Everyone has different ideas on the ideal running outfit – whether you opt for shorts and a tank top, or leggings and a t-shirt.
Whether a competitive running pro, first-time park-run goer or a complete coach-to-5k beginner, wearing the right running kit is paramount to your performance.
This begins with find the best trainers and socks that balance support and cushioning. Next, move on up to apparel where you are looking for fitnesswear that will avoid chafing, encourage breathability and keep you cool. Then there are accessories like sweatbands and performance sunglasses to get you ready to take on the miles.
When it comes to tops – women can choose from long-sleeved, short-sleeved or sleeveless options. Running vests are a top favourite, especially in hotter, summer months to improve your running experience.
What to look for when choosing a running vest?
When choosing the running vest to elevate your training, opt for a material that is lightweight, sweat-wicking and quick-drying. This will result in enhanced breathability during your mileage, keeping you dry and sweat-free in key perspiring areas, and will ensure the fabric remains comfortable against your skin even as you go further and faster.
Many tops have added mesh inserts to encourage airflow and may have special technology included to prevent odour-causing bacteria. Reflective trims are increasingly popular and very useful if you’re heading out in low-light conditions.
The fit is a matter of personal preference and vary from more figure-hugging, tighter cuts to relaxed, floatier designs.
Here we’ve rounded up the best running vests for women…
New Balance Impact Run Tank
Keep cool throughout your laps with this super lightweight vest top from New Balance, made with the label’s fast-drying ICEx technology to ensure breathability.
The athletic fit will not stand in your way as you train, while the poly knit mesh fabric around the armpits and back will encourage constant airflow. Available in a variety of colours including black, vibrant orange, and the starlight heather hue pictured.
Buy now £30.00, New Balance
Proviz Classic Women’s Running Singlet
Whether you’re an early morning jogger or evening runner, this singlet is a great option to stay visible with its reflective trim. The soft-touch polyester fabric also has sweat-wicking properties to keep you dry and is temperature-regulating. It sits at the perfect length so that it wont keep rising up during exercise.
Buy now £19.99, Proviz
Lululemon Sculpt Cropped Tank Top
The sporting experts over at Lululemon have designed this breezy cropped vest for avid runners working up a sweat. Featuring a keyhole opening at the back and a floaty fit, this vest is designed to allow your skin to breathe while on the move.
Choose from seven funky colours and pair with high-waisted leggings for the perfect high-mileage ready combination.
Buy now £39.00, Lululemon
Asics Race Tank
Designed with Asics’s ActiBreeze cooling technology, this vest is a great option for warm weather running or pacing it in hotter climates. It also has mesh panels to increase breathability and flat seams to reduce chafing. Super lightweight and in a selection of fun colour palettes, pop this on to feel energised on your run.
Buy now £28.00, Asics
Sweaty Betty Athlete Seamless Gym Vest
Versatile for every sporting activity, pound the pavements in Sweaty Betty’s athlete gym vest and you’ll never look back. The silhouette is slim-fit to look flattering on the body and stay firmly in place during your exercise. The vest features mesh detail in high sweat areas and is seamless to provide a cooling layer when running. Sweat-wicking, fast drying, and available in over 15 colours.
Buy now £40.00, Sweaty Betty
Nike Dri-FIT One Women’s Running Tank
Get your heart pumping in Nike’s running tank, a high-quality sporting vest from world popular brand sportswear giant. While you may be immediately drawn to the style for the bold graphic print, this is not a case of fashion over function. The sweat-wicking fabric is ideal for removing sweat from your body and keeping you cool and comfortable during your workout. It comes in a standard fit for an easy relaxed feel, with a longer back hem to ensure you stay covered as you move.
Buy now £32.95, Nike
Gymshark Speed Tank
Take your fitness to the streets or running machine and feel comfortable while sweating it out in this lightweight fabric. The style has a nice and flattering cut with a high neckline and dropped front hem combo to guarantee coverage throughout your run. Short sprints or long distances, keep cool in this slick option from Gymshark.
Buy now £25.00, Gymshark
Lululemon Swiftly Tech Racerback Tank Top
Make this tank top your go-to for running or styling out in your activewear. This racerback tank is part of Lululemon’s Swiftly Tech collection, created using a seamless construction to provide the utmost comfort while you get active. Its intelligently-designed Silverescent technology will also prevent odour-causing bacteria to build up on the fabric and the added bonus of the elastane fabric improves its stretch and shape retention.
Buy now £45.00, Lululemon
Falke Tank Top
For high levels of activity, make this tank top a staple in your running gear. It comes from Falke - a family-run business with expertise in running dating back to 1895 - and comes in a stylish racer-back silhouette. The double-layer structured fabric has moisture and temperature-regulating properties, while the simple design is sleek and figure-hugging to ensure it does not rise throughout your HIIT activities. Available in black and white.
Buy now £44.00, Falke
Under Armour Iso-Chill 200 Laser Tank
Under Armour’s new running vest is made from an Iso-Chill fabric which pulls heat away from the skin. Paired with laser perforations on the back panel, it will keep you cool, calm and collected throughout your runs with impressive breathability. Lightweight, sweat-wicking and super-fast drying, invest in this and you’ll be the envy of your running buddies.
Buy now £45.00, Under Armour
