Review: Goldwin Fast Run Hybrid Wool Sleeveless

Tough guys wear sleeveless shirts. Well, that’s what I thought. As it turns out, this guy is quite okay with showing a little upper-arm and shoulder during the summer months, thanks to the Goldwin Fast Run Wool Sleeveless shirt. More commonly, you’ll find this as a T-shirt, but I got one of the cool guy versions.

Goldwin Fast Run Hybrid Wool Sleeveless Shirt Features:

• Made with NIKKE AXIO, a hybrid wool combining the benefits of wool and synthetic fibers
• Back panel is breathable, stretchy mesh
• Body is 84% wool and 16% polyester, back panel is 50% nylon, 46% wool and 4% spandex
• Ideal for summer use
• Jade green color (as tested)
• MSRP: $160

Streeeeetchy wool run top

Goldwin wasn’t messing around when they spun up the Fast Run Hybrid Shirt. The combination of materials and super-stretchy, mesh back panel make for one of the most comfortable running shirts I’ve ever worn. And, it’s wicked-stretchy.

Merino wool is something of legend as it can be blended with other materials to get the best of both natural and synthetic fibers and performance. Wool alone isn’t awesome, but blended “super wool” can be made into year-round pieces for all sorts of activities. It’s well-documented that I’m a Merino wool fan (I like the stuff). So, any chance I can get to test a new flavor, I’m always game.

Stepping back, Japanese-brand Goldwin has been around for over 70 years, making incredible clothing that has an obsessive attention to detail. Worn by top athletes and athletic teams, their apparel is built to perform at the highest level. As my first Goldwin piece, I’m impressed with what I’ve experienced so far.

On the surface, the Fast Run Hybrid Shirt is simple enough. Slipping it on reveals a little more about it than meets the eye. I immediately noticed the diameter and height of the collar. It’s made to be snug around the neck and have a little more collar height. Due to the stretchy nature of the fabric, it fits over my head with ease, but could be a little larger so it doesn’t end up feeling like a mock turtleneck. I guess Goldwin erred on the smaller side, which is preferred to a wide, slouchy collar (like that on the Hoka Performance Long Sleeve). So, not a bad thing, but just a thing.

What’s really interesting is the stretchy mesh back panel. This fabric is SUPER STRETCHY. I mean, I love some 4-way stretch in my athletic wear, but that back panel can almost be pulled down to my knees — it’s that stretchy. And, it has a drop hem in the back for added coverage. Had I known both of those things, I would have likely sized down to the 2/S. As it was, the shirt remained comfortable and flowy, which was actually refreshing because most of my running shirts are more snug.

Aside from the back panel being stretchy, that checkered mesh offers next-level moisture management. While it can get a little saggy when saturated, it doesn’t stay that way for very long as sweat dissipates in a hurry here in Utah. The front panel is likewise awesome as sweat evaporates right away.

While I’m sure this isn’t supposed to be tossed in the dryer, it’s hard to control that with a family of six, so it’s been washed and dried with dark colors for months and it’s still awesome. On one trip, I wore a new hat which bled black dye onto the shoulders after getting drenched on the boat. I thought for sure the dye would stain the Fast Run Hybrid, but it came right out.

I’ve been wearing it extensively trail running and hiking here in the Wasatch and the Pacific Northwest. Throughout those many months and miles of use, it’s just super-comfortable. The fabric feels awesome next-to-skin and stays out of the way through all movements. Yes, a sleeveless version would be extra comfortable, but I’m sure that the T-shirt version is just as nice.

Fit: I’m 5’11” and 175 lbs, wearing the size 3/M.

Buy Now: Visit Goldwin