Are Mens Running Shirts Getting Too Expensive? Need Recommendations!

It's so hard to find cheap good shirts because you're shopping at a marathon expo. Go to Marshall's or TJ Maxx or something and they'll have racks and racks of $15 polyester shirts.

Walmart Russell Athletics?

Last time I bought shoes on runningwarehouse I was able to add runningwarehouse tech shirts for like $4 each. The one I got was chafey on one run, not sure if fluke

I didn't buy anything at the expo but even when I got to any of the retail stores where I live, it's the same, everything is so expensive.

TJMax and Marshalls is usually where I go now but it's like finding a needle in the haystack, you have to go and find a shirt style/color, etc. that you like and hope that's in your size. Same with going to any of the retail outlets, half the time you find something amazing for cheap, the other half of the time you don't find anything.

I haven't looked at the Walmart stuff but is it the same quality?

Saywhat2 wrote:

Walmart Russell Athletics?

Yep. Back in the day, I had one "special" shirt for longer races, every other shirt was cheap.

But I mean is it just me that thinks running t-shirts and running apparel in general is crazy expensive? I'm not a materials expert but I can't imagine cost of goods for a t-shirt is no more than $5. Selling them for $50 is insane.

I won a race in a russel athletic shirt for 8 bucks a few years ago and it did fairly well. My nipples exploded after about 35 miles and i had to put tape on them. I think the thread style is the biggest deal in running clothing. Some styles are better for chafing some are not. I now have a salomon sponshorship and really enjoy the agile tees they sell. They are super light and i think theres a 30% off sale you can get em for around 27 bucks.

Google "running shirt"

Click "shopping"

Nike: $20

Asics: $15

Amazon: Asics $7, Nike $10

check Target. C9 stuff is as good as anything

Of course it's expensive at the expo. That's not representative of real world prices.

NORDSTROM RACK all day long. top of the line adidas and nike tech shirts - 20.00 bucks

Running warehouse has good deals as well.

Here's a tip for you. Go onto any race calendar that you can find, and look for a race that is about 20 bucks and offers a t-shirt. This will be a performance t-shirt and you can have that and the race for 20 bucks.

Yeah Nordstrom Rack is actually another good place, but selection for me is always a hit or mess.

Why can't there be just a simple, minimalistic company selling basic, high-quality running t-shirts for cheap. It feels almost like I have to do work and research to find these deals and sales.

Agree running tops are ludicrously over priced these days from the major players like Adidas and Nike. But do you really need them? Iv worn cheap 2 buck cotton tees for 20 miles without any issues at all, plus it makes me look like a bad ass Rocky Balboa in training as well.

Google for 25-30% off coupon and use the filter for more brands. Plenty of options well under $20, or even $10 depending on the size you need.

RunClothesRun wrote:

Yeah Nordstrom Rack is actually another good place, but selection for me is always a hit or mess.

Why can't there be just a simple, minimalistic company selling basic, high-quality running t-shirts for cheap. It feels almost like I have to do work and research to find these deals and sales.

Geesh, there are lots of choices.

Target: Champion. Less $20. Usually $15

WalMart: Russell. $9.99 to $15

Academy Sports: BCG for $9.95 to $15

Nike Factory Outlet and the UnderArmour stores at the local mall have high tech shirts for less than $30. Most of the bigger races near me have a high-tech shirt as part of the registration fee.

RunClothesRun wrote:

I was just recently at the Boston Marathon expo and noticed that mens running apparel has become crazy expensive. Nike, Adidas, UA, Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Lululemon, etc. they all have sweat-wicking shirts but at $45, $50, even $60 for a t-shirt! That’s insane! There’s a new running company now in Boston called TrackSmith and a generic gray cotton shirt is 50 bucks!

Why is it so hard to find just a nice, comfortable lightweight, sweat-wicking shirts for like 20 bucks? Does it cost that much more to make a sweat-wicking shirt vs. a cotton shirt?

Does anyone have recommendations on their favorite cheap but functional shirts? I usually always get mine on sale but even still they are over 30 bucks.

They sell them for that because there are a substantial number of people who feel like you need to spend a lot of money to get quality products. Why do car companies sell new cars for $30k+ when you can easily get a reliable vehicle for $10k? It's two different markets really.

Hmmm..... wrote:

Here's a tip for you. Go onto any race calendar that you can find, and look for a race that is about 20 bucks and offers a t-shirt. This will be a performance t-shirt and you can have that and the race for 20 bucks.

I have 140 race shirts in my closet. I would only consider a couple as actual sweat wicking. That being said, I shouldn't have to buy a shirt to run in the rest of my life.

RunClothesRun wrote:

I didn't buy anything at the expo but even when I got to any of the retail stores where I live, it's the same, everything is so expensive.

TJMax and Marshalls is usually where I go now but it's like finding a needle in the haystack, you have to go and find a shirt style/color, etc. that you like and hope that's in your size. Same with going to any of the retail outlets, half the time you find something amazing for cheap, the other half of the time you don't find anything.

I haven't looked at the Walmart stuff but is it the same quality?

The shirts seem to be quality stuff but they dont fit me as I'm a smaller male (5'6 135) and its not a slim fit style.

I have tried their thermals vs under armor and they work really well. 20-30 degree weather Ioverheat in them. My understanding was since the UA patent expired Russell basically ripped them off which is good.

Ive been running in their sport performance socks for a while now and they are better than anything I purchased off of RW. No blisters and protection from my shoes digging into my heel.

Most shirts I just go to TJMaxx or Marshalls and buy XL from the boys section since I'm shorter and they fit more snug. Best of all UA/Nike shirts are like $12-15.

I'd run in Russell if they fit.