I may be the only person who does not like the tech running shirts that most races supply now. I am not a fan of how they feel when I go for a run.
I hope to switch back to cotton or maybe do hemp.
I may be the only person who does not like the tech running shirts that most races supply now. I am not a fan of how they feel when I go for a run.
I hope to switch back to cotton or maybe do hemp.
When the tech shirts are high quality then I like it. Sometimes they are real scratchy and stink quickly.
I miss cotton race shirts wrote:
I may be the only person who does not like the tech running shirts that most races supply now. I am not a fan of how they feel when I go for a run.
I hope to switch back to cotton or maybe do hemp.
I'm in the same boat. Hate those things. As the 2nd poster said, if they are high quality they are ok, but even then I'd prefer a cotton t.
I've always said tech shirts is when running jumped the shark.
What about that Under Armor charged cotton stuff? Does that work?
Junk Master wrote:
What about that Under Armor charged cotton stuff? Does that work?
I've never tried the under armor, but adidas makes a similar product that I love
I agree. Cotton shirts are much better.
I hate them. They get all static-clingy to your stomach when you wear them, and they always smell weird.
All my tech shirts end up snagged in the wash. Bring back the cotton.
Bad tech-t = far worse nipple chafe than any cotton shirt ever provided. Damn things are like sandpaper.
The first three posts are right on. Tech shirts CAN be good but the quality is rarely ever on par with what I get from Nike, Brooks or UnderArmor. My expensive tech shirts last for years and don't get funky. But you're right I'd rather even just forgo the shirt most-times and just reduce the race entry fee. Most of the shirts are so fugly (or ill fitting) anyway I don't wear them.
Perfect example. I ran a RnR Marathon not too long ago and got the large shirt because I'm tall. The "tech" shirt though is designed for someone who clearly does not run. It's super wide and super short. Basically designed for a short, fat woman. Just saying.
You aren't the only one. I strongly prefer cotton shirts as well.
I prefer cotton to wear around but tech shirts for running. Only good ones though. Some cheap ones make me sweat like a pig. Or, even more like a pig, I should say.
For some reason, long sleeve ones tend to be pretty good quality, but obviously you can't always wear a long sleeve. Although, a nice long-sleeve, lightweight one can be great when I'm outside all day for keeping from getting burned.
the burn! wrote:
Bad tech-t = far worse nipple chafe than any cotton shirt ever provided. Damn things are like sandpaper.
This happened to me but only on the treadmill and I had to quit wearing them.
I was told the "tech" shirts are cheaper than cotton and that is why the race directors have went to them but they are probably just polyester.
I started looking at my race "tech" shirts and they were made in Malaysia, Haiti, El Salvadore, Mexico, Nicaragua,and Tanzania. I have other cotton blends made in Honduras, Dominican Republic and China. I do have a couple Bill Rodgers singlets that were made right here in the good old U.S.A.
They "tech" shirts do wick the water away though. Either that or they just get saturated faster and more sweat drips off!! When I ring out my shirt after a run at the fitness center, a lot more sweat comes out of the cotton blend than the poly.
I was having this same conversation about a week ago with a few running friends. Tech shirts vs. Cotton shirts.
Much like all of you have said, the consensus was:
1. Races should give you a shirt/no shirt option.
2. If they are going to give a tech shirt, make sure its a good quality one. Leslie Jordan (one example) apparel sucks...it fits like a box and feels cheap when you wear it, but RDs love it because its cheap and they can maximize profits.
3. If you have multiple races, give race specific shirts. Most marathoners dont want their shirt to have the 13.1 associated with it on their shirt
There was other stuff talked about, but I can't remember most of it right now!
What a bunch of whiny pussies.
Fully agree, Cut-rate tech tees are a bad deal. We go with 100% cotton shirts for our June 5k road race and I see people wearing them all over town the rest of the summer and fall.
The worst tech shirts are given out by the Philadelphia Marathon. The brand is "EnduraFit". Those shirts have the worst fit ever. Certainly not made for runners.