If you run regularly, sooner or later you’ll come across a running singlet – a technical tank top shirt. It’s the simplest and lightest form of running apparel. Minimal fabric. Maximum functionality. At first glance, it looks unassuming. Many runners skip it at the start. Until their first training session in the heat or a faster race. A running singlet isn’t just a matter of style. It’s a real improvement in comfort. Better ventilation. Less overheating. Greater freedom of movement. In practice – you can run longer and faster under the same conditions.
Why is it worth running in a singlet?
Because it’s the most breathable type of shirt. For one thing, running singlets are usually made of thin, moisture-wicking fabric. Often, like other shirts, they feature additional, even more breathable mesh panels under the arms, on the sides, or on the back. Second, the sleeveless design of the singlet, with wide cutouts around the shoulders, allows air to cool your skin.
The Lightness of the Singlet – Less Fabric, More Freedom
What should you look for? A few things are important. The first is the weight and thickness of the fabric. Not every tank top is made of ultra-thin fabric. Fabrics vary. Sometimes they’re similar in thickness to a standard running T-shirt. Sometimes even thinner. Which one you choose depends on when you’ll be using the shirt. Since it’s meant for summer and warm days, it should be made of the thinnest possible material.
Seams in Singlets – Less Chafing, Greater Comfort
It’s also worth paying attention to the seam finish. The flatter, the better. In practice, flatlock seams or virtually seamless models work best. A thick seam on the shoulders or under the arms, when soaked with sweat, starts to rub and can quickly lead to chafing. Especially over longer distances. The placement of these seams also matters. The fewer seams and the smaller they are, the lower the risk of irritation and the greater the comfort while running.
Singlet Fit – Full Freedom of Movement During Training and Competitions
The last – and perhaps most important – thing is the cut, or the fit. As with any clothing, this is key. As with any clothing, you can’t assess it without trying it on. A singlet should be fairly snug but not tight against the body. If it’s tight in any spot, it’s too small.
It also can’t be a sack that flaps in all directions and makes you feel like a mast with a sail spread across it. If I were to point out specific details, I’d say that the singlet:
- shouldn’t gape at the neck, and the straps should lie flat,
- it shouldn’t be too wide, and fabric bunching under the arms is unacceptable,
- it shouldn’t be too short, and even when swinging your arms, it should cover your stomach.
In practice, I know it’s not that easy because when I was picking out a singlet myself, I tried on these 20 singlets before I found the one that fits me best – the adidas Sub2 Singlet. That doesn’t mean it will fit everyone just as well. It’s worth trying them on and comparing them.
The Downsides of Running Singlets – When Is It Better To Choose a T-Shirt?
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows – I don’t run in singlets every time it’s a warm summer day. Sometimes wearing them just doesn’t make sense.
The first scenario is running with a backpack or vest. It’s not that you can’t wear a backpack over the thin straps of a running singlet – you can – but… There’s probably no such thing as a running singlet with straps wider than a backpack’s. If it has wider straps, it’s actually a sleeveless shirt – a T-shirt without sleeves – rather than a singlet, which is a shirt with straps. If you want to run with a backpack, a T-shirt with wide shoulders will be safer. Wider than the backpack’s straps.
Also, a singlet isn’t always the best choice for long runs in full sun. After all, a T-shirt protects against harsh sunlight because it covers your shoulders and arms. And spending hours baking in the sun (even after slathering on SPF 50+) isn’t good for your skin.
