Article by Sam Winebaum
In the article, I review 2025 Long Sleeve Winter/ Spring 2025 Running Tops: the Usual Objections Half Zip, the Compressport Trail HZ LS Tshirt, and the Tracksmith Fells Turtleneck. All are distinct in materials, fit and best uses and represent each in their own way different takes on the runner’s winter spring staple.
Usual Objections Long Sleeve Half Zip ($167)
Usual Objections is an emerging “boutique” run brand based in East London . The Half Zip and all their apparel is sustainably hand made in small batches in a Hackney East London workshop with green renewable energy. zero waste, and with all off-cuts are recycled.
And the care shows here with the half zip having a luxuriously soft, comfortable and easy fit. It performed very well absorbing very little moisture, remaining comfortable in raw conditions, was thermoregulating and dried quickly. And on the run and after outside of running it is the most comfortable of all the tops here.
I finally looked at the details and was shocked to learn that it is made of a Portuguese Techno Cotton fabric, a blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton. Cotton in the mix not the usual that is for sure for a tech winter top these days where we often see Merino and polyester. The secret, and I found effective “sauce” here, is its Dri-release treatment which is eco friendly, permanent, and said to allow it to dry 4x faster than cotton And true in test and the cotton in the mix delivers the comfortable soft on the skin feel.
Other features of note: we have thumb loops that are just right, not over snug or hard to get in and out of and a long half zip.
Conservative in styling, not overly form fitting but not sloppy loose either, this is one refined comfortable take on the classic half zip top that doesn’t skimp on performance.
Also soon to come a review of their superb Trail Shorts. Made of a super light airy Italian fabric it features 2 discreet deep hand pockets, a rear card/key pockets and a broad and comfortable waistband,
Compressport Trail HZ LS Tshirt ($150)
The most form fitting and highest performing on the run of the three tops, the HZ is made in Turkey of an unusual blend of 73% Polyamide 27% Merino Wool. It absorbed the least moisture and while the thinnest, due to its excellent temperature regulation, was the most comfortable on the run and especially later in runs. It dried the quickest of the three,
As with the others here, I went with my usual medium and found it to be short up front and to a lesser extent at the rear, riding up more than I liked. I am 5’9”, 162 lbs with a 32” waist and think a large would have been a better fit.
A super high tech form fitting base layer the HZ was the highest performing of the three tops with body mapped ventilation and insulation zones..
It paired perfectly for runs below freezing with Compressport’s Hurricane Waterproof Jacket (review soon).
This super light stretchy jacket is very windproof, moderately water resistant and incredibly breathable.
Tracksmith NDO Fells Turtleneck ($140)
The Fells is for sure the most stylish and outside the run suitable of the three tops here with clear lifestyle utility and thus versatility . Made of a 65% Merino 35% polyester Honeycomb Jacquard waffle fabric it has an easy long fit at my true to size. No over-snug old school turtleneck fit here.
The waffle knit here makes for a relatively tingly feel on the skin especially compared to the similar more relaxed fit buttery soft feel of the Usual Objections top.
I tend to not care for turtlenecks but here the neck fit is relaxed (modified for 2025) and the turtle can be rolled down "mock" style, which is what I usually like to do. That is unless it is bitter cold and you want to bring it up over your chin.
Performance was fine on test runs (all just above and below freezing with various jackets over) but lagged the others here (and Tracksmith more fitted Harrier Long Sleeve, and denser warmer merino polypropylene Downeaster) in terms of moisture absorption. It absorbed a lot of moisture and due to the more open waffle knit and loose fit tended to become chiller. It was also the slowest to dry, strange given its merino polyester fabric,
Conclusions:
For style and after the run versatility: Tracksmith Fells Turtleneck
For highest run and sport performance: Compressport Trail HZ
For a best balance of sports uses and overall comfort: Usual Objections Half Zip
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
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