I’ve never really cared about my running clothing so long as it does what it’s supposed to do: Keep me comfortable. Both the Ultimate Direction Cumulus Tank and the Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Tank Top check that box. So, review over, I guess? Not quite.

The Ultimate Direction tank (left, $65, ultimatedirection.com) looks very technical. It’s slim-fitting and has a waffle-knit-like construction. To the touch, it feels somewhat scratchy. When running, though, the fibers that I thought would cause friction seemed to stretch out and form fit to my body. Hooray to no nipple chafing! And when put to the sweat test on those infamously humid St. Louis summer days, the tank retained the perfect amount of moisture to keep me cool. It somehow seemed light and breathable, even though I felt heavy and hot. I had low expectations, but this tank made me a believer after the first run.

The Patagonia tank (right, $39, patagonia.com) has a more relaxed fit, looks stylish, and feels soft. It doesn’t really give off running gear vibes, though. Rather, it looks and feels like one you’d want to wear to the pool or a barbecue. I put it to the test on a run and ended up feeling about the same way. The material felt great during runs and did a good job of wicking away sweat. I’m not sure if it was related to the cut or the sizing, but my runs in this tank seemed a little more loose than I usually prefer. 

Final verdict: While both options are comfortable, Ultimate Direction has the superior running tank.

Author: Matt Green is the executive director of River City Foundation, the parent nonprofit of Terrain.

Top image: Courtesy of Ultimate Direction and Patagonia.