Best Long Sleeve Running Shirts for Any Weather

INTRODUCTION TO THE BEST LONG SLEEVE RUNNING SHIRTS

If you have to handle nature at its worst, pull out the big guns by covering yours up with full length sleeves. Whether its protection from sun, wind, rain, snow, rock, brush, or bugs, some extra coverage can be a key safety measure and keep fun closer to the type 1 variety. Even in less extreme conditions, there are options that are comfortable even when pushing hard. 

Long sleeves are often on the back burner until winter comes, but breathable fabrics can make them staples even in warm months, able to do it all from easy days to race day. We’re here to highlight the best of the best: long sleeves that will have you covered beyond the times when they traditionally come to mind.

We will be running year-round with Victorian era modesty and adding to this list continuously. Peep OF if you want to see our elbows, and comment below shirts that have treated you well or piqued your interest.

(For background on materials referenced in this roundup, check out our in-depth guide to merino wool and why you should be using it during the winter months.)

ADRIAN: Is it a shirt? Is it a shell? It definitely is a really interesting piece that straddles the line. I’d say it’s a stretchy, very light softshell that is comfortable next-to-skin. The material is akin to Outdoor Research’s Ferrosi or Lulu’s famous Warpstreme, and the result is what I think people could reach for much of the time they think they need a rain jacket, *outside of remote survival situations. It is not waterproof and doesn’t have a water resistant treatment, but compared to a shirt, it does provide increased protection from rain, wind, and abrasion while maintaining decent breathability, close to lightweight shirts and much, much better than any waterproof material, Gore-Tex or otherwise.

The stretch that provides comfort and breathability does also result in holding water, but if you keep moving, this piece is comfortable and will let you retain some heat. Featurewise, they were purposeful with the details. It’s got a protective scuba hood, a deep half zip for ventilation or vest access, a zip pocket on the chest in men’s cut and at the hip in women’s cut, elastic cuffs, and perforated side panels, and the sum is a very capable and versatile piece that can dump heat in fair weather and take the edge off when tough conditions pop up.

ROBBE: When it comes to running in the fall or early winter, the Miler Running Work LS is one of my favorites. It’s one of the few long sleeve shirts that actually combines fit, fashion, and function, with a slightly oversized fit that keeps you both warm and cool at the same time. 

Made in New York City of imported Japanese fabrics, the price point is a little higher than other non-merino items out there, but you get what you pay for in quality and care. I enjoy layering this under a cotton t-shirt, but it works just as well as a standalone layer. 

Last thing: Miler Running deserves more love than it gets. It’s a small brand making really good stuff, much better quality than a lot of the other cool brands out there. Maybe it’s because they don’t have venture capital money behind them (unlike Bandit), but they deserve to have more exposure. Especially since their goods are actually made in the USA– good luck finding anything these days that’s made domestically. It feels great and looks even better and has that understated coolness to it. 

Point being, you’ll probably love this long sleeve as much as I do.

ROBBE: Perennially one of our number one recommendations, the Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer is kind of the go-to winter base layer for any serious runner. It’s soft, it’s comfortable, it holds your body heat in when it needs to, and releases it once you start to get hot. It has the classic Tracksmith aesthetic with the sash in the front and the red stripe on the rear collar, so people know you’re serious about this whole running thing. 

There are times when I’ll wear this for several days straight without washing it. Maybe that makes me disgusting, or maybe that makes merino amazing. I’m going on year seven of my first Brighton Base Layer, and while a couple more have made it into the mix since, I can tell you that this will probably be the best $100 you’ve ever spent on running.

ROBBE: As far as merino wool layers go, the Fjallraven Abisko LS is a pretty solid bang for your buck. Is it the most technically sound long sleeve running shirt? No, but it’s enough to get the job done for temperatures that are cool but not cold. It’s very lightweight and breathable and is great for everyday wear as well. 

Since it’s merino, you’re not going to smell, which makes it a good travel layer or one shirt to run in for multiple days in a row. While it doesn’t have thumb holes or extra length, it’s just a soft, straightforward merino shirt that gets the job done. Off the run, I enjoy wearing this around the house, especially post run on those cold winter days when you just want to throw on some warm clothes and curl up with a hot cup of coffee.

ROBBE: Janji has come such a long way in the past half decade and their Repeat Merino LS is a perfect example of their quality and performance firing on all cylinders. If you’re looking for an ultra warm layer, this isn’t it, but if you’re looking for something to layer under a jacket or vest or for using on its own in temperatures just above freezing, then it’s hard to find something better than this. 

It’s half merino wool, half nylon, so you’re getting about the same material ratio as the Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer. However, this fit is a bit more flattering, meaning it won’t suck to your stomach. So while it may not be a base layer by definition, it’s a more versatile piece of gear in action. Translation: it’s great for running, but it can also work as a lifestyle long sleeve if you prefer. 

