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Long-sleeved running shirts are underrated. Finding a good one—soft, wicking, breathable, comfortable—can be the difference between looking forward to a winter run and dreading it. The best kinds of long-sleeved shirts can be worn on their own in mild temps and shoulder seasons, and they serve as the final line of defense against bitter cold when worn underneath protective layers. We tested a host of this season’s women’s long-sleeved tops. Here are the ones we reached for the most.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best Value:
• Best for Cold/Damp Conditions:
• Best for Beginners:
• Most Versatile:
• Other Long-Sleeved Running Shirts We Tested
• Best Women’s Running Jackets
• How to Choose Long-Sleeved Running Shirts
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

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Best All-Around

Janji Rover Merino Hoodie

Material: 37% 17.5μ merino wool, 55% nylon, 8% spandex
Fit: Relaxed

Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent warmth and breathability on its own or layered
⊕ Scuba hood provides added protection
⊗ $128 is a lot for a shirt

If you buy one running shirt this winter, this top is worth the splurge. Testers said the soft, brushed interior blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex felt great against the skin and moved moisture to the smooth exterior surface. Extended sleeves and thumbholes kept our hands warm, especially when tucked into gloves (that gap between sleeve ends and gloves or mitts was eliminated). The scuba-fit hood provided extra warmth and protection for the neck and head when pulled up and was lightweight enough not to flop around annoyingly when not in use.

We appreciated thoughtful details like a small interior pocket at the bottom seam with a bungee to attach a key ring, and a ponytail port on the hood. Bonus: The subtle branding, relaxed fit, and overall style also made this a great crossover top for other winter sports or even around-town wear. Another bonus: This shirt, and all Janji apparel, is backed by a 5-year warranty.

Best Value

Oiselle Altitude Longsleeve

Material: 78% nylon, 22% spandex blend
Fit: Slightly relaxed, boxy

Pros and Cons
⊕ Seamless comfort
⊕ Can be worn across seasons
⊗ Boxy, slightly shorter cut let chill creep in when not tucked in

This is a comfortable, flattering shirt that can be worn on its own in mild temps (or during spring and fall, hence the value), or as a first layer in the cold. We love the bird graphics and the word “fly” knitted into the fabric. The nylon/spandex blend was soft against the skin and did a good job wicking sweat. Testers prone to chafing appreciated the lack of seams along the body of this shirt—the only stitching is on the shoulders/arms. The thin fabric proved comfortable layered under a jacket or midlayer, although the boxy fit works best with looser-fitting layers over it. Thumbholes and extended sleeves added warm wrist protection from winter chill.

Best for Cold and Damp Conditions

Tracksmith Fells Waffle Layer

Material: 54% Merino wool, 46% recycled polyester
Fit: Slightly relaxed

Pros and Cons
⊕ Regulates body temperature in cold conditions
⊕ Great sweat-wicking performance
⊗ Too warm for mild days

When it was so cold and wet outside that we just wanted to pull on a sweatshirt and curl up on the couch, we reached for this top and laced up our shoes. The shirt’s Merino wool and polyester blend wicked beautifully, whether worn on its own in temps in the teens to 30s, as a warm-up layer over a tank top in mild conditions, or underneath an outer layer in the most wintry of winter days. The waffle knit construction proved both insulating and breathable.

The overall vibe of this top is East Coast cross country/British fell running—and we found that it inspired us to charge up snowy hills like those hardy racers. Testers appreciated the no-scratch, no-irritation feel. One called it an “uncomplicated performer of warmth.” We also loved how this top doubles as a good-looking layer for casual wear, and we have worn it traveling and out to nice dinners.

Best for Beginners

Nike Swift Element

Material: Nike Dri-FIT: 88% polyester,12% spandex, with UVA and UVB sun protection
Fit: Relaxed

Pros and Cons
⊕ Works well layering over a tank, tee, or sports bra, or under a vest or jacket
⊕ Thumbholes and watch window help keep hands protected
⊗ When unzipped, collar can feel floppy

We like that the somewhat loose fit of this top makes it easy to throw on over a tank or short-sleeve shirt and also makes it beginner-friendly by accommodating a range of body types. The Nike Dri-FIT fabric, a polyester/spandex blend that wicks sweat, is nicely stretchy and super soft. The quarter-zip provided partial neck coverage to protect from cold, and allowed us to open up for ventilation when temps rose.

