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Tested by The Runner’s World Editors
You probably don't own a pair of arm sleeves, but they’re a really versatile kit hack for keeping warm on cool days and protecting your skin from the sun.
Sleeves offer against-the-skin sweat-wicking for temperature and moisture management and, if you do start getting hot, they’re easy to roll down or take off and stow – perfect for transitional autumn days when chilly starts can melt into warmer miles.
What to consider
Compression
According to various studies, compression sleeves are designed to support your muscles through pressure and tightness, improving blood flow whether you are running or recovering. Arm compression sleeves stabilise the muscles and tendons in your arms during runs while also speeding up post-run recovery by reducing lactic acid build-up, which is known to cause fatigue and soreness.
Another benefit of compression sleeves is their ability to regulate body temperature. Compression sleeves draw moisture away from the body, thus, cooling it down and helping conserve the runner’s energy.
Thickness
Choose the thickness of your compression sleeve based on the climate you’ll run in. Opt for thick, insulated sleeves made of materials like wool if you’re trying to keep warm in a chilly environment. If your primary goal is to protect your arms from the sun, find the thinnest sleeves you can, ideally with cutouts for ventilation.
Material
Fitness apparel is made of synthetic fibres (nylon, polyester, or spandex), natural fibres (wool, cotton, or bamboo), or a combination of both. Synthetic fabrics tend to be lighter, making them a good choice for summer running. They’re also better at moisture-wicking than many natural materials, but some athletes find natural fibres softer and more comfortable.
If you prefer natural fabrics due to allergies or sustainability reasons, options like merino wool and alpaca provide natural moisture-wicking, don’t absorb odour, and help regulate your warmth — but, as aforementioned, they’re much too warm for hot summer days.
Most arm compression sleeves are made with synthetics unless they’re expressly designed for winter. That’s partly because synthetic materials stretch easily, which helps the sleeves stay snug against your arms so they don’t slip down. Sleeves with a high percentage of Spandex, sometimes called elastane or branded as Lycra, generally stretch more, so if you have big arms, consider an extra stretchy option.
UPF
Ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, indicates how much UV passes through its material onto your skin. Factors like the type of fabric fibres, the tightness of the weave, and the colour all play a role in UPF. Loosely woven materials might feel nice and breezy, but they also reduce sun protection — and some materials, though woven tightly, don’t filter out any UV rays. UPF ratings are clearly stated on product descriptions and in our recommendations below.
The UPF rating system appears similar to SPF, but while sunscreen is rated based on how long it provides protection, UPF is determined by how much UV the material allows to reach your skin. For example, a product with a UPF rating of 30 allows one-thirtieth of UV rays to reach your skin, while UPF 50 brings that down to one-fiftieth.
Any coverage is better than none for preventing sunburns and reducing the likelihood of skin cancer, but if you’re looking for substantial protection, wear something with a UPF rating over 50 (and always wear sunscreen, too!).
More cold weather running picks from RW
The best running arm sleeves — tried and tested
These Nike Pro Elite 2.0 sleeves are moisture-wicking and UVA- and UVB-protective — plus, the fabric is anti-chafe, so it won’t cause irritation, even during long races. They’re available in two colours, white and black.
Our tester has worn the Pro Elite 2.0s in both sun and cold and the soft, slightly stretchy fabric feels great on the skin. Past buyers frequently compliment its excellent fit, durable craftsmanship, and slip-proof grip. They look great, too.
Key Specs
| Sizes | Best running gloves |
|---|---|
| Materials | 80% S/M or L/XL |
| Colours | S, M, L |
| Sun Protection | Unspecified |
These sleeves are ideal for running or cycling in colder conditions where you don’t necessarily feel like wearing a second layer. Outstanding moisture wicking makes them even more comfy and they’re easy to fold down onto your wrists if you do get too hot.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS/S, M/L |
|---|---|
| Materials | Polyester |
| Colors | Black or blue |
| Sun Protection | Unspecified |
These New Balance sleeves are moisture-wicking, affordable, and receive high praise from most users for their comfortable fit. Though relatively tight due to the compression factor, they are also quite thin, like a second skin on race day.
While not everyone likes compression, if you want the stability and increased blood flow the extra snugness affords, these are a great option.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S/M, L/XL |
|---|---|
| Materials | 84% best sports bras for running tried & tested |
| Colors | Resting heart rate |
| Sun Protection | Unspecified |
Most arm sleeves are made of synthetic materials such as polyester, which some people either don’t like or outright cannot wear due to skin allergies. These sleeves from Condor are a great alternative thanks to their soft, breathable merino wool.
Fitted to stay in place, the absence of silicone or elastic grippers boosts their hypoallergenic cred even more. While merino wool offers solid warmth in cold weather, it’s also highly breathable, making it a good sleeve for runs on warmer days, too. Past buyers love their warmth and comfortable, natural fit.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S/M, L/XL |
|---|---|
| Materials | 63% S, M, L |
| Colors | 63% S, M, L |
| Sun Protection | Unspecified |
When it comes to design, these Saysky sleeves aren’t exactly for the fainthearted, but if you’re someone who wants to stand out from the crowd (always a bonus if you’ve got friends and family cheering you on), they’re sure to catch a few eyes. Our tester used these during a particularly intense track session on a cool day and found them to stay firmly in place, providing gentle compression. They also reported excellent moisture-wicking properties, too.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S/M, M/L |
|---|---|
| Materials | Unspecified |
| Colors | Black |
| Sun Protection | Unspecified |
These arm sleeves have all the quality detailing we've come to expect from Soar. Silicone grippers at the laser-cut cuffs ensure they don't bunch up or roll down, the lightweight fabric features a heat-retaining, sweat-wicking weave, and bonded seams allow you to move freely and chafe-free. Weighing just 28g per pair, if you're serious about cold weather speed, these are for you.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S, M, L |
|---|---|
| Materials | 78% Best running gilets and vests |
| Colors | Best running gilets and vests |
| Sun Protection | Unspecified |
Planning on being out for several hours on a bright day? With increased UPF coverage, these Sun Sleeves give you UPF 50 sun protection, even when stretched by 30%. The fabric's technology provides an optimal skin-cooling effect and moisture management, too.
Key Specs
| Sizes | XS-XL |
|---|---|
| Materials | 93% Nylon, 12% Elastane |
| Colors | Black, blue, white |
| Sun Protection | UPF 50+ |
A slightly heavier option to keep out rain. The fabric is quick-drying and breathable with SPF50+ UV protection on sunny miles, too. Compression technology means a very snug fit, while reflective logos add visibility.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S-M, L-XL |
|---|---|
| Materials | 88% Best winter running gear |
| Colors | Nylon, 12% Elastane |
| Sun Protection | UPF 50+ |
As the name suggests, these are designed for running in low-light conditions, with highly reflective details to allow 360-degree visibility during your early-morning and late-evening sessionsas the days get ever shorter. The seamless knit design is super-comfortable on the skin, too.
Key Specs
| Sizes | S-M, L-XL |
|---|---|
| Materials | 77% Best wireless headphones |
| Colors | Black/aqua |
| Sun Protection | No |
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