Columbia Cool Rules Short Sleeve Top Review

Long gone are the days of wearing cotton tees for running and other high intensity activities. Races, large and small, now give away wicking tops for swag which causes the ole outdoor industry to raise the bar and bring us new and improved tech tees. Thanks to companies like Columbia, our search for an incredibly light weight, highly breathable, fashionable, and colorful top to run in is made quite easy.

Columbia’s Cool Rules Short Sleeve top fits the bill by featuring Columbia’s latest technology, Omni-Freeze®, which is designed to actively cool your body down by pulling away heat as soon as your body begins to generate it. Add in jacquard mesh paneling in key areas such as the shoulders, mid and lower back, under the arms, and along the side paneling to further keep you cool. The paneling does its’ job without being overly revealing, aka it does not have large holes in the fabric that allow one to see what color sports bra you are wearing underneath, which I loved. Did I mention that the fabric also carries a UPF rating of 30?!

I recently wore the top on a 2 hr trail run on an 80 degree day with a hydration pack and was cool, relatively dry (I’m a big sweater), and still very comfortable. I do wish that the top featured flat locked under arm seams, because that was my only area of mild discomfort. The top is semi-fit and is nice and long, which I love because I often run with a hydration pack or water belt; the long top allows for a bunch and chafe free running experience. The cap sleeves are plenty roomy and add a bit of a girly touch. The Cool Rules Short Sleeve comes in 5 colors: white, grill (black), oxide blue (featured above), burnt henna (reddish hue), and bolt, my favorite, just think bright lime green! The top retails for $45 and is available at Columbia.com