Testers loved this shirt’s extra features: handy thumbholes, a small zippered pocket on the left hip that one tester said was “ideal for a lightweight hotel-room key,” and watch holes on both sleeves. One tester raved that being able to check her watch without pulling the sleeves up was “awesome because when I pull back my sleeve, I bump my apple watch and it stops the tracking of the workout without me realizing it. [The watch window] leaves the button undisturbed.”

Most Versatile

Paka Everyday Baselayer

Material: 85% Tencel, 15% Royal Alpaca
Fit: Form-fitting

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extremely soft
⊕ Can be worn for other winter sports, or casually
⊗ Shows sweat

This is one ridiculously soft shirt; the Tencel/Alpaca wool blend feels fantastic against the skin. We found ourselves wearing this for running in cold temperatures and as a casual layer at summer mountain concerts. When running, we liked how the fit was trim without being constricting, allowing full, unencumbered mobility. Of all the shirts in this roundup, this one provides the most warmth for the weight. It’s thin, making it easy to wear under other layers. But it’s also warm and temperature-regulating on its own.

“My initial impression was love at first sight,” said a tester who appreciated the responsible packaging, Peruvian logo, and great fit and feel. One beef: The shirt loses a little of its initial shape after washing, and the stitching at the sleeve endings and hem doesn’t have any give to it, though the fabric has plenty. Notable: Paka teaches single mothers in Peru how to stitch.

Other Women’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts We Tested

• . This is a great wool layer for winter running, but the $124 Janji hoodie beat it out on price.
• . A high-performing, thin wool crewneck that fit too snug for most.
• . Made from recycled materials, this top breathes remarkably well. The fit is very baggy, and the graphics large. Seems more of a shoulder-season piece.
• . This is more shirt than jacket, which is why we tested it in this category. Testers didn’t feel it held up great to washings, and didn’t love the chest pocket for running.
• . Performs well in cold by wicking sweat and regulating temperature. While this topped our list as an all-around winter piece, we found the Janji hoodie better suited to running.
• . A soft, thin, and breathable wool blend layer, though some thought the arms and torso were cut shorter than we’d like.
• . A great wicking piece made from 100% recycled polyester. Some testers thought it could be softer.
• Arc’Teryx Modus AR Hoodie ($N/A). We liked this sweat-wicking hoodie, but it was discontinued from the Arc’Teryx line.

How to Choose Women’s Long-Sleeved Running Shirts

Consider your needs: Are you looking for a baselayer type of fit and function, where next-to-skin comfort and wicking is paramount and a slim fit allows easy layering? Or, are you in the market for a shirt you can pull over a tank or short sleeve or even a slim-fit second shirt to act as a midlayer at times and work on its own when needed? From there, think about what added features matter, like thumb holes, hoods, watch windows, or zippered necks, and what materials you prefer against your skin, whether a synthetic fabric or a natural fiber blend. When possible, head into a specialty retail shop to try on running tops. The one that fits you well, suits your temperature and feature needs, and makes you excited to go running through winter is your winner.

How We Test

Head tester and writer Lisa Jhung researches each gear category and works with gear companies to narrow down which items to add to the test loop. She then orders samples for herself and her team of five testers, who live in Colorado, Virginia, and the San Francisco Bay Area. For this test, women’s long-sleeved running shirts were worn in a range of winter conditions, from cold, dry, sometimes snowy Colorado Front Range and high country, to cold, damp Virginia and cool, rainy, mild Northern California.

Meet Our Testers

Lisa Jhung has been running for 35 years, testing and writing about gear for 25-ish years, and manages a pool of testers out of her home in Boulder, Colorado. She runs in all conditions and loves heading out in a gnarly snowstorm.

Kristen Mecca moved to Virginia after running all over Colorado, including multiple podium finishes at the Pikes Peak Ascent and snowshoe races. She now tests gear through the East Coast winter and is a stickler for irritating seams and rough materials.

Beth Smith lives and runs in Burlingame, California, and runs roads and trails while trying to not get Prednisone-level poison oak rashes. She loves functional clothing with smart pocketing for her phone, which she always has with her.

Lindsay Clark trains around the roads and trails of Louisville, Colorado, while also heading to the Boulder foothills to hit rugged, rocky trails. After tragically losing her home in the Marshall Fire, she says she appreciates good running apparel on a new level.