Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt review: a decent eco-friendly top for warm weather runs

Completely recycled, extremely lightweight and highly ventilated, the Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt is perfect for summertime running on all sorts of terrain

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Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt
(Image: © Patagonia)

Advnture Verdict

The Ridgeflow T-shirt from Patagonia is an excellent, if slightly pricey, top for summer running.

Pros

  • +

    Ultra lightweight

  • +

    Good ventilation

  • +

    Wicks moisture excellently

  • +

    Odor control

  • +

    Entirely recycled and fair-trade made

Cons

  • -

    Expensive

  • -

    Low protection against flora and sun

  • -

    No rear reflective details

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Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt: first impressions 

Runners concerned about the ethical production of their kit will be pleased to hear that the Patagonia Ridgeflow running top has been manufactured in Sri Lanka to fair-trade sewing standards, and it is made with entirely recycled poly material (but then, Patagonia has always been known as one of the more eco-friendly outdoor brands).

Specifications

• RRP: $55 (US) / £55 (UK)
• Style: T-shirt
• Weight: 105g / 3.7oz
• Sizes: XS–XL
• Materials: 4oz 100% recycled polyester
• Colors: Plume Gray / Lago Blue / Cloudberry Orange / Black
• Compatibility: Trail and road running, racing and training 

The Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt has a jacquard pattern and a mesh design for maximum ventilation during hot and sweaty summer runs. The T-shirt is extremely lightweight and very comfortable to wear, with flat seams throughout. It also features HeiQ odor control, which should prevent the build up of nasty smells.

The Patagonia logo is reflective, but road runners going out amongst traffic after dark should be aware that there is no high-viz detailing on the back – which is a bit of a shame. But how does it measure up against other best running tops available right now? Read on…

Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt: on the trail 

Writer Pat Kinsella wearing a Patagonia Ridgeflow running T-shirt on the trail

Keep clear of overgrown paths and avoid running in the cold, and the Patagonia Ridgeflow is a decent running shirt (Image credit: Pat Kinsella)

Instantly comfortable, straight out of the packaging, this T is a joy to wear on hot and sunny days on the trails. Unlike most poly garments, which cling to you like a cheap shower curtain once you get a sweat on, the Ridgeflow’s mesh design allows air to flow right through entirety of the top, cooling your skin (see also: how to carry water while running).

I’ve been testing it on coastal trails, along clifftop paths and in low-level woodlands, which is the ideal terrain for this top. Any sweat that does build up is wicked away and very quickly dries.

It’s not going to keep you warm at any height or for winter running; nor will it provide protection from prickly or stinging flora and fauna (which can be a bit of a problem on some trails, where undergrowth goes nuts in the summer). But on clearer paths in warm conditions, it’s the perfect top.

Pat Kinsella
Pat Kinsella

Author of Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering…, a recently released book about all kinds of outdoor adventures around Britain, Pat has spent 20 years pursuing stories involving boots, bikes, boats, beers and bruises. En route he’s canoed Canada’s Yukon River, climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, skied and mountain biked through the Norwegian Alps, run an ultra across the roof of Mauritius, and set short-lived records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s Great Walks. He’s authored walking guides to Devon and Dorset, and once wrote a whole book about Toilets for Lonely Planet. Follow Pat’s escapades on Strava here and Instagram here.