MEN’S APPAREL [TOPS] 37
TOP OF THE PILE BY A DA M ELDER
Gone for good are the shimmery, shiny and smelly tech tops of yesterday. Today’s run apparel features more grown-up color palates, real-world styling and luxurious but technical fabrics.
Tracksmith Harrier Long Sleeve, $78 Highlight: Stylish and soft seasonal top This long-sleeve top brings not only the style, but also the comfort with its merino-nylon blend. It’s a seasonal top that’s warm but not too warm, and the natural fabric fights the funk much better than stinky all-poly shirts ever can.
Nike Dry Knit Long Sleeve, $90 Highlight: What a long-sleeve tech running shirt should be Nike’s streamlined top kind of gives you everything. It’s got comfy raglan shoulders, extra long, hand-covering sleeves with thumbholes, and a soft, lightweight knit. The back, which is lightly perforated and has a reflective strip, provides both breathability and visibility.
Patagonia Nine Trails Singlet, $35 Highlight: Soft fabric and thoughtful construction You’ll be hardpressed to find a softer singlet than this trail top from Patagonia. Even the cut is comfy, and the subtle logo on the front is reflective. Flat-stitched, repositioned seams throughout the inside feel great whether or not you’re wearing a pack.
Brooks Distance Tank, $30 Highlight: Do-anything top, from racing to post-run coffee The Distance tank offers running-specific apparel at a nice price. Brooks’ Dry Layer material, with a small blend of cotton, feels soft while still peforming well by wicking sweat and not clinging to you like all-cotton apparel does. It’s also cut comfortably for all-day wear.
Outdoor Voices Merino Tee, $75
Vuori Tradewind Performance Tee, $48
Highlight: Luxe version of the ‘basic’ workout T
Highlight: High-performance T with a casual look
The all-business gray workout T-shirt gets a deluxe upgrade with this merino blend. It’s cut for performance and feels great on tough runs, but it also wears and looks great no matter what you do in it. This is true understated performance and style.
It looks like a lifestyle T-shirt, but look closer and you’ll see it’s micro-perforated, and made of sweat-wicking technical fabric. The Tradewind comes in a small array of tasteful, non-neon colors. The breastpocket is surprisingly useful both during and after the run, for sunglasses or small items.
For more gear reviews, go to Competitor.com/gearguide2017 | 2017 GEAR GUIDE
CM0317_M_APPAREL.indd 37
2/8/17 4:06 PM