2014’s hot weather running wear reviewed

MEC Timeless Short

$38 This longer short is made with very lightweight wicking fabric and built-in spandex under-shorts that our testers said were among the most comfortable linings they’d ever run in. This design is smart for those that don’t want to wear short-shorts but fear chafing. The side zip pocket is handy for a small mp3 player, cards or a couple of gels.

Saucony Premium Tech Shortsleeve

$60 This classic Saucony T-shirt embraces the big 2014 story: lighter is better. The fabric is very thin (without feeling cheap), with tiny perforation holes for maxi- mized breathability. There is a significant amount of silver woven into the fabric to reduce lingering odours and the fabric is very stretchy, making for a very comfort- able run.

Saucony Cohesion Short

$50 This mid-length short has two classic hip pockets to stash keys, cards or a phone, although be careful, as there are no zips. There is one on the back, however, which can handle smaller items. Our testers found the fabric to be successful at expel- ling moisture.

Brooks D’Lite Reversible Racerback

$44 This ultra-sheer top is perfect for your hottest runs of the year. It’s also reversible, giving you solid and striped style options. The top is meant to fit slightly loose and flowing, but has an elastic shoulder area to accommodate broader shoulders.

Brooks PureProject Reflective Short

$75 One of the big stories in running apparel in 2014 and beyond will be the shift towards embracing a more casual look. The Pureproject short has two back snap pockets (great for gels) and a pattern that will blend in with everyday summer wear. These versatile shorts will be a hit on the roads and on the beach.

Moving Comfort Flex Tank

$44 Moving Comfort is dedicated to making sportswear exclusively for women. This heather grey cross-back tank lives up to the company’s name. It is long in the trunk but doesn’t hang poorly when running. The fabric is light and really comfy next to the skin.

Moving Comfort Sprint Tech Skort

$56 The mesh skirt breathes well overtop the well-made stretchy tight shorts beneath. The shorts are lined at the bottom with a grippy seam edge that holds them in place. There’s also draw-cords stitched into the hem so that the Sprint Tech skort will fit to most bodies.

Oakley Race Day Two Tank

$50 Oakley has been a leader in women’s sportswear for years now and the Race Day Two tank is a great example of their atten- tion to detail. There’s a built-in bra that our testers say offered acceptable support for running on its own as well as for lower intensity activities such as yoga. We were also impressed by the soft-to-the-touch fabric, sturdy straps and overall high quality construction of the tank.

Oakley En Route Short

$55 The En Route short uses Oakley’s O Stretch fabric which moves nicely with the body without feeling too sloppy. The fabric also washes well, making the En Route a great cost-per-wear value. There is one secret zip pocket along the side of the waist that’s big enough for a couple of gels or keys and a small media player.

Merrell Emma Tank

$50 The Emma is a nice everyday running tank. We like the soft feel and sensitivity of Merrell’s Selectwick fabric and appre- ciate that it has a bit of stretch so that it moves nicely with the body mid-stride. Our testers liked the broad shoulder lattice construction on the back of the tank. It looks like casual wear but performs as it should.

Merrell Lithos Short

$50 These butt-huggers are great for training in hot conditions and for running a short, fast race. The tight Selectwick fabric does a nice job at pulling sweat off the body and allowing it to evaporate quickly. Although this short is very mini- mally designed, there is a cleverly hidden pocket on the inside of the waist band for keys, a micro-mp3 player or a single gel.–MD