I have been running in the Nike DriFit running shirts and it is time to get some new shirts as these are on their last leg.
I was wondering if anybody had any recommendations for a good training shirt for hot and humid conditions. I am in southeast South Carolina on the coast and we frequently have 80 to 100% humidity with temperatures in the mid 80’s to mid 90’s.
Short sleeve or sleeveless is fine.
Thanks,
Jeff
This is a tough one…you need lots of nipple protection! I am from TX, lived in TN for years and feel you pain…now in ME, not the issue anymore…
If you are OK with the skin tight fit, try UnderArmour HeatGear tops. They are cooling, UPF 50, super lightweight, and with the stretch they feel like a second skin vs. a normal tech shirt that sticks to my abs (ok, stomach) when wet. The only downside (for me) is the relatively high crew neck design.
They are also relatively cheap ($20 for the sleeveless I think) and readily available (any big box sporting goods store).
a few of my favorites –
Fusion mens perf pro - http://www.fusionsportsusa.com/running/mens/mens-prf-pro-t-shirt
extremely lightweight, breathable, fits well, great construction.
brooks versatile sleeveless - http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/versatile-sleeveless/210283.html
a bit thicker than the fusion, but without sleeves.
But my favorite option of all… is no shirt.
i’ve read the bamboo shirts are all the rage but never tried them here (tropics).
SE Louisiana all summer, I have tried everything and the bottom line is that nothing is going to help when the temperature plus dew point is through the roof, you are just going to get soaked.
What I have found is the best of all evils, is something that is super skin tight. It is still going to be soaked, but at least that way it doesn’t chaff the hell out of every part of your body. I usually grab some of these when they are on sale http://www.desotosport.com/product/CTT3
When the runs get really long over the summer, I do them in tri shorts, just to keep the running shorts from sticking and chaffing and such.
If I wasn’t running around the neighborhood, I would definitely go out in tri shorts and shoes and nothing else (would even ditch the socks if my feet would allow it). Alas, I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate it my semi nudity.
Is it considered “bad taste” to run shirtless? It’s getting really hot and humid here in FL as of late and I’m debating going shirtless for many of my runs now – god forbid my washboard offends someone.
I have come to grips with the soaked shirt and am looking for the best one to run in when it is soaked which will be pretty much all the time between now and the end of September for me.
Does the tight desoto shirt feel cool when soaked? Is it fairly light when soaked?
Compared to some of my other shirts the drifit is very thin which I like, but they are not tight. Have not really had any issues with chaffing with any of them unless it is cold and humid if you know what I mean.
I guess running before the sun comes up semi naked might be a good option.
Jeff
I would run without a shirt, but I really like to be able to wipe my face with the front of my shirt as stupid as that may sound when the sweat is rolling down into my eyes.
Maybe a head band, no shirt, trishorts and shoes without socks.
My wife will love that get up!
The Nike Pro Combat sleeveless works for me.
I would run without a shirt, but I really like to be able to wipe my face with the front of my shirt as stupid as that may sound when the sweat is rolling down into my eyes.
Maybe a head band, no shirt, trishorts and shoes with compression socks, fuel belt, sunglasses, visor, mp3 player, and 910xt with hr strap.
My wife will love that get up!
fixed for you.
Does the tight desoto shirt feel cool when soaked? Is it fairly light when soaked?
Stays tight when soaked, which is why I use it. Nothing feels cool to me in those conditions, but it doesn’t feel any warmer than anything else I have worn. Only thing better for me is shirtless (and it isn’t much better really). When there is no evaporation, there really isn’t much you can do.
Wicking stuff kind of counter acts our bodies natural heat regulation mechanisms, which obviously evolved via shirtless running. If you can’t run shirtless and have a problem regulating heat, perhaps try a tight fitting, light cotton t shirt. It’ll hold onto water like a sponge, so hopefully it’ll help keep you cool.
Target carries Champion long and short sleeve “moisture wicking” shirts for $15 - $20 in multiple colors. I’ve been using those and their shorts for a year plus and am pretty happy with them. The stitching is cheap so you may/will end up with a hole in your arm pit but a needle and thread can fix that in 5 minutes.
Shirtless, no shame in it (well, up to a point).
I’m a fan of running in singlets when the weather gets hot. Having the armpits exposed seems to really help with shedding heat. One of my favorites is the ultra lightweight Turbo singlet from Sugoi.
Shirtless, no shame in it (well, up to a point).
I wish I could, but I just can’t lose that last little ring of fat that jiggles when I run…I guess it would take me getting below 160 LBS, but last time I tried that, my wife and friends thought I had AIDS or cancer!
I would run without a shirt, but I really like to be able to wipe my face with the front of my shirt as stupid as that may sound when the sweat is rolling down into my eyes.
Maybe a head band, no shirt, trishorts and shoes without socks.
My wife will love that get up!
i’m female and use a ball cap for sweat keeping off my face, shading and eye shading from sun. most runs i come back with my shorts completely drenched and dripping, my socks wet and my shirt dripping wet. i much prefer something that doesn’t stick tight on my skin - i like the feeling of air on my skin - but my runs are along the water and there is almost always a breeze of some kind regardless of the heat/humidity. when it is really bad i go shirtless.
I go shirtless whenever possible.
I live in Charleston SC, I primarily used Nike dri fit but as they age they seem to wick less and feel like I’m wearing plastic wrap. The Under armour heat gear feel much better, I’m not a big fan of UA gear but the shirts feel good.
Nothing like a run in 100 deg 99% humidity! there is just no relief.