The best running tops for women reviewed (2023)

Running tops prioritise being lightweight and moisture-wicking, and are much more suited to sport activities than your everyday cotton t-shirt. The best running tops for women will also provide female-specific features to make your run more seamless and enjoyable.

These days, most running tops are made from technical fabrics which aim to regulate body temperature and keep you comfortable as you put in the effort over the trails. They should also feel good against the skin and provide a good fit and shape.

Our shortlist

Ronhill Tech Golden Hour Tee – Best in Test

Montane Dart T-Shirt– Best Value

Inov-8 Elite Base 3.0 – Best for Sustainability

Decathlon Kiprun Light – Best for hot weather running

The North Face Summit High Trail Run T-Shirt– Best for visibility

Black Diamond Lightwire Tech Tee – Best for size range

On Running Performance T – Recommended

Fohn Trail Lightweight Tech Tee – Recommended

Icebreaker ZoneKnit Merino Short Sleeve T-Shirt – Recommended

Badass Mother Runners Technical Tee – Recommended

Higher State Seamfree Long Sleeve – Best long sleeve running top

OMM Nitro Tank – Best running tank top

Some running tops on test here could also double up as running base layers, while others are made primarily for providing a cooling layer for efforts in hot conditions. All those tested are women-specific running t-shirts (don't worry, they're not all pink), while some are more tailored to the female form than a typical men's running t-shirt.

In this article, we've recommended some of our favourite running tops for women over a range of different styles and types. Whether you pair your running top with a running jacket or a mid-layer is up to you, and largely influenced by the season. There are many factors to consider when picking a running top, but here we've gathered a collection of the best.

Best running tops for women

What to look for in a running top

Material: Different materials have different merits. Polyester is highly breathable, while technical nylon is stronger and can have more stretch, but isn't quite as breathable. Merino is clever because it aids temperature regulation; it can therefore be suitable year-round.

Fit: Consider whether you prefer a skin tight fit, tailored, regular, or lose. Some women-specific tops will have a more of a tailored shape, while others you can play with the sizing to create the fit to suit your preferences.

Sustainability: Merino is always a favourite for many runners because of its properties and because it's a natural fibre. Synthetic materials are very popular too, but want you want to keep an eye out for is the quantity of recycled materials used. Many in this round-up are made from recycled polyester, while others have injections of Lyocell, which is a fibre made from wood pulp.

Take a look at the garment's certification, such as those from the Fair Wear Foundation and B Corp, as this demonstrates that the brand is operating responsibly and transparently.

Features: Mesh panels, sleeve length, anti-odour treatments, zipped, flat seams. There are lots of features crammed into performance running tops. Some are for comfort, some for breathability, some for warmth, and so on. Think about which are applicable to you and the conditions you're likely to be running in.

For all the latest news, tips and gear reviews, sign up to the Trail Running Newsletter.