What top can I wear to stop being a big sweaty mess when I exercise?

[ToveCoco]

I've recently started playing a team sport which I'm loving, except that I'm over-heating so much that I have to keep sitting out or leaving early.

I'm a couple of stone overwight (which no doubt doesn't help) and currently wear a loose cotton t-shirt and drink loads of water, but we play indoors in a sports hall with no air con and a glass roof 🥵 The optional club top is a cotton/polyester polo shirt which won't keep me cool.

I've no idea what to buy. I don't like anything clingy or cropped, interested if anyone has experience of wearing merino for exercising? Happy to spend up to £100 on two or three tops.

Recommendations desperately sought! Thank you.

I have a variety of tops from Sweaty Betty - these ones are currently reduced

https://www.sweatybetty.com/sale/sale-tops/sale-t-shirts/athlete-seamless-gym-t-shirt-SB6546_TidalBlueIndigoBlueMarl.html?cgid=sale-tops&dwvar_SB6546_TidalBlueIndigoBlueMarl_color=tidalblueindigobluemarl&tile=23&oldpid=SB6546_TidalBlueIndigoBlueMarl#start=0&sz=24

From the blurb:

Made using Q-SKIN by Fulgar® so you can stay cool and dry with every move. The breathable, sweat-wicking stretch fabric contains yarns with silver ions that limits bacteria growth and body odour, resulting in day-long freshness and comfort.

@Westfacing thanks but I think that would be too clingy, even in the largest size. I'm a 16/18 with big breasts so prefer something looser.

Im not sure there is going to be answer to this. Playing sport in what sounds like a greenhouse in the summer is always going to result in you getting hot. You could try drinking electrolytes before and during to help combat dehydration and exhaustion from the heat?

I don't think any top will stop you sweating if you are exercising in a hot environment, and there is no shame in sweating.
I don't like tight clothing and often wear a loose vest top. Men's ones can be a bit more forgiving around the tummy as they are straight up and down. However the armholes can be bigger than women's so your bra will show.

I agree with @GretaGreen. Wearing a different top isn’t going to help much. A glass roof!

Could you keep a plant spray bottle it water on the sidelines and give yourself a spray down when you can? Or wear a chilled bandana. I’ve gone as far as ice cubes down my bra.

I second sweaty Betty attire.

I'm a 16 to 18 and sweat profusely. Technical fabric, racer back or sleeveless, most of mine are from Decathlon or Sainsburys. Black shows cling a bit less and you can get loose fits. Avoid tee shirt fabric at all costs. Also I invested in a set of towelling wristbands so I can wipe sweat from my face and neck without stopping, they help me a lot.

I think you just get used to being a big sweaty mess TBH. I used to think as soon as a broke into a sweat I couldn't go on any more. Now you can literally wring my hair and clothes out after training, it's just the body doing what it's supposed to do.

Polyester is best because it dries quickest. Merino is good for multiday activities because it doesn't get smelly, but it will get wet. That said not all polyester sports tops are equal and you can get some very thin light ones, which team strips are usually not.

nothing can stop you sweating in that sort of environment but a technical fabric vest top will be cooler than a cotton t-shirt. I've got a couple from Under Armour which are looser fit and have a racer back which makes them cooler (just wear a decent sports bra and accept it will show).

As others have said you are going to sweat. Wicking fabric will help make that more comfortable. Do you have a decent sports bra? I also agree with a towel for a quick wipe down.

Its summer. Its hot. You are exercising. There is no outfit that you wont sweat in. shorBest you can do is go for a lightweight breathable top. There are loads on amazon. You just kinda have to get used to it. Or you say fuck it and wear as little as possible!!

Thanks everyone. I suppose it's not really the sweating that bothers me, it's more feeling like a volcano that's about to erupt, I'm that hot! I already use a wet, cold flannel and a fan between games, I'll buy towelling wrist bands now too.

@GretaGreen thanks, I'll try electrolytes. Any you'd recommend please? (I'm completely new to this).
@MiddleAgedDread I'll look at Under Armour, thanks. I need to get over my antipathy to synthetic fabrics and go for a high quality 'technical' fabric. My cotton t-shirt is obviously a rubbish sports top!
@ShowYourQuality I have good sports bras but I think the club might be unhappy if it showed, except maybe a bit of strap.

hs://www.matalan.co.uk/clothing/souluxe-black-longline-sports-t-shirt/14716364.html?switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&variation=14716366&creative=646698504950&keyword=&matchtype=&network=g&device=m&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19547695812&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19547695812&gclid=CjwKCAjw6s7CBhACEiwAuHQckrrSrsgV6cHZHpxOwf24nNZ8LkUUq3nXqsJr6suEA-IUZMWwfxaTLRoCl3sQAvD_BwE

I am very similar to you and I really like these. £10 from Matalan. I'm 16-18 and the L is loose and comfy. A nice length too. Keep exercising !!

