Running Supply Roundup #27
Harry Styles stuns in mixed-brand marathon ensemble, Hoka goes high fashion, and spring releases from brands you may not have heard of.
Quick Hits
Was quoted alongside some much larger names in a Business of Fashion article on how Hoka is positioning itself within the fashion industry.
Heather Maclean (New Balance) set the American indoor 1500 record in 3:59.60 (4:17.01 full mile). Her coach, Mark Coogan accidentally had the pace lights set for 32s per 200, meaning a 4:16 1600 not a 4:16 mile!
Puma Elite win US mens and womens half champs, a good look for the brand and their racing team. The half is less competitive than more popular distances, and also comes at general low season. Not everyone is fit during indoor with many focusing on building up for the spring and summer seasons. Still an impressive showing and fast times!
In Case You Missed It
Optimistic Runners released their Spring Summer 2025 line. District Vision released their 2025 line, including new models. SOAR x Cubitts released their 10 gram(!!!) sunglasses collab. Portal launched launched their apparel last week. Saysky released their Spring/Summer 2025 “Checkmate” collection. See everything that happened last week.
Harry styles stuns in multi-brand ensemble at Tokyo Marathon
I’m still working on my tabloid headline skills. Not here to talk about his even splits (good for him) but am here to discuss brand mixology. Some people have real gripe with mixing brands on a fit. Reality: nobody cares but you! The best fits mix brands, otherwise you (at best) look like a model in their marketing photos.
Heres the Harry Styles marathon outfit ID: some District Vision Junya Racer sunglasses, a Nike Stride jacket, Tracksmith Van Cortlandt shorts, SUMS socks1, and volt Alphafly 3s. Not my fave colorway on the Alphafly—should have gone for the Guy Fieri flames. Brand mixing aside, Harry could stun a lot harder in his next race. Hit me up for styling or try one of these.
Financials: ON wins big
On earnings call was yesterday and they posted some crazy high numbers CFO Martin Hoffman posted:
“…we reached CHF 2.32bn net sales, +33.2% constant currency year-over year growth, a record gross profit margin of 60.6%, our highest Adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.7%, and a cash position of close to 1bn.”
This is comparable to Deckers Brands (owners of Hoka, UGG), which posted a 20% YoY growth. Perhaps more impressive is that On’s DTC business (their website and just 50 store fronts) accounted for 48.8% of Q4 net sales. They aren’t reliant on other online shops or boutiques.
Hoka is doing capital “F” fashion
Hoka just announced a collab with Marni. Hoka has been growing at an astounding rate (about 20% YoY) and wants to ensure that continues, so they’re pushing beyond running and lifestyle. The impressive part, which I mentioned in the BoF article, is that they’ve done this using the same core models: the Bondi, Clifton, and Mafate Speed.
While these aren’t my favorite collab (it’s this one), I do like them a lot – the puffy texture plays well with the oversized chunky sole of the Bondi. I love the hand painted styling on the box too, a great Marni touch. This is a sharp contrast from the low profile soccer and ballet style shoes that were trending the last couple years (and still are) in the high fashion world. The Marni x Hoka Bondi B3LS drops April 4th, 2025 and will be the most expensive Hoka shoe ever at $395.
Bandit Spring 2025 + Bike Jersey Controversy
Bandit just dropped their new line, and an “evolution report” on the updates to old models as well as new models they’ve added. I have a ton of respect for Bandit’s team and the work they’re doing. They do it big on marketing and take swings on their designs. They are keeping things exciting by introducing new silhouettes and experimenting with patterns and textures, visual styles, and sharing some of the process.
