What Actual Runners Wear to Run
9 semi-serious runners on their go-to activewear
Oh, running. We have a love-hate relationship. I’d imagine that’s pretty common, right?
My earliest memories of running date back to middle school: soccer practice punishments and gym class miles. I was so bad at running that I actually went to a “speed school,” per my coach’s recommendation. Apparently I needed to learn “proper form” and my parents felt badly enough for me to pay for it. Yikes.
I desperately sought to find a sport I was somewhat decent at, so naturally track was one of my attempts. It didn’t take long for me to hate it, largely due to the disproportionate amount of down time to track-doing time. My 14-year-old self had a lot of notes on optimizing the efficiency of high school track meets. Shortly after is when I bowed out of sports altogether. I started running out of a necessity to stay active without sports, although I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to the teen angst and run-of-the-mill body dysmorphia sprinkled in there. Just girly things.
I got pretty good at it — well, I wouldn’t go that far. I built up stamina is a better way of phrasing it. Somehow I found myself hitting the five mile mark, Drake in my wired headphones, chugging along on a creepy suburban gym treadmill. I’d run here and there throughout college and while traveling, but the sense of purpose shifted. It became a coping mechanism for anxiety and a form of exercise tourism.
Here comes the breakup. Running and I formally parted ways when one day I was hit with an epiphany: I actually didn’t have to run. Nobody was making me! I couldn’t shake the working-out-is-hard-not-fun soccer practice Stockholm Syndrome situation until this very sudden, very powerful thought. At this point, my body was aching (that’s on me, I definitely wasn’t treating her nicely) and I dreaded lacing up every single time.
Life ebbs and flows. Sure. As time wore on, my incline walks and occasional Soul Cycle classes stopped cutting it in the cardio department. It’s not that anyone told me I wasn’t “doing enough,” it’s much more intuitive than that. I’d imagine it’s what a puppy feels like when it needs to get its zoomies out. I was, simply put, antsy. So here we are now. I run a few times a week, nothing major, but just enough to supply me with some endorphins.
It’s important to note that not once during this entire saga did I ever consider myself a runner. First of all, my form is probably awful because I never did my speed school homework. Second, it’s never been about hitting a PR, proving something to myself, or even being part of a community. Not that any of these are bad things. It’s just that for me, running has always been about feeling good in my body. That’s it. I don’t really need to push myself past my limits anymore. That’s what all of my skincare experiments are for.
On that community note for a second: running and run clubs are obviously “cool” these days. I’ll admit, I’ve been aesthetically tempted by Bandit’s. Instead of joining an extracurricular, or more realistically, buying all of the appropriate accessories, I decided to check in with some people who know what they’re talking about first. Alas, here are 9 semi-serious runners on their favorite gear. I’ll give you some of my amateur tips (and the playlist I teased in the chat) at the end.
Writer of
I've been a runner since high school when I insisted on being a hurdler because it was cool. Jokes on me because I am not built to sprint. After college, I got into marathoning and have done 7 marathons and various other long races in the last 15 years. Today, I am 7 months postpartum so I have dialed back the intensity, but still get in 5K most days.
I worked at Tracksmith for 7 years so I’m biased but I have 2 of these Merino long sleeves I've worn for 5+ years in rotation. It's the only top I run in in Boston all winter. I also wear their Allston Bra, which has a large internal pocket exclusively. It fits my iPhone, gels and keys.
I got these tights when I was pregnant from PYNRS, a Boston-based running brand that makes technical running gear rooted in streetwear design concepts. I loved them then and I love them postpartum. Another maternity winner that I am still loving is the Quince Ultra Form Jumpsuit. I didn't think I'd like running in a romper, and pee challenges aside, this is mega comfortable and looks cute too.
Favorite Items: Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer, Tracksmith Allston Bra, Saucony Endorphin, Quince Ultra Form Jumpsuit, New Balance RC 3” Short
Kam Casey
Creative Director + Producer, Runner + Designer at Capri Collective
I have been running for 18 years now; I was a steeplechaser and college and I now run and train for marathons. In peak training I’m running 6-7 days a week, often twice a day, anywhere between 70-90 miles a week as well as lifting weights and swimming. I run with a small racing team here in LA (@capricollective.cc).
When it’s hot in LA, I’m literally only wearing short shorts, a watch, and my trainers. When it’s a little chillier I might throw on a tee or long sleeve. When I’m lifting weights I love to wear a vintage cutoff muscle tank and a 5 inch short with some compression!
Favorite Items: Bandit Vento shorts, Soar Marathon speed shorts (feels like you’re wearing nothing), District Vision Junya Sunnies, Stance performance running socks, Damaged Glitter vintage muscle tanks
Writer of Meja, Supper Club Curator + Content Creator
I identify as a casual runner, which feels like a nice contrast to growing up in the highly competitive dance world. I run a few times a week to recover from weight training, and no longer record my runs with a watch because I just want to enjoy the privilege of moving and getting outside.
I've been wearing the On Cloudmonster 2's for the past while, though I'm also falling in love with Saucony Endorphin Speeds. In terms of running gear, Lululemon has the best supportive sports bras, and I'm obsessed with this brand called Literary Sport for stylish gear.
I feel like we're quick to pressure ourselves to reach a certain weekly mileage or always PR or do anything to boost our egos - my favourite runs are long, social runs with one or two friends, where we're chatting and exploring different routes and getting coffee afterwards. I'm not a professional - running and moving my body is a treat and should be fun!
Favorite Items: On Cloudmonster 2, Saucony Endorphin Speeds, Literary Sport Quarter Zip, Lululemon Energy Sports Bra
Writer of Who Do You Know?
