Best Summer Apparel for Runners: Ultimate Review and Buying Guide
During the warm and humid summer days, you may often find it challenging to pick breathable, lightweight apparel that offers enough ventilation. We have explored many brands and picked the top apparel that will help you to carry running all summer long. Whether running on a trail, hitting the tracks, or training on your gym’s treadmills, this guide will help you gear up with the best options and improve your running even on warm summer days.
Salomon
Designed and developed in Salomon’s S/Lab, the Sense Aero series includes tees, running tanks, and shorts. Salomon’s knit flow technology has made polyester fabric lightweight, giving runners a soft, air-like feel. Their 37.5 technology and breathable open weave at the back panel help the fabric to dry quickly and maintain the runner’s core body temperature. All these features have yet to be reflected in the price tag. This year, the designers have also introduced a biobased Ionic+ Botanical antimicrobial tech that resists odor for a fresh, long-lasting garment. Seams were glued together rather than stitched to increase runners’ comfort, creating a flatter and smoother seam.
In the same series, Salomon has offered shorts with 3, 5, and 7-inch inseams for men and 3 or 5-inch variants for women. The fabric used in the shorts has the same qualities as the tees. For some runners, tight waistbands can be very uncomfortable; keeping that in mind, Salomon has used a flat waistband in the shorts, which generally stays secure even without a drawstring. Designers have also used reflective inserts to make the garments look stylish. Finally, check the Sense Aero caps to save yourself from direct sunlight.
Path Projects
Path Projects is one of the newest premium running apparel companies. Their fabric lineups are mainly dedicated to men. Starting in 2018, Path Projects has earned a reputation for creating exceptional running gear to make you feel comfortable during and after your run.
Wadi Tee from the Path Projects lineup has been engineered to boost your performance on high-heat days. The fabric’s TORAY FIELDSENSOR™ Byokan technology moves sweat from your skin to the outer layer of the fabric due to its multi-density knit structure. The fabric is also equipped with UPF 30+ protection to keep you safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays. You will also find the Wadi tank and hooded tee with the same quality fabric.
Famous for their shorts, Path Projects has won the “Gear of the Year Award” from Runner’s World and has been cited in prominent magazines like Forbes, Bloomberg, BuzzFeed, and many more. In summer, the Sykes PX will be our top pick for every runner. The PrimeFlex technology of the yarn gives the fabric its stretching capabilities and allows it to recover without using any heavy water-absorbing elastics. Therefore, the shorts are lightweight and highly breathable. These shorts have been tested in many ultras, ranging from cold and rainy weather to hot desert environments. Every time, the Sykes PX shorts have delivered incredible comfort and performance. Designers have fitted 3 large zip pockets and an interior key fob packet to hold up to 8 gels, including your phone. This storage capability is crucial for long ultra-races. Sykes PX shorts are made in regular, relaxed fit versions, each with 5- or 7-inch inseam options. You may also check out the Muir Cap for sunlight protection.
