Running Midlayers are Having a Moment, and I’m Loving It

This season, multiple brands introduced midlayers meant specifically for running, and I applaud the trend. They’re more like thin sweatshirts than technical running shirts, and who doesn’t love pulling on a cozy sweatshirt?

These versatile pieces can be worn as marketed—a midlayer between a close-fitting baselayer and a jacket—but I’ve found that setup too warm for running unless conditions are extremely cold or wet. They can also be worn alone when it is merely cool. My favorite way to wear them, however, is as a second, outer shirt.

I’ve long been a fan of wearing two running shirts: One close-fitting short-sleeved or long-sleeved, topped with a looser layer. The outer shirt adds warmth and breathes a heck of a lot better than any running jacket I’ve ever tested—and I’ve tested a lot of jackets. It also ties easily and securely around the waist when shed, and is more comfortable against bare arms when I’m wearing a short-sleeve shirt or tank top underneath.

These new mid-layers do all the things I love about second shirts, but better. They’re soft, cozy, and, with high-performing fabrics and smart cuts, impressively lightweight for how much warmth and protection they offer.

Jackets still win in biting wind, snow, or rain, so I reserve my two-shirt method for calm and dry conditions. With these new midlayers, however, I can run in lower temps through a Colorado winter more comfortably than I would in just a second shirt, yet still have my body heat and sweat escape through the porous materials. And I can wear them across various activities, even casually. They’re high-tech sweatshirts, after all.

I’ve tested about a dozen running midlayers this season; these are the ones I reach for the most.

$59 at Brooks (Women’s – Long Sleeve)

$68 at Brooks (Men’s – Long Sleeve)

$65 at Brooks (Women’s – Hoodie)

$65 at Brooks (Men’s – Hoodie)

Brooks Notch Thermal Long Sleeve and Brooks Notch Thermal Hoodie

This thermal’s 95% recycled polyester/5% spandex material features a soft, fleecey, sweat-wicking, and super-breathable waffle knit next to the skin, and a smooth face on the exterior. I wore the light and warm Notch Thermal Long-sleeve, with its mock neck for added protection, on a sunny 30-degree day over just a short-sleeve tech tee and was perfectly comfortable. I loved being able to pull the sleeves over my hands instead of wearing gloves. On cold runs when the wind might kick up, I’ve started  reaching for the Brooks Notch Thermal Hoodie for added warmth. The Hoody has pullover mitts, while the Long-sleeve has thumbholes. Both have watch windows, but only on the left arm.

$108 at Oiselle (Hoodie)

$72 at Oiselle (Mock Neck)

$108 at REI (Hoodie)

Oiselle Highline Hoodie and Oiselle Lux Mock Neck

These two midlayers are constructed out of Oiselle’s insanely buttery soft Lux material (87% polyester/11% spandex) that feels amazing next-to-skin. Both tops are remarkably stretchy and comfortable. They’re thin, so they don’t provide a ton of warmth as a midlayer, but the relaxed fit, great feel, and fashion-forward styling (with minimal branding) make both of them work really well layered over other shirts when running, hiking, or lounging in moderate winter cold.

The longer-cut Highline Hoodie has thumb holes, watch windows on both sleeves, a back zippered pocket, and a unique neck gaiter and hood built into the shirt. Both the hood and gaiter fit loosely, making them comfy for sitting at a desk or for slow, wind-free running, but they didn’t stay put for me in most running situations. (The loose hood also made me feel like Obi-Wan Kenobi.) The Mock Neck has fun, subtle stitching on the front side and a cropped cut that give it a little extra style, and the neckline is just high and snug enough to provide extra warmth without making me feel like I’m being choked.

$170 at Tracksmith (Women’s – Zipneck)

$170 at Tracksmith (Men’s – Zipneck)

$160 at Tracksmith (Women’s – Crew)

$160 at Tracksmith (Men’s – Crew)

Tracksmith Downeaster Zipneck and Tracksmith Downeaster Crew

Nothing regulates body temperature better than wool, and these two running midlayers from Tracksmith prove that. They’re both thicker than a shirt, but thinner than most sweatshirts. With a main body made out of 100% merino wool—soft and fleecey on the inside, smooth on the outside—and a wool/spandex blend on the waist and wrist cuffs for a tad of stretch, these pieces kept me warm in the cold and let me sweat freely when the temperature, or my effort, rose during a run.

Worn over a simple wool tee, the Zipneck provided the perfect amount of warmth for a breezy dog walk followed by a run in 40 degrees. The Zipneck has a kangaroo pocket and a handy little interior pocket that holds a phone or other small items. Both the Zipneck and Crew have interestingly dropped shoulder seams and almost a dolman sleeve underarm that adds style and crossover versatility. I’ve worn the Zipneck over a cotton t-shirt to a social event and got compliments on it as a casual top.

Both of these running midlayers are more snug at the wrist cuffs than thinner, more shirt-like layers, making it harder to push up the sleeves when I get toasty. I also found the 100% wool material just a smidge itchy around my face when wearing the Zipneck. But I very much appreciate the all-natural ingredients of these pieces, and I’ll be reaching for both all winter.