Advnture Verdict
A premium-priced but very high-performing, supremely comfortable running top that boasts all the assets of a Merino garment, but with a fabric mix that means it will last almost as long as a synthetic T.
Pros
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Extremely comfortable
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Lightweight
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Breathable
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Natural anti-odor properties
Cons
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No rear-facing reflective details
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Expensive
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Needs to be cold washed
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Salomon Outspeed Wool Seamless T-shirt: first impressions
After putting on the Salomon Outspeed Wool Seamless straight out of the packet, the next-to-skin feel is immediately lovely. In fact, with its lightweight and close-fitting construction, you barely know you have it on. It immediately feels like it belongs up there with the best running tops.
Salomon have used an interesting material mix with the Outspeed, making it with almost 60% Merino wool, which brings so much to the table in terms of breathability, moisture wicking, comfort, odor control and thermal capability.
• RRP: £70 (UK) / Not currently available in the US
• Style: Short-sleeved T-shirt
• Weight: 109g / 3.8oz
• Sizes: S–XL
• Materials: Wool (59%) and polyamide (41%)
• Colors: Black / Fiery Red
• Compatibility: Trail running, fast-packing, hiking, biking
Merino, being a natural product that has worked well for sheep for millennia, knows how to perform in challenging outdoor conditions, and this makes it excellent for adventure garments. The problem with it is, if you’re not re-growing and replenishing it, like those canny sheep do, it tends to wear through quite fast – especially if you’re doing things like wearing a running backpack with abrasive harnesses and sticking safety pins through it with race numbers on. By including a hefty element of a tough manmade material like polyamide, Salomon are ensuring that you get a good bit more wear from this top – which, for the price, you will both want and expect.
It still won’t last as long as an entirely synthetic top, but it’s a lot more environmentally friendly, and feels a whole lot nicer to wear.
There is one reflective element, but it’s on the front, so it’s not the best T-shirt for running safely at night along dark lanes.
Salomon Outspeed Wool Seamless T-shirt: on the trail
I’ve been running regularly in the Outspeed in a wide range of weather conditions, including on sun-baked days, chilly mornings and through torrential afternoon downpours. In all of these situations, the top has proved exceptionally comfortable, with no rubbing whatsoever. The seamless design helps with the comfort levels and lack of irritation too.
True to form, the Merino element has kept me warm or cool when I needed it to, wicked sweat away when required, and there has been no buildup of any odors under the pits.
The style is trim, so there’s no material flapping about, and there’s a waist hem, to stop it riding up if you’re running with a pack, but the close, sporty fit doesn’t impact or restrict your movement at all.
- Best running tops: for trail training to road races and everything in between
