Tops for this time of year for running

[ThisIsMyExerciseName]

What are people wearing?

I'm still in a t-shirt and ok, but it's getting chilly at the start if I'm running in the morning or evening.

The problem is, my only other ones are the microfibre-lined ones from Decathlon, which I think I'd bake in once I got going.

I somehow surprise myself with this every spring and autumn, so I've decided I'm going to buy myself something more suitable!

I've got a range for year round.

I'm varying between vest/ short sleeve/ thin long sleeve at the moment, although I'm a daytime runner so it's still been in double figures although my parkruns are getting cooler.
I haven't needed thermal tops yet.

I think a thin long sleeve might be what I'm missing.

They're pricey but I love Sweaty Betty breathe easy long sleeve running tops. Much more light weight than any other long sleeve I've found. Perfect for single layer this time of year then under something else as it gets colder. You can pick up old season colours in the sale which is the only time I buy SB. I also quite like M&S for running stuff but haven't got anything long sleeved from them.

I have an inov8 long sleeved top which was recommended on here and it's amazing. I run in it from autumn through to spring. It's very lightweight but you don't need anything on top.

Get some are sleeves. They are great for this time of year and easily removed once you have warmed up.

I like a thin windbreaker over a vest or t-shirt. I have a couple from Sweaty Betty and Salomon and they are good for cooler weather + light rain, not warm enough for colder months. Plus they scrunch up so small that you can easily shove them into a running pack if you do get too warm.

Yep - I find a thin windbreaker jacket is good for the first 10 mins until I'm good and sweaty, then it ties round my waist or gets shoved in my pack

I would wear a vest underneath the t shirt, and a thin pair of gloves.

Merino base layer. Thin enough not to overheat.

I've become a complete convert to arm sleeves for autumn (and spring) in-between weather. Keeps the chill off but can be taken off on the move when you warm up.

A v light waterproof is useful - if you have £££ then the Innov8 Stormshell, otherwise try Decathlon.

As the nights draw in, and the mornings darken, a highly reflective gilet can be useful eg
ON THE MOVE - WOMENS REFLECTIVE GILET – Run Through Kit

Really thin long sleeve top if it's chilly
Try a snood or neck gator, you'd be amazed how much warmer it is. This time of year I would still end up stripping all my layers off so I wear a vest, a long sleeve lightweight top and snood. Next my feet and hands start getting frozen so I add in lightweight gloves and warm up my feet properly before I start. Then I switch to leggings instead of shorts. Finally I might add a thicker top. Never a hat.

Agree with bear1983

Having warm ears and hands makes all the difference to me! So I wear a buff as a headband, and add gloves. You weren't asking about legs, but getting leggings (whether shorts, capris or full length) with thigh pockets might be a good idea, so you've got somewhere you can stuff anything you take off

Another vote for arm sleeves. Perfect for this time of year (and Spring). Especially if you get ones with thumb holes, then you can wear them over your hands like gloves.
They have the added benefit of being skin tight, which means when it's raining you don't have loose/saggy material on your arms.

thin long sleeved top. I have never found the need for a specific sports top for running. It can be any loose T-shirt or top.

I try to remember the mantra Be Bold, start Cold - 🥶 it's hard sometimes when I step out into chilly air but within 5 minutes I'm regretting all my layers!

But if it's cotton it will be grim when it gets wet - heavy and chafe-inducing. And loose sleeves when it's cold or wet can be grim too (a wet or damp loose sleeve on a cold day is horrible).
And technical fabric wicks sweat away too.

Same I always start cold even in winter

It’s too mild atm

I like it cold

Always dress for mile 2, apparently. (ie - think about how warm you're going to be 20 mins into your run and set off like that).

Thanks.

I would never have even thought of arm sleeves, but they do sound a good option for extending my t-shirt wearing for a bit longer. I was fine in a t-shirt today, but it's definitely getting cooler. I'll also experiment with buffs and gloves.

I saw somebody at Parkrun this weekend in one of the Parkrun apricot tops which was thin and long-sleeved and looked the sort of thing that might work for me, so I might have a look at that, as well as the others that have been recommended. I think something that covers my arms at first, but I can push up when I get going is what I'm after.

I nearly always have to push up the sleeves and undo the zip on my Decathlon winter ones but they do make it easier to go out when it's cold! I like being able to start off with them over my hands too.

Will try to remember this mantra 😄.

I do tend to feel the cold more than other people - at the moment, I'm wearing leggings, a t-shirt, and a thin long sleeved hiking top (I love this so much for running that I bought two). I also added in a buff last night as it felt really chilly. This worked well for me. My next addition will be a thin Ronhill fluorescent jacket, and maybe some gloves? Not sure.

that makes sense. I might treat myself one day. I don’t go far at the moment (I jog with the pram) so I don’t chafe no matter what I’m wearing.

When I used to run for miles I always wore a t shirt and for some reason it never bothered me if it got wet. I put gloves on when it snowed but that was it.