BAM Women’s Novea Crew Neck Training Top review: soft, stretchy and stench-free

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BAM Women’s Novea Crew Neck Training Top: first impressions

For high-intensity adventures, you don't always want a synthetic top which will dry quickly but stink, and not everyone feels good about animal-based products like merino wool . This women's running top is built to offset some of those concerns. Made from plant-based fibers including bamboo and Naia Acetate (a cellulose-based fabric), the Novea Crew Neck Training Top is unbelievably soft against your skin.

With a snug, stretchy fit, it moves when you do and is easy to layer, while the high neck gives good sun protection during summer runs and hikes. Arguably its biggest selling point is its exceptional odor control. In our field tests, we couldn't believe how many hours we were able to sweat in this top without it needing to be washed.

• List price: $49 / £32
• Gender specification: Women’s
• Sizes: 8 -16
• Weight (women's 6, per shoe): 3.17 oz / 90 g
• Materials: 64% Bamboo Viscose , 29% NaiaTM Acetate, 7% Elastane
• Colors: Black, Iris
• Best use: Hiking, trail running

There are, however, some downsides to using fabrics like bamboo and this top still falls victim to those shortcomings. Though it dries quicker than the Naia base layer we've previously tested, it still gets damper than wool or synthetic and holds moisture longer if you don't hang it out to dry. This means you can get chilly if you stop for a break.

It's also not the most durable fabric, and ours is already showing signs of wear and tear even though it's yet to be washed. It's not perfect, but it is extremely comfortable and has some benefits for multi-day adventures where you don't have laundry access and are expecting sunny weather, plus it comes in well under many other running and hiking tops in terms of price.

BAM Women’s Novea Crew Neck Training Top: in the field

I just returned from a 40km trail running trip in the Swiss Alps. I needed to carry everything that came with me on my back, so it was important to me to bring a top that wasn't going to get smelly and could handle three days of sweating. Having worn this top for a couple of runs closer to home and noticing that it didn't get smelly, I decided to test this out as my running top on my trip.

Here’s how it performed:

Sizing, fit and comfort

I usually wear a size 8 UK (4 US) and that's what I tested and I'd say it's perfect. It's snug without being skin-tight or digging in everywhere, and I was able to pull a long sleeve over it if I needed to. The crew neck meant I got good sun protection on my chest, which I really appreciated. The Raglan sleeves and panelling sadly aren't very flattering on me, but I think the problem is my body and not the actual top.

That said, I didn't much care how it looked because it feels amazing. Like any bamboo product I've worn before, it's just buttery soft against my skin and I can imagine really loving this if I were sensitive to other fabrics.

Temperature regulation, breathability and moisture management

I've been wearing this during steep hiking and trail running in mostly warm temperatures and it's great at keeping me cool under those conditions. The loose weave means it breathes really well and it's a much better choice for summer adventures than synthetic, in my opinion.

That said, a major drawback is that it does hold more moisture than my wool or synthetic tops, so when I stopped for a break, I did find that I got a little chilly. The weather wasn't cold enough during the day for it to be a real issue, and I had brought along an extra top to wear in the evenings, but it would make this top a problem in colder, damper weather. I found it dried completely overnight when I hung it up in the cabin, but yesterday at the end of my last run I chucked it in my backpack for the flight home and just opened it 24 hours later to find that it's still damp.

In short, it's great for warmer and more arid climates, but not for cool, damp weather, and you'll want to be able to dry it properly between uses.

Odor control and durability

Where I think this top really excels is in how well it handles odor. After a few runs at home, the armpits didn't stink at all, so I took it to Switzerland without washing it first, then wore it for three days of running and hiking while wearing a backpack. I got very sweaty, but the top did not get smelly. I'll give it a wash now I'm home to freshen it up, but at a push I could definitely wear it another time or two and this makes it a great choice for multi-day adventures.

Sadly, it's already showing some pilling across the back where it was coming into contact with my backpack so I don't necessarily see this as having the longevity I might want, but I also think it's priced accordingly.

BAM Women’s Novea Crew Neck Training Top: the bottom line

If you need something super soft and hypoallergenic that holds up against multiple high-intensity adventures, there's no doubt you'll love the feel of this lightweight tee, however, it's best suited for warmer, dry conditions, especially if you can't dry it out properly between uses. It holds moisture a little longer than merino and doesn't seem to be the most durable top we've tested.

If you don't mind a top with animal origins and need something that's better suited to cold and wet weather, check out the Icebreaker Women's Cool-Lite Amplify Short Sleeve Low Crewe T-Shirt as an alternative.

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