Review: Summer Trail Running Threads

Jul 15, 2023

Long summer days demand clothing that is comfortable over long distances and helps manage heat and humidity. We’ve tested a variety of options to keep you moving and performing your best when the sun shines bright, and the trails heat up.

Janji has steadily increased in prominence among trail runners over the past couple of years, thanks in part to their environmental responsibility and mission-focused objective of expanding access to clean water to underserved communities. But that only works if the products are good and from our standpoint, their apparel has performed exceptionally well. The Run All Day Tee ($58) has been a go-to in our race lineup this year for its balance of comfort and breathability. It was specifically designed for hot weather, with ultra-fast drying polyester and a cling-resistant fit that doesn’t stick. The fabric is exceptionally soft and has HeiQ odor control to prevent odor buildup. It has a generous fit through the torso that suits larger or more muscular runners. One aspect of this shirt we appreciate is that Tee and Tank versions are available for both men and women, and there are multiple color options to choose from. The Run All Day Tank ($54) has a front neckline comparable to a shirt, and broad coverage across the back for increased sun protection.

Both men’s and women’s shorts are available in a number of different styles and inseam options, and we tested the Men’s Multi-Short 7” ($86) and Women’s Multi Short 3” ($78), built to maintain comfort while allowing extensive cargo capacity. The description for the men’s shorts claims that a pair can carry 50 gels and while we didn’t go to quite that extent in our testing, we appreciate the number of storage options, with stash pockets all around the waistband as well as on the compression brief liner and a separate micro-lock clip in the left front pocket to secure a key. The shorts are made from Janji’s AFO-Vent fabric, a lightweight, nylon/elastene blend that is abrasion-resistant, wicks moisture rapidly and resists odors. The performance brief liner stayed in place well without riding up and has chafe-free hems for comfort. The women’s version uses a brief liner rather than the compression boxer-brief style on the men’s version, but otherwise has identical material construction and storage capacity aside from missing a pocket on the liner. Janji apparel is available at www.janji.com.

Year after year, rabbit sets the standard for innovations in materials and product design, and their UPF Deflector 2.0 shirts ($70) for men and women are unlike any others in this test group. They are long-sleeved, hooded garments specifically built for the most intense heat and sun exposure environments—think Badwater or Cocodona—and have a super protective UPF 50 rating while remaining breathable and comfortable for all-day or multi-day use. The material is a very thin, highly breathable polyester/spandex blend with 67% post-consumer content and laser-cut perforations under the arms. Full protection extends from the slanted cuffs over the tops of your hands all the way up to the brimmed, scuba-style hood to cover your neck and ears. The hood is also comfortable when worn under a visor or hat. A semi-relaxed fit accommodates most torso (and head) sizes without feeling restrictive over long periods of use, and a small zipper pocket on the torso can hold a key or credit card but not a phone. We were impressed with how effectively this shirt helped offset heat exposure while maintaining comfort, along with its ability to keep our skin temperature cool during warmer days on the trail.

For men’s bottoms, the FKT 2.0 7” ($75) are an update to rabbit’s best-selling trail shorts, with enhanced material construction and pocket design while maintaining extensive cargo capacity with six storage pockets. The exterior panels use a new diamond ripstop stretch material that wicks moisture more quickly and has exceptional durability, while a soft and highly breathable rabbitKNIT fabric comprises the brief liner and the top portion of the back panels. Configuration of the pockets has been revised, with a center back zip pocket that can hold a phone, and side stash pockets that are large enough to accommodate soft flasks. They also come in 3” and 5” inseam versions.

On the women’s side, the summit chasers 4” ($70) offer similarly extensive storage, with five-pocket options including a back diagonal zipper pocket that is large enough for a phone. Exterior panels consist of a polyester/spandex blend with a small amount of stretch, while the brief liner and inner waistband use the same rabbitKNIT material as the men’s FKT shorts. They incorporate a wide waistband with high spandex content for greater elasticity and softness, and offer a soft, roomy feel during long miles on the trail.

rabbit apparel is available at www.runinrabbit.com.

Patagonia consistently produces the most lightweight clothing in our summer roundups, and this year is no exception. The men’s and women’s Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirts ($49) weigh significantly less than other shirts in this category. The Capilene is made with 52% to 100% recycled content—the percentage varies by colorway—and along with the Janji shirt, has the fastest wet-to-dry time in our test group. The fabric is soft and smooth thanks to a plant-based textile softener called miDori bioSoft on the interior surface. Another natural additive is the silver-salt-based HeiQ odor control feature that allows the shirt to be worn multiple times without washing. The fit is slim through the torso with a rear drop hem, and sleeves offer a full range of motion, even for muscular arms. The women’s version has a scoop neck and a split side hem.

