If you like to look good while you clock up serious miles, Tracksmith has you covered with its stylish Strata tee, writes Kieran Alger.
When it comes to the best workout clothes that pair performance with style, Tracksmith’s retro New England-inspired running kit is always gold – and this Strata Tee is another winner.
Men’s Fitness verdict
With a Swiss-engineered coldback fabric, complete with an anti-microbial finish for supreme freshness, this stylish, lightweight, sweat-wicking tee is perfect training miles and gym workouts alike.- Smart retro style
- Good for sessions and socials
- Expensive
How we tested the best gym tops
Our team of reviewers are experienced testers of all manner of fitness kit. While testing out this backpack, MF tester Kieran Alger assessed the top in terms of comfort, fit, and sweat-wicking capabilities. He also paid close attention to any high-tech features on offer, such as the inclusion of infrared technology. The testing process involved wearing the top through a range of varied workouts, from longer runs and gym classes to lifting sessions at the gym, to see how the top performed.
Tracksmith Strata Tee features
While some running shirts scream “I’M A RUNNER” from 26.2 miles away, this oozes old-school track class that’s much more subtle. It’s more Roger Bannister than Usain Bolt. If you’re after an antidote to garish glow-faster gear, this is it. And it’s equally at home whether you’re cruising steady road miles or sipping a post-run coffee with your run crew.
It uses Swiss-engineered coldback fabric that has a special finish to reduce the amount of heat it soaks up. There’s also a whiff-busting anti-microbial silver finish to keep things fresher for longer. To boost its summer credentials, it’s also treated with UVA and UVB-protection with a 30+ UPF.
Like all Tracksmith kit, the Strata is well made with good durability. In my experience, it has kept its shape even after months of heavy mileage and frequent washes. The Tracksmith Strata Tee also comes in two colours – ivory and navy/ivory – with four sizes from S to XL.
Tracksmith Strata Tee performance on test
The classic cut Strata Tee is made for summer miles – but it’s effective all year round. It’s made from a feather-light nylon-elastane blend that’s light and airy and manages to feel silky soft rather than synthetic. While wearing it, I found it achieved a nice balance between being fitted without feeling tight, and roomy without being baggy.
I also found that the breathable knit shifted moisture well – even when I hit maximum sweat rate during my workouts, it didn’t get heavy or clingy. I would say it’s better for training miles than racing but it’s pretty versatile with good comfort on those short and fast, higher intensity sessions as well as the long, slow slogs. It ticks all the boxes for intensive gym sessions too.
| Materials: | 78% nylon, 22% elastane |
| Sizes: | Small to XL |
| Features: | UVA/UVB protection / bonded seams / bacteria and odour resistant |
| Colours: | Ivory / Navy |
