The Artilect M-Sprint Tee Expansion is a lightweight running tech top designed with absolute comfort, function and look in mind. No mean feat to undertake.
At first glance the material feels super soft to touch with a subtle light/dark weave to it. The burnished orange ‘Brick’ colour is great and the A logo and motto “Outer Experience, Inner Expansion” is subtle and interesting. I don’t really go for logos so their design is a good point of difference for me.
Artilect are a brand based in the town of Boulder in Colorado by an adventurer in it’s mountainous heartland, the company excels in performance and technical innovation, whilst instilling a no-rules approach – typical for outdoor explorers I would say!
On my first trail run wearing it I find that the merino wool fabric – Nuyarn 115 GSM – is lightweight and after a few miles I can feel the sweat absorbing into the material keeping me drier, yet not feeling wet to the touch. After several runs – and several washes – the material does seem very durable, and quick to dry. I experience no chafing, the flatlock seams work well and it’s very comfortable, even when running up some steeper climbs with a lot of arm movement.
“Made from Nuyarn 115 GSM, the Sprint Tee contains one of the world’s lightest weight technical merino fabrics available. Unlike synthetic fibres, wool can naturally absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture.”
My ultra running partner noted the reflective tape embedded into the side seams which is always a useful addition particularly from Autumn.
On hotter days I did find the Sprint Tee kept me a little too hot, but it still felt loose and breathable, plus after wearing another Tee in my kit I think I would struggle to find anything that would keep me cool in 25+ degree sunshine! Having said this the merino wool did work wonders on natural body odours and I didn’t feel as smelly as I have on other times.
I definitely think the Sprint Tee will make an excellent base layer on cooler days as the merino wool is so soft and moisture wicking – two major benefits for ultra runners.
ARTILECT is not a typical outdoor brand, it’s a performance brand that excels in the outdoors.
Overall the Artilect M-Sprint Tee is light, soft and stretchy with excellent moisture absorption. It seems well worth investing in for it’s Nuyarn sustainable material. Plus it’s made by a really authentic outdoor company who are in it for the performance as well as their love of nature, which are principles also worth investing in.
