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Congratulations, people, you survived the winter. That big burning ball is back in the sky (every now and then at least) and it’s time to peel off the gloves and Gore-Tex tights and start slipping into shorts, shades and singlets. adidas samba colors leather sofas for girls, ooh...the chafing.
To help you sail through the summer, we’ve hand-picked the very best kit to keep you cool, dry and sunburn-and rub-free when the miles get melty. From sweat-shedding singlets and shade-throwing sunnies to the best hydration hacks and tan-line killing shorts, here’s how to layer down for the summer block.
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| Size range | XS-3XL (tall options also available) |
|---|---|
| Material | 86% polyester (recycled), 14% elastane |
Swapping your tee for a vest is the go-to hot miles move, but you can further enhance cooling by getting more air to your core. The roomy fit of this Adidas tank means there’s loads of ventilation as you run, and that, combined with the racer cut at the back, means it’s a great choice for really hot training days
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The Strata singlet oozes old-school style, but it’s not just form, there’s function, too. The UV-protective, silky-soft fabric has an internal grid structure to efficiently move moisture, along with Cold black tech that reduces sunlight absorption. An anti-microbial finish also kills stink-making bacteria.
| Sizes | best cheap triple white yeezy price in the world |
|---|---|
| Material | Recycled polyester |
Made from The North Face’s FlashDry-Pro material, this running tank is a no-brainer when it comes to sweaty speed workouts or long summer trail runs. The 100% recycled polyester knit mesh wicks sweat to the surface so it evaporates faster, leaving you to focus on your run.
The vest design, darted seams and split side hems allow total freedom of movement, while reflective detailing keeps you visible in low light. While this version has a slightly square neck, the tank is also available adidas light pink womens pants.
Shorts
barneys yeezy 350 boost raffle | Women's
| Sizes | XS-XL |
|---|
With a deep split and lightweight, flexible construction, these Asics road shorts offer great freedom of movement and excellent breathability. The thick, supportive waistband stays put without digging in, there are pockets for your phone and keys and a couple of storage loops so you can stash your tee when things really heat up.
| Sizes | 2XS-3XL |
|---|
Kiprun’s budget-friendly three-inch shorts deploy a sweat-wicking, quick-drying stretch fabric with a shorter cut to keep everything light and breezy. A soft-lined drawstring waistband adds comfort, while four pockets – including a zippered back and smaller keystash pocket – provide welcome on-run storage for your essentials.
Men's
| Sizes | XS-XXL |
|---|
Good for trail, track or your local park loop, these minimal shorts are made from a stretchy, sweat-wicking FlashDry XD fabric that’s designed to sit close to the skin to lift moisture off the body to where it can evaporate faster. The thin split hem outers hang loose for good airflow, while the liner briefs add support without cooking up too much heat.
Sunglasses
A classic shape, polarised lenses and a very reasonable price tag have seen these running specific sunglasses from Goodr become very popular. A decent fit, no bounce and scratch-resistant lenses do make them a great option (especially with clumsier runners), and they come in a bunch of different coloured frames and lenses.
Visually, there’s a Marmite quality to the Watchtower: it’s an outsized statement piece that some will find gaudy. But there’s substance here to match the style, including frames made from 85% recycled fishing nets that have been fused into a highly durable nylon material. Plus, at 32g, the shades are super lightweight and bounce-free – even when moving at speed.
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Light and race-friendly, this cap has some neat tricks to balance cooling and comfort. The perforated front and side panels offer great ventilation; the wicking, four-way stretch fabric feels barely there; and the Dri-Fit lining is super comfy. Nike also shaved weight by removing an inner section of the peak, leaving the outer edge to keep the shape.
The look might work better in the sands of the Sahara than at your local parkrun, but when you need protection and extra coverage, Soar’s five-panel cap has your back. The back of your neck and your ears, to be precise. Its airy canopy bats away rays, breathable mesh side panels offer airflow and the drawstring fastener completes a fully adjustable fit.
A minimalist run cap alternative that’s great at keeping sweat out of your eyes, this Climacool headband (available in men's and women's sizing) has a wide-band style cut from a soft, stretchy and light, moisture-wicking fabric that soaks up sweat fast and dries quickly, too. Flat-ish seams reduce the risk of rubbing and it comes in some punchy colours and patterns.
Hydration
Running in the summer heat requires a smart hydration strategy, replacing lost electrolytes as well as fluids to keep your body in balance. These high-strength effervescent tablets dissolve quickly in water to replenish sodium, potassium, magnesium and more to ensure your performance isn’t compromised when the sweat starts to flow.
The ‘cleanest and freshest’ hydration solution we tested, Veloforte’s freeze-dried real-fruit powders come with unique flavours like strawberry and basil and get their electrolyte punch from dried coconut water and Himalayan pink salt. Solo provides straight electrolyte replacement with 350mg of sodium, while Vivo has 22g of carbs for an added energy kick. Attivo amplifies that further with 75mg of natural caffeine. They’re easy to carry, too.
SOS’ 5g stick packs are hard to beat for portability and convenience. The compact, easy-open sticks make topping up your bottles as easy as sticking a sugar in your tea. The flavours are subtle and each pack tops up your folic acid, zinc, vitamins B12, B6, D and C, along with a salt-replenishing 330mg sodium and 190mg potassium, plus performance–friendly electrolytes magnesium and zinc.
Sunscreen
| SPF | 50 |
|---|
It’s perhaps the ultimate extreme-running sunscreen. A RW tester used this to fend off the Saharan sun in the Marathon des Sables. The spray bottle makes application mess-free, while a liberal coating protects from everything our local star can throw at you for 10 hours. It’s completely water- and sweat-resistant, too.
A quick-dry oil, this spray is easy to apply and soaks in fast. The water- and sweat-resistant barrier lasts all day and offers full protection for your body, face and scalp. Our tester used it while running in the 30°C Dubai desert heat and it performed perfectly.
Cool kit
Hot, sweaty feet are prone to blistering but this smart 'talc' lets you take a pre-emptive strike. Put this stuff on your feet and in your socks and it creates a coating seal that lets sweat out but stops moisture getting in. It's the ultimate combo to keep your feet dry, comfortable and blister-free.
On some runs – particularly day-longultras – you need to keep your core cool in a vest or tee while still shielding your extremities from the sun. With full UPF50 filtering, these stashable sleeves will arm you with extra coverage without needing to stick on a heavier, hotter layer.
