21 Running Brands You Need to Know (that are functional & stylish)

I’ve been running for 25 years and have run over 60 races, from 5Ks to the Boston Marathon to 200 mile relays. These are the running brands I’ve tried over the years that are fashionable and functional, plus a few other brands I’ve been eyeing.

There’s something about becoming a runner that gets you excited about brands you’d never heard of before you started running. I never cared about running shoes, GPS running watches, the best kind of running socks, or any of that until I started becoming consistent with my running for the first time.

So whether you’re a beginner runner (and I’ve got tips for the new runner here) or a veteran using advanced marathon training plans, I hope you find something new that makes your running even more enjoable.

21 Running Brands You Need to Know

Tracksmith

Tracksmith was founded in 2013 and they’re located in Boston. I visited the store in 2019 and it’s VERY cool. Almost like a cozy bookstore/coffee shop vibe that sells running clothes. And, they make really cool running clothes. The items they sell are a bit retro, and similar to college track athletes run in. I love the tanks and short sleeve tops. I find their items run small compared to other brands I wear, so you may want to size up.

Rabbit

Rabbit is a female-founded company that started in California. They have fun patterns and graphics. The cut of many of their items is similar to Lululemon, but the patterns are much more funky. It’s a little overly-aggressive with the rabbit branding for my taste, but that’s the whole point of their brand, of course. So if you like it, go for it! That’s just my personal preference.

Oiselle 

Oiselle is one of my all-time favorite brands. The Oiselle Pocket Joggers are my go-to shorts right now since they prevent chafing but don’t ride up (they’re great shorts for a marathon). Their Roga shorts are VERY popular and they have lots of different versions now with different lengths. I wore the Flyout tank for the Boston Marathon and the Flyte tank is what I lived in while running during pregnancy. My mom also loves this brand. She runs and does Crossfit in her 70s, so she puts her gear through the ringer! She wears the long Roga shorts, the Light Lux tanks, and the Simple Stripe tank. Oiselle is also a running brand that’s by women started in 2007 based in Seattle, which I love!

On

On Running makes my favorite casual white sneakers. I have tried running in On Clouds, but didn’t love them. However, I LOVE these Ons for casual wear. They just came out with really pretty minimalistic designs for their tops which I also love, but their clothing is on the pricier side.

Goodr

My favorite running sunglasses EVER are Goodr. I have 5 pairs, no joke. They stay on better than anything I’ve tried, no matter how sweaty I get or how humid it is outside. I think they flatter every face shape too and they’re only $25! I wore them for both the 2018 and 2019 Boston Marathons.

Bombas 

Bombas is currently my favorite brand for running socks. I especially love these hot pink ones!

Zella 

Zella is Nordstrom’s in-house activewear brand. Rumor has it that originally someone who used to work at Lululemon helped them come up with the designs. I like everything I’ve tried from Zella, but I think Lululemon makes better quality leggings. My favorite items from Zella are the Work For It tank and the Restore Soft Pocket joggers (my favorite pants for my just-home-from-the-hospital postpartum phase).

Ten Thousand

Ten Thousand is known for their great running gear for men. I love the look of the Interval shorts.

Iffley Road

Iffley Road is a men’s running apparel company based out of England. They have really cool old-school designs but great quality fabric. I like the retro designs!

Outdoor Voices 

Outdoor Voices is an athletic brand, but not running specific. They’re based in Austin, TX and known for making athletic clothes for the everyday exerciser. Their clothes aren’t extremely high performance, but they’re VERY cute for training or athleisure.

Senita

Another great by-women-for-women company! Senita is extremely affordable but their gear holds up well. I even ran the 2019 Boston Marathon in the Senita Rio shorts! I find it runs large, so size down.

Fleo

I haven’t tried Fleo personally, but I’d love to try their spandex shorts, which is what they’re known for. Technically they are all made for strength training, but I think the shorts would work well for running too.

Vuori

While I haven’t tried their running shorts yet, Vuori makes the coziest joggers EVER. I wore them for weeks on end after having Thomas and still do. This is my favorite brand for loungewear AND you can find it at Nordstrom.

Sweaty Betty

Another activewear brand that Nordstrom carries is Sweaty Betty. I want to try the running tanks, which look flowy and flattering. And the sports bras are cute and supportive – I love the wide band underneath. Their non-performance athleisure looks cute too!

Smartwool

Lots of people know the brand Smartwool for their boot socks but I happen to love their running socks! They use Merino wool in their socks, which isn’t hot like you may expect. It’s actually very sweat wicking and high quality. My mom, who has run for 40+ years, swears by their running socks.

Adidas

While I know Adidas could technically be called mainstream, it’s worth noting their Boston Marathon apparel. Adidas makes the official Boston Marathon gear, and I love seeing the new colors and designs they come out with every year. I find Adidas running clothes run small, so I size up.

Janji

Not only does Janji make cute running gear, I am also a huge supporter of their mission. They provide clean water to the countries that inspire their seasonal collections by giving 2% from every purchase to these projects.

Soar

Soar is a London based company specializing in modernist running clothes. Tim Soar is the designer and I love how passionate he is about making clothes that WORK. Soar is a men’s apparel company and the designs are minimalistic, which I find Tommy always prefers.

Satisfy

This brand has a cult following. It’s more edgy than my style, but lots of others love it. They have a shirt called “Moth Eaten T-Shirt” and it has cool running graphics on it. It would make a cool gift for your favorite runner!

District Vision

District Vision is made in Japan and they specialize in running sunglasses. They are VERY pricey, but have cool designs. They also make other running apparel.

Heartbreak Hill Running Company

This is another Boston based company that I love. They carry lots of non-mainstream running brands so it’s a great place to shop if you’re in town for the marathon or just visiting. They have an online shop too!

What else would you add the list?

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