Our shopping writer Eve Rowlands shares just a few of her top summer-appropriate activewear picks
With the warm weather not showing any signs of budging, many of us have had to rethink our typical workout plans, outfits, and more. From getting up earlier or waiting until much later to complete our couch-to-5K, or switching out our cardio from sprints to wild swimming, or even becoming a bit of a gym bunny in a bid to use the air con.
In our minds, uncomfortable clothing can make or break a workout when the summer heat hits. When the weather is sweltering, we need items of clothing that can help keep us as cool as possible, wick sweat away, while ensuring our comfort levels remain top-notch.
This typically means swapping out thick, wintery leggings for shorts or more breathable fabrics, long-sleeved tops for tank tops. Not forgetting to apply the most important thing when out and about – sunscreen.
For anyone looking to update their workout wardrobe for the summer months, we’ve suggested just a few options below. These picks by our resident fitness enthusiast and shopping writer, Eve Rowlands, are each designed to help keep wearers active this summer – whether in the gym or enjoying the outdoors.
Better Me’s Contour Stitch Leggings, £45, and matching Contour Stitch Crop Top, £37
As not everyone loves wearing shorts, especially for workouts like pilates, for leggings lovers, these Contour Stitch leggings from Better Me are a great option for sunnier months. Coming in four different colours – pink, white, brown and black – the leggings are made from 77% polyester and 23% spandex, which the brand hails as ‘breathable, moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant fabric’ that’s ‘buttery-soft’.
They’re also super flattering to wear, it seems, as they are designed with clean vertical seams that work to elongate the legs and define shape. Their ‘soft, supportive stretch keeps everything smooth and secure from waist to ankle’.
The leggings come in a range of sizes from XS to 2XL and feature a sculpting waistband. With no reviews of the leggings so far, the only drawback I can see, personally, is that the waistband looks to be relatively slim, which could result in it rolling over or down during intense workouts.
Meanwhile, its cropped tee – made with the same material blend – has matching body-contouring seams that flatter the figure while the cropped sleeves and length offer a cooler fit than full-length tops. The brand recommends pairing it with high-waisted shorts or leggings for the best coverage. Together, this set looks stylish enough to be worn from a pilates class to a refuelling brunch date.
Gymshark’s Interval Seamless Shorts, £35
These shorts are also in my summer rotation thanks to their support, bright colourway, and breathable, sweat-wicking material that does not show any visible sweat patches. Made for hybrid training, the Gymshark shorts are high-waisted and have a thick, ribbed waistband that is slimming and smoothing (ie, no lumps and bumps are on show thanks to the compressing material).
It also has a seamless design, meaning no obvious – and embarrassing – camel toe or wedgie potential, while its scrunch bum enhances the glutes nicely. My only wish would be for them to be a little longer, as I do find myself regularly pulling the shorts down in the legs as they ride up a little. But this is a small issue for a big payoff.
M&S’ GoodMove Active Zip Through Swimsuit, £36
Swimming often sees a surge in participation in the summer months, thanks to outdoor lidos and holiday pools. For such an activity, a good quality, supportive swimsuit is needed, and shoppers have been loving the Active Zip Through Swimsuit from Marks and Spencer for being ‘very comfortable’ and not ‘riding up’.
Available in sizes six to 24, the swimsuit features a plunge neck with padded cups for added support, while its makeup is chlorine-resistant and extra-stretchy for a full range of motion and ‘enhanced performance’. It also features the brand’s StayNew™ Swimwear finish that helps the swimsuit keep its shape, while Secret Slimming™ technology helps shape the tummy and waist for a flattering regular fit.
It is fastened with a zip up the front, making it super easy to get in and out of, something one five-star shopper noted in a glowing review that read: “I buy these swimsuits for my aqua class. They are very supportive, easy to put on and take off, and they have tummy control. The high zip stays fastened, even with strenuous exercise.”
Someone else noted: “Great for regular swimming and for aqua. This swimsuit is a good, snug fit. The front zip is genius. Getting in and out is a breeze. Such a boon, especially when wet. Lovely fitted bra, no faffing with floating cups. Really pleased with this swimsuit. 5 stars, no question.”
The only thing to note is that some people experienced sizing issues, with one user reporting: “Stylish cozzie and good for swimming – but I do wish you’d do a long-body length. I’ve had to size up to get the length, which makes the padded boobs too big. Fortunately, they don’t inflate while in the water!”
Passenger’s Women’s 365 Trail Roll Up Short, £59.95
For anyone embarking on a hike this summer as their sunny-day activity, these Passenger shorts are both stylish and practical. Made with a recycled polyester blend with stretch for comfort, the shorts have a quick-dry, wicking finish. It also has a mid-waist fit, with roll-up and snap side details that let users adjust the shorts’ length.
