Women's Tops
Women's tops for training, the trail and everyday wear, from technical tees and tanks to vests and sun shirts. Our range features Arc'teryx, Salomon, The North Face and On, cut on women's patterns so they move with you and layer neatly under a jacket.
Start with t-shirts and tanks for everyday and exercise, add a vest for core warmth or to carry water on the run, and reach for a sun shirt for long days in the sun. Choose quick-drying, breathable fabrics for activity and save cotton for casual days.
Not sure on fit across brands? Come and try tops on at the Land & Sea concept store at 36 Pollen Street, Grey Lynn, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand with easy returns.
Frequently asked questions about women's tops
How should women's tops fit for activity?
For running, hiking and training, a top should follow your shape without clinging or restricting movement, with enough length to stay tucked under a pack's hip belt or a waistband when you reach. Shoulder seams should sit at the edge of your shoulders and sleeves should not ride up. Closer fits wick sweat better; relaxed fits are cooler on hot, still days.
Which women's tops work for hiking and travel?
Choose tops in merino or quick-drying technical fabric that resist odour, dry overnight after a sink wash and look neat enough for a cafe. A couple of tees or tanks, a long-sleeve layer and a light vest or fleece cover most trips. Neutral colours mix and match easily, so you can pack fewer pieces. A long-sleeve top with thumb loops or a half zip adds warmth and sun protection without taking up much room in your bag.
Are women's technical tops worth it over cotton?
For anything active, yes. Technical and merino tops move sweat away from your skin and dry quickly, so you stay comfortable and avoid that cold, clammy feeling when you stop. Cotton holds moisture and stays wet. For casual everyday wear cotton is perfectly fine, but for exercise and the outdoors a technical top makes a real difference. Technical tops also dry quickly after a wash, which makes them easy to care for at home and on the road.
What top should I wear under a jacket in winter?
Start with a long-sleeve merino or technical base layer next to your skin, then add a fleece or light insulated layer if it is cold, with your jacket on top. Avoid cotton as a base layer in winter because it holds sweat and chills you. A close-fitting base layer also makes the layers above it work better. A base layer with a half zip lets you vent heat on climbs, and thumb loops keep the sleeves in place when you pull a jacket on over the top.
Which tops are best for hot, humid days?
Lightweight, breathable technical fabrics or fine merino with a loose, airy fit keep you coolest. Light colours reflect heat, and mesh panels help on very hot days. For long hours in the sun, a light long-sleeve sun shirt can actually feel cooler than bare arms while protecting your skin from UV. Choose fabrics that dry fast, as a top that stays damp in humid air feels heavy and can rub, and pack a spare top for longer days.
Are women's tops sized the same across brands?
No, sizing varies between brands and between European, American and New Zealand labels. Use each product's size chart with your chest and waist measurements rather than relying on your usual size. Performance tops are often cut closer than casual ones, so if you prefer a relaxed fit, consider sizing up in technical styles. Reading the fit description on each product page, such as slim, regular or relaxed, also tells you how close the top will sit.
Which tops work with a sports bra for training?
For training, choose tops that sit comfortably over your sports bra without fighting it: racerback tanks pair well with racerback bras, while tees and wider-strap tanks suit bras with standard straps. A breathable, quick-drying fabric stops sweat pooling between layers. If you train in hot weather, a light, loose top over a supportive bra is often the coolest combination.