Any keen runner’s wardrobe should contain four different top layers. Starting from the skin and working out, you need base layers, T-shirts, mid layers and jackets if you want to run through all seasons comfortably. You can find the best base layers, T-shirts and jackets by clicking those links – this page is dedicated to the mighty mid layer.
This is the most adaptable top in your running arsenal. The long-sleeved mid layer can be worn over a T-shirt or base layer, or next to the skin as the only top you need when the temperature isn’t quite cold enough to double up or warm enough to just wear a T-shirt. Then, in the depths of winter, the mid layer goes over a base layer and under a jacket.
These varying uses mean the mid layer needs to be breathable and sweat-wicking while also offering some protection from the outer elements. Here are some great tops that tread that fine line perfectly, ordered by price and beginning with the cheapest.
A bargain option for days when it’s chilly but not freezing. The Kalenji long-sleeved tee is comfortable worn by itself or over a base layer, with fabric that wicks away sweat so it doesn’t get too damp during a tough workout.
BAM calls it a base layer, but this top is too versatile to restrict it to that category alone, and the eye-catching design means we’d rather have it on full display anyway. The bamboo material is soft and warm enough that this top is all you’ll need to wear on mild or even quite chilly days, and it has antibacterial properties so you can use it for several runs without smells developing.
This is one of the softer polyester tops we’ve ever worn, and its cosy feel is only enhanced by the thumb loops hidden on the inside of the sleeves. The Dash ½ Zip pulls off the trick of not feeling suffocating while you run thanks to mesh sections under the armpits and that long zip, which offers extra breathability when required. There’s a small pocket by the collarbone which is handy for storing a card, though not much else will fit in it and sit comfortably.
The waffle fleece on the inside of this top is so absurdly cosy that, initially, you will never want to run in it for fear your sweat will tarnish it. Thankfully, having pulled ourselves together, we can confirm that you can run regularly in the top and it will shrug off your sweat without it affecting how comfortable you feel. You’ll never want to take it off, though.
The NB Heat can be worn with a base layer, but it’s at its best when worn by itself and it will keep you warm even when the temperature drops towards low single digits. There are reflective panels on the front, back and arms for extra visibility, and thumb loops hidden inside the cuff, a design that has convinced us that that’s where all thumb loops should be.
This is a really interesting top and different to everything else on this list. It’s made from PRIMALOFT NEXT insulating fabric, which is a fleecy and soft material that traps heat against the body, but is also so breathable you can see through it. This means it’s not the perfect top layer on days when a cold wind can cut through you, but is ideal as a midlayer on freezing runs or worn over a base on mild days when you might risk overheating with a less permeable top. It’s also comfortable next to the skin, and the lightweight fabric means you can scrunch it up (or fold it, if you look after things better than us) into a ball to stuff into a small backpack.
If you absolutely cannot stand the feeling of cold wind ripping into your torso during winter runs, this is the top for you. The windproof panel on the front blocks gales, and the top is otherwise made from a Merino wool and polyester jacquard mix that feels soft on the skin and resists odours so you can wear the top several times before washing it. The loose fit of the top makes it better for relaxed runs rather than speed sessions, and it allows you room to slip a base layer underneath for extra warmth when needed.
The material used for this top seems too thin and breathable to keep you warm on cold runs, but we’ve used it throughout the winter and found it ideal for faster training sessions when you want to keep the chill at bay without adding too many layers. Because it’s so thin, the material dries rapidly so if you’re doing a hard interval session in the cold you won’t feel unpleasantly clammy during your rest periods.
The North Face knows how to do fleeces, and this soft long-sleeved top locks in warmth without feeling at all bulky or sweaty. It doesn’t block the wind or repel water, so it’s not ideal for the worst winter conditions, but on dry days it will keep you cosy even on easy runs, and the FlashDry fabric lives up to its name if the top does get wet or sweaty.