I run around 25 miles a week. Mostly outside in the freezing cold NYC winter weather. I’m not training for anything right now, maybe another run around the perimeter of Manhattan. My favorite route is from my apartment in Williamsburg, over the bridge, and into downtown Manhattan, before I get tired and take the L home. That view of the city with Future blasting on my AirPods is a high no drug can match. That being said, it’s really critical I stay warm.
On sent me some gear a few weeks back I’ve been loving. Specifically this long sleeve from their Ikon collection. I love the taupe color.
It wouldn’t be a good running recommendation list if I didn’t include shoes. I wear the Nike Alphafly 3 in the slime green color. When I was watching the NYC marathon this was by far the shoe I saw the most. It’s really fast and built for serious runners. $285 is a small price to pay for the best running shoe I’ve ever worn.
Lastly, I wear my Arcteryx Atom Hoodie to stay warm. I love how I can cinch the hood and the waist to lock in the warmth. It’s also light enough that I don’t feel redirected while running.
Favorite Items: On Core Long-T, Nike Alphafly 3 Shoes, Arcteryx Atom Hoody
Content Creator + Writer of
I’ve gotten into marathon training, which means I’m running 4-5 times a week. My favorite activewear brand is a Copenhagen-based company called Planet Nusa, who I’ve actually gone ahead to design two collections with in 2024. Their pieces are great for performance, but still so stylish with fun colors and unique designs. (I feel like most activewear companies stick to dark neutrals — I love that NUSA isn’t afraid to play with color or print.) I really felt in an activewear void for the past few years, but NUSA has changed the game for me!
Favorite Items: NUSA LS2 Air Top, NUSA Box 1 Sports Bra, NUSA T1 Power Tights
Grace Clarke
Founder of GGC Consulting, GraceAI, Gen-Z Board of Directors
I started running because I wanted to cultivate self-dependability, so my only goal is to keep showing up often. To that end, my running rules: move at whatever pace I want. I’m training for the marathon, and if I want to walk most of a 9-mile long run, who cares? I only wear only comfortable things. And I keep a few motivating thoughts close by. Tag yourself, I’m 7 and 20. Also 45. You’ll get what I mean :)
Favorite Items: Uniqlo HEATTECH T-shirt, Lululemon Align High-Rise Leggings (with pockets!), Lululemon Energy Bra, Bauerfeind Sports Ankle Support Brace (per our friend, ballerina
’s recommendation), Bomba’s Merino Wool SocksRoy Zhou
Ultramarathoner (!) and Pastry Enthusiast
Running has always been about exploring for me, whether it's my own thoughts, friendships, or new placed. As of the last couple months my running, even though primarily in the city, has been focused on a trail race I have coming up next week in Arizona; so I've been spending a lot of time outside. Here's like the last five things I've bought for training that I really like…
Favorite Items: Bandit Wool Blend Beanie, Dirty Bird Performance Long Sleeve, Velocio Merino Baselayer, Optimistic Runners tank, Hoka Mafate Speed 4
Editorial at Loeffler Randall, Writer of
I run almost every day because it’s my favorite thing to do and because I have to now that I’m twenty six and my new insurance doesn’t support the cost of my ex-therapist (I’ll always love you Ida, seriously). My strategy for finding running gear is the same as my strategy for finding a new therapist; start with the cheapest.
I won a free pair of On running shoes and now I swear by On running shoes — I wear the Cloudmonster Hyper because they’re good for the road and good for distance. Nike sports bras, only. The same ones I’ve had since 8th grade. I did finally made the switch from white cotton Jockey tees to expensive, fancy shirts made from actual performance materials and dammit. It makes a huge difference. I like Nike and On for those, too.
Favorite Items: On Cloudmonster Hyper, Nike Swoosh Sports bra, On Performance T, Lululemon Fast + Free Thermal Leggings
Joe Brown
I usually train for 2-3 marathons a year so I end up running 5-6 days a week throughout the year. I also try to go to the gym for strength 2-3 times a week. These are my must-haves year round…
Favorite Items: Wolaco tights, Satisfy running shirts, Oakley Radar EV Sunglasses, Salomon handheld hydration bottle, Maurten gels
Did I write this just for someone to validate my purchase at Bandit? Maybe! But I always find it fascinating to hear what pros are swearing by, so I hope you do too. Now for my very novice running recommendations —
Truth be told, I don’t typically listen to workout-specific mixes. Instead, and this might be sick and twisted, but I’m usually listening to a full album front to back for the entirety of my gym session. Never fails are Charli XCX’s Charli (and Brat, obviously), The Strokes' Is This It, Beyoncé’s Lemonade, or the Talking Heads’ Speaking in Tongues. If I’m in a mood, it’s my Oasis-ish playlist.
But in the spirit of this piece, I thought it would be fun to make a semi-crowd sourced workout playlist. You can find it here. Do me a favor and just stick with the Dominic Fike / Weezer track — it’s all worth it for the last 40 seconds. Promise. I ran for 30 straight minutes thanks to this bad boy.
The reason why running is oftentimes so unenjoyable is the speed. Slow down, kid. You’ll last longer (…) and have more fun while you’re doing it since you can think about the music you’re listening to instead of how badly you want to stop.
Most people don’t want to run, but they force themselves to do it, and then the endorphins make it worth it. Most people is me. Once again, my health coach has left me (and therefore, you) with a piece of unforgettable wisdom: what separates the people who accomplish their goals from the people who don’t is the former do hard things and the latter do not. You gotta give it up to Nike, they really did something special with the whole Just do it thing.
Influenced by Lee and that track smith merino top!
Y’all can we all meet and jog together?? What a beautiful group of cool hot people!! And me!!