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We updated this article in January 2023 with new options tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textile Lab. Lululemon remains our pick for the best workout top.
Do you like to sweat? rem;color:#125C68;-webkit-transition:All 0.3 seconds are easy in and out;transition:All 0.3 seconds are easy in and out;}.css-1me6ynq:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration -color :#595959;} in Whether you’re working out at the gym or at home, the clothes you wear during your workout can make or break your fitness routine. It’s vital that your sports top fits well, is comfortable and wicks away sweat to keep you dry. Not to mention, they should stand up to repeated use and shouldn’t compromise on style and functionality—you should look and feel cute at the gym or in the great outdoors. Whether you prefer a fitted top, a loose tank, or a long-sleeved shirt, there are options to suit every budget and activity level.
The Good Housekeeping Institute’s textile lab tests all types of activewear, including the best sports bras, athletic leggings, yoga pants, and sneakers. In addition to working directly with consumer testers to get first-hand feedback, our analysts evaluate aspects such as durability, washability, and moisture management. To determine the best workout tops, we looked at the brands that performed best in previous clothing tests, product experts’ personal favorites, and popular styles that have rave reviews from real users.
Read on to learn more about how we choose our recommendations, as well as tips on how to find the best workout tops. Ready to add more basics to your new activewear wardrobe? Check out our guide to the best sneakers.
Our experts have been wearing Lululemon’s Swiftly Tech workout tops for years and love how they “wick moisture, move with your body, and look like new after a million washes.” The brand, known for its popular leggings and activewear, consistently stood out in our tests for its luxurious, moisture-wicking fabrics and thoughtful designs, like this top’s seamless construction designed to reduce chafing. Our reviewers found this style is formfitting enough to stay in place without being too tight, making it ideal for everything from high-intensity workouts like CrossFit to outdoor running.
This particular workout top sits at the waist, not too short and not too long, but the brand also offers a thigh-length version for taller users, as well as a high-neck version for more coverage and added features. and long sleeves.
This top not only has over 52,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars, but it’s also a bargain at under $25. The built-in bra has a removable lining, soft fabric and a beautiful design. The downside is that it is designed to provide lightweight support, making it more suitable for studio workouts. However, if you’re looking for classy style that won’t break the bank, this is definitely the option for you.
This long tank is made from flowing fabric and is the perfect combination of a loose and fitted fit. It’s made of loose fabric with loose pleats around the midriff for a tighter fit over the hips and internal hem clips to keep the tank in place during yoga and HIIT classes. The seamless design helps minimize chafing on long runs, while the breathable, moisture-wicking fabric is ideal for outdoor activities. Plus, according to one of our textile analysts, it’s ideal for any workout, from hiking to weight lifting.
In our tests, Under Armor products emerged as the top activewear brand, offering superior stretch and moisture-wicking properties. This V-neck shirt is ideal for those who prefer short sleeves over a tank top. It is made from quick-drying fabric and is available in a variety of colors and sizes. It’s loose and form-fitting, perfect for pairing with athletic shorts like running and cycling shorts or leggings for indoor and outdoor workouts.
This lightweight crop top is super stylish and has a unique pleated hem, making it ideal for low-impact workouts like yoga. It’s a personal favorite among several of our experts (including GH writer and product expert Jamie Kim) because it’s super soft, comfortable, and doubles as a versatile workout and everyday top: perfect for pairing with leggings or yoga pants, and can also be worn with jeans or as a casual top.
Let’s be honest: Not everyone wants to wear a tight tank top to work out, even though experts recommend it. For those who prefer baggy t-shirts, this t-shirt from popular brand Zella is both functional and beautiful. The oversized design is loose and the lower back offers extra coverage, but may not stay in place during mat workouts like Pilates, yoga or HIIT, so our experts recommend this shirt for gym workouts, outdoor running, or hiking, as well as spinning classes. .
This eye-catching crop top is a fan favorite on TikTok and has over 10,000 rave reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5 stars. In fact, it’s one of Senior Textile Analyst Emma Seymour’s personal favorites because it’s supportive and looks so cute before and after a workout. Plus, the shorter cut is perfect for low-impact studio workouts when paired with high-waisted leggings. The only thing to note is that minimal back coverage can cause bulge issues.
If you prefer a loose fit over a fitted top, this racer tank is your choice. It has over 3,000 reviews and an average rating of 4.3 stars, and its loose silhouette is perfect for providing extra airflow and keeping you cool during your workout. Not to mention, there are 16 different colors and prints to choose from. Based on reviews, this top is especially ideal if you have a longer torso.
During the cold days of fall and winter, you’ll need more than the usual vests and t-shirts when preparing for outdoor sports. Wear this quarter zip over your favorite sports bra or tank top. It’s made from comfortable fabric that helps keep you warm without overheating, stays in place better than a running jacket, and pairs perfectly with fleece-lined leggings. Our reviewers especially love the strategically placed, attractive flatlock seams and thumb holes, which make this top look stylish and keep everything in place.
The seamless upper is designed to reduce chafing by limiting friction and irritation during repetitive movements. This seamless bill is smooth, flexible, and racer-shaped for good range of motion. It’s also moisture-wicking and has mesh panels, perfect for sweaty activities. The brand claims that they are versatile and suitable for a variety of workouts, and we agree with this as they are comfortable, fit and perform well.
