the Polygiene treatment is currently holding firm against sporty smells.

Review by Matt Baird

9. 2XU Ignition Quarter Zip

Price	$89.99 / £65
Materials	94% recycled polyester / 6% spandex
Features	3/4 zip, insulative waffle knit, thumb loops
Sizes	2XS-XL women’s; men’s XS-2XL
Colours	Black

The 2XU Ignition 1/4 zip is a warm top with its double-knit three-dimensional waffle material. It’s soft on the skin and is well-suited for colder winter runs.

The soft wicking material is thicker than the others on test but still feels lightweight, while it’s fitted close to the skin to retain warmth. It fits true to size with a small perfect for this UK8/US4 tester, while its long sleeves offer great coverage.

Thumb holes help keep your hands warm but there are also cuffs that can be flipped to create mittens if the chill gets to you.

Elsewhere, a tall collar offers extra warmth around the neck, there’s reflective detailing for extra visibility and a little zip pocket for card/keys. It also comes in white for extra visibility.

Finally, $90/£65 is a great price for an essential item of clothing that will keep you running through the winter.

How we test running tops

Helen Webster, Rob Slade and Matt Baird tested these long-sleeved running tops over a winter period that included mild weather and a cold snap, where temperatures dropped to around freezing.

During that time, we embarked on multiple runs over our usual gear testing routes and judged the tops on a range of criteria, namely fit, thermal properties, breathability and moisture-wicking, comfort, fit and value for money.

Features to look out for in a long sleeve running top

Moisture-wicking fabric

Look for materials that draw sweat away from the body, such as polyester blends or technical fabrics. This keeps you dry and comfortable during intense runs.

The top should be lightweight enough to wear solo or layer under jackets in colder weather. A minimal bulk design helps maintain mobility and comfort.

Thermal qualities

If you’re after a long-0sleeve running top primarily for warmth, then look for a design with thermal qualities, that still remains moisture-wicking.

Breathability and ventilation

Mesh panels or strategically placed ventilation slits help to regulate body temperature. Breathability is a key aspect to a long-sleeved top in order to prevent overheating, especially on longer or faster runs.

Fit and comfort

A running top should offer a snug but flexible fit to reduce chafing and enhance movement. Look for raglan sleeves or stretchy materials that support a full range of motion.

Sleeve length

Thumbholes help keep sleeves in place and add extra hand coverage in cooler weather. Make sure the sleeve length allows for this feature without pulling or bunching.

Visibility

For safety during early morning or evening runs, reflective details increase visibility. Look for logos, trims, or stitching that light up under headlights.

Anti-odour technology

Fabrics treated with antimicrobial or odor-resistant technology help the top stay fresher longer. This is especially helpful for frequent or long-distance runners.

For more running top reviews, check out our list of the best tried and tested running tops for men and running tops for women.