Which running brand do you identify with?
Do you think about which brands - running or not - represent you? Also: some energy flowing into the trail vacation space, a deep dive into Satisfy, and a look back at slow running.
We care about what we look like when we run, don’t we. Today, we’ve got more choice than ever when it comes to choosing what we wear while we run in order to visually explain what kind of person we are to the people we run with/past.
Last week, I wrote about 3sixteen, a menswear brand that’s hosted runs from its Manhattan store. I wrote about how people identify as runners in the same way that they identify as coffee purists or as fans of Japanese denim.
Every so often I see someone on social media triumphantly declaring that, “Tracksmith is the Abercrombie & Fitch of running.” It’s got that preppie, collegiate style, right?
This all caused me to wonder what mainstream brands other running brands could relate to.
If Abercrombie is Tracksmith (and I think Tracksmith is more like L.L. Bean), with its chic, monochrome New York vibe, could you see Bandit carried in a Calvin Klein store? Or does the oh-so-exclusive nature of their stock point towards being the Supreme of the running world?
What about New Balance, a big heritage brand popular in New York? That’s the vibe. What’s more heritage and more New York than Macy's?
Hoka always seems keen to associate how their shoes are worn by celebrities. Could we see a sick Realtree collaboration for some du jour merchandise from Vice Presidential-hopeful Tim Walz? Maybe a Netflix branded pair of Cliftons for Adam Sandler? But where does that merch live? Goodwill? Eventually.
With it’s outlandishly high-end punk rock stylings, Satisfy reminds me of the John Varvatos boutique located in the old CBGBs in New York. My old band t-shirts aren’t made of silk, sadly.
The avant-garde designs of District Vision, shrouded in messages of mindfulness, remind me of Yohji Yamamoto, or maybe just of the Japanese designer’s Y-3 range with Adidas.
I’ve seen Janji (you can win a $50 gift card here every week in 2024) called the Lululemon of running, even though Lululemon is trying to be Lululemon of running.
Name your favorite non-running brand, and I’ll try and match a running brand to it. Or tell about a running brand that matches your aesthetic or values. Personally, I’m a Levi’s fan, so what’s the running brand for me? No jorts, please. Please!
Last week on Running Sucks
Here’s that piece from last week on how running culture is fast becoming synonymous with mainstream lifestyle culture. For me, it’s very fun to inadvertently be in amongst it, and documenting it while it’s happening in real-time.
Why on earth is a menswear brand hosting runs?
Has running culture bled into the mainstream to the point that it’s just another double-page spread in men’s lifestyle magazines now? Kinda.
Betting on trails
A little bit of industry news as one of the world’s largest trail tour operators, Rogue Expeditions was acquired recently.
Hoping to stand among competitors like Aire Libre, Run The Alps, Pure Trails, and Vagabond Travel, the goal is to offer people outdoor experiences without having to commit to a race. Rogue’s 14 destinations include Iceland, Morocco, Patagonia, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, the Dolomites, and the Balkans, among others.
The $116B cycling tourism industry is cited, along with the Zone 2 training element of tour cycling (see the Matt Fitzgerald link below) that is becoming increasingly attractive to those increasingly looking to put their health and lifestyle first.
New Rogue Expeditions owner Michael Mazzara talks about his own journey of the frustration of getting injured during marathon training cycles.
“The growth of trail running [over 100% year-on-year] is about the joy of being in nature, and demands you run slower, and more cautiously.”
“The opportunity I saw was that there was no experience offered that was not intrinsically about performance - it was about the joy of exploration through running. This is that.”
More of this kind of tour in this profile of Mauricio Diaz of trail and hiking tour operator Aire Libre. It’s cool people operating these endeavors.
And if you’re interested in city tourism, here’s my piece on RunningTours.net and Go! Running Tours from a couple of weeks ago.
Have you been on a running tour? Tell me about it!
Last year on Running Sucks
I published this piece with the mighty Matt Fitzgerald a year ago this week as par of a mini-series on running slowly. He’s the author of 80/20 Running, and has so much amazing knowledge.
We also talked about how he doesn’t really run any more because of his Long Covid, but foolishly decided to stay on topic.
A few months later there was a great NY Times article about it. And then, in March, Matt started his Dying to Run podcast, which “chronicles [his] attempt to complete a 100-km ultramarathon with Long Covid.”
It’s time to get your boosters.
Elsewhere on Substack
To stay on the more business side of things, if you’re interested in a full breakdown of what Satisfy is doing in the running world, take a read of
’s where she takes a deep dive into the Parisians’ product.
Running Sucks Haiku of the Week
Signed up for a race,
But I’m pacing, not racing.
Fun to run with friends
I signed up for a half-marathon in Long Beach, CA in a couple of weeks’ time. I’ll be running with my friends Philip and Colin near the beach. Sounds fun, but will we run out of things to talk about? Let’s find out! A cool group medal photo to come, no doubt.
Housekeeping
WIN - Remember I said I give a $50 Janji gift card every single week? I’m not kidding. Go to the Competition page and fill in the form to enter. And you get THREE GUARANTEED entries every week if you upgrade your subscription!
BUY A RUNNING SUCKS HAT! - There are THREE Running Sucks x Fractel hats left. Maybe I’ll make another batch after all.
$$$ - Upgrade your subscription for just $50 ($1 A WEEK!) and you get guaranteed entries to the weekly competition. You can also tip a one-off $5, if that’s more your thing.
CONNECT - Instagram / Strava / LinkedIn
Thanks for reading
- Raz x
Lululemon is the Panera Bread of athletic clothing
I am a Lululemon client which means I'm going to be Lululemon......although I have yet to buy a single thing from them to run in.
Where does Buff or Leki fall into this conversation? They are running products but not attire or footwear......