The interior of this hooded pullover feels like the perfect base layer, while the windbreaker-like exterior offers reliable protection from the elements. Our experts love that it provides just the right amount of warmth and protection for winter outdoor activities like running or skiing in moderate temperatures, allowing you to stay warm without overheating. The inner fabric has a brushed texture for added comfort, while the outer material helps keep out cold drafts. From convenient thumb holes to stylish reflective details, this top combines style and functionality.
This vest stands out because it is available in the best sizes from XXS to 6XL. It’s made from Girlfriend Collective’s Reset fabric, a super soft and stretchy alternative to the famous compression braces, and reviewers praise its lightweight comfort during hot yoga and light exercise. Our reviewers agree, with some praising the fabric in our reviews for being “super comfortable” and recommending this style for low-impact workouts. The brand offers stylish cropped styles that pair perfectly with matching ReSet joggers for a cute, sporty look that’s perfect for lounging. Plus, you can recycle these top wines through GC’s ReGirlfriend program to reduce your carbon footprint.
Finding the perfect top to go with your favorite sports bra can be challenging, but this top comes with a built-in bra with removable padding, making it easy to choose sportswear. Our reviewers love the camisole’s “chic yet flattering” look, and Seymour says, “I usually reach for this top when I just want to throw on a sports bra and leggings, but not before leaving the studio” when you need more coverage. “She also praises it for its comfort, lightweight support and versatile look, sometimes pairing it with jeans when she’s not working out.
Amazon’s #1 Best Selling Women’s Sportswear T-Shirt. This style costs a little less than other styles, but it has all the makings of a great activewear top. Hanes is known for its no-frills basics, and the fabric of this Cool Dri Performance Shirt offers quick drying, moisture wicking, and UV protection, making it a tough contender for your next run or outdoor hike.
Therese is known for his bright and fun prints, and users love this muscle tank because it comes in nine eye-catching designs that will add a pop of color to their workout routine. Reviewers also rave about the softness and breathability of the upper, calling it a must-have for almost any sport. Our experts love the brand’s fun looks and lab-tested performance and durability.
Stylish and fashionable, this long-sleeved crop top checks all the boxes: a supportive, sweat-wicking sports top that goes right to your midriff. Reviewers say the fabric is very compressible and they love the fit of this top, especially the thumb holes that keep the sleeves in place. The fit, compression and moisture-wicking properties make this shirt a contender for high-intensity workouts like HIIT or CrossFit. Plus, you can pair it with high-waisted leggings to create an outfit that will look cute while working out.
This sleeveless tank features quick-wicking fabric to keep you cool and is ideal for those who prefer the full coverage and loose fit of a sleeveless top. It’s from Champion, one of the top brands in our fitness clothing tests, and it’s lightweight and breathable. This top is longer than most of the tops we’ve picked, and reviewers especially love wearing it to the gym and on long runs. Best of all, it’s available in a variety of colors, including neutrals and brighter shades that will complement any outfit, but keep in mind that some reviewers find the lighter colors a little sheer.
The Good Housekeeping Institute’s textile lab employs fiber scientists and materials engineers who test a variety of clothing and fitness gear, from sports bras and workout leggings to sneakers and yoga mats. Our experts constantly evaluate popular sportswear brands and try new items. To find the best activewear tops, our lab analysts researched popular brands that performed well in our recent activewear tests and used their experience to evaluate important aspects like design, construction, fabric, and fit. Our final recommendations include a variety of styles from brands we trust with thoughtful design features, including some personal favorites and recommendations from our experts.
With so many workout tops to choose from, from long tank tops and short tees to long sleeve shirts and cropped styles, finding the perfect top can seem like an overwhelming task, especially when you’re just starting out in the fitness world. If you don’t know where to start, consider the following points to help you find the type of fitness top you need.
✔️ Exercise Type: Different exercises have different needs. For high-intensity workouts like running, choose a top made of smooth, shiny fabric designed to reduce chafing, and for lower-impact workouts like yoga, consider a racerback top made of matte fabric, which has a softer feel and limits less range of motion.
✔️ MATERIALS: Synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester are often the best choice for sportswear due to their superior moisture-wicking properties and durability. Although cotton is one of the most popular fibers in a variety of clothing categories and offers excellent breathability, in most cases it is not suitable for sportswear and does not wick sweat well.
✔️ ENVIRONMENTAL: During particularly cold or hot months, you’ll need different outerwear options for indoor and outdoor workouts, even for the same type of exercise, so consider whether you’re looking for a more versatile option that’s suitable for year-round use (a add a few layers in winter) or if you just need a new top for a certain period of time and depending on the weather (like skiing).
✔️ OVERALL FITT: Our experts generally recommend choosing a fitted top over a loose, flowy style, but how the top fits ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended activities.
For all types of fitness—yoga, running, CrossFit, cycling, or watching YouTube workouts in the comfort of your own home—our textile and fitness experts recommend choosing breathable, moisture-wicking, form-fitting tops for maximum results. While loose-fitting tops offer good breathability and ventilation, they don’t always move with your body and can tip over during exercises that require a greater range of motion, such as yoga or Pilates. But for some exercises, such as walking or hiking, these factors are less important. When choosing fitness clothing, be sure to prioritize your personal preference and comfort because, at the end of the day, you are the one wearing it!
Grace Wu (she/her) is a Product Review Analyst in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using professional equipment and data from consumer testers. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master’s degree in materials science and engineering and a bachelor’s degree in fiber optic science from Cornell University. While earning her degree, Grace worked at the Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology Research Lab and interned at the Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
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Post time: Sep-25-2023