This season, Patagonia has redesigned its entire collection of trail running shorts to focus on fit and form, while continuing to meet the specific needs of long trail days or multi-activity use. Some styles have been updated and others are brand new. We tested the new men’s and women’s Multi Trails Shorts ($79 for men, $69 for women) which have a similar inseam length as the company’s popular Nine Trails model and will probably convert a lot of Nine Trails users to have a new favorite. They are half the weight of Nine Trails shorts, have similar design elements in a boxer brief lining and multiple storage options, along with a slimmer profile. Range of motion isn’t compromised thanks to a four-way stretch fabric made from 90% recycled ocean plastic polyester which also breathes and dries very quickly and has a PFC-free DWR finish for a bit of water resistance. The comfort of a minimalist waistband includes an external drawcord, and the interior lining has the same natural additives as the shirts above: miDori bioSoft for a smooth feel and HeiQ for odor control. Another thoughtful aspect of these shorts is that three pockets have secure closures: a zipper pocket on either hip and a snap closure pocket on the right flank. This flank pocket also doubles as a stuff sack similar to Patagonia’s famous Houdini jacket, so it’s easy to stuff an extra pair in your gear bag for multi-day outings. All Patagonia items are available at www.patagonia.com.

Salomon’s Sense Aero apparel series is something of a “best of both worlds” situation, in that they incorporate many technologies and design approaches seen on the company’s high-end S/Lab products with a more affordable price tag that makes them accessible to more users. Quality remains a priority though, and the Aero line is more than capable of handling intense workout sessions or ultra-distance races. Their men’s and women’s Sense Aero Tees ($60) use a lightweight polyester fabric that has pleasant softness against the skin and high overall breathability. The back panel has a 3D weave that minimizes the surface area contact on your skin, and a cool technology called 37.5 which manages humidity and regulates body temperature. This 37.5 technology (the body’s ideal exercise temp, in Celsius) incorporates ultra-porous volcanic minerals and coconut-derived activated carbon into fabrics, effectively increasing the surface area of fibers and enabling sweat removal at the vapor stage. The technology works really well but is unfortunately counteracted if you’re wearing a hydration vest. This is one key difference between the Aero and S/Lab tops which use 37.5 throughout the entire garment. Aero tops are available in tank or tee versions for men and women, and the women’s tank has a scoop front and broad coverage across the back. Tees and tanks are all made with a slim torso profile, and we found the sizing to run slightly small.

From the same product line, Sense Aero Shorts ($70) are offered for men (3”, 5” and 7” inseams) and for women (3” or 5”). Material construction is similar in all models, with exterior panels composed of a super thin and highly perforated AeroTech fabric that has excellent stretch capacity thanks to 27% elastane. The fit isn’t excessively roomy, but there is full range of motion, and these have a breezy feel with consistent air movement that is refreshing on hot days. An inner standard brief wicks moisture well and stays in place without “creeping,” and the flat waistband stays in place well even without the use of a drawstring. Four small stash pockets around the waistband provide storage for small items with one in the front that is large enough to accommodate most phones. Salomon products are available at www.salomon.com.

Tracksmith has a core group of “evergreen” models that stay in their lineup from year to year with minor seasonal changes including colors. The men’s Twilight Tee ($68) and women’s Twilight Tank ($62) are good examples, presented this summer in light chestnut, ivory and lilac colors, in addition to standard navy and black. Although we tested the men’s tee and women’s tank, both of these items are made in men’s and women’s versions. Twilight tops are constructed from a soft and lightweight Italian fabric called Bravio, which combines micro-polyester and elastane for high stretch capacity, and pin-size holes to optimize airflow. Both Twilight tops shed sweat very quickly and maintain their lightweight feel even in hot temperatures. Reinforced, double-stitch construction enhances durability, with stretch gussets at the sides to allow freedom of movement on a slightly form-fitting torso shape. The torso can accommodate larger sizes thanks to its stretchiness, but the sleeves are fit and can be difficult to pull to your face if you have larger arms. The tank has deep scoops around the shoulder blades with a mild scoop neck and increased coverage on the front.

In a similar evergreen style, the Session Shorts ($68 for men and women) are a perennial favorite for their comfort and versatility. Men’s inseam options are 5” or 7” and women have a standard 3.5” or 3” split-leg version to choose from. These shorts are primarily designed for up-tempo road or track training but are comfortable, lightweight and durable enough for long trail days too. Session shorts feature a thin Veloce Italian fabric that has four-way stretch for mobility—there is much more stretch with these shorts than the Twilight shirts—as well as strong moisture-wicking ability. A heathered finish provides plush softness, and Polygiene liners add anti-odor and antimicrobial resistance. Since they are intended for road and track shorts, there is limited storage available with just a small rear zipper pocket for a key or card. Tracksmith items are available at www.tracksmith.com.

