The best men's running vests for training and race day

This vest has done some travelling while being tested and got a flash of real heat when worn in Kenya for a few days, coming into its own on some very hot runs. The material used doesn’t have the silky smooth finish of others tested, but this didn’t affect the comfort in anyway and the lightweight material easily kept us cool, the racer back sits nicely between the shoulder blades and the bonded seams work well to stop any irritation. If you’re sitting on the edge of sizing and want a tight fit, then opt for the smaller size.

At the front, this is cut more like a sleeveless t-shirt than a vest – with fairly broad shoulder straps and a high neckline – but it’s got a semi-racer cut back, wide arm holes and a regular rather than snug fit, so it feels relaxed and comfortable to run in. Light, quick-drying and breathable, the logo on the chest and a small stripe on the back are reflective for summer night runs. And 100% is made from recycled materials.

It’s surprisingly hard to create a brilliant running vest. It wants to feel fitted but not restrictive, lightweight but not flimsy. Arc’Teryx absolutely nails it with the Norvan Tank. Its laminated finish minimises on-the-run chafe, while the ultralight Delta mesh on the back maximises airflow. At 60g, it’s also welcomely lightweight.

There’s a bit of a beach vibe going on with this one with its styling, something which carries over into the fit – it’s a nice balance of being fairly relaxed without being too boxy – with a slightly lower hem on the back side. It has fairly narrow shoulder straps and a racer cut back, which could be worth bearing in mind if you were going to run with a backpack. It’s very soft, light feeling and breathable, with visible perforations in the fabric, and wicked away moisture well. The lower front logo and side seams are reflective, should you find yourself doing a summer night run. Also scores well from a sustainability standpoint, made from 95% recycled polyester.

On has brought the same level of attention to detail and construction it applies to its shoes into this top – it’s noticeably light and made from very fine, almost silk-like fabric. It’s very comfortable, featuring completely flat, taped seams, rather than stitched. The scoop of the neck is fairly wide and the upper back is covered rather than racer cut, which might be plus if you plan to run in it with a backpack. On the run it feels very breathable, wicks sweat well and dries quickly. Would be a good option for race day, when every saved gram matters.

Embellished with the brand’s signature sash, this classic mesh running singlet from Tracksmith exudes quality, from the lightweight, moisture-wicking and breathable fabric to the antimicrobial finish to prevent odours. Fit wise, it’s best described as loosely fitted and runs true to size. If you can justify the £70 price tag, it's a perfect option for training and race day — a fan favourite among the RW team.

Nike's AeroSwift range has been around for a while now and continues to offer up so impressive pieces of kit, this vest included. With a slightly deeper neck line and larger arm holes, this vest sits comfortably on shoulders, narrowing down the back to keep weight and heat to a minimum.

We’ve featured the Soar race vest before and it’s adorned the shoulders of most team members to much kudos, but it’s really a race-day staple rather than everyday item and this is where the singlet comes in. It still holds true to the premium product approach of Soar, but features a more relaxed cut, some more material, extra detailing like a reflective hem but still feels lightweight and comfy and could easily be worn on race day too.