This women’s run top from Gore’s spring/summer collection looks at first as if it’ll be too warm for running in sunny conditions. It features Gore’s renowned Windstopper membrane, and is two-layered through the front and around the kidney area to block out the wind. Appearances can be deceptive, though, because this top was nothing short […]
The ‘Green Monstrosity’, as this top soon became known, is another of Nike’s iconic Dri-FIT range, which will no doubt become a staple part of many a triathlete’s wardrobe in some shape or form. The quick-wicking fabric (a polyester, in this case, that can wick moisture away from the body), combined with a flat-seam construction […]
The Training Lite is designed for running (or indeed cycling) in changeable weather conditions by being easy to strip off and stow away as necessary. As you might expect from Orca, this is well-made and comprises a lightweight fabric that has a water-resistant coating and a quality feel, right down to the neat, unzipped pocket […]
These socks have a conventional look and feel to them. More importantly, they’re comfortable – an essential in any piece of clothing. While they’re not left- and right-foot specific, they fit well with no slipping, bunching or rubbing at the toes. The material is thick enough to offer padding, with thinner and more breathable material […]
It’s not clear if this is a sock made of breathable mesh with lots of padded pieces, or vice versa. The bottom of each sock enjoys good padding that spreads up across the top of the toes, up the back of the heel and to the side of the ball of the foot (they’re also […]
The Falke RU3 is a good sock for training, with padding along the bottom and up the heel. As reflected in many run socks these days, this cushioning also extends across the toes. However, on the RU3 it goes much further back to cover the top of most of the forefoot. The heel padding also […]
These are a very thin and minimal sock that most of us would reserve purely for racing in. The material running along the bottom of each sock, across the toes and up the heel is thin – the material running along the top is even thinner. So to say these socks are cool and breathable […]
It’s easy to see why X-Socks are becoming more popular. The left- and right-specific socks have padding at the forefoot, at the heel and across the toes, which of course all adds up to extra comfort, but the pads are not so thick as to hamper the fit of your shoes. The socks grip well […]
The Advance’s conservative use of colour hides a highly technical finish. The fabric is particularly worthy of note, with a luxurious feel that effortlessly flows over a dry body. Construction is also well considered with a shifted side seam, contoured rear panels, and an elastic mesh at the upper back and under the arms. These […]
From a composition point of view, the Elite from Saucony takes a ‘keep it simple’ approach but with a few notes of designer-added flair. This top has been constructed from one type of Polyester fabric across several panels in two colours to produce a pleasant contrast. The fabric is fairly standard without any real bells […]
If you’re looking for a plain and simple pair of tights that won’t break the bank, then keep reading; if you’re after something more, though, this offering from Asics might disappoint. As a lightweight, thinner pair of tights, they’re definitely better suited to wearing on milder autumn days rather than harsh winter ones, which reduces […]
Helly Hansen is renowned for its high-quality layering systems. This new summer tee follows in the footsteps of their base layers but injects some extra fabric technology into the mix. The Coolgrid fabric panel down the back is a grid of raised fabric squares designed to hold the fabric off the skin’s surface, allowing greater […]
The HVAC title is Brooks’ way of telling you their garment incorporates X-Static silver fibres, which in this case are generously distributed across the majority of the shirt. This technology, and the lightweight fabrics used, make this a suitable option for even the sunniest and most still conditions. It’s very comfortable from the beginning with […]
These tights provide real warmth when the temperatures drop, and feature a soft-brushed inner lining that increases air flow, trapping body warmth next to your skin to keep you toasty. Any moisture is quickly wicked away, leaving you both warm and dry to run in comfort. The contrast seams and 10-panel contour shaping give these […]
Of all the tights we’ve tested these probably had the strangest cut, feeling too tight across the quads and almost too baggy behind the knees and around the ankles. That said, triathletes come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to try before you buy. These tights may not have the stylish looks of […]
The Zeus is Asics’ top-of-the-range run tee and hence comes with a larger than normal price tag. It boasts a biomorphic cut, meaning fit has been specially tailored to the movement of the body. This works well on the run. However, if you want to wear it anywhere else – for example, the gym – […]
If it was simply about style, then these tights would be a hands-down winner, as it makes a refreshing change to see women’s running tights in colours livelier than black or navy blue. So extra points to Orca already! The wide elasticated waistband also makes for a flattering fit, which a lot of women look […]
This shirt would be a solid addition to your wardrobe. It combines a successful moisture-management system with great wind resistance, due to the snug fit across the bicep. This prevented too much wind from circulating and flowing into the shirt across the skin. Surprisingly, the thickset fabric held little water and remained relatively lightweight and […]
Although these tights are one of the least feminine-looking pairs around, they’re also one of the warmest. Made from Saucony’s soft-brushed dryLete fabric, the tights have a comfortable next-to-skin feel that keep your legs warm from the moment you step outside. The fabric has been designed to provide thermal regulation and wick sweat away from […]
The specification list for the Saucony running top boasts a proprietary ‘wicking’ material with an SPF of 50-plus. The functional feedback was also positive, offering good levels of overall comfort, which was probably due to the more stretchy material. The moisture control wasn’t among the top performers on test, though, and without any mesh or […]
This New Balance offering has a good mixture of fabrics, with a silky and lightweight polyester covering most of the body, and a breathable elastane mix under the arms to provide a welcome level of added flexibility. This has also aided the aesthetic of the top with the side panels creating a pleasant and striking […]
The Aspiration crew was certainly popular with our testers with a well-liked simple design covering all manner of body shapes. The desirable aesthetic was also stand-out comfortable upon donning and during the run. From a functional point of view, the mesh inserts are correctly located, making a noticeable contribution to the overall thermoregulation capabilities of […]
This Helly Hansen top is immediately recognisable thanks to the signature stripe panels on the shoulders, and it certainly lives up to their long-standing reputation. This tried-and-tested ‘Lifa Stay Dry’ fabric (polyester/polypropylene mix) fabric was superbly soft to touch but, as with many wicking fabrics, it does start to whiff a bit after exercising. That […]
The Equilibrium range from Brooks is aimed squarely at tackling thermoregulation during racing and training activities. The polyester and spandex mix certainly seems to function well by maintaining a dry, comfortable feel against the skin, even after a two-hour session. The moisture transfer doesn’t result in a wet feeling shirt, either, and must therefore be […]
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