If you haven’t heard of the California-based brand rabbit yet, it’s about time. rabbit has built a loyal following by producing some of the most comfortable, thoughtfully designed running apparel around, pairing premium performance fabrics with bright colors and fun designs that stand out from the sea of black running gear.
Their newest Sun n’ Ice Collection is built specifically for the toughest summer conditions, combining lightweight, breathable fabrics with cooling technology and serious sun protection. The collection aims to keep you cooler, drier, and better protected from the sun without sacrificing comfort. We recently spent time running in several pieces from the collection, and after plenty of miles under the summer sun, here’s what we found.
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Ice Perf Tee SS
This is about as close to a perfect warm-weather running top as we’ve found. Not only does this seasonal color look great (with five other color options available), but is clearly designed with breathability in mind. It’s incredibly soft, impressively lightweight, and covered in tiny perforations that allow heat to escape with ease.
The real story, though, is the fabric. rabbit combines recycled coffee grounds with natural crystal-infused fibers to create a cooling effect that’s engineered directly into the yarn. As you sweat, the material pulls moisture away from your skin, spreads it across a larger surface area, and accelerates evaporation. Simply put, the harder you work, the more the shirt works to keep you cool.
I found myself reaching for this top on everything from everyday runs to gym sessions when it was clean. The fit is a touch more athletic than relaxed. It’s not compressive by any means, and we’d still recommend ordering your normal size, but runners who prefer a roomier fit may want to consider sizing up.
One thing worth mentioning is durability. Because the fabric is so lightweight and perforated, you’ll want to treat it with a little extra care. After one especially sweaty run, I found myself wrestling the shirt over my head and ended up stretching a couple of the perforations on the back. That’s probably more on me than the shirt, but it’s worth noting. The care instructions—machine wash cold and tumble dry low—also reinforce that this is a premium performance piece that’s best handled a bit more gently.
For us, that’s a small tradeoff for one of the coolest, most breathable summer running tops we’ve worn.
- Materials: 68% nylon, 23% Ice-Cafe nylon, and 9% spandex
FastRock Tee
While the Ice Perf is our go-to for hot road runs and gym sessions, the FastRock Tee feels purpose-built for the trail. It’s still lightweight and breathable, but it’s constructed with rabbit’s TrailGuard fabric (89% nylon, 11% spandex), giving it a bit more durability for the demands of off-road running.
Long trail runs often mean wearing a hydration vest or pack for hours. The abrasion-resistant fabric is designed to reduce pilling and wear from pack straps, adding some peace of mind without sacrificing comfort. I can’t imagine the Ice Perf Tee would last all that long in those conditions. The FastRock Tee t still breathes well and dries quickly, but it has a noticeably tougher feel.
The fit is also a little more relaxed and, while the shirt isn’t fully perforated like the Ice Perf, rabbit adds perforations across the lower back panel to increase airflow. The visual is also pretty unique and fun.
SunRunner UPF Long Sleeve Tee
Most runners probably aren’t reaching for a long-sleeve top in the middle of summer. But as someone with melanoma in the family, I’m a little more conscious about sun protection, and this has become one of my favorite pieces in the collection.
The upper portion of the shirt offers UPF 100+ protection, while the lower half still provides UPF 35+, both of which offer serious defense against long hours in the sun. Visually, it has a bit of a Henley-inspired look thanks to the snap placket. Button it all the way up for maximum coverage, or unsnap it when you want to dump a little extra heat on a climb or during the warmest part of your run.
Despite being a long sleeve, it never feels overly warm. rabbit’s SunShell and AirShell fabrics work together to provide both sun protection and cooling, creating a top that’s surprisingly comfortable even on hot days. I’ve found myself reaching for it on some runs where I knew shade would be limited, but it’s also versatile enough to wear in semi-casual settings. It looks good off the run and performs just as well when it’s time to head back outside.
For runners who want extra sun protection without feeling like they’re wearing an extra layer, this is an easy recommendation.
- SunShell fabric: 79% Polyester, 21% Spandex
- AirShell fabric: 88% Recycled Polyester, 12% Polyester
Tried n’ True 5″
The name fits. These are just solid running shorts.
Available in two colors, the Tried n’ True 5″ shorts don’t scream for attention, but that’s part of their appeal. They simply do everything you’d want a daily training short to do. They’re lightweight (not featherweight, but certainly light enough), feature a relaxed fit with comfortable four-way stretch, and, like much of the Sun n’ Ice Collection, incorporate micro-perforated panels to improve airflow when the temperatures climb.
The built-in brief liner is soft, moisture-wicking, and treated with rabbit’s Fresh Face technology, an anti-odor treatment made with bluesign-certified peppermint oil. I’m not about to spend my afternoons sniff-testing running liners, but these shorts have survived some truly disgusting garage treadmill sessions and sweaty outdoor runs without earning an immediate trip to the wastebasket.
You get two front hand pockets, a zippered rear pocket for valuables, and internal stash pockets built into the liner that are perfect for gels or other small essentials.
These have quickly become one of those grab-and-go pairs that work just as well for an easy neighborhood jog as they do for a long training run.