The wins
Some of the things I loved from this drop was the beautifully Studio Ghibli esque marketing video, the “Gulfstream” hat, new crop, all over reflective jacket, and collared tee, the full line breakdown, and a “behind the design” from their new not cycling jersey 2 way zip up jersey. I love the quarter tight, as someone that is frequently plagued by half tights running to my knee. They’re bringing in silhouettes from other sports like soccer which have had a lifestyle renaissance over the past few years. I also dig how they’ve iterated on a new version of their super popular pieces and brought in new fabrics. It seems like they’ve also added waterproof lining to the phone pockets on pieces (cycling brands take notice).
The ???
You might have anticipated me building towards a big “but” here…which I am. One of the things I’m skeptical of is the new men’s Ares Flex Top that was designed based on the beloved women’s Nova Crop. Crops with integrated sports bras are a staple in the running space and Bandit innovated on fabric, cut, and storage. They nailed the details, and people love it. The Flex Top design, however, stemmed from Bandit customer conversations, and doesn’t yet have a proven market outside that. Might be a hard sell: it not only “may look like a cycling jersey,” it does look a cycling jersey.
I haven’t tried the new Ares Flex Top, so take this with a grain of salt, but I’ve worn plenty of bike jerseys and even run in a few in a pinch, and they both look weird, and the zip from the bottom is annoying when it rides up. Also please do not show up to your road 10k or marathon in their new speed suit, that is for the track!
New This Week
District Vision x Maurten
District Vision came together with Maurten to make special “Fuel Shorts” with extra pockets2. Not sure the collab was necessary but sure adds a lot of pockets and looks easy to use, if a bit bulky in the rear with all the storage. I wonder if the compression makes the top of the shorts fit tight…perhaps better suited for half tights?
YMR Spring 2025
YMR's latest release leans into their heritage inspired origins, lots of rep stripe banding here. Haven’t mentioned them before, but YMR Track Club was founded by former Olympic track & field athlete Peter Häggström Lindecrantz of Sweden. He created the brand as a homage to his former sports club IK Ymer, which was founded in 1917.
Tracksmith Spring 2025
Some new patterns and colorways here, but consistent as ever. I don’t like the multi-pattern sash (feels very Rowing Blazers), but I do like the pinstriped shorts as well as the punchy blue amongst the new colorways added. They’ve also rounded out their product line with a true waterproof three-layer jacket.
I appreciate how consistent and cohesive Tracksmith’s been. They keep their core product line around with tweaks here and there to fabrics and iconic silhouettes. Their style may may not be for you, but the product line is so cohesive you can generally pair up just about anything. Their colors and silhouettes all work together, and seasonal updates won’t leave you looking outdated in the same way other brands can.
Saysky Statement Spring 2025
Saysky launched their Statement capsule. This is my least favorite of their collections. I find slogan pieces like this cheugy. They did however add a half-zip fleece hooded jacket brings in some tech I hadn’t heard of, but have been using! The hoodie is made of Japanese Octa yarn, which is a lightweight terry-like textured insulation layer. At a glance it looks like their using Teijin’s warmest 220gsm weight, so should be very cozy! I’ve been into Polartec Alpha Direct lately, and luckily someone already compared the two fabrics.
Doxa RERun Spring 2025
For those unfamiliar, Doxa was founded in 2016 by a competitive runner John Hansen and based out of Copenhagen. Doxa makes stuff that is minimal, high performance, and at a competitive price ($100 for tights, placing it near Janji). A quick snippet from John about the new RERun line.
Any particular tech in this release you're excited about?
Our new fabric for both our mens and womens tights are upgraded in a 2.0 version with more stretch, a bit thinner and more soft and comfortable
New Brand Alert: Dies Mercuri
Dies Mercuri launched a limited capsule last week. The brand stems from a growing Brazilian urban running subculture and was founded by French and Brazilian runners. Interesting seeing more brands pop up that focus on creating apparel that resonates with the local scene.
Whew! If you made it here, you’re a real one. Drop a comment, DM, or email with any thoughts.
It feels like there’s somewhat of an arms race in running clothes to add as many pockets as possible.
What a solid work you’re putting in!!
Amazing, as always!