Brooks Distance Review

The Brooks Distance has proven itself to be as comfortable as it is affordable. Our favorite attribute, the soft cotton-esque feeling fabric, remains from the last version and rounds out the high level of comfort. While it doesn't breathe quite as well as some of the other airy shirts we tested, it does have its place when a touch of extra warmth is wanted during shoulder seasons.

Performance Comparison

Comfortable enough for a long drive, warm and soft for a chillier morning run, and casually stylish for going out to lunch. We could live in this shirt, not just run in it.

Photo: Jeff Colt

Comfort

Comfort can be subjective and a bit elusive to rate, but some attributes are universal. We analyze fit relative to other shirts, fabric feel, how the seams are sewn, and where they are located to make our judgment. A size medium Distance fit our 5'10" 155-pound main gear tester quite well, erring on the side of being a little slender, which is better than having too much fabric and flapping like a sail.

A slender fit through the torso is balanced by gussets under the arms, providing good mobility.

Photo: Jeff Colt

What sets the Distance apart from the rest of the field is the cotton-y feel of the fabric. The material weave is significantly tighter and less breathable but offers a bit more warmth as a trade-off. When we first put this shirt on, we would have sworn there was at least some cotton in the blend due to how soft it feels. The fabric is an awesome blend of 88% polyester and 12% lyocell, a common substitute for cotton and silk that is sourced from wood cellulose.

Long runs, farmers markets, and lounging, the comfort and casual appearance of the Brooks Distance adds a different element of versatility - you don't look as much like a running nerd, but good luck hiding the short shorts.

Photo: Jeff Colt

This shirt is so soft that we found ourselves wearing it around the house just because it offers a sensation of coziness. The gusseted shoulder panels offset the seams, so they aren't sitting right across the shoulder bones. This aids in comfort as well, especially when wearing a running pack or backpack. We also found it increased mobility, excellent for scrambling and rock climbing. However, the heavier fabric got heavy and sweaty in conjunction with a pack, thus, it was not gifted the absolute highest score for comfort. While there are some drawbacks to this ultra-soft material, such as water retention and a slower drying speed, it is great for casual runs.

Breathability

Most of the shirts we tested had visible perforations in the fabric or at least some mesh panels in key spots to allow for greater breathability and venting. The Distance, however, forewent mesh panels and opted for a tightly woven polyester-spandex fabric blend with some mixed results. This fabric is moderately breathable but nowhere close to shirts that prioritize ventilation. But, while the Distance isn't the most breathable in the bunch, the decrease in breathability is a trade-off for a slight boost in warmth, especially for uses other than running. Ultimately, the lack of airflow ties back to comfort during higher output activities; it can't compete. All of this aside, the fabric is excellent for hiking and climbing and made for enjoyable spring bike commutes.

The tightly woven polyester was one of the heavier fabrics we tested. This made it less breathable than most but significantly more comfortable than many mesh shirts.

Photo: Jeff Colt

Drying Speed

Weighing in at 5.2 ounces, this shirt is at the heavier end of the spectrum. For shirts with uniform fabric and no incorporated mesh panels, we look for effective wicking capabilities. During our standardized drying test, (washing the shirts, and then weighing them prior to an initial spin cycle and subsequent five-minute drying cycle), the Distance landed right in the middle of the group. With more fabric, it should have been capable of holding more water trapped between its fibers, thereby slowing down the drying speed, but this proved not to be the case. When wet, the Distance held 40% of its dry weight in water. After 20 minutes, the shirt was effectively dry, placing it not as the fastest drying shirt, nor the slowest. Out on the trails, we found that the shirt was less effective at drying, as a direct result of its poor breathability.

On hotter days, a lack of breathability caused sweat build up and the denser fabric stored this moisture instead of wicking it.

Photo: Jeff Colt

Features & Versatility

The comfort, slightly more relaxed fit, and soft fabric make the Distance an excellent choice for a number of activities. What stood out to us in our testing was the versatility that the look and comfort introduced. After a morning run, the Distance still looked and smelled fresh enough to continue wearing. Unlike more technically fitting shirts, the casual fit and appearance had us wearing it for the rest of the day running errands around town.

Updated reflective banding on the Brooks Distance make it stand out at dusk and dawn.

Photo: Jeff Colt

The omission of vulnerable mesh fabrics adds a level of durability that we didn't expect. In this regard, the weight of the shirt actually lent to its overall versatility. The casual design and soft fabric make picnics and biking to the shops fun as you won't look too sporty. Many of the shirts tested didn't make for good casual wear as they have an obvious activewear look. Additionally, the implemented odor-control agent seems to work effectively as we got far fewer stinky looks while wearing this shirt than others in our lineup. Both shoulders feature reflective markings, which we love for cycling.

Brooks incorporates reflective banding into the sleeves in a 80's tracksuit stylish kind of way.

Photo: Jeff Colt

By eliminating the tag on the neck and the care-instructions tag on the interior seam, comfort really is a priority for this soft shirt. When it arrived, it was also one of two shirts that wasn't wrapped in plastic. Brooks has taken other steps with this shirt to ensure that it has less of an environmental impact, even going as far as attaining a Bluesign certification. Well done, Brooks.

Value

Unmatched comfort, reflective banding updates, and an affordable price make the Distance an excellent value. The bottom line is that we would have no hesitation in recommending this shirt to a friend at the retail price. If you're looking for a comfortable running layer that can be used for many outdoor pursuits, give this shirt a long hard look.

Conclusion