The shorts come with front outer pockets and a zipped pocket at the back, as well as inner mesh pockets. For those who need to adjust the waistband, the shorts come with loops to loosen or tighten the fit. They come in five colours and sizes XS to XXL. With a 4.4 star rating, they’ve been praised by shoppers for being ‘The wardrobe staple of outdoorsy shorts’.
Another user echoed the praise and said, “Love these shorts for so many reasons – super comfortable, great fit, so versatile. I was looking for a pair of shorts to hike in that would be lightweight and cool to wear. I love the adjustable leg length – both look good. So good I’m wearing them all the time!”
Many Passenger fans have recommended sizing up in these shorts, as a number of reviews have noted that the legs are a little ‘tight’. One mentioned: “Lovely looking shorts but too tight on legs, ordered a large.”
If this particular style isn’t quite hitting the mark, Columbia has a looser-fitting alternative in its £60 Women’s Shale Ridge™ Hiking Shorts. Made with Omni-Shield™ technology to repel moisture and resist stains, the shorts have a partial elastic waist to allow for comfort and movement, while side vents in the shorts allow airflow.
TALA SkinLuxe Built-In 2In1 Shorts, £48, SkinLuxe Bandeau Cross Over Sports Bra, £38
Warmer weather calls for shorts and sports bras to be fully embraced, and TALA’s SkinLuxe activewear has helped me get over my fear of showing my tummy and legs in the gym because they are just so comfy and aesthetically pleasing. And because, let’s face it, who actually cares?
Since TALA launched these 2in1 shorts and cross-over sports bra a few months ago, I’ve been wearing them non-stop (on rotation with the brand’s SkinLuxe Cycling Short, £38) because they not only give ample support for small and, allegedly, larger busts, but the 2-in-1 shorts’ double layer offers great coverage without being too warm.
Their thin outer layer is swishy enough to be breezy during beach runs; meanwhile, crafted from silky-smooth, stretchy fabric, their inner shorts are soft on the skin and stay firmly in place at the waist regardless of workout intensity. They also have a secret pocket for both phone and keys, meaning you don’t need to bring a vest or belt, and are made up of 75% Polyamide (recycled) and 25% Elastane. The material is also sweat-wicking, which is a dream.
My only gripes are that the key pocket isn’t larger and that the inner shorts sometimes ride up. Although thanks to the outer layer, this isn’t too obvious and much of an issue.
Teva’s Women’s Hurricane XLT3 Sandal, £75
Trainers are sometimes the last thing we want to pop on our feet during a heatwave. So for those who don’t want to keep their toes encased (which can encourage sweating) when out and about, exploring a new city, or simply getting in their daily steps, a pair of supportive sandals is a must. These Hurricane sandals from Teva are a great option, as not only are they supportive and practical, but they can also be used as a fashion shoe with a pair of denim shorts and a tank top.
They feature a Nylon shank to stabilise and support the foot on uneven terrain, while its cushioned topsole offers additional step-in comfort. It has a Spider Rubber® Endure outsole and lug pattern that ensures good traction and stability, and its FuseLock™ hook-and-loop technology delivers twice the strength of traditional options.
Backing these claims, one shopper shared a glowing testimonial of the shoes: “Even after walking for a long time, the soles’ cushioning was solid, and my feet didn’t hurt at all. I found them perfect for both walking and outdoor activities. Usually, I get blisters with new shoes, but these have adjustable straps, so I didn’t get any blisters and they were super comfortable!”
Someone else echoed: “Bought these sandals to walk the Camino [De Santiago] this summer. I raved about how comfortable they are, my sisters bought their own pairs. There are 8 of us hiking about 100 miles to Santiago this summer. So far, there are four of us who will be wearing Tevas.”
VivoBarefoot’s Primus Trail FG 3.5 Womens, £120
For those looking to enjoy the trails this summer but who don’t want a traditional trail-running shoe, Vivo Barefoot’s Primus Trail FG 3.5 (£120) could be worth the investment. Designed to be light, durable, and flexible on all sorts of terrains – from rough grass to rocky ground.
Vivo Barefoot shoes are designed to strengthen the wearer’s foot, allowing plenty of space in the toebox to create stability. While the thinner soles mean natural sensory feedback when walking or running.
The brand is B Corp certified, which is another plus for shoppers who are conscious about where they spend their hard-earned cash and Vivo Barefoot is moving towards a circular footwear system. Scoring 4.9 out of five stars, people who have bought them say: “I received my first pair of Vivobarefoot shoes a few weeks ago, and I could feel the difference right away.
“My toes felt much more comfortable, and I got used to the shoes surprisingly quickly. Now I rarely wear anything else.”
Although it’s worth noting some have found the sizing a bit off, with some shoppers needing to size up – one reviewer knocked off a star, stating: “Buy one size bigger shoes.”
An alternative option for shoppers who do not want to try a barefoot shoe but would like to shop at a B Corp company that favours both recycled and natural materials is the Allbirds Tree Dasher 2. This shoe is designed for daily walking with lightweight comfort and is currently on sale at £50 instead of £125
