Running Supply Roundup #37
Lots of new Summer 2025 releases, sniffing out IG brands, and if SATISFY would still be popular if it was cheaper.
Quick hits
Last week I covered new Loewe x On, Tracksmith’s new heat oriented tech, Janji’s latest limited collab, newer Korean brand EOU, and CEP’s new racing shoes. In case you missed it.
A bunch of changes rolling out to Grand Slam Track structure and incentives. It’s great to see them iterating on it, but does feel a bit loose. Let’s Run covered that pretty well.
An out of character critique of IG brands (all marketing, no substance)
New releases from Janji, Circle, Alba Optics, Hermanos Koumori, and Running Order
Someone asked: If SATISFY were more expensive…would people still buy it? Answered (at the end).
Marketing, Instagram, and $$$ Chasing Brands
I try and avoid giving any coverage to companies, brands, influencers, or whatever that don’t feel like they’re genuinely invested in the sport nor ones that I wouldn’t recommend myself. There is plenty of good stuff out there and positive things to cover. This little quote from anonymous “Hater” in Emily Sundberg’s newsletter stuck out to me.
It doesn’t take too long to figure out who’s for real and who’s not. A quote from one Redditor in r/runningfashion.
They are not a running company. They are a streetwear and hypebeast brand.
Stick to tried and true like Janji, Rabbit, Soar, etc.
Enough negativity for now, plenty of good stuff to cover instead.
Recent Summer Releases
Research Studio making a big push on marketing
Research Studio’s sunglasses have been on my radar since they launched. They’re working to challenge the incumbent Oakley in the run space and carve out some room amongst the wave of Oakley Radars, Reduxes, and new challenger from the cycling space, Alba Optics. They 3d print their frames and use ZEISS glass, so seemingly quality stuff.
Speaking of Alba, new Alba x Circle Collab
Kind of a gimmick, but we are seeing more crossover between cycling and running on this Circle and Alba Optics collab (see: Salomon x Pas Normal, Bandit’s cycling style top).
Circle made this cap with a special integrated slot for when the sunglasses are not in use much like the ones on cycling helmets. These glasses are still designed for cycling, as they do not bend at the arms (so as to more easily be slotted into a helmet while riding).
New Summer Janji
Janji added some new stuff to their summer line including a new ultralight “Pinnacle” singlet, UPF hoodies, and revived their 3” split shorts. Happy to see they brought back some of their unique artist patterns as well. They are running a Memorial Day sale, so hit that up to save 20% on the my favorite trail half tights.
Hermanos Koumori Releases a Racing Kit
Indie Mexico City brand HK has had a lot for success on their collaborations this year with adidas. Their latest release was a full grey racing kit they branded An/Other Pace. The branding here reminds me of cycling brand MAAP’s kit – the trend being bold abstract graphics.
OVER OVER Glows Up
Fashion-forward running brand OVER OVER is always experimenting with their shell materials, usually incorporating some dark-mode styling like 3M reflectivity. They added a new MoonTrace material which literally glows in the dark.
Running Order SS25
Literary Sport isn’t the only running tinted lifestyle brand, even if it’s the most recent. NYC Rave-themed Running Order makes skin tight mesh tops, and now luxurious oversized Italian tracksuits. From their team:
RO lives in between sportswear and ready-to-wear :)
It really does – it leans pretty hard into lifestyle while still preserving sportswear functionality which is honestly important when moving for hours on end at the overnight rave. I appreciate how they see themselves as a fashion brand in how they approach their creative direction, events, and collections. Running is just one part of their identity.
New Colorways for On and Mount to Coast
On has put out some new tennis inspired Cloudsurfer Next Z5. I like how they’re bringing this softer green and punchy pink in. Feels summer appropriate and it’s working it’s way into more of their line.
Heavily advertised on IG for a while, but Mount to Coast proved to be better than I expected after running a ton of miles in them during TSP LA to LV. Their signature trainer the R1 they have had in relatively neutral colors, but added a nice earth tone.
SATISFY, Luxury Brands, and Giffen Goods
If Satisfy was alot cheaper, would we still like it?
If SATISFY were more accessible, would people still like it? The same question sort of goes for any luxury brand. SATISFY certainly benefits from it’s somewhat limited availability (distribution) and luxury pricing. It’s not for everyone and can’t be.
Part of the cool factor in fashion (music, or any niche hobby) is putting stuff on nobody’s heard of and nobody else is wearing – the plague of capitalism, individuality, and “personal style.” For some, it would lose its appeal. It would be widely more popular but perhaps lose its chokehold amongst the in-crowd and “it” boys and girls. Their approach though is so unique right now—both product and marketing—that I don’t think they’d lose much ground. I for one would love to get a River Shirt for $150 instead of $300.
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I ask myself this question about Satisfy all the time. From my own personal style, I love seeing the punk aesthetic in the running world, which is usually filled with synthetic fibers and standard colorways. I was obsessed with Satisfy when I first saw their stuff—then I saw the price tag and realized I’d probably never be able to justify it.
The duality of being "limited" is tough. Being limited obviously generates hype and gives you the feeling that you've acquired something no one else has. The best example of "limited," in my opinion, is the old SB Dunk era. However, the Dunk earned its limited status through small production runs and exclusive release locations, whereas Satisfy relies on small runs and a hefty price tag. That comparison makes it easier to see why Satisfy gets a bad rap for its pricing.
Brick-and-mortar sale locations aren’t what they used to be (though I’d love to see them and random pop-up events make an even stronger comeback than we’re currently seeing), and limited online drops have lost traction thanks to bots. This dilemma forces brands to generate exclusivity in other ways.
To me, the problem is the price tag, not the limited run. It feels inauthentic to punk—a lifestyle rooted in anti-establishment values and acceptance of all walks of life—and to running, which is supposed to be the most accessible and inclusive global sport.
If I ran the show, I’d invest in community activation and do smaller runs of clothing only available at specific events like group runs, twilight races, or even concerts. Ticket the event and sell the merch at a reasonable price. Doing so would keep margins close to the same, thanks to the paid entry. This strategy works twofold: it helps build the brand’s storytelling on a personal level and cultivates exclusivity while remaining inclusive.
yea but MothTech™ holes are body-mapped on over-washed combed cotton for strategic ventilation, focusing on heat-prone areas of the upper body..