admin Sorry to all the big names in athleticwear, but the best running brands are no longer exclusively stocked at your local big box sporting goods store. A wave of start-up, boutique, and independent running brands are producing clothes that are more stylish than ever without forgoing the performance credentials that you want from your running gear. Running is one of the few exercises you can do without equipment, sure, but a breathable tank and a grippy pair of socks that won’t pool around your toe box before you’ve hit your first mile certainly helps. Even better if the stuff you’re throwing on before you hit the trails or pound the pavement is swervy enough to motivate you to keep at it.
“I’m not afraid to admit that I’m vain,” says Andrew Chen, co-founder of New York City-based clothing store 3sixteen. “Looking good when I’m running is a big part of the fun for me.” As a newcomer to the sport who took up running only this past year, it took a long time to get into the groove of things. But the practice of suiting up for a run actually helped him gain a sense of appreciation for logging all those sweaty miles. “Every run was a struggle at the beginning and one of the only things that got me excited about it was gearing up. For awhile the fit pic was the best part of every run, and I’ve slowly grown to enjoy the actual running over time,” he explains.
And while your flashy running kit might not actually help you break any records, feeling better about what you’re wearing can also give you the mental boost you need to hit new milestones. “I don’t think (stylish clothing) increases your pace or performance scientifically but I’m sure there’s some placebo effect,” says Christian Weigand, the founder of the Runners Highest Instagram which documents fashionable running brands. “Let’s be honest: doesn’t everyone have that one piece or even outfit that makes you feel invincible? I think the same goes for sports. You shouldn’t need new stuff in order to motivate yourself, but it definitely can be a booster.”
Arguably the best part of this renaissance in attractive running gear is that investing in the right stuff will likely have a halo effect on the rest of your fits, too. “With more and more brands doing cool things, my closet is pretty full with apparel I could run in but that still looks amazing when I’m not,” Weigand says.
Whether you’re looking for new running shorts, a breathable mesh top, or even some sick wind-blocking shades, there’s a whole bevy of newish brands out there to outfit your next sprint. Here, we rounded up some of the best running brands that are worth knowing right now.
Satisfy
Parisian-based brand Satisfy’s innovative silhouettes and forward-thinking materials have made it a go-to for runners with a streetwear bent. One of its most famous designs is its “moth-eaten” top, which features a series of holes that are strategically placed for better ventilation. “I think Satisfy is on everyone’s radar for good reason,” Chen says, pointing out the brand’s collaborations with Crocs and Oakley as examples of its reach. “The founders come from a fashion background, and it’s apparent in the way they design and market the brand.”
District Vision
District Vision’s futuristic, made-in-Japan shades are the pieces that first put it on the map, though the brand—helmed by two fashion industry vets—has been steadily churning out a range of good-looking, high-performing running gear since 2015. If you’re not so into the concept of wearing something on your sweaty face while circling the block, check out its shorts with built-in compression liners or its variety of outerwear that doubles as everyday layers in colder months.
Janji
Janji’s socially conscious line of running gear makes you feel good in more ways than one—its clothes aim to keep you comfortable while you hit your stride and everything is made to put the least amount of strain on the environment. Best of all, the stuff looks great whether you want to go high-vis on an evening run, or fly under the radar with nondescript gear.
Soar Running
A name like Tim Soar easily lends itself to a performance-boosting running brand, and the Hackney, London-based designer drew from his own running needs to produce the cutting-edge fabrics and smart technical details in his line. Soar’s strong collection of colorful tights, shorts, tanks, and outerwear might even help you source the inspiration to log those morning miles.
On Running
We love On Running (and apparently so does Pierce Brosnan) for its distinctly crenelated running shoes, but don’t sleep on the apparel. The Swiss brand is constantly innovating with its sneakers and that same ethos goes for its tops and bottoms, too. Everything the brand makes seems geared toward lightweight, agile gear, and the fact that it all looks pretty good is just an added perk.
