What Are The Best Personalised Running Tops?

Man running in a running top through a park.

Personalised running tops do more than turn heads – they can be stylish, comfortable, and elevate your performance.

Whether you are training for a marathon or completing your first week of couch-to-5K, your clothing can make a world of difference to your performance. Well-fitted and personalised running tops will make you feel more comfortable, boost your confidence, and motivate you to reach your full potential. So you can concentrate on smashing your personal best.

What’s the benefit of personalised running tops?

It might sound cliche, but wearing a personalised running top makes us feel more connected to our journey. Personalisation can give us a mental boost in challenging moments and get us through the last few miles of a run or race, especially if we’re running for a good cause, charity, or meeting a personal goal.

Pink charity team running tops.

Practically, customising your running top means choosing the exact fit and fabric that works best for you. When you’re more comfortable, you’ll perform better. In a race, a personalised running top might even make it easier for friends and family to spot you in the crowd.

What should I consider when choosing a personalised running top?

We create custom sportswear and personalised fitness apparel, ideal for team events, staff uniforms, or athleisure brands. For a running top that is both stylish and functional, here are key things we find are essential to consider:

The material

Before you consider your design’s look, consider how it will feel. Look for fabrics with moisture-wicking properties like polyester, nylon or blends that keep sweat away from your skin. These materials help you stay dry on your runs so your skin is not irritated. We also suggest looking for fabrics that may have compression benefits or provide stretch and flexibility so you can move freely.

The breathability

Breathability is crucial to consider, especially during intensive workouts. A breathable top will help regulate your body temperature and adapt to various weather conditions. Many personalised running tops are designed with mesh panels or strategically placed vents to allow airflow, especially for triathlons or marathon training.

The fit

The fit is all about what feels best for you – your running top should provide freedom of movement, not constrict you. Think about the details: the sleeve length, the neckline, and the texture against your skin. A proper fit ensures the material moves with your body and doesn’t cause chafing or irritation during longer runs.

The aesthetic design and style

Personalised running shirts can be both functional and aesthetically creative. The design and style of your running top can do more than serve a purpose – they can inspire and empower you throughout every mile. If you often run in the early morning or late evening, think about adding bright colours or reflective elements to ensure safety.

The durability

Whether your running top is for a marathon, triathlon, or daily use, it will likely take a lot of wear and tear. Look for high-quality running shirts that withstand multiple washes, long runs, and varied weather conditions. Ensure the customisation process is high quality to guarantee durability and longevity, even with frequent washing and wear. Embroidery is an excellent choice for custom sportswear, providing a professional and long-lasting finish.

Your running gear can reflect who you are and what drives you.

Should running shirts be loose fit or tight fit?

Loose fitting running top bright pink.

Should performance T-shirts be loose-fitting or tight? This is one of our most commonly asked questions! In our experience, most people prefer a slightly fitted style for running T-shirts rather than loose, or very tight.

The answer ultimately depends on your preferences and the specific type of training you are engaged in.

Tight-fitting running tops

We find tight-fitting running tops are favoured by runners who need as little interference with their movements as possible. A close-fitting personalised running shirt can reduce wind resistance, provide compression, wick away sweat more effectively, and prevent chafing. This option might be ideal for you if you are focused on performance, speed, or long-distance training. For those in triathlon training, a tight top might also help with aerodynamics during cycling. Decathlon has many examples of tighter-fitting running tops, perfect for high-intensity sports and activities.

Loose-fitting running tops

We find that casual and beginner runners prefer a looser-fitting running top. These tops are less restrictive and ideal for warm weather, as the loose fabric allows for more airflow. Nike Dri-FIT Running Shirts are breathable and comfortable and have many loose-fitting options.

Regular-fit running tops

Can’t decide? Some brands offer a regular fit running top. Think of it as a sweet spot between the two. They are close around the shoulders and torso for moisture management, with enough room in the body for comfort.

Personalised running tops for marathon and triathlon training

Marathon personalised running tops.

