With the warm weather finally here, runners can now shed their bulky winter layers and start wearing lighter and cooler clothing. If you are like most runners, your summer running kit could use an update. No worries–we’ve put together a list of our top hot-weather running gear that will help you stay comfortable and keep you looking good during the summer running season.
Best for runners seeking no-nonsense running shorts with a 5″ inseam
Salomon Cross 5” Shorts
Affordable and comfortable shorts for daily training
The Salomon Cross 5″ shorts are the perfect addition to any runner’s summer wardrobe. Salomon has spec’d a classic 5″ inseam and mated it to their Active fit construction, ensuring unrestricted movement during long, easy runs, as well as more spirited interval workouts. The shorts use a smart internal waist adjustment, which provides a secure and comfortable fit while minimizing the risk of irritation and chafing. At the centre back of the shorts, there is a small zippered pocket that’s perfectly sized for an energy gel, credit card, or ID. These are great workhorse shorts at a very reasonable price and should be part of every runner’s clothing collection.
Best for runners seeking warm-weather comfort and subtle, stylish graphics
Salomon Sense Aero Graphic Shirt
A lightweight and highly breathable running shirt
Runners seeking a lightweight and highly breathable top for hot summer running conditions will love the Salomon Sense Aero Graphic. Salomon uses a unique engineered fabric that features 37.5 Technology for exceptional thermoregulation to keep you cool and comfortable in warm weather. Runners will also appreciate the shirt’s minimalist, glued-seam construction, which minimizes chafing during longer runs. Finally, Salomon adds an antimicrobial treatment that prevents odour build-up, allowing runners to wear the shirt multiple times between washes.
Best for runners seeking a performance-oriented singlet for hot and humid conditions
Men’s Craft Pro Hypervent Singlet 2
A lightweight and highly breathable singlet
Constructed with a lightweight and highly breathable recycled polyester-blend fabric, the Pro Hypervent Singlet 2 for men is the ideal top for competitive runners training and racing in hot and humid conditions. The singlet’s careful patterning ensures unrestricted movement, while the perforated back and shoulder areas provide much-appreciated additional venting. Craft goes the extra distance and tapes all the seams for protection against chafing.
Best for female runners seeking exceptional support, comfort and style
Brooks Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra
A stylish and supportive running bra
Brooks’s commitment to manufacturing sophisticated, functional and stylish running bras can be seen in the Crossback 2.0 sports bra. The Crossback 2.0 is designed with lab-proven engineering to reduce motion during high-impact activities like running. The bra features built-in moulded polyester cups that offer comfort and reduce movement. With the 2.0 version, Brooks has lengthened and strengthened the bottom band for increased durability, security and support. For additional comfort, Brooks employs soft fabrics and nearly seamless construction to minimize chafing. The bra’s wide, carefully contoured shoulder straps reduce pressure points while the carefully positioned perforations deliver additional venting.
Best for runners seeking unrestricted movement in warm running conditions
Men’s New Balance Athletics Run Singlet
A lightweight, comfortably fitting singlet
This simple classic singlet for men is perfect for running in warm and humid weather. New Balance uses a 95 per cent recycled polyester blend fabric that provides excellent wicking and breathability while being gentle on the planet. Unlike some singlets, this offering from New Balance features generous arm holes to better accommodate runners with broader shoulders and lats.
Best for runners seeking technical running shorts with additional coverage
Men’s New Balance RC Short 7″ Short
A sophisticated running short with a 7″ inseam
Many longer-length (7″) running shorts lack the technical features found in shorts with shorter inseams. I suspect some companies assume that runners using these longer-inseam shorts are not interested in having more technical, performance-oriented fabrics and construction. Thankfully, New Balance sees things differently. The RC Short 7″ uses the same materials and construction found in the New Balance’s shorter-inseam shorts and, therefore, delivers similar performance and comfort when running in warm weather. Some of the highlights include a perforated stretch-woven outer fabric for easy movement and excellent breathability, as well as a seamlessly constructed brief to reduce chafing. New Balance also adds a small zippered pocket on the back of the shorts and two internal drop-in pockets, which together provide plenty of storage for small essentials.
Best for runners seeking an alternative to traditional synthetic tops
Smartwool Women’s Active Ultralite High Neck Tank
A lightweight, stylish and odour-resistant running top
Constructed with a unique natural-fibre blended fabric (53per cent merino wool and 47 per cent Lyocell), the Active Ultralite High Neck Tank is a perfect alternative to traditional synthetic warm-weather running tops. The ultralight fabric has a wonderfully soft hand, does a great job of managing moisture, and is naturally odour-resistant, ensuring you can wear the top multiple times between washes. The stylish, relaxed-fit patterning also includes highly functional details, such as offset shoulder and side seams to reduce the risk of chafing.
Best for runners seeking an alternative to full-synthetic fabric tops
Men’s Smartwool Active Mesh Short Sleeve Shirt
A running top with a technical blended-fabric construction
Constructed with a roomy and comfortable fit and featuring a unique blend of fabrics, the Active Mesh Short Sleeve shirt is a great performance-oriented alternative to traditional full-synthetic tops. On the front, Smartwool has spec’d a 53 per cent merino wool/47 per cent Lyocell fabric that does an exceptional job of managing moisture while also resisting odours. On the back, sleeve and shoulders, Smartwool switches to a 38 per cent merino wool/33 per cent Lyocell/29 per cent polyester fabric blend that provides similar performance, but with slightly increased durability. The back and shoulder panels also feature a mesh construction, allowing for even greater breathability in warm conditions. Finally, Smartwool offsets the shoulder and side seams to reduce chafing.
Best for competitive runners who want the best
Salomon S/LAB SPEED 3″ Shorts
A no-compromise performance-oriented running short
The S/LAB product line has always represented the pinnacle of Salomon’s design and manufacturing skills, and these shorts live up to that heritage. Weighing just 60 g, with a 3″ inseam, and using an ultra-light stretch fabric, these shorts will not hold you back as you sprint to the finish line. And while there is no escaping the minimalist purpose-driving construction of these shorts, Salomon still manages to add a number of subtle nice-to-have details. Take, for example, the addition of Salomon’s 37.5 Technology, which provides exceptional thermoregulation in warm conditions. Salomon also uses glued seams, which reduce bulk and weight and help eliminate the risk of chafing. Finally, one small side pocket is perfectly sized to accommodate an energy gel.
Best for competitive runners seeking low weight and high breathability
Salomon S/LAB SPEED Tank
A no-compromise, performance-oriented running singlet
As part of the S/LAB range of products, it should not be surprising that the Speed Tank is optimized for going fast. The singlet weighs just 64 g and provides exceptional breathability and thermoregulation, thanks to Salomon’s 37.5 Technology. Like other S/LAB products, the singlet is constructed with glued seams that eliminate bulk and weight and help minimize chafing. Other details worth noting include the reflective detailing and the slim fit that reduces fabric flap in windy conditions.
Products reviewed in this article:
