Less fabric, more function: Nnormal’s crop top delivers
9/6/2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Siri Schubert
A running top with pockets and a built-in sports bra? I didn’t expect to love Nnormal’s 3-in-1 crop top as much as I do.
Runners know the drill. Even a casual summer run demands quite a bit of kit: a sports bra, top and a running belt or pair of shorts with enough pockets. At least if you’re like me and take your keys, phone, gels and a bit of water with you. Depending on how far I’m going, I like to also bring an energy bar and maybe a windbreaker. Just throwing on your shoes and heading out the door isn’t really an option.
Nnormal is trying to make runners’ lives easier with its 3-in-1 top that was co-developed by Emelie Forsberg, a Swedish athlete who’s won several World Cup and World Series races in trail running and ski mountaineering. Emelie runs for the team at Nnormal – a company founded by her partner Kilian Jornet.
Like me, she found that standard running kit barely offers any pockets. The Nnormal crop top is supposed to fix that. Does it really? Time to find out.
Soft material, nice cut
My first impression of the top is that it looks high-quality. I particularly like the combination of lightweight mesh and opaque fabric – both made from recycled polyester and elastane.
Admittedly, cropped styles aren’t usually my thing. But what won’t I do for a product test. Running in it is much more comfortable than I expected – in part because it’s not super cropped and covers at least the top part of my stomach. And because I’m skipping the extra layer of a running vest, I sweat less too.
I’ve got used to the airy feel now. I like running without an extra shirt, vest or belt.
A size M – my usual for tops – fits well. No cup size is stated, but given that it only provides light support, it seems best suited to A and B cups. There’s a loop band with a G-hook at the back that you can use to tighten the fit.
Pockets for this and that
The Nnormal Crop Top 2.0 has four pockets. The previous model had three – a back pocket has been added, which just about fits a lightweight shirt or an ultra-thin rain jacket.
Whether you can actually use the pocket depends on how flexible your shoulders are. I can just about pull my jacket out by a corner, but I can’t get it back in. My shoulder just doesn’t twist that far. I also find the pressure between my shoulder blades when the pocket is stuffed pretty annoying, so I typically leave it empty.
The small pocket at the neckline, on the other hand, makes a lot of sense to me. I can stash my key there and even secure it with an elastic band. The side mesh pockets are large enough for a phone, gels, bars or a 150–250 ml flask.
I prioritise water or an electrolyte drink over gels or bars – I can get through a run without the latter, but not without fluids. I also tried carrying a 500 ml flask. Although I could just about squeeze it in, when full, it dug into my sides and I kept knocking my elbow against it. Not ideal for running efficiency. With a smaller flask, the top is comfortable to run in and less bothersome than a running belt or vest.
With these pockets, the top is best suited for runs lasting up to two hours. I’d also wear it for a half marathon or longer races with enough aid stations where I can grab a drink along the way and therefore don’t need to carry everything myself. For longer runs or trail runs where I need more gear, a running vest is still my first choice.
The top is machine washable. I couldn’t find any mention of an anti-odour treatment on the manufacturer’s website, but wearing it, I found it didn’t get smelly nearly as fast as other polyester tops.
In a nutshell
This top has become my go-to for summer runs
When it’s hot, less is more. That’s why I’m a fan of Nnormal’s 3-in-1 crop top. It fits comfortably, provides light support as a sports bra and solves one of my biggest frustrations: non-existent or tiny pockets in sportswear. Once I got over my reluctance about cropped tops, I ended up really liking it.
The Nnormal top carries everything I need for runs up to a half-marathon distance. Over those distances, it replaces a running belt or vest and leaves me feeling nice and airy on the run. Almost all the pockets are well placed – the only exception is the back pocket; I don’t find it that practical, even if it does add extra storage. Overall, it’s a great option for women who want to carry water, gels, keys and a phone but want to avoid using a running pack or belt.
Pro
- Sports bra and top with built-in storage
- Comfortable material
- Good, adjustable fit
- Cleverly placed pockets
- Machine washable
Header image: Siri Schubert
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
