7 alternative running brands you should know about
Running is evolving — and so is the gear we wear. While the big names still tend to dominate the start lines, a new wave of independent running brands have been quietly carving out their own space, pushing boundaries with distinctive, street-inspired aesthetics, fresh ideas and a strong sense of community. If you're ready to run against the grain, these are some of our favourites to watch.
Satisfy
Since its inception in 2015, Parisian brand Satisfy has become one of the most stylish names in the running space. Renowned for its use of premium technical fabrics, Satisfy is dedicated to helping runners achieve 'The High' — its term for the euphoric, distraction-free running experience.
Founder and creative director Brice Partouche uses many of the same suppliers as luxury fashion houses, rather than the fitness industry. Its most distinctive innovation, MothTech, features strategically placed ‘moth’ holes to form a unique ventilation system that helps keeps you cool. The brand has also collaborated with Hoka on special editions of the Mafate Speed 4 and Clifton, and in November 2024 it released its very own trail shoe.
Satisfy MothTech™ Muscle Tee
Satisfy TechSilk™ 5” Shorts
Satisfy PeaceShell™ 5-Panel Pinch Cap
Soar
Launched by former fashion designer and keen runner Tim Soar, this British brand has become renowned for its high quality, technical racewear. Underpinned by its meticulous approach to materials, it produces some of the most ultra-lightweight running vests and marathon shorts on the market, and you'll see these donned by amateurs and elites alike across the globe.
Recently, Soar announced it was joining forces with eyewear manufacturer Cubitts to produce the 'Cirrus': the world's lightest pair of running sunglasses at just 10g.
Soar Race Vest Rainbow
Soar Men's Marathon Shorts
Soar Printed Tech T
District Vision
District Vision, an LA-based 'running brand and wellness collective,' was founded by passionate runners Max Vollet and Tom Daley (not the diver), who met at Business School in London and previously worked at Saint Laurent and Acne Studios. While the brand specialises in performance eyewear, it also offers a curated selection of apparel.
District Vision has previously collaborated with Salomon S-Lab, and, more recently, New Balance on a collection of activewear, along with exclusive editions of the SuperComp Elite v4 racer and Hierro v8 trail shoe.
District Vision Spino Straight-Leg Drawstring Shorts
District Vision x FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4
District Vision Max Shell Jacket
Roa
Named after Forcella della Roa, a stunning hiking spot in the Italian Dolomites, Roa has been bringing the worlds of hiking and fashion together since its inception in 2015, following an encounter between streetwear pioneer Slam Jam's creative team and technical footwear designer Maurizio Quaglia.
The brand is known for its minimalist silhouettes, traditional Italian manufacturing processes and cutting-edge materials, with several high profile collaborations to its name. That includes a special edition Altra Timp 5, as well as an ongoing partnership with Vibram — the gold standard of outsoles — which is used across its footwear range.
ROA Logo Beanie
Roa Bone Socks
Altra Timp 5 Gore-Tex ROA
Bandit Running
Bandit is a community first running brand, born out of Brooklyn, New York. It was founded in 2020 by two brothers who wanted to make something for the New York running community, which had become important for health and connection in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Bandit draws on influences from New York's underground running scene to create high performance apparel and describes itself as 'inherently inclusive of all runners regardless of pace or experience'.
Bandit Ares Flex Zip Front Race Crop
Vento Performance Training Shorts
Vento Performance Singlet
Represent 247
Founded in 2011 by brothers George and Mike Heaton, Represent is a British luxury fashion label. In 2020, George found himself forever on the search for a pair of trousers he could wear for multiple purposes, whether that was to the gym, to work, for an outdoor hike or to relax in. And so, Represent 247 was born. But what started as a small capsule of performance tops and bottoms that could be worn anywhere has evolved into an entire performance-focused collection.
In December 2024, the brand teamed up with sportswear giant Puma for a brand new collection, including its first 247 women's range, modelled by Team GB athlete Phoebe Gill.
Team 247 Oversized T-Shirt
247 X Puma Women's Shapeluxe Legging Short
247 X Puma Oversized Tank
Sums
Founder and director Ed Vickers had one clear mission when he set up SUMS just under two years ago: to see how far he could take the sustainability, performance and social impact of one product — speciality running socks. The brand's pledge-per-run model sees 5p donated to the Outrunners Youth Charity in Hackney for every run its community clocks on Strava each month. Each pair of socks gets you three months access to the Strava club and SUMS' pledge per run promise. Rumour has it apparel could be on the horizon for the brand soon...
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