About Running Apparel for Women
Over the past four decades, increasing numbers of women have taken up running for a variety of reasons. Some women run to lose weight or maintain their figures while others run in preparation for a sporting event such as a marathon. Whatever the motivation, female runners today have a wide selection of running apparel, making it easier and more stylish to pound the pavement.
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Types
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The most basic women's running apparel includes running shorts hitting the top of the thigh, made for warmer weather. For cooler weather or indoor running, tight-fitting spandex or loose windbreaker running pants are the norm. More recently, a greater number of running jackets have been produced to allow women to run during cold or inclimate weather.
The classic women's running top is the racer-back tank top, which has coverage up to the shoulder blades, where the material curves in to the center and leaves the back of the shoulders uncovered. Sports bras are some of the most popular pieces of running attire for women, as they are used during all seasons to give essential breast support while running.
Function
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Women's running apparel is meant to enhance and facilitate a woman's athletic experience. This attire is generally made in a way that is least bulky, fits comfortably, and provides support to the body. Many pieces of female running apparel are also made to correspond with the weather, such as water-resistant running jackets or light-weight tops and shorts for hotter months and climates.
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Features
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Women's running apparel is generally made from lightweight fabrics such as mesh or jersey so that skin can breathe and heat is easily released from the body. Female running clothes often come in stretchy, tight-fitting fabrics to create the least cumbersome attire that will facilitate running.
Some articles of women's running apparel include layering pieces, such as shirts and jackets in thin fabrics to add or remove and easily adjust to climate or body heat during running. These days, plenty of running jackets, tops and pants also come equipped with small pockets where mp3 players or keys can be stored while running.
Brands
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Some of the top brands in women's running apparel are well-established names including Nike, Adidas, Asics, Reebok and New Balance. While these companies are best known for their athletic shoes, they each produce quality lines of women's running attire as well. Every year, these brands introduce more and more types of female running apparel as the industry appeals to a broader range of consumers seeking comfort and functionality.
Expert Insight
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A recent article on The RunningAdvisor.com points out that women do not need to greatly vary their running apparel due to weather changes. As long as runners choose high-quality athletic pieces and care for their clothing properly, they should last for years. The article advises investing in the basics--running shorts, a mesh running tank top, leggings or pants, a couple of long and short-sleeved tops, running socks, and a lightweight jacket.
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