Getting a custom running top designed sounds straightforward until you actually sit down to do it. From the colours and logos to the fit and fabrics, there’s more to think about than most running teams expect.
A well-designed running top doesn’t just look right on the day. It becomes something your team keeps using, whether that’s for training, race days, or just as part of their regular kit. That’s what you’re aiming for. Here’s how Runnek can help you create a custom everyone will love.
A good custom running top sits somewhere between performance and design, without leaning too far in either direction.
First and foremost, it needs to function properly. If it’s uncomfortable, heavy, or doesn’t hold up during a run, it won’t get used again. At the same time, if the design feels rushed or overly busy, it won’t get worn outside of the event or team setting.
Before getting into colours or layouts, it helps to step back and think about how the top will actually be used.
A top designed for a race day has slightly different requirements to one used for regular training. Warmer climates, longer distances, or higher intensity sessions all influence the type of fabric and fit that will work best.
Even within a team, there’s usually a mix of preferences, so aiming for something versatile tends to work better than designing too specifically around one scenario.
Fabric choice is where most of the long-term wearability comes from. Lightweight, breathable materials are the starting point, especially anything moisture-wicking that helps regulate temperature during runs. Heavier or less technical fabrics might feel fine at first, but they don’t tend to hold up as well over time.
It doesn’t need to be overly technical, but it does need to feel like it’s been designed for running, rather than adapted from something else.
Fit is one of the main reasons tops either get worn regularly or left behind. Teams are rarely uniform in size or shape, so having a good range available makes a difference, but so does the cut itself. Some people prefer a more fitted feel, others want something looser, especially for longer runs.
Offering options where possible, or choosing a balanced, comfortable fit, usually leads to better long-term use across the whole team.
Design is where it’s easy to go too far.
There’s often a temptation to include everything – logos, names, sponsors, colours – but that can quickly make the top feel cluttered. Simpler designs tend to work better, especially when they’re being worn regularly rather than just for a single event.
Clear colour choices, strong placement of key elements, and enough space for the design to breathe usually give a better end result.
Colour choice has more impact than most teams expect. Some colours work better outdoors, especially in different lighting conditions, while others hold up better over time after repeated washing. It’s also worth thinking about how colours work together across the full kit, rather than just focusing on one element in isolation.
Brighter tones can help with visibility, while more muted palettes can make the top feel easier to wear outside of a team setting.
The way the design is applied makes a difference to how the top feels and lasts. High-quality printing or sublimation tends to integrate better with the fabric, meaning it doesn’t crack, peel, or feel heavy during movement. It also helps maintain the look of the design over time.
Small details like seams, stitching, and finishing can also influence how comfortable the top feels during longer runs.
The biggest shift usually comes from thinking beyond the event or team itself. If the top only works in one context, it’s less likely to be used regularly. If it feels like something people would wear for training, at the gym, or even casually, it naturally gets more use.
That doesn’t mean removing identity from it, just keeping the design balanced enough that it fits into more than one setting.
Even with a strong design, the end result depends on how it’s produced.
A supplier that understands both performance wear and custom design will make the process smoother, from fabric selection through to final production. It also helps avoid common issues around sizing, print quality, or delivery timelines.
Customising a running top that your team actually wants to wear usually comes down to getting the balance right between comfort, fit, and design.
Runnek focuses on that balance, making it easier to create custom running tops that feel like proper kit while still reflecting your team properly, so what you end up with is something that gets used rather than put aside. From short-sleeve tops to long-sleeve styles, we have all of the custom gear for your running team.