Women’s apparel manufacturer Oiselle is committed to accessibility for a wide range of body types, with size inventory for top and bottom garments that run from 2 to 26. Their Flyout Trail Tank ($48) comes in three color options and combines a honeycomb-like weave with a moisture-wicking HoverFit fabric made from a polyester/tencel/spandex blend that keeps air flowing throughout the upper body. The added stretchiness opens up additional airflow as the weave widens to let in more air during movement. A slight A-line cut includes a high neckline and lower arm holes that provide a wide range of motion. The fit of this tank is relaxed with the hemline falling just below the torso for full coverage, and loose seams which offered generous movement and maximum air circulation during testing. We tested this tank on warm summer days while running in the high desert of Central Oregon and it absorbed a significant amount of sweat. The tank offered a lightweight feel without chafing, however, when using it to wipe sweat from our face, the fabric felt a tad rough. Overall, this was a perfect option for summer trail running.

Oiselle’s Toolbelt Roga Shorts ($62) include a 4” inseam and combine extra storage capability with a fast feel on the trail. With a 360 pocket waistband, we were able to secure our keys in the rear zip pocket, while tucking a few gels in pockets around the perimeter of the waistband. A mesh layer with an elastic band is included on both sides and while they aren’t deep enough to hold a phone, we still were impressed by the storage capacity of these shorts. The Roga Stretch Woven fabric is made from polyester and spandex and offers a moisture-wicking ride that’s airy and soft. Strides on ascents and descents get maximum airflow without becoming too restricting. We tested these shorts on steep climbs and found the length to be accommodating as we barely noticed them while running. The waistband falls below the belly button which wasn’t as high up as we prefer, but still functioned and fit well with the pockets in use. These shorts come in three different design patterns and two solid color options. All Oiselle apparel is available at www.oiselle.com.

Norvan has been a prominent model name in the Arc’teryx lineup in recent years, and 2023 sees the introduction of a full run kit under that name, inclusive of apparel, outerwear, hydration options, headwear and footwear. All pieces in the kit are designed and refined in collaboration with the company’s roster of elite mountain athletes and is particularly inspired by the environment and terrain of the Coast Mountains in British Columbia, Canada, close to where Arc’teryx calls home. The initiative of the kit was to deliver maximum performance in the lightest pieces possible, allowing fast movement while also providing protection on exposed trails or in shifting weather conditions. The men’s and women’s Norvan Tees ($90) are exceptionally light, comparable to the Patagonia items above as the lightest in our test group, and definitely have the silkiest feel of any shirts we’ve tested this summer. There is a remarkable amount of technology packed into these shirts with an almost invisible laminated neckline to eliminate chafing, silver salt-based DAO anti-odor treatment and fluorocarbon-free (FC0) DWR finish to repel water. The Phasic FL fabric has strong moisture transfer and stretch capacity, and a mesh back panel increases air flow and thermoregulation. These shirts have a regular fit torso that we found pretty generous—we ended up downsizing from our normal sizes for the best fit. Norvan tees and tanks are available for men and women—we tested the women’s Norvan Tank ($80) in addition to the men’s tee—and have size ranges that accommodate a larger variety of body types, from XS to XXL in both genders.

The shorts category is where Arc’teryx really takes an interesting approach, as the Norvan Shorts ($80 for men and $90 for women) are all unlined, allowing you to customize what kind of base layer you want to wear in various conditions. For example, you can wear brief-style underwear in warm weather and warmer compression boxers in cold weather. Unfortunately, this also adds to the overall cost of your shorts and we’re not certain why the women’s version (with less overall material) is more expensive than the men’s. Material construction for these shorts utilizes a very thin Diem 100% recycled-content stretch polyester that has a smooth finish and dries quickly, with the same FC0 DWR treatment found on the Norvan shirts. There are two pockets on the back, one of which is zippered and large enough for a phone, while the elastic waistband stays in place securely and comfortably. All of the Norvan apparel described here (shirts and shorts) are available at www.arcteryx.com.

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Donald is a physical therapist, California native, barefoot aficionado, and father of three with more than 25 years of experience in endurance sports. He was a collegiate rower at UCLA, then dabbled in marathons and Ironman-distance triathlons before falling in love with ultras in the early 2000s. His favorite locations to run include Marin County, CA, and the Sierra Nevada mountains, and he loves exploring America's National Parks. When he's not training for ultramarathons, he enjoys hiking or slacklining with his family in Monterey County, CA.