The newly launched GHST run top is 100% engineered from 2XU’s industry leading X LITE PRO – the world’s lightest specialist running fabric through wet and dry conditions alike.
It is no wonder that when this stylishly sleek “tee” entered Sport In Life’s doors that a friendly fight ensued for testing the samples. You see, we are three avid athletes and extremely privileged to work with some of the most prestigious and technical brands worldwide; 2XU is one of them.
While the Australian-born brand is well-known for its leading compression apparel, it produces many other high performance sports garments and proudly lists the Australian Institute of Sport as their research and development partner. I remember the day Team Sport In Life passed the “barely-there” GHST top around for close inspection and a fabric feel. We certainly thought it felt lush and as light as a feather, but how would it perform in our extreme desert conditions? Testing the top in the heat was not going to be a problem, but the wet test seemed a little tricky.
Last month, I headed to the Swiss mountains for arguably one of the best-known trail races in the world – the 31km La Course Sierre-Zinal trail run. As luck would have it (or not), it rained. I had also packed the GHST as my race gear. After all, who wouldn’t pack a run top weighing just 86gsm and has runners “performing faster and freer than ever in their intelligent singlet”? Being my first off-road race, I thought I would take all the help I could get.
I loved the race and the top! The GHST does exactly what the name suggests – it “feels” invisible and you hardly know it is there. Even in the rain, I did not feel heavy and sluggish like I normally would from a saturated run top that annoyingly sticks to your stomach. The GHST remained a lot lighter and dried far quicker than any other top I had previously worn in wet conditions. Minimal seams ensured it was comfortable and most importantly, no chafing occurred. Also, the reflective trims are great for safety.
The fact that the revolutionary knit structure of X LITE PRO comes with ICE X embedded into the yarn to reflect UV rays; keeping athletes cool, protected and ventilated thanks to high level moisture management, makes it a “no-brainer” essential for run kits for our region. Here, anything that helps cool the body temperature is definitely worth investing in.
“The 2XU GHST t-shirt is quite simply the best running top I have ever used. In Dubai we have ridiculous heat and humidity and the last thing you need to worry about is the performance of your kit. Regardless of how hot you are or how much you sweat, the GHST top performs. It feels light and cool, it does not cling and it does not let you down. What’s more, I have been using the same two tops about four times a week for the last year and they still look like new. The quality of the top is exceptional and X LITE PRO represents the epitome of technical sports fabrications for warm weather conditions.” Said multiple Kona Ironman finisher and Sport In Life COO Simon Marshall.
Qualified nutritionist and endurance sports enthusiast Gustavo Netto, who manages our GU Energy, MuleBar and Aqualyte brands, chose the 2XU GHST for the NAS 10km race and was equally impressed with its performance. “Running with the 2XU GHST sleeveless shirt feels really light and ventilated. It was the best choice for the NAS 10Km race conditions, which saw extreme heat and humidity. I also use it for running in the sand dunes around Dubai. With the increased rate of perspiration it is critical that our clothing doesn’t get heavily soaked with sweat, which is why I always choose the 2XU GHST. It’s comfortable and performs well in such conditions. It is also my go-to piece of kit when chasing PB’s!”
If you aspire to run like a pro, then start by looking like one. After all, if you look good and feel great you inevitably perform well. Happy running!
GARMENT FEATURES
- World’s lightest running singlet through dry and high-sweat conditions alike
- Minimal seams and 86gsm X LITE PRO fabric
- Reflective detailing and trims
Available at Adventure HQ in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and GO Sport Mall of the Emirates
230 AED (GHST singlet) and 260 AED (GHST short sleeve shirt)
Words by: Samantha Cadwallader