Agree with the other posters- I don’t think there is a fabric or design that will help you actually feel cooler or sweat less. I exercise a lot and sweat buckets. I wear gym vests which tend to be made of Lycra or whatever dreadful manmade fibres they’re using these days. The vests often end up soaking wet but the fabric does tend to at least wick the sweat away from the skin so that you don’t feel clammy. I don’t like manmade fabrics generally, and prefer sustainable stuff, but I do make an exception for gym kit.

I see that you don’t want something close fitting but could you buy a gym-style vest in a larger size so that it’s loose on?

Also, maybe look at the brand Bam who use bamboo in their clothes which supposedly helps keep you cool OR warm depending on need (can’t say I understand the science there, but I’m sure there must be something in their claims!) I have some of their leggings which are actually just casual/daytime type leggings but I know they do sportswear too- I just haven’t tried it yet. Most of their clothes are made from a mix of bamboo and other fibres. They are pricey (I always wait for the sales) but the items I’ve had are excellent quality

Cotton is actually not very cooling. As others have said, you need manmade fibres that are designed to wick heat and sweat.

Uniqlo do a line called Airism which helps you stay cool. It was my go to poolside for years. Swimming pools are v hot especially when you are walking up and down all day.
https://www.uniqlo.com/feature/airism/au/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21835821285&gclid=CjwKCAjw6s7CBhACEiwAuHQcknUN_wR2yQScNGJTfKgrH7Y6GI-0gzeYTxQrnfUQU_SDPhYbBGA88BoCFHYQAvD_BwE

If there are going to be short pauses then what you need is an ice sock. Cyclists use them a lot: usual method is simply to fill part of the leg of a pair of tights with ice, cut and knot off. Drape the ice sock round your neck. Damp but very effective (be careful where you drip! - not a problem on a bike…). More sophisticated is an ice vest, with cooling packs (pro cyclists wear these during all the pre-race faffing about and afterwards). You could in theory wear it under your baggy top, but it would be heavy when fully loaded with gel packs - a compromise would be to use only the cold packs for the neck and lower back (most effective locations for cooling).
Lots of ice vests here: https://www.ezcooldown.com/collections/sports-cooling-vests
Velotoze ice vest: www.velotoze.uk/products/cooling-vest

I second Decathlon as a good source of t-shirts. If the women's designs are too fitted try the men's. They have some running t-shirts with perforations on the back or mesh under the arms, which I find makes a difference.

I wear merino in the winter (outdoor cycling and running). Big advantage is that it remains insulting when wet and is fairly breathable. The odour resistance is handy for long trips when opportunities for washing are limited. For your use case I'd go for the thinnest, lightest weight synthetic fabric possible, because it's going to get drenched regardless and at least a lightweight synthetic will dry quickly!

Bear in mind that breathability is different from wicking.

@Parnassia that's really helpful, thank you. At the moment I sit down for five minutes between games with a cold, wet flannel on the back of my heck, fanning myself madly. It amazes me that nobody else does this, they just start on with their next game straightaway, maybe just having a glug of water first. We're all over 50 and varying degrees of fitness, though I'm probably the most overweight. I'll look at the thinnest synthetic tops on Decathlon - though I don't want any transparency and it's hard to tell online.

@WaitingForDoggo I hadn't considered Bamboo, thanks for thr recommendation.

Would changing your type of bra to a natural fibre help?

@PancakeWaffle I already wear a cotton bra.

The yoga style vests from sweaty Betty let more air in. They are so comfy

This Decathlon t-shirt might fit the bill: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-running-and-trail-seamless-t-shirt-kiprun-run-500-comfort-pink//R-p-340929?mc=8911286&c=delicate+green_frozen+green_

With so many reviews I'd be fairly confident there's no problem with see-throughness (I find Decathlon reviews are quite a good guide to problems like that, but hopelessly contradictory when it comes to sizing guidance) - and although I doubt it means much, my similar one from a couple of years back isn't in the least see-through.

If you don't fancy bubblegum pink or pale green then this is quite similar: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kiprun-run-900-light-women-s-lightweight-running-t-shirt-pink//R-p-352695?mc=8892071&c=ultra+white_

Decathlon sizing can be weird, so I would order a couple of options. The cut of sports clothing tends to be designed for an athletic figure, so maybe size up if you like a looser fit or have unathletic bulges.

Sorry about the mess. One link didn't work and editing has done weird things to the typefaces. I hate the MN interface. Give me html tags any day.

Cotton is the worst! Just sucks moisture in and does not release it.

Don't put a flannel on the back of your neck! The body had a bizarre reaction that if your neck is cold it thinks the rest of you is and tries to warm you up! I learnt that in baby first aid for dealing with fever. A fan up the tshirt will be better.

These tshirts are the closest I've found to wearing nothing
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-breathable-running-t-shirt-kiprun-run-500-dry-pink/_/R-p-346564?mc=8831472&c=pale%20lilac%20purple

A very good sports bra that lifts and separates will reduce sweat pooling. Synthetic socks and breathable shoes might also help