Our Favorite Running Apparel to Wear in the Mountains This Summer
Grab this gear before your next mountain run.
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Running in the mountains during the summer months allows an escape from the heat, plus the beauty of alpine lakes, wildflowers, and snowcapped peaks, depending on where you run. To make your adventures a success, dress the part with our picks for the best mountain running clothes and our picks for the top accessories.
BOTTOMS
Summer mountain running calls for comfortable, versatile shorts with pockets to hold everything from your gel wrapper to a sun-blocking lip balm.
Black Diamond Sprint Shorts | $79
Made from a blend of nylon and elastane with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, these durable shorts can handle mountain environments. Multiple pockets stash items comfortably. Women’s come in both 4-inch or 2.5-inch inseam lengths.
The North Face Active Trail Run Shorts | $40
Durable woven material withstands butt-sliding down granite, while a back zippered pocket securely holds your car key. We found these fit best by folding over the waistband.
SLEEVELESS/SHORT-SLEEVED TOPS
Choose tanks or tees with smooth shoulder seams (to make sure pack-wearing is comfortable), breathability, and wicking properties.
Arc’teryx Kapta Tank | $49
Constructed out of extremely lightweight mesh, this tank stays cool on the hottest days. The longer cut that bellows slightly at the waist stays comfortable while wearing a waistbelt or simply flowing freely over shorts.
Black Diamond Flux Merino Tee | $85
Nothing feels better than a wool shirt on a cold mountain morning. And this shirt, made out of a unique merino blend (called “Nuyarn”), dries quickly and stretches more than regular wool. This shirt also works great on bike rides and camping trips, and it’s stylish enough to wear in town.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt | $45
Made with super-lightweight and soft Capilene, one of Patagonia’s recycled fabrics, this shirt feels great on its own or worn under layers and/or a pack. It wicks sweat and dries quickly, and is treated with an odor-control technology. We love that it’s made with 52% recycled content and is Fair Trade Certified sewn.
LAYERING TOPS
Breathable, lightweight layers are clutch mountain running clothes. They allow versatility and offer extra protection during afternoon rains or quickly changing weather.
Patagonia Airshed Pro Pullover | $129
This smartly designed layer combines jacket-like wind-blocking fabric that’s treated with DWR for light weather protection, with shirt-like Capilene cool on the sleeves and hood. The super-lightweight, comfortable pullover packs down into itself for easy stashing.
La Sportiva Dash Shirt | $69
This long-sleeve tech tee layers well over a tank and allows you to comfortably tie the shirt around your waist or in a pack when warm. Flatlock seams mean no irritation under pack shoulder straps. Bonus: This shirt will work great as a winter base layer.
Arc’Teryx Norvan SL Hoody | $325
The extremely lightweight (4.1 ounces) Gore-Tex jacket stashes down to smaller than fist-size, yet offers bomber weather protection when needed. It’s also remarkably breathable, considering the amount of protection it provides.