Best men's running vests: Soar, Adidas & Nike tested

Jan 19, 2024

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Whether you're taking on the Sunday long run or chasing down a PB, it's time to get the running vest on

Some days, the weather dictates that even the most reluctant shoulder-bearers reach for a vest, singlet or even (dare we say) tank. It's an item of running kit that you never thought you really needed until you use one; the freedom of movement that a running vest offers is why they're the item of choice for when it comes to race day. But the vest shouldn't be for one day only, they should be a regular garment for when the sun is out or you want to stay cool. Pair with your favourite running shorts, throw on your best sunglasses and you'll be ready to hit the road.

Our team of editors have been putting this season's running vests through their paces (even on dreary British days that didn't scream 'vest weather'). Here are our favourites, or click to jump to the reviews.

It's harder than you think to find an excellent running vest. Our favourite options below have made the grade based on a few select criteria:

This vest has done some travelling while being tested and got a flash of real heat when worn in Kenya for a few days, coming into its own on some very hot runs. The material used doesn’t have the silky smooth finish of others tested, but this didn’t affect the comfort in anyway and the lightweight material easily kept us cool, the racer back sits nicely between the shoulder blades and the bonded seams work well to stop any irritation. If you’re sitting on the edge of sizing and want a tight fit, then opt for the smaller size.

There’s a bit of a beach vibe going on with this one with its styling, something which carries over into the fit – it’s a nice balance of being fairly relaxed without being too boxy – with a slightly lower hem on the back side. It has fairly narrow shoulder straps and a racer cut back, which could be worth bearing in mind if you were going to run with a backpack. It’s very soft, light feeling and breathable, with visible perforations in the fabric, and wicked away moisture well. The lower front logo and side seams are reflective, should you find yourself doing a summer night run. Also scores well from a sustainability standpoint, made from 95% recycled polyester.

For those who like a bargain, Craft have been making great vests for a while now that don't cost the earth. They're extremely lightweight and the cut is relaxed. The material was prone to becoming a bit body hugging when things got veery sweaty, but that was only downside we found.

At the front, this is cut more like a sleeveless t-shirt than a vest – with fairly broad shoulder straps and a high neckline – but it’s got a semi-racer cut back, wide arm holes and a regular rather than snug fit, so it feels relaxed and comfortable to run in. Different materials are used, with the upper chest and back panels made from a stretch mesh fabric, which makes it very light and breathable. The logo on the chest and a small stripe on the back are reflective for summer night runs, and there’s a nice bit of ‘Sound mind, sound body’ detailing on the back of the collar. At least 50% is made from recycled materials.

It’s surprisingly hard to create a brilliant running vest. It wants to feel fitted but not restrictive, lightweight but not flimsy. Arc’Teryx absolutely nails it with the Norvan Tank. Its laminated finish minimises on-the-run chafe, while the ultralight Delta mesh on the back maximises airflow. At 60g, it’s also welcomely lightweight. If you are willing to spend £70 on a vest, spend it on a flawless one like this.

On has brought the same level of attention to detail and construction it applies to its shoes into this top – it’s noticeably light (On says it weighs 63.5g) and made from very fine, almost silk-like fabric. It’s very comfortable, featuring completely flat, taped seams, rather than stitched. The scoop of the neck is fairly wide and the upper back is covered rather than racer cut, which might be plus if you plan to run in it with a backpack. On the run it feels very breathable, wicks sweat well and dries quickly. Would be a good option for race day, when every saved gram matters.

Nike's AeroSwift range has been around for a while now and continues to offer up so impressive pieces of kit, this vest included. With a slightly deeper neck line and larger arm holes, this vest sits comfortably on shoulders, narrowing down the back to keep weight and heat to a minimum.

The colour palette for Under Armour starts bright and fades to bright, but fluorescent patterns aside the UA RUSH™ Run Singlet is a well put together vest that will appeal to a broad spectrum of runners. Good for race day, but also just as a warm weather go-to, the cut and shape of the vest felt flattering and performed well on easy runs and all-out sweaty intervals. A touch heavier then some others on test, the weight difference will only really bother those chasing serious times on a regular basis.

The more engineered and higher specced range from dhb, Aeron kit is more performance aligned without breaking the bank and this singlet fits well into that mould. The cut of the vest offers great range of movement, it feels light and the Micro-Fresh tech keeps you feeling fresh, even on hot runs.

We’ve featured the Soar race vest before and it’s adorned the shoulders of most team members to much kudos, but it’s really a race-day staple rather than everyday item and this is where the singlet comes in. It still holds true to the premium product approach of Soar, but features a more relaxed cut, some more material, extra detailing like a reflective hem but still feels lightweight and comfy and could easily be worn on race day too.

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