Training for a marathon or triathlon is no easy feat. Throughout this gruelling process, your choice of clothing can either help or hinder your performance. You’re not just getting something that looks great when you create a custom design for your running top. You’re also getting the opportunity to tailor the fit, fabric, and features to your training needs, which is ideal if you’re training for an endurance race.

Are seamless designs better for long-distance training?

Yes, long hours of training can cause chafing. Personalised running tops designed without seams or with flatlock stitching can reduce irritation, especially during long runs or bike rides.

Can I use personalised running tops for both training and racing?

Absolutely! We encourage it.

By wearing the same top for both, you’ve already tested its fit, fabric, and comfort on long runs or tough workouts, so there’s no surprise on race day. You don’t have to worry about it shifting, riding up, or causing discomfort during the race. This allows you to stay focused on your performance without any gear-related distractions.

Our best-selling running tops

We offer a wide range of running top styles on our shop. The best choice depends on your training preferences and comfort needs. We’ve narrowed down our top-selling running tops; all you have to do is add your design or logo to personalise them!

Cool T

Cool T
  • You can hit either the trails or a treadmill with this great all-around running top.
  • It’s popular for both comfort and style.
  • It is available in an impressive 30 vibrant colours.
  • This top is crafted from AWDis’s innovative Neotericâ„¢ textured fabric and offers excellent moisture-wicking capabilities.
  • Produced under the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) certification, reflecting our commitment to ethical manufacturing practices.
  • This option is ideal if you are after a casual running, charity, or team shirt.

Recycled Cool T

Recycled Cool T
  • This running T-shirt features a relaxed sports fit and a set-in sleeve design, providing comfort during workouts.
  • Made from AWDis’s unique Neoteric recycled fabric, it offers excellent wickability and quick-drying properties to keep you dry and comfortable.
  • The shirt includes a self-fabric taped back neck for additional comfort and durability, complemented by twin-needle stitching detail. The self-fabric crew neck adds to the overall design.
  • This T-shirt is made from 9 recycled plastic bottles (550ml each). It boasts various certifications, including WRAP, SEDEX, Oeko-Tex, and BSCI, and is vegan-certified, ensuring ethical and sustainable production practices.

TriDri® Performance T-shirt

TriDri® Performance T-shirt
  • This running T-shirt features wicking fabric that effectively manages moisture.
  • Its stretchy material allows unrestricted movement.
  • The crew neck design and short sleeves ensure a classic, comfortable fit.
  • Constructed with lightweight materials, this T-shirt is perfect for training in various weather conditions.
  • It’s finished with twin-needle stitching on the hem and arms for added durability.
  • For customisation, we recommend using block-out vinyl and inks.
  • The product is designed without branded neck or waist labels for a clean look.

Cool Vest

Cool Vest is a casual personalised running top.
  • This running vest is available in 15 vibrant colours.
  • Crafted from AWDis’s Neotericâ„¢ textured fabric, it offers excellent wickability to keep you comfortable during workouts.
  • The enhanced fit features self-fabric binding and a curved back hem for added style and functionality.
  • This vest is WRAP certified, ensuring responsible manufacturing practices.
  • It is ideal for anyone looking to combine performance with aesthetics.

How do I care for my personalised running top?

To maintain the quality of your running top, follow the care instructions provided. Typically, this includes washing in cold water, avoiding fabric softeners, and air drying to preserve the moisture-wicking features.

Personalising running tops can help build team spirit, promote a charity or organisation, act as a personal keepsake, or carry special meaning. Like all clothing, the best personalised running top depends on your needs and preferences. The right top will boost your confidence and allow you to express your personality.

Running and cycling custom charity sportswear

Whether participating in a 5K, marathon or triathlon, you probably need custom sports T-shirts that showcase your charity’s branding and sponsors. We specialise in creating tailored sportswear for charities and fundraising events. We offer everything from totally bespoke all-over printed items to simple digital transfer printed T-shirts, ensuring we can cater for large charity teams and individual event participants. Click to learn more.

  • Shayle Hollie is a talented content writer for the A.M. Custom Clothing blog. She's well-versed in our world of design and sustainability, with an incredible ability to simplify complex topics into relatable and engaging blog content without losing depth.