everyone talks about On running shoes. nobody talks about the clothes, and they should, because the On Core 2-in-1 Crop is the best running top I own, and it's $55.

I'm a runner first. I ran my first marathon in December 2026, I'm training for the 2027 NYC Marathon, and I've put 400+ miles on the On Cloudmonster 3. this summer I wore the Core 2-in-1 Crop to my local 5K in 95+ degree heat, ran a PR, and placed 3rd overall among women. that is not a sentence I expected to write about a crop top.

I've trained in three pieces: the Train Shorts 3", the Core 2-in-1 Crop and the Train 2-in-1 Crop. two are excellent. one is excellent with a real caveat. and On's pricing has a trick to it that most people miss, so read the price section before you buy anything.

Quick Answer: Is On running apparel worth it in 2026?

this is literally our job. Qatch has spent 6 years finding and vetting the best products on the internet for over 200,000 shoppers. if something isn't worth it, we say so, and you'll see that below. we buy the things we review with our own money. no gifted units, no sponsored verdicts.

and I'm not reviewing running clothes from the couch. I'm in the middle of a marathon training block, which means I'm wearing running clothes more hours a week than regular clothes, in heat, in sweat, on long runs and short ones. that is the only real test of running apparel, and it's the one I'm running.

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the honest take: obsessed is an understatement. the Core 2-in-1 Crop is the rare running top that solves every problem at once. the built-in coverage means I don't wear a sports bra under it. the seams are comfortable, it doesn't ride up when I'm moving, it has pockets for gels, and the low back is a genuinely trendy touch on a piece that's doing a technical job. it looks good at the start line and it still looks good at the finish.

the proof is the 5K. 95+ degrees, the kind of heat where every extra layer is a decision you regret, and this was the only layer. PR, 3rd in women's. I'm not saying the crop ran the race. I'm saying nothing about it slowed me down, which is the whole job of running clothes.

the one thing you need to know: "built-in coverage" means support for running, not a high-impact sports bra replacement for everyone. if you need maximum support, size carefully and try it on a short run first. I wear a small.

the On Core 2-in-1 Crop is a $55 running top with a built-in bra, gel pockets and a low back that stays put in heat.

verdict: the best running top I own.

Shop the On Core 2-in-1 Crop, $55 →

the honest take: extremely high quality. the fabric is the kind you notice the second you put them on, and it conceals sweat well, which matters more than people admit. they're very cute, and the tie drawstring is the detail I didn't know I wanted. they're the shorts I grab for a short run and then just keep wearing for the rest of the day.

the one thing you need to know: there's only one pocket on the outside. for a 3-mile run that's fine. for a long run where you're carrying gels, keys and a phone, it isn't enough, and you'll want a belt or a different short. On actually lists these as training shorts (HIIT, circuits), which explains it.

sizing: they run true to size. I'm 5'4" and 135 pounds and I wear a small.

the On Train Shorts 3" are $65 high-quality shorts that hide sweat and work for short runs and everyday wear, with one outside pocket.

verdict: great for short runs, perfect off-duty.

Shop the On Train Shorts 3", $65 →

the honest take: I love this top. it has the same details as the Core crop and the same built-in support, plus a high neck and a band around the midsection that's genuinely comfortable. design-wise it might be the best-looking of the three.

the one thing you need to know: be careful with the color. I got it in lime green, and in that color you can kind of see the built-in support through the fabric, and you can see sweat through it. that's not a dealbreaker, it's a color choice. go darker. on.com currently has it in Bubblegum and Black, and black is the safe pick if sweat-showing is your thing to avoid.

the On Train 2-in-1 Crop is a $75 high-neck crop with built-in support; light colors can show the support and sweat, so choose a darker shade.

verdict: love it, just buy it in black.

Shop the On Train 2-in-1 Crop, $75 →

the two brands people actually cross-shop On against are Lululemon, the default, and Tracksmith, the runner's-runner premium pick. here's how the prices line up for the same jobs:

so On isn't the expensive option here. it's the cheapest of the three on both shorts and support tops, which surprised me, because the shoes have trained everyone to think of On as premium-priced.

the bigger difference is philosophy. Lululemon built its name on softness, and it had a rough start to 2026: it paused online sales of its $108 Get Low legging in January after see-through complaints, the second time in two years. On's apparel team has said publicly that they avoid the "buttery soft" finish on purpose, because brushing a fabric's surface to make it softer also breaks it down. after a summer of sweat in these pieces, I'll take the fabric that holds its shape.

Tracksmith is lovely and it's built for serious runners, but at $85 for shorts you're paying for the brand as much as the run. if you want the most performance per dollar, it's On.

On running apparel is priced below Lululemon and Tracksmith for comparable shorts and built-in-support tops, and is built for durability over softness.

yes, but here's the trick. On launches new colorways and styles constantly, which means last season's pieces move into On's sale section all the time. the fabric and the fit don't change between colorways, only the color does.

so my honest advice: start in On's last season section. buy one or two pieces discounted, figure out your size and what you actually reach for, and then pay full price for the colors you love. that's how I'd do it if I were starting over.

On running apparel costs $55 to $75 per piece at full price, and last season colorways go on sale often, which is the smartest way to try it first.

verdict: worth full price; smarter on sale.

the verdict: yes. On running apparel is just as good as the shoes, and almost nobody says it. the Core 2-in-1 Crop is the standout, a $55 top I'd recommend to any runner. the Train Shorts 3" are excellent for short runs and real life. the Train 2-in-1 Crop is a great top in the wrong color, so go dark.

what it isn't: it isn't a long-run kit if you need to carry a lot, because the shorts have one outside pocket. and it isn't the place for pale colors if visible sweat bothers you.

who should skip it: if you run long and carry everything on your body, look for shorts with more pockets. and if you need maximum high-impact support, the 2-in-1 crops may not replace a dedicated sports bra for you.

Yes. On running apparel matches the quality of On's shoes: fabrics that hide sweat, seams that don't chafe, and tops that don't ride up. The On Core 2-in-1 Crop at $55 is the best value. To try it for less, start with last season colorways on sale.

The On Core 2-in-1 Crop ($55). It has built-in coverage so you can skip a sports bra, gel pockets, comfortable seams and a low back, and it doesn't ride up. I wore it for a 5K PR in 95-degree heat. The Train 2-in-1 Crop ($75) is a great alternative with a high neck.

Yes, in my experience On running apparel runs true to size, and On lists its Train Shorts 3" and Train 2-in-1 Crop as true to size too. I'm 5'4" and 135 pounds and wear a small in the Train Shorts 3". If you're between sizes on a built-in-support top, size for the support you need.

In light colors, a little. In lime green you can see the On Train 2-in-1 Crop's built-in support through the fabric, and sweat shows. It isn't sheer the way a thin tee is, but light shades show more. The fix is a darker color; it currently comes in Bubblegum and Black on on.com.

Not ideal. The On Train Shorts 3" are extremely high quality and hide sweat well, but they have only one outside pocket, so there's not much room for gels, keys and a phone on a long run. They're best for short runs, training sessions and everyday wear. For long runs, add a running belt.

For running, I'd choose On. On running apparel is cheaper for comparable pieces ($65 On Train Shorts 3" vs the $68 Lululemon Hotty Hot Short; $55 On Core 2-in-1 Crop vs the $68 Align Tank) and is built for durability over softness. Lululemon paused sales of its $108 Get Low legging in January 2026 over see-through complaints.

Yes, often. On launches new colorways and styles frequently, and older ones move into its last season sale section. The fabric and fit stay the same; only the color changes. That makes last season the smartest way to try On running apparel before paying full price for the colors you really want.

Yes, and that's one of the best things about it. The On Train Shorts 3" look good enough to wear for the rest of the day after a short run, and the Core 2-in-1 Crop's low back reads as a fashion detail, not just gym gear. On's shoes made that crossover popular, and the apparel follows it.

Qatch tests running gear on real miles and only shares what we'd buy again, like our 400-mile review of the On Cloudmonster 3. Text RUN to 30422 to get our favorite running shoes, gear and race-day picks sent to your phone, or browse everything at joinqatch.com/shop.

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Last updated: October 1, 2026. Prices verified at time of publication and may change. Qatch earns affiliate commission on some links.