Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Shirt Review

I was lucky to add the Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Shirt to my wardrobe this winter. As the weather’s been getting colder, this quarter-zip has become my go-to running shirt, sometimes on its own, and sometimes layered over other shirts. This long sleeve flaunts thumb holes, reflective highlights, and moisture-wicking fabric to make exercising in the cold easy and comfortable.

Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Shirt At-a-Glance

• MSRP: $75.00
• Materials: 88% Polyester / 12% Elastane
• Fit: Stretch material for layering and flatlock seams to avoid chafing when worn on its own. Long sleeves with thumbholes for extra warmth and to keep sleeves in place.
• Pocket: One small pocket on the left sleeve for keys and cards.

Circumstances of Review

I tested this shirt in 35- to 50-degree weather. I wore it on runs at night and during the day, when walking on the river path in Philadelphia, and along the beach in New Jersey. I wore a medium, tried it both zippered and unzippered, and wore it on its own and with another shirt layered underneath.

Intended Use

This shirt is intended for cold weather days when you either need an extra layer or just a long sleeve shirt to keep you warm. Its sweat-wicking material is designed to keep you dry during athletic pursuits, and the reflective material on the right side adds extra protection for running at night.

Features

Thumb Holes: The wide thumb holes serve dual purposes. They add more fabric to the shirt to keep hands warm, and they hold the sleeves in place by preventing them from riding up your arm as you move.

Stash Pocket: A small pocket on the left arm is big enough to hold keys or a card without interfering with your exercise.

Reflective Highlights: Reflective material is incorporated on the right side of the shirt to make running at night safer. The highlights reflect car and streetlights to make you visible to passing vehicles.

Stretch and Moisture Wicking Material: The combination of polyester and elastane creates a shirt that moves with your body while keeping it dry for a comfortable run.

Performance

 

This shirt worked well for me on runs in cold weather. It wasn’t quite heavy enough to wear on its own for walks, I added a coat over it when I wore it to walk my dog, but it kept me very warm during and after my runs. The thumb holes added coverage for my hands while keeping the shirt in place, and I put my keys in the pocket without any discomfort.

Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Shirt Pros

Moisture-Wicking: The fabric helped keep me dryer than the average shirt, and as a sweaty runner, I found that after a run in the cold I could still stand around in this shirt without shivering.

Thumb Holes: All cold weather gear should have thumb holes. I wore this shirt with and without gloves, and the thumb holes and longer sleeves helped keep my hands warmer than the average long sleeve shirt. When it was extra cold, I hid my fingers in the sleeves as well, but for the most part, the coverage over my palms was enough.

Fit for Layering: The shirt was a little loose which allowed me to layer it with other long sleeves to keep warm on cold days.

Softness: In general this is one of the most comfortable shirts I own. The fabric is incredibly soft and I know I won’t chafe when I wear it on long runs.

Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Shirt Cons

Pocket: I like the pocket, but I wish there was one along the side of the shirt since the one on the arm isn’t big enough for a phone. If you run with your phone, as most people do for distance tracking and audio, then you’ll either need bottoms with a pocket or to hold your phone as you run.

The Verdict

I’m very happy with this shirt. I feel comfortable and confident when I wear it. It’s not as tight as my running shirts tend to be, so it’s perfect for layering on cold days. I also love the quarter zip aspect because I can change how much I’m bundled up or exposed in the middle of a run. It’s the perfect shirt for the period of cold, but not freezing, weather when one shirt isn’t enough but I’m not ready to pull out my heavy running jackets just yet. It’s super comfortable and I’m happy wearing it on my walks, runs, and even when lounging around my apartment.

Shop the Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip

Comparable Products

The North Face Wander Quarter Zip

• MSRP: $55
• Materials: Polyester/elastane

REI Active Pursuits Quarter Zip

• MSRP: $49.95
• Materials: Polyester

The Nathan Tempo Quarter Zip was donated for purpose of review.