Summer is on its way and post-run catch-ups are finally back on the cards, meaning you need a sports deodorant that will keep you fresh and dry all day.
Keen to smash those splits without stressing about sweat? We've done the gruelling legwork for you and found the best antiperspirants you can buy.
What is the most effective deodorant?
Tried and tested in real life, our nine top picks for men and women are sure to be a hit with runners:
- Best unisex sports deodorant for sweat protection: Vaseline Aloe Antiperspirant 24 Hour Protection Deodorant Aerosol
- Best unisex sports deodorant for odour protection: Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Antiperspirant Deodorant
- Best budget sports deodorant: Nivea Dry Confidence 48h Antiperspirant Deodorant Roll-On
- Best spray sports deodorant for men: Mitchum Men Clean Control Antiperspirant Deodorant
- Best spray sports deodorant for women: Mitchum Women Pure Fresh Antiperspirant Deodorant
- Best sports deodorant for women with sensitive skin: Simple Soothing Antiperspirant Deodorant Roll-On
- Best sports deodorant for men with sensitive skin: Vichy Homme Deodorant Extreme Control Antiperspirant Roll-On
- Best smelling sports deodorant for women: Right Guard Women Total Defence 5 Sport 48H High-Performance Antiperspirant Deodorant
- Best smelling sports deodorant for men: L'Oreal Men Expert Invincible Sport 96H Antiperspirant Deodorant
What should runners look for in a sports deodorant?
To find the right sports deodorant for you, check the following before you buy:
Formula
Make sure uncomfortable chafing doesn’t cut your run short by considering whether sprays or roll-ons best suit your skin type. Roll-ons tend to feel softer to apply, making them a smart choice for sensitive skin, but aerosols and sprays dry faster. If your armpits are typically covered by a T-shirt or long-sleeved top, choose an invisible formula to avoid staining your gym gear.
Deodorant vs. antiperspirant
If you’re looking to keep dry as well as smelling fresh, you'll need a deodorant that is also an antiperspirant. Standard deodorants mask and protect against odour but antiperspirants also block your sweat glands. Every sports deodorant on our list is an antiperspirant, so you'll be fully covered if you buy one of those.
Effectiveness
Can you always shower straight after your run? Or are you in need of a product that keeps you smelling clean in your sports kit? If you fall into the latter camp, look for a sports deodorant with long-lasting odour protection. Many have pleasant fragrances that will mask any whiffs until you get home.
How we test
Our panel of 140 male and female readers tested a wide range of sports deodorants over a two-week period to find the best on the market. They judged how effectively each antiperspirant kept sweat and smells at bay during light strolls, long runs and high-intensity HIIT classes. You'll find their nine favourites below.
1
Best unisex sports deodorant for sweat protection
Vaseline Aloe Antiperspirant 24 Hour Protection Deodorant Aerosol
Our ultimate hero for seeing off sweattriumphed for its reasonable price, fresh scent and non-sting formula that protectsall skin types from the perils of perspiration.
It felt instantly fresh on application and kept nearly all of our testers dry and odour-freeduring strenuous fitness sessions, no top-ups required. It's perfectfor running in warmer weather.
Key specs
Type:Spray
Size:250ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance free:No
2
Best unisex sports deodorant for odour protection
dove Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Antiperspirant Deodorant
Our top BO-banishing unisex sprayis enriched with a fresh green tea and cucumber scent.It was easy to apply and quick to dry, leavingeven the most sensitive skin feeling soft.
Mostimportantly, our panel unanimously agreed that it combatted odour during heavy exercise. It didn'tblock sweat as successfully,but it's a fairly priced sports deodorant that will keep you smelling fresh for hours.
Key specs
Type:Spray
Size:250ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance free:No
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This wallet-friendly roll-on kept most of our testerssmelling clean, even during intense exercise. It takesa little while to dry, which isn’t ideal if you like to roll out of bed, roll on your deo and head straight out for your run. Itwasn't as good ascontrolling sweat as the 'dry' in its name suggests, either. Still, it lasts well and offers decent value for money.
Key specs
Type:Roll-on
Size:50ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance-free:No
Made for men, this aerosol offers impressive, quick-drying coverage with a single spray. Its handy lock mechanism means you can toss it into your gym bag worry-free, but none of our testers needed a top-up. It proved universally reliable duringlight exercise and keptover three quarters of our testers dry when their workouts got heavier, too.
Key specs
Type:Spray
Size:200ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance-free:No
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5
Best spray sports deodorant for women
Mitchum Women Pure Fresh Antiperspirant Deodorant
Now 22% Off
The women's version of the above men's deo wowed us just as much.It’s instantly refreshing to apply and dries rapidly without feeling sticky. It offers first-rate protection against both sweat and odour, even when striving for a PB, but a few testers noticed white stains on their clothing after use. If you alwaysrun in a vest, whatever the weather, you'll love it!
Key specs
Type:Spray
Size:200ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance-free:No
6
Best sports deodorant for women with sensitive skin
Simple Soothing Antiperspirant Deodorant Roll-On
Unfragranced and alcohol-free, this gentle antiperspirant makes a soothingchoice for dehydrated, dry and sensitive skin.
Unusuallyfor a roll-on, it dried instantly, and none of our testers found white stains on their clothing or experienced any irritation. It effectively masked odours during a light jog butstruggled to stop sweatwhen we ramped up our running.
Key specs
Type: Roll-on
Size:50ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance-free:Yes
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7
Best sports deodorant for men with sensitive skin
Vichy Homme Deodorant Extreme Control Antiperspirant Roll-On
Promising protection against perspiration for up to 72 hours, this hypoallergenicroll-on iscalming forsensitive skin. Whether you’re running a 5k or training for a marathon, it will fully mask any smells without chafing. It could have been more effective at blocking sweat, which felt like a let-down given its high-end price tag.
Key specs
Type:Roll-on
Size:50ml
Suitable for all skin types:Yes
Fragrance free:Yes
8
Best smelling sports deodorant for women
Right Guard Women Total Defence 5 Sport 48H High-Performance Antiperspirant Deodorant
Now 36% Off
If you care about smelling fantastic, rather than fine, then thisaerosol'spleasant, feminine scent will provide the long-lasting freshness and uplifting fragrance that you're after.
It'll struggle to do its job during a hardcore workout,but it’ll keep you clean and dry throughout a low-key run with friends - and the subsequentbrunch!
Key specs
Type:Spray
Size: 250ml
Suitable for all skin types:No
Fragrance free:No
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9
Best smelling sports deodorant for men
L'Oreal Men Expert Invincible Sport 96H Antiperspirant Deodorant
Now 50% Off
With its masculine woody scent, this spray smells more like an aftershave than your typicaldeo. True to itsodour-masking claims, none ofour testers neededa top-up throughout the day, and they felt protected even during heavy exercise.
The formula is enriched with magnesia, which is often used by weightlifters to increase gripping power. This supposedly keepsyour armpits drier for longer, but a high-intensity workout still got the better of it, so save it for lighter sessions.
Key specs
Type:Spray
Size:250ml
Suitable for all skin types:No
Fragrance free:No
