As we move into spring away from the layers upon layers of clothing: the hats, gloves, mittens, and neck warmers, I get excited to spend just a few minutes putting clothes on in the morning versus 15, 20 minutes piling on the layers before a run. I am excited for singing birds in the morning and sunshine warming my face. I look forward to the smell of flowers in the air and my feet hitting clear, dry pavement instead of layers of snow and ice.
For spring running, some of you are transitioning into tank tops and shorts or cropped tights already. (Lucky!) For others, like myself, that means one layer instead of three or four. I’ll be transitioning to a light jacket and hopefully a single, long sleeve baselayer here soon. But no matter what your preferred style is for spring, I’ve got you covered with some of my favorite spring running gear.
Tank tops
I love a good tank top. I love feeling lightweight and having my arms and shoulders able to breathe. I love the simplicity of throwing on a sports bra and tank top and being set for my run.
Further Tank – I have this and love it. It is slightly cropped with a fun retro pattern.
Atmosphere Sleeveless – I love the lilac color of this, and it is super lightweight for warm/hot running.
Fast Flight Crop Tank – I have this and love the slightly-cropped look. Plus it is on sale for $17, which is a steal!
Sculpt Tank – I love the looser fit of this tank and the cute detail in the back.
Run and Train Racerback Top – This just went in my cart. I love the sage green color, and I love a good crop top.
Short Sleeve Shirts
Honestly, I don’t find myself spending a lot of time wearing short sleeve shirts. I go pretty quickly from long sleeves to tank tops. With that said, here are some of my favorite short sleeve shirts along with ones that I’ve got my eye on.
Swiftly Short Sleeve – This is one of my go-tos for a good short sleeve option.
Q Speed Short Sleeve – I love the back of this shirt. Plus it is on sale for $25!
Flyte Short Sleeve – A classic in the Oiselle line. I have the long sleeve version and love it.
Long Sleeve Shirts
As we start to get into the 40s for temperatures, that’s when I’ve had enough of the tights, and I opt for shorts and a long sleeve shirt. I can withstand cooler temperatures on my legs than I can with my arms, so I spend quite a bit of time running in a long sleeve + shorts in the spring time since it takes until June/July to be able to shed that warmth needed for my arms.
Flow Long Sleeve – This one is being ordered STAT. It is a new shirt for the line, and I think it is so cute and flattering. I like shirts that are just a tad looser and not super tight.
Flyte Long Sleeve – I have this one, and it is a classic in the Oiselle line. The material is ever so slightly thicker than the Swiftly Long Sleeve–otherwise they are very similar.
Swiftly Long Sleeve – I own three of these long sleeves, and I would buy three more if money grew on trees. I love that the arm length is long enough for me to actually use the thumb holes, and the body of the shirt is long enough and stretchy enough for a baby bump if that’s applicable to you.
Transform 1/2 Zip – I love a good half zip shirt for running–so much easier to get on and off if the temps change or you need to shed a layer mid-run.
Breeze by Long Sleeve – I am definitely snagging this long sleeve since it is on sale. I know not everyone is into white, but it is my favorite color, so I am getting this cute, perforated long sleeve.
Running Shorts
I feel like buying running shirts is pretty straight-forward: if I like how it looks, the cut is cute, and the color will go with a lot of my bottoms, I buy it. Shorts, on the other hand, are tricky. While they may look cute in a picture or on the model, that isn’t always the case when I get them home. With that, I’ve tried a lot of shorts, and these are the ones I reach for time-and-time again.
Rogas Shorts – These are an epitome Oiselle short, and for a good reason. The waistband is very comfortable, the fabric is lightweight, and there are a lot of fun colors/prints. I prefer the Mac Roga (1.75 inch inseam) but most prefer the regular Rogas with a 4-inch inseam.
Fast and Free – I haven’t personally never tried the longer, Spandex shorts, but I know many who do like this style, so this is a good option if you want a short that will not give you chaffing between your legs.
Hotty Hot Shorts – I love how these fit and how flattering they look. I wear the 2.5 inch version, but I know most people prefer the 4-inch version, which is just as cute.
Speed Up Shorts – These shorts have been a favorite of mine for many years now. I love the multiple pockets, cute detailing, but I do have to admit the updated version doesn’t fit quite as well in the waistband as it gaps and is a little too big (but I don’t think I could go down a size). Despite this, I still wear them often.
NB Compression Short – I wore these all the time last summer. You do have to like a short-short though.
Printed Fast Flight Split Short – How fun are these colors?! And for less than $35–these are definitely going in my cart!
Lightweight Jacket
If you’re like me and live in an area where the temperature lingers in the 30s for a while before it is warm enough to go down to one layer, then you will appreciate these recommendations for a lightweight jacket.
Vim Jacket – I often get asked about this jacket of mine. I’ve had it for a few years now, and I still love it.
Mist Over Windbreaker (pictured above) – This jacket has a flattering, more form-fitting cut, and would be perfect for the drizzly Pacific Northwest rains that we often get here in Alaska.
Canopy Jacket – I own two of these (one from a previous season) and both are solid windbreaker jackets that add just that little bit of warm for the cool spring air.
Fast and Free Windbreaker – I just saw this brand new item at lululemon, and I am already obsessed. The cut looks incredibly cute, and I’d put money on it that it performs really well too.
Tights/Leggins
Lastly, here are some awesome tights that would work well for cooler days before the weather warms up so much that shorts become necessary.
Fast and Free Tights – Hands-down my absolute favorite running tights, and they are perfect for the spring weather because they are lighter than most other tights I’ve owned before.
Impact Run Crop – You should always make sure the tights you are buying are designed for running like these are. And coming in under $70, that’s a pretty decent price in my opinion.
Swift Speed High Rise Tight (pictured above) – These tights have a very flattering cut and fit to them. They have more of a snug, compressive fit.
Method 7/8 Tight – I own these, and they are super cute and flattering with the perforation around the calf.
Epic Lux Tights – Between these Epic Lux Tights and the Fast and Free, these are my two most-worn tights for running. They are incredibly comfortable, don’t fall down, and very flattering.
Come on spring! We are so close!
