My Favorite Running Stuff For When I'm Not Running

I have been a longtime hater of athleisure, but somehow this feels different and better.

I’m rarely one to wear athleisure, and to plenty of my college and post collegiate races would bring a full change of clothes so I could look like a civilian rather than a grout-fitted student athlete. While inconvenient, it felt like I was preserving a little bit of myself and could look somewhat presentable even if I didn’t need to be. Wearing jeans with my bright purple team jacket didn’t look particularly cool, but it beat sweaty tights or team-issue sweatpants made for someone much larger than me.

Over the last decade, the bar has risen for running apparel, and there are far more lifestyle-centric running brands now making stuff that looks good both on and off the track. I stand by the fact that you cannot differentiate on tech alone as a running brand, you need to invest in style. It is very easy to make a decent technical garment these days. It is hard to make a quality one that fits well, wears well, and looks good.

Favorite Tops

Currently Running Windbreaker

I am a Nash and Currently Running stan, and love what what he’s making over there, be it new video content, beautiful photography, his own music, or really excellent running gear.

The C-R™ M1 jacket feels akin to my favorite cycling apparel, which is about 3 times the cost of any running stuff, so I’d expect it to feel better. It’s lightly stretchy, ultralight, a neutral color I can wear with anything, and pairs really well with this SATISFY GhostFleece that I picked up from the Exchange in Nashville. The shape is great, it drops below the waist but has a cinch at the bottom so you can crop it. The dual zip is something I use more for style than function, but it’s helpful if you want to get some air without your jacket flapping around.

Thanks Bryan for the pics!

Some quick mentions for stuff I wear a ton:

• SATISFY SoftCell hoodie - perfect crop, really like the cinch, and they hold their structure well. It’s a bit oversized so regularly becomes my throw-over-the-top wear anywhere kit.

• Rabbit’s High Country LS - Minimal branding, dries super quick, UPF 50, and great layering option. Hadn’t tried Rabbit until their team reached out and let me pick out some stuff to try. I specifically requested this technical button up knowing I’d wear it beyond just running. If you’re flush, the SATISFY River Shirt is also a good option and comes in a rust shade and a “tea” green.

• Tracksmith Amateur Greyboy Tee - I sleep in this, throw this on before / after runs and will pair it with jeans. It has a nice shape and is super soft since I’ve had it for like 6 years. Sadly it does shrink, so be careful!

• SATISFY MothTech Tee - I picked up a reflective Runner’s World edition one on eBay a few years ago and wear it more often than I should. Lightweight cotton, good shape, super broken in because it’s ~4 years old.

• Vintage Race Tees - I have collected race tees, local and otherwise, for a few years and mostly do not run in them. If you didn’t see my Boston Marathon Vintage capsule with Swiftwick, check it out.

Shorts

My running shorts don’t get quite as much wear outside of actual running. Tracksmith puts out a lot of lifestyle appropriate shorts that can double for running, but I prefer mine to be live on the more technical side with a high split which doesn’t make for particularly appropriate cafe attire.

Outdoor Voices RecTrek 4” shorts - I have the women’s version and liked them so much I got a second pair on Poshmark because they stopped making my faves. These are unlined, have these honestly annoying slit pockets, but they have a nice boxy fit to them and I can pull them over running shorts or just wear them around.

Accessories and Sun Protection

It’s summer and I’m a millennial so I’m obsessed with sun protection while also spending as much time in the sun as possible. I will be covered in zinc based sunscreen, probably a hat, and definitely sunglasses for every active outing. I do wear sunglasses, but do not wear my running ones out and about since they’re pretty aggressive. Here’s that s**t I’m putting on:

Alex Zono, I Dig Running Hat

I love the whimsical world Alex Zono has built up with this brand. The hat is a great fit and shape, super airy, and adds a pop of color to any outfit. These are basically always sold out, so get on his email list if you want one.

I also have the brown one, so I sort of switch between the two.

UTU Sunscreen

Somehow they found a way to make a luxurious and moisturizing zinc sunscreen without a white cast. You can completely rub it in on smooth skin, scruff is trickier. This has replaced my entire morning routine. The main cream is 30 SPF with a bunch of other moisturizing goodies like hylauronic acid, and the lil 50 SPF balm goes on your lips and high exposure areas.

On Foot

Cross-functional Sneakers

I regrettably wore loafers for most of the Boston Marathon weekend, and usually wear something a bit sportier. Plenty of brands have been putting out earth-tone and/or other acceptable colorways for their shoes that will work with jeans, shorts, or a summer dress if you’re feeling funky.

• Saucony Triumph 22 - This brindle pattern is an absolute slapper, and super comfortable. I was gifted this pair, but you can get them on sale. Also entirely runnable. These are more of a fall weather wear for me since the fur is warmer.

• SATISFY x Hoka Mafate Speed 4 Lite - The pale white here goes well with plenty of my pants even looks fine with shorts.

• New Balance x District Vision MT10 - I probably went through 10 pairs of the original version between high school and college, certainly contributing to future Achilles issues. These look a lot cooler and I wear them with anything from jeans to camo pants.

• Hoka Bondi EG Leopard Print - I got these many years ago and have held on to them despite being torched from a few hundred miles and lots of extracurricular time. Sadly only available now on secondary markets. I can wear these with shorts or jeans.

All of my running socks

I don’t bother with cheap cotton socks anymore unless I’m wearing dress shoes at a wedding. I’m fully committed to my cut-above-the-rest running socks that I wrote about here.