I came across the Hylete Insignia Racer Top when I was browsing the website for products to review. This was the first shirt I picked out. I wish I could say there was some gimmicking or fancy feature that drew me to the shirt, but it was the simplicity of the shirt that first caught my eye. The cut was attractive, and the material appeared to be a light and wicking. Sometimes less is more, and this top proves that point to be valid.
Hylete Insignia Racer Top Product Features
It’s already an oven in Atlanta, and this shirt has consistently wicked away my sweat no matter what workout I’ve done. The material is light weight and breathable. The style is practical and simple, but also flattering. Not only does the narrow t-shape cut in the back allow full range of motion in the arms, it also shows off your shoulder and back muscles. I’ve had no issues with under arm chaffing while running distance or having the iatrogenic back boob effect secondary to the shirt cutting into my lats/ traps.
The other notable style feature is the V shape front. The V shape prevents the shirt from rolling up at the bottom. The rolling effect is a big pet peeve of mine and 100% avoidable with the Hylete Insignia Racer Top. On formal measurement, the front length is about 2 inches longer than the sides. I was surprised that the difference was that large, but its not really visibly noticeable. There is also a mesh dart on the left side. This dart helps keep the slimming shape by avoiding the “Is she pregnant or just bloated?” look.
The cut of the shirt allows for a full range of motion in the arms and didn’t cause arm chaffing when running. Not only is the cut functional, its also flattering. The narrow t- shape in the back shows off your shoulders and back muscles. You might as well look good while working out right?
Finally, the shirt is tagless. Tags are annoying. End of story. The shirt comes in sizes x-small to x-large, and it is also available in four colors- mint, coral, black, and gray. I picked the coral because it works well with my skin tone. It makes me look sorta tan. We all know that tan fat= muscle. Duh.
Hylete Insignia Racer Top Product Usage
The Hylete website has the models wearing this top while doing inverted rows on rings, stretching to go for a run, and standing around looking all intense and hot. The close up pics show that the material is meant to be wicking and light weight. When I picked out this shirt, I envisioned myself using the shirt for HIIT classes, running, riding my bike trainer inside, or doing yoga. ( and of course standing around looking all intense and hot). I’ve used this shirt at least three times a week for the last month. Some of the high use is a reflection of me avoiding putting away laundry. Seriously, I will keep wearing the same things straight from the dryer over and over and over again. Mostly, the high utility is because this shirt seems to be the appropriate choice for most activities I’m doing. The only thing I didn’t wear this shirt for was soccer (only because we have jerseys) and riding my bike outside. There are no pockets for my gels and keys. Disclaimer, I have ridden this shirt while riding my bike on my wahoo kickr and in computrainer classes. I don’t needs pockets for gels or keys to train inside. So, I basically used this shirt for everything.
Sizing
The shirt is meant to be a little flowing in the abdomen. I ordered a small to avoid it being tight in the belly. I was initially nervous that it may be a little large , but I’m happy with my small. My chest is a 31.5 and my waist is 25 -26 depending on the amount of Mexican food I ate the night before, so I tend to be in between x-smalls and smalls in tops. I wanted this shirt to be loose in the belly, and fitted enough in the shoulders to avoid excess material in the armpits that leads to chaffing on long runs. Their size chart does not even make sense if you look at chest width. I would just look at the women’s sizes to the far right to determine your size. I normally wear a 2, and its listed as the xsmall and small. Also, I didn’t want the shirt rolling up on me at the bottom, so I thought the extra ½ inch in length in the small would be helpful. On the small, from the lowest portion of the neck line to the lowest portion of the shirt is actually only 17 inches. So, basically, use your brain instead of their sizing guide.
| Front Length | Chest Width | Women’s Sizes | |
| X-Small | 19½ | 27½ | 0-2 |
| Small | 20 | 29½ | 2-4 |
| Medium | 20½ | 31½ | 4-6 |
| Large | 21 | 33½ | 8-10 |
| X-Large | 21½ | 35½ | 10-12 |
| measurements are in inches | |||
| Front Length – Measured from strap point | |||
| Chest Width – Measured 1″ below arm hole | |||
Hylete Insignia Racer Top Durability
The material 85% Polyester and 15% Spandex. I’ve been using this shirt pretty consistently for the last month. I’ve already noticed two areas of pilling/ fraying on the front. I even have a front load washer and dryer, so I can’t really blame it on the washing technique. You can barely see them, and I honestly wouldn’t have even noticed if I wasn’t going over everything meticulously for the review.
Hylete Insignia Racer Top Pros and Cons
PROS
- Simple, Flattering Design
- Breathable and lightweight material
- Cut that allows free range of motion in the arms
- No back boob problems or chaffing
- Tagless
- Universal Design applicable to most activities
- Hylete offers direct pricing without a middle man
- The more you buy the more you save
CONS
- Already pilling after a month
- No pockets
- Use of brain required for sizing
Hylete Insignia Racer Top Conclusion
I love the Hylete Insignia Racer Top. I like it enough to get the other colors to add to my collection of athletic wear. The material is breathable. The cut is flattering and accommodating for all athletic endeavors. It looks good with shorts, long pants, or ¾ pants On the other hand, if it continues to pill up, Im gonna be super annoyed. I’ll update the review if it continues to happen.
Melissa Smith
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