UGLOW C1 Road Running Collection: Five Pieces of Lightweight Kit Tested

Introduction

French specialist UGLOW Sport built its reputation on trail running and cycling kit, but the new C1 collection marks the brand’s first apparel range aimed specifically at road running. We spent the last month or so testing five pieces from the collection: a long sleeve technical tee, a pair of Elevate 5-inch twin skin shorts, a waterproof sleeveless running gilet, a pair of speed arm sleeves, and grip socks.

What sets UGLOW apart from many running brands is its manufacturing. Nearly the entire range uses ultrasonic bonding instead of traditional stitching, so the garments are effectively stitch free. That keeps weight to a bare minimum and reduces the irritation that can lead to chafing. Here is how each piece performed.

UGLOW C1 Long Sleeve Technical Tee

The long sleeve technical tee arrives in a bold tangerine colorway that has attracted more comments out on the road than any other piece of running apparel we have worn. It is constructed from a very lightweight 100% recycled polyester with a plush, soft feel against the skin, and it weighs just 110g in a men’s medium.

The fabric is high wicking and quick drying, pulling moisture away from the skin to keep you dry and warm during intense activity. All seams use UGLOW’s ultrasonic bonding technology, keeping the garment light and helping to prevent chafing, and reflective detail adds safety for nighttime running.

It comes in five sizes from extra small to extra large, in four colorways: tangerine, black, white, and pale blue. It retails in the UK for £54. At 6 ft 1 with a 38 to 40 inch chest, a men’s medium fit really well. The one drawback: the fabric snags easily, so a branch or thorn on a trail run could be a problem. On the roads, it is not an issue.

UGLOW Elevate 5-Inch Twin Skin Shorts

The Elevate 5-inch shorts use a twin skin design: an outer short in a lightweight blend of 87% polyamide and 13% elastane, and a much lighter, thinner internal short in 75% polyamide and 25% elastane that provides high levels of comfort and breathability with a little support around the quads and hamstrings.

The wide waistband sits comfortably for long periods, backed by a rubber gripper to stop the shorts sliding down and a substantial drawstring. At the back there is a generously sized pocket for keys and nutrition, plus high-vis detailing. The overlap bonded seams keep weight low, and the whole twin short comes in at just 90g.

The internal short is genuinely excellent: so comfortable, light, and breathable that it invites comparison with some of the best commando-style shorts we have run in. They are available in the same five sizes and four colorways as the tee, and retail in the UK for £63.

UGLOW Waterproof Sleeveless Running Gilet

For anyone who loves a running gilet, this is the standout piece. A gilet protects the core while making body temperature easier to regulate than a full jacket, but the usual weakness is fabric that soaks through when the rain arrives halfway through a run. A waterproof gilet solves that: the fabric will not get penetrated, so it keeps protecting you from wind and cold.

It weighs just 136g in a men’s medium despite a three-layer lightweight polyester construction with a PU membrane on the front offering a 10,000 mm waterproof rating. The back uses the same waterproof fabric with two side mesh panels for airflow and breathability, and it shares the stitch-free ultrasonic bonding used across the collection.

Storage is generous: a small chest pocket with a waterproof zip and a much larger lower back pocket with a substantial quality waterproof zip, cycling-jersey style. The front and pocket zips feel great in quality, and a fold-over piece of material stops the zip irritating your chin, a thoughtful touch we have missed on other gilets.

In testing, it handled wet and windy days with ease, with water visibly running off the front, and wind protection was really good. The fit is nicely tapered and fitted, so if you prefer a more casual cut, consider sizing up. Sizes run from extra small to extra large in the same four colorways, and it retails in the UK for £90. The rear pocket alone is more than adequate; the front chest pocket feels optional rather than essential.

UGLOW Speed Arm Sleeves

The speed arm sleeves pair naturally with the gilet for colder months. The fabric is very soft, super lightweight, really breathable, and very fitted, with a good gripper at the top so there is no chance of them slipping down and wrinkling up mid-run, a common annoyance with lesser arm warmers.

They are also available in an all-white color option, and given how light and breathable they are, they would work well in hot conditions too, when a little sun protection on the arms is welcome.

UGLOW Grip Socks

The grip socks feature small bubbles on the soles, similar to some compression sports socks we have run in before. They feel a little odd when you first put them on, but once running you stop noticing them entirely.

The fabric is soft, lightweight, and very breathable, with good structure worked into the instep so they feel supportive under the arch. We experienced no blisters or hot spots during testing. They are quite thin, though, so runners who prefer more padding at the toe and heel may want to look elsewhere, and they are 100% polyester, a material some runners find less comfortable than a cotton blend. At £16 a pair in the UK, they are relatively pricey, but they have performed well.

Buying Advice

The collection handles heat extremely well, so it suits runners in warm conditions as much as anyone after year-round kit. The gilet is clearly at its best in the colder, wetter months, and we expect it to become a winter staple.

Value looks strong when you weigh build quality, fabrics, and performance: a twin skin short at £63 and a technical long sleeve tee at £54 compare well with what else is on the market. If you prefer a more relaxed fit in the gilet, size up.

Conclusion

UGLOW’s C1 collection is genuinely impressive. The waterproof gilet was expected to be the standout and it was brilliant, but the twin skin shorts and the bright long sleeve tee may have pipped it. They are so light and airy that you forget you are wearing running kit at all, with soft, plush, quick-drying fabric and bonded seams that cut weight and irritation in equal measure. If you are hunting for top-performing, lightweight, breathable running apparel, especially for warm conditions, the C1 collection deserves a place on your shortlist.