Price: $98
The right shirt for: Stylish runners who don’t let cold or snow push them to a treadmill
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When the NDO Waffle shirt landed on my desk, I first thought it was cotton because it’s impossibly soft and cozy. But, I was desperate for an extra layer on a day when the Polar Vortex turned Eastern Pennsylvania into a popsicle, so I slipped it on and headed out for a short lunch run. That’s when I learned the shirt is made from 100 percent Merino wool, because I sweated through the baselayer and had to unzip my jacket midrun despite the thermometer registering temps in the single digits.
Do It All-Layer
If you live in parts of the country that get wind and snow, you know the value of layering up or pulling on wool to fend off the harshest conditions. This new Tracksmith top might just eliminate the need for a mid-layer on your coldest runs, thanks to the waffle knit construction that creates pockets of warm air against your skin. It’s basically doing the heavy lifting of a mid-weight layer, but at the same time regulating your temperature and moving sweat off your skin. It’s a winning combo when worn under a lightly insulated or windproof jacket on exceptionally cold mornings.
It’s a lot like the Patagonia Capilene Air Crew top that I also love for many of the same reasons. That shirt blends recycled polyester with wool, but the Tracksmith does not. Even so, I find it handles sweat well enough for most every day runs when warmth is a must, and has a stretchy build that moves well under layers so on-the-movement comfort is never an issue.
Fresh Style
As with anything from Tracksmith, you’re going to end up wearing the NDO Waffle Layer as much casually as you ever will while running. After that initial test run, I took it along on a weekend ski trip. The shirt kept me warm on an early morning jog and dried quickly while I ate breakfast, so I slipped it back on for a day on the slopes. And, because it’s made from wool, it didn’t stink when I was relaxing afterward with a pint of ale.
Pros
- Waffle knit design insulates by creating warm air pockets
- Merino is soft, doesn’t scratch
Cons
- No thumbholes in cuffs
- Material is slightly heavy
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
