The North Face Flight Series Weightless Tank Top review: punches above its weight

The North Face Flight Series Weightless Tank Top: first impressions

This weightless running top really lives up to its name at just two ounces (63 grams). The main focus is on keeping you dry even when you’re working up a sweat, and it does this with perforations in key zones where you feel warmest and The North Face’s Flash Dry fabric which really does stay almost completely dry while you run.

The four-way stretch adds extra comfort to the barely-there feel of this running top, which comes in a flattering racerback style that cuts about mid-hip so you can tuck it in or wear it loose. If you’re a road runner, you’ll be happy for the reflective details which make you visible to passing cars and though it’s not the cheapest or most odor-resistant running top we’ve reviewed, it’s one of the more stylish and high-performing.

The North Face Flight Series Weightless Tank Top: in the field

The women’s version of this tank top comes in the brightest shade of pink I’ve seen since about 1988 and given my preference for earth tones, I must confess  I was a little resistant to wearing it at first. But once I got it on, I had to confess that it looks great – super bold with a great-looking cut. It does provide good visibility for road running too, though that's not typically my jam. Anyway, enough about aesthetics. 

Once I got it out on the trail, performance easily won out over fashion anyway. At roughly two ounces, this thing really is virtually weightless and their FlashDry fabric isn’t a gimmick. I might not be the heaviest sweater on the trail, but I’ve had this out on some pretty warm days this summer and I don’t know how they’ve done it, but the tank never seems to get wet. As soon as it draws the sweat away from my skin, it just evaporates into thin air, and this is done in part with lots of tiny perforations that make it super airy when I’m slogging uphill.

The cut isn’t skin tight but isn’t flappy either, the arm holes aren’t too big or small and it’s pretty stretchy so it’s ultra comfortable and I can easily tuck it in if I want to. I’m not much of a road runner, but this is my first choice when I do hit the tarmac, thanks to the bright color and reflective details.

I will say that it definitely is a bit stinky after one use, but that’s par for the course with synthetic materials and I’ve probably got used to using natural fabrics which take a few wears to get smelly. It’s certainly on the pricier end of running tops, but if you’re a serious runner or you just love looking flashy on the trail, you’ll definitely be happy with its performance.

Here’s how it performed:

Sizing

True to size. If you’re in between sizes, I’d probably recommend sizing down and not up. I like the way my small tank fits because I tend to err on the side of loose/baggy, but I’ve a feeling the XS would look good too.

Fit

This isn’t a skintight top, but it’s designed to be close fitting, and slightly flowy so it moves with you.

Comfort 

You barely notice you’re wearing this, so I can’t imagine how it could get any more comfortable.

Breathability 

Light and airy and rapid drying, this is ideal for sweaty activities.

Durability 

Sturdy seams and fabric. Looks brand new after a few washes and wears.

Here’s where we tested The North Face Flight Series Weightless Tank Top: 

The Strathblane Pipe Track is a classic fell running track just outside of Glasgow at the start of the Highlands that follows the route of the pipe that brings water from Loch Katrine to Glasgow, at the foot of the Campsies.

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