Tracksmith
Tracksmith came onto the scene in 2013 with a vision for a retro-leaning, Ivy League-inspired running brand. Much of its inspiration comes from the kind of early ‘70s and ‘80s running gear that you might have spotted on Steve Prefontaine in his heyday: namely splashy colors, super-short shorts, and lots of singlets. “Style was a huge component (in the founding of Tracksmith), because at the time—the 2010s—running apparel, especially men’s, wasn’t stylish at all. In fact, it was quite ugly,” Matt Taylor, founder and CEO of Tracksmith, tells us. And while Tracksmith doesn’t exactly look like a super techy fitness apparel brand, its bestsellers—like its lightweight Van Cortlandt line—would beg to differ. Both the brand’s shorts and long sleeve tops have nabbed Fitness Awards in the past for their soft and breathable feel, plus brilliantly colorblocked designs.
Ciele
If you’ve ever been around a group of runners, you are almost guaranteed to spot a Ciele hat in their midst. Not only do these hyperpopular caps keep your hair (and the sun) out of your face, but they’re also enhanced with reflective coatings so you never get caught off guard at night. Beyond accessories, the Canadian brand has branched out into equally high-performing apparel that’s begging for a cameo on your morning jog.
Salomon
City streets may not be the terrain that Salomon had in mind when it started designing its gorpy wares, but that hasn’t stopped hordes of streetwear guys from finishing off their fits with the brand’s trail runners. The French alpine brand’s rugged appeal works whether you’re parking it in Dimes Square or actually ascending into the mountains; they’re primed for peak performance and grip thanks to details like treaded outsoles and Goretex finishes.
Bandit Running
Cop any of Bandit’s running tops or shorts, and join a community of sprinters united in style. Founded by members of a New York City-based running group, Bandit is one of those IYKYK names making the kind of airy, silky performance gear that would earn you a head nod from your fellow joggers at the park. “I think there is always some sort of built in camaraderie when you see other runners in a smaller or more niche brand,” Ardith Singh, Bandit’s co-founder and chief design officer, tells us. “Especially when it’s a brand built around community in the first place, like Bandit.”
Miler Running
With its endless practicality and high-quality fabrics, Miler Running was an easy favorite to win a Fitness Award last year. To perfect the humble running short, Miler went the, ahem, extra mile by decking it out in pockets galore. You’d be hard-pressed to spot the extra storage opportunities, though, since its line of tops and bottoms are aggressively minimalist, streamlined neutrals (with the occasional freaky tortoise print in the mix).
Balmoral
Montreal-based brand Balmoral might bring back memories of your high school or college track days, and that’s on purpose. From vintage felt patch “academy” crewnecks to “track club hoodies,” everything’s inspired by the kinds of memorabilia you’d spot at a school track meet—so you feel like part of a crew even if you just started running. But its graphic tees are the brand’s specialty, whether you’re jonesing for cotton basics or Italian-milled mesh tanks that are made for sweating in.
CAYL
South Korean-based CAYL, which stands for Climb As You Love, is much more than just a running brand (if the climbing reference didn’t already tip you off). Since 2011, the brand’s been quietly producing some of the coolest outdoorsy gear that’s equally primed for the trails as it is for hoofing it back on the grid. The brand has some serious Snow Peak vibes, marrying functional details with vibe-y design.
Rnnr
Hats are a runner’s secret weapon to hitting PRs and crossing finish lines. Rnnr is a brand that specializes in headwear, much like Ciele, and also manufactures clothing with a similar aesthetic—think: bright, bold, and vibrant. Additionally, each purchase of Rnnr gear goes to funding local youth running programs to encourage young people to take up the sport.
Erniold
Erniold’s another community-focused brand based in Montreal that wants to inspire more people to get moving in its easily identifiable apparel (they’re all affixed with a branded signature care label on the back, so they’re hard to miss). Erniold embraces new-wave performance fabrics, upgrading your typical running fare with comfort-enhancing details—like tapered sleeves for easier movement and compression fabric on socks for added stability.
Un-Sanctioned
If you don’t actually need more running clothes, Un-Sanctioned’s “waste less” mantra would probably dictate that you didn’t shop here at all. But there are plenty of reasons to, nonetheless: The sustainability-minded company works to produce fewer pieces of clothes that are high-quality enough to ensure that they’re good to go for at least the next few seasons. Each piece is crafted with repurposed materials, either from recycled bottles or upcycled industrial waste materials and elastene.
