I have numerous tech running shirts, mainly Nike Dri-Fit, that I've accumulated over the years. However, yesterday in a fluke I didn't have a single clean one to wear for my run. So in a rush, I grabbed a regular cotton t-shirt I wear when working on my property or cutting the grass.
And it was great! So damn comfortable....so much softer than my tech shirts. Not much sweatier than a Dri-Fit shirt, despite humid weather.
Why am I wasting money on these high-priced running shirts?
You have seen the light. I probably go 15 years between tech shirt wearing.
How far did you run? Are you a heavy sweater? Personally I can do maybe 3-5mi in cotton. After that it becomes quite heavy assuming that it's a warm or humid day, and the chafing risk ups significantly. Tech shirts I can go 15-20mi without any issues. Beyond that I need to apply a little bit of lube in key areas.
well.... wrote:
How far did you run? Are you a heavy sweater? Personally I can do maybe 3-5mi in cotton. After that it becomes quite heavy assuming that it's a warm or humid day, and the chafing risk ups significantly. Tech shirts I can go 15-20mi without any issues. Beyond that I need to apply a little bit of lube in key areas.
I'd say I'm an average sweater, but it was very humid yesterday, so my shirt was soaked by the time I finished 8 miles. The cotton shirt was just slightly heavier than any of my tech shirts when they are completed soaked on a humid day. But the cotton shirt still felt softer and more comfortable soaked compared to a tech shirt. It also didn't smell as bad.
I'm obviously 'old school.' I can't stand the hi-tech shirts. I don't like the way they feel or look. (They cling) The colors are usually gaudy also. I'm not a heavy sweater, if I was I might feel differently. I like the feel of cotton.
I'm another old guy who loves cotton. I'll wear tech shirts, but I find cotton way more comfortable, even if I'm sweating.
Slim wrote:
I have numerous tech running shirts, mainly Nike Dri-Fit, that I've accumulated over the years. However, yesterday in a fluke I didn't have a single clean one to wear for my run. So in a rush, I grabbed a regular cotton t-shirt I wear when working on my property or cutting the grass.
And it was great! So damn comfortable....so much softer than my tech shirts. Not much sweatier than a Dri-Fit shirt, despite humid weather.
Why am I wasting money on these high-priced running shirts?
Only hobby joggers wear shirts. The rest of us 17 minute 5k studs go shirtless and 2'' split shorts only.
Slim wrote:
I have numerous tech running shirts, mainly Nike Dri-Fit, that I've accumulated over the years. However, yesterday in a fluke I didn't have a single clean one to wear for my run. So in a rush, I grabbed a regular cotton t-shirt I wear when working on my property or cutting the grass.
And it was great! So damn comfortable....so much softer than my tech shirts. Not much sweatier than a Dri-Fit shirt, despite humid weather.
Why am I wasting money on these high-priced running shirts?
I LOVE wearing 100% cotton shirts when running. They feel so good. I will wear a tech shirt if I need to for a long run though. When the duration of the run increases chafing risk, then tech shirt takes the cake. Normal run any other day of the week though, cotton shirt FTW.
I prefer wearing thin cotton white t-shirts( undershirts) to tech shirts, especially when it gets hot. I stay cooler because they get wet. A lot cheaper too. My nipples don't bleed. Ever.
I love wearing cotton t shirts to run in. The key in hot and humid weather is to wear one that is older and thinner from being washed a lot.
Try that in south Florida right now. You’d make it two miles before the shirt was sticking to you. 5 miles and it would be drenched. You ca n get away with it in the winter, but now that dew points are in the mid to high 70’s, it’s almost torture.
I live in a hot climate, I sweat very heavily and I can't stand tech fibres. They feel hot and close, I feel stifled in them. Perhaps this comes from a youth lived in a desert area, where cotton's tendency to soak and hold sweat is an asset in most non-running exercise situations. The sweat evaporates next to the skin, where it's needed.
The shirt does get soaked through in hard efforts, but personally I like this haha. I like to look down and see a liquid receipt for all the hard work :)
It doesn't smell nearly as bad, truth is I generally give my cotton shirt a good soak and wring out in my after-run shower and let it dry on a hanger until my next run. It's good for a few wears like this.
It's also biodegradable, which for me is very important
Cotton is great. Just as long as it's under an hour, over 40 degrees, under 75 degrees, not humid, not raining, ...
Slim wrote:
I have numerous tech running shirts, mainly Nike Dri-Fit, that I've accumulated over the years. However, yesterday in a fluke I didn't have a single clean one to wear for my run. So in a rush, I grabbed a regular cotton t-shirt I wear when working on my property or cutting the grass.
And it was great! So damn comfortable....so much softer than my tech shirts. Not much sweatier than a Dri-Fit shirt, despite humid weather.
Why am I wasting money on these high-priced running shirts?
I don't know why you're wasting money. I wear a mix between both shirts. The best running shirts are actually the tri-blends. Cotton is fine as well, they just hold water if you sweat a lot (i.e. me). What shorts do you use? If you're really going to commit to this wallet renaissance you should start checking out the 10 dollar running shorts at wal mart. I bought 4 pairs and so far they've last 3 years.
Slim wrote:
Why am I wasting money on these high-priced running shirts?
I haven't bought a running shirt in almost 20 years. I have 162 race shirts hanging in my closet to choose from.
Slim wrote:
Why am I wasting money on these high-priced running shirts?
The look
Welcome to pre-1980’s running.
I still wear cotton singlets . What I’ve been doing throughout the years is if it becomes too damped, take it off, squeeze it, back on. Fun stuff.
But they weren’t free, you spent money on the race entry fees for all of those.
Alligator shirts are the best, they let the sweat evaporate directly off the skin since they let a breeze through.
King Cotton wrote:
Cotton is great. Just as long as it's under an hour, over 40 degrees, under 75 degrees, not humid, not raining, ...
Cotton is great under 40 degrees too. I wore long-sleeve cotton Ts all winter down to sub-zero F under a hyper breathable insulated jacket, and they were perfect. Never got wet, and way more comfortable than synthetic or wool.