Best Petite Running Clothing for Women

To all petite women out there…

Are you struggling to find running kit to fit a petite frame? Would you like to find running gear that fits you beautifully? It is not a secret that finding sports clothing is hard for us. You can end up a little fed-up at times. To try on more than 10 items and find that none feels like it should – tights too long, T-shirts too baggy, etc. – can be dispiriting. You can even end up abandoning the search or settling for something that doesn’t make you feel great.

As a 5ft runner and a size UK 4-6, I understand how it can be frustrating to find the perfect pair of running tights, etc. I have even taken sports clothing to a dressmaker to make alterations, and asked my patient mother to fix my clothes. Don’t get me wrong, I like being petite, but no one likes to be hitching up their tights every kilometre when running.

That's why I want to share with you my personal edit of running clothing. These pieces have made me feel better; I love them and I think you will too. So, let’s make this process easier and more satisfying, so that running is the only thing you have to concentrate on.

Shorts / Capris / Tights / T-Shirts / Lightweight Long Sleeves / Thermal Tops / Jackets / Accessories

Best Petite Running Shorts

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Women's Adidas Primeblue Twin Shorts
Black/Grey £38.00

Supportive inner tights with smooth next-to-skin feel. High-rise, drawcord & inner phone pocket.

Women's Gore Essential Half Tights
Black £34.00 £40.00

Keep your muscles supported. Highly breathable fabric that feels soft and light against the skin. Back zip pocket.

Women's Brooks Rep 3in Twin Shorts
Grey/Black £28.00 £33.00

DriLayer® fabric wicks sweat away to keep you comfy, dry & feeling light. No-bounce pocket on side.

Best Petite RUNNING Capris

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Women's Gore Essential Capris
Black £40.00 £50.00

Unbelievable next-to-skin comfort, support & breathability. Back zip pocket.

Women's Ronhill Everyday Run Capris
Black £22.00 £27.00

Go-to capris. Comfy, flattering cut and soft, quick-drying fabric. Internal pocket.

Best Petite Running Tights

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Women's Ronhill Life Spacedye 7/8 Tights
Navy/Green £52.00

Luxurious tights with tonal power mesh. Lovely flattering fit with wide waistband. Back zipped pocket.

Women's Crewroom Winter Fuel Tights
Black £69.00

Made of soft & stretchy moisture-wicking fabric that allows ease of movement. Flattering wide waistband, meshy panels & plenty of pockets for storage.

Women's Brooks Threshold Tights
Black £65.00

Perfect for chilly weather. Featuring DriLayer® fabric that breathes well and dries quickly. 2 mesh drop-in pockets & sweat resistant back pocket.

Best Petite Runnning T-Shirts

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Women's On Active Breathe Tee
Olive £60.00

Super-light, sustainable fabric dries quicker than you can sweat. Versatile training top.

Women's Compressport Trail Postural Tee 2020
Grey £90.00

Thermoregulating microfibre will keep you chafe-free. Integrated Freebelt.

Women's Odlo Ceramicool Element Tee
Green £30.00

Helps regulate temperature with integrated ceramic particles. High 30+ UV protection & athletic fit.

Best Lightweight Long Sleeve Running Tops

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Women's Salomon Comet Seamless Top
Wine £60.00

Seamless fit with soft fabrics to minimise friction and maximise comfort. Engineered mesh zones for breathability & temperature regulation.

Women's Montane Primino Merino Baselayer
Burgundy £60.00

This merino wool layer is designed for active use in cold conditions. Draws sweat away from the body, allowing it to dry quickly.

Women's Odlo Performance Light Baselayer
Black £40.00

Seamless & lightweight top that will adapt to you during any activity, all year round. Super breathable & excellent freedom of movement.

Best PETITE Thermal Running Tops

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Women's Brooks Notch Thermal Hoodie
Rosewood £65.00

Excellent winter midlayer that provides warmth & comfort with wicking & antimicrobial properties. Hidden pocket at the wrist & thumb loops.

Women's Crewroom South East Fleece Top
Light Blue £65.00

Soft, warm, versatile running top, useful as a mid-layer or an over-layer. Generous side pocket with compass zipper.

Women's Odlo Performance Eco Baselayer
Purple £60.00

Versatile warm layer made of 100% recycled fibres. Its quick-drying fabric with ventilated zones will keep you warm, dry & comfortable when on the move.

Best Petite Running Jackets

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Women's Montane Featherlite Trail Jacket
Blue £70.00

Comfortable, wind blocking layer with stretch which regulates body temperature – ideal for trail running. Chest pocket & thumb loops.

Women's Odlo Millennium S-Thermic Jacket
Blue £120.00 £150.00

Fully waterproof and lightweight jacket. Designed for racing and intense training runs in wet conditions. Packs away small into its own pocket.

Women's OMM Kamleika Jacket 2020
Navy £190.00

Fully waterproof, breathable & windproof. Maximum freedom of movement thanks to its soft, light & stretchy fabric. Taped hand pockets, adjustable hood & thumb loops.

Women's Inov-8 Stormshell Jacket
Pink £180.00

Made of yak wool fibres to keep you warm & comfy in cold weather – while managing body heat and moisture. Secure side pockets & reflective tape.

Women's On Weather Jacket
Grey/White £190.00

So light that it feels like wearing nothing. 360° ventilation – perfect for any weather conditions. Can be packed into its own chest pocket.

Women's On Weather Vest
Navy £110.00

High water-resistance & perforated back panel for extra ventilation. You can fold it up into its own chest pocket. Back pocket.

Best Petite Running Accessories

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Aftershokz Aeropex Headphones
Grey £150.00

Be completely free & yet 100% connected with the lightest open-ear headphones to date! Enjoy 8 hours of music & calls.

Garmin Forerunner 45 Small GPS Watch
Iris/Black £159.99

Easy-to-use running watch – perfect for daily runs, training sessions & every day wear. Built-in GPS, track stats & heart rate monitor.

Women's Gregory Maya 10L Running Backpack
Blue £48.00 £60.00

Women's specific design moves with your body. Fits everything you need for a run home, day hike or bike ride.

Polar Ignite Multisport Watch
Rose Goldtone £199.50

Waterproof fitness watch with advanced wrist-based heart rate, touchscreen and integrated GPS. Customised training guide.

Odlo Velocity Ceramiwarm Headband
Black/Blue £20.00

Fast drying & seamless band that generates warmth without overheating. Reflective. Wide fit that won’t press on ears!

Women's Injinji Lightweight No Show Toe Socks
Leaf £14.00

Encourages toes into proper alignment, for better posture & balance. Helps prevent rubbing & blisters between toes.

Feetures Elite Light Cushion No Show Socks
Purple/Blue £13.00

Anatomical design with high-density cushioning in the heel, toe and arch areas. Seamless, right & left foot design. Wicking fibres.

Buff Original Ultra Stretch
Multicoloured £16.00

Multifunctional piece that can be used throughout the year to: cover and protect your neck / mouth / nose, as a headband / hairband / hat.

Evelyn Romero

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