Aside from this, I’d also recommend taking a look at the other Janji long sleeve shirts and shorts (especially their trail half tights). All of their stuff is just superb right now, really focusing on runners’ needs and delivering on all fronts.

ADRIAN: With a hood and smart hybrid construction, this piece has the range to handle lower intensity runs in warm conditions and to retain heat as the weather cools down. Mostly a mesh material made of wool, lyocell, and poly, just the front panel is a woven fabric from all natural fibers and, as long as you are running forward, provides some protection from wind right where you need it.

The mesh panels allow more air and heat to pass, and in low airflow or under a layer, the mesh has air pockets that will provide more warmth for the weight than many other fabrics. As you crank up the intensity, the looser fit helps heat to escape but consider sizing down if you prefer a closer cut. With more material, this holds more moisture than some of the lighter pieces but can be simpler and lighter than many two layer solutions. The hang loop will help you keep this by the door for shoulder seasons and adventures with dynamic conditions.

ADRIAN: This shirt is ready for high intensity days, quickly moving moisture to keep temperature under control. The Polartec Delta fabric is knit from hydrophilic lyocell which wicks moisture like many fabrics we are familiar with as well as a hydrophobic poly which creates nonabsorbent zones where air can pass and carry away water. In the end you end up with a shirt that dries sweat and aid station water fast and can handle peak summer conditions even in the black colorway tested. Though designed for warm conditions, these qualities also work well next to skin in cold conditions preventing moisture from taking away too much heat.

ROBBE: For the past few winters, Artilect has been my absolute go-to for all adventures from running to camping to hiking to seeing Penn State play at Beaver Stadium as the temps dropped to 10F degrees with additional wind chill. This is top notch winter gear, featuring the best blend of Nuyarn Meriono wool– soft, not itchy, stretch, and comfortable.

If you’re serious about winter running, then you need serious gear that will help you regulate your temperature throughout the long run. Merino wool does just that. Unlike layering with tech garments that sweat and cause overheating (i.e. synthetic long sleeves and jackets), this type of merino heats you up to exactly where you need to be before cooling you off. Meaning you can run comfortably in a wide range of temperatures. 

Unlike the Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer, this is almost full merino, made from superfine, non-mulsed Australian merino wool. That means you can wear it for several runs in a row without washing because it is truly anti-odor. Unlike certain tech garments that I have, I’ve been wearing the same Artilect layer for three winters now and it still smells like new. No stretching, no fraying, no pilling. 

I’ve layered this with a lighter merino when going into the teens, but usually this works for most of the Mid-Atlantic weather. Of course, you can also pull double or triple duty with it, as it works for any outdoor activity. As far as price, I know it’s more than the other layers on here, but I promise when you pay for merino, you won’t ever regret it.

ROBBE: As with the Artilect, the Kora Freedom Crew is elite level materials, construction, and performance. Instead of Merino, Kora uses premium yak wool, one of the few brands to dive into that world. But man, let me tell you– this thing is ultra warm, ultra soft, and just an incredible piece of equipment. For almost $200, it better be. 

To be honest, this is too warm for running in anything above 30F degrees, so I usually save it for colder temperatures. This and a thick technical hoodie are enough to drop things into the 10F range. Meaning, when it gets real cold, that’s when I bust out the Kora. 

It has an open knit structure that allows for air circulation, it offers stretch and mobility, and it features a generous length in the torso so it doesn’t ride up, meaning it’s great for a wide range of winter sports. I’ve been using this for almost four years now and I’ve seen no wear on it. It’s one of those pieces that will always be in my closet during the winter months.

ROBBE: Path Projects has stealthily been rolling out more and more product over the last couple years, catering to the guys doing work out on the roads and trails. With a wide array of jackets, shorts, base liners, and tees made from premium materials at an affordable price point, they’ve become the de facto brand for dudes who want great performance without all the flashy fuss. 

And while we love some of their new stuff (especially the half tight which I’ll be wearing for the New York City Marathon), the Pyrenees long sleeve is one of their longest running silhouettes, for good reason. It’s soft and lightweight, with a hood that surrounds the whole face. The watch window is key for those cold morning workouts when you don’t want to keep sliding up your sleeve.

It also just looks great in any situation (as does all of Path Projects’ gear), so you can wear it both on and off the run.

ADRIAN: In a word, comfortable, from the soft, middleweight hand feel to the muted, calming color options. Not a super thin technical piece nor my first choice for a day with sustained higher intensity, its character is more casual wear that can also move with you and perform. Stretch in the fabric as well as the patterning of the hood and arms come together to provide a close fit without restricting motion. When on a long run and even taking it for a swim to fully saturate it, it takes up more water than most with its higher wool content. It dries to a comfortable level quickly but does take longer to fully dry out. The hood adds warmth retention and has a button closure that snugs up the fit to increase protection and warmth another step.