More Mile Alaska Long Sleeved Thermal Running Top
By Dave Roberts
on November 3, 2013 5/5 (1)
More Mile Alaska Long Sleeved Thermal Running Top
There are many brands out there that sell kit at the lower end of the market, and while we’ve been impressed with the More Mile socks it didn’t necessarily mean we expected their running tops to be top notch. However, the reviews given on-line to the kit (e.g. on Amazon) did promise something special for the price. While the RRP is £29.99, we struggled to find them at more than £15.99.
The More Mile Alaska Running Top is a warm winter running top with a 1/4 zip. I’m usually a large and the More Mile sizing was thankfully spot on. It was snug without being tight, definitely an advantage if like me you’re not the most svelte individual, and you could fit a compression top underneath it you really feel the cold. Not only that, but while I find that many tops can be rather short in the torso, resulting in a rather unsavoury crop-top look, the Alaska is long enough as well as having a slightly scooped tail. In winter, that extra protection will be welcome.
The only issue with the fit is that the neck is a bit tight when fully zipped up, but which will keep you even warmer in the deep winter. There are also thumb-loops to help keep your hands warm when it’s not quite cold enough for gloves. Winter is also the season for running in the dark, so there are a couple of reflective panels on the back to improve your visibility at night. If you’re really concerned about being visible during your night runs then you should get their day-glo yellow or orange versions rather than the red (reviewed), black or blue varieties.
The fabric is soft against the skin, and has a reassuringly thick feel to it as well as a quality feel It certainly doesn’t feel like a £15 top, and it would be difficult to pick out from a line up of tops three times the price. I made the mistake of taking it on a first run while it was 16°C out, which was far too warm for this top! It was mid October and blowing a gale, but with just a pertex windproof and the Alaska top I was more than warm enough. With the temperature then dropping below 10°C in November, it proved to be more than up to the job. Effective temperatures are such a personal thing that it’s difficult to estimate, but I reckon that I tend to run hot. I see people out in jogging bottoms and fleecy tops when shorts, a thin baselayer and windproof are too warm for me. If you do feel the cold then as we’ve already mentioned, the fit of the Alaska running tops are loose enough to allow you to wear a compression top underneath, which would be toasty enough for any weather if it’s also a thermal compression top.
Overall, this reminded us of much more expensive walking and running tops (such as this Berhgaus) and is a viable alternative to those who are either on a budget or just begrudge paying over the odds for a top. Even at the RRP of £29.99, it’s still a decent all round thermal base-layer for running, walking or biking.
Dave Roberts
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