Running Supply Roundup #63
Nike ACG infiltrates stores, quiet collab launch of an EVO SL, and Bandit’s becoming Amex?
Back to your regularly scheduled programming. Nike ACG quietly infiltrates Nike stores, new collabs from Adidas x H.Koumori, Bandit is becoming Amex?
Quick Hits
I will be on a cycling-now-general-endurance-sport podcast by creative agency +Speed Studio this Wednesday. Take a listen to their year in review and predictions, and this pod with Pro Dylan Johnson. I talk about the overlap between running and cycling, differences in running culture between cities (Boston is different!),
Mark your calendars, January 10 is World Athletics Cross Country Championships Tallahassee 26. The course is a tough one but readymade for XC and spectators. I sadly won’t be there, despite it being the first time World XC has been in the US in 25+ years. Last time it was in Boston at Franklin Park.
247 Represent jeans runner guy Truett Hanes ran 2:25:41 (fast!) in the marathon and now will “qualify for the trials or die trying.” I am taking the over on that — it’s a massive jump with or without PEDs.
Hermanos Kourmouri x Adidas EVO SL
Hermanos Koumori is fresh off their annual collab with New Era caps on a very slick looking “heat map” set of caps. They’ve partnered directly with adidas now for 3 years, getting international exposure through their shelf space. It’s been a great strategy for the designed-in-Mexico brand to reach the world with their own minimalist designs.
The last collab was on a Adidas Boost shoe, and I was a bit disappointed to see that instead of the much more popular EVO SL. The SL was likely already in the pipeline though because its coming January 15th. I surprisingly haven’t been inundated with marketing photos and video. I do expect it to pick up this week, now that everyone is back from the holiday period.
I’m keen on these leopard print ones with indigo laces ($105 now from Marathon Sports), though I have yet to ever run in an adidas shoe.
There’s also this rad dip-dye version inspired by the actual dip-dying customers and creatives were doing. So far I can only see it for sale at Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Nike ACG Quietly Re-enters Stores
The ultra lightweight Nike ACG Lava Loft Down Jacket was supposed to come out Jan 1. It has yet to drop online but is now in stores. It’s 10 oz and feels like next to nothing despite down fill. Comes in at $295, link here if it ever shows up. So far it’s still mostly the lifestyle stuff, but there are sprinkles of performance wear and they’ve released the final Pegasus Trail. It’ll be back as the Pegasus ACG next time around.
I found the fit to be trim, certainly made for running and movement rather than just wearing around. The length I found to be a bit long for my rather short torso, I am normally a small and it came a few inches past my waist. I prefer more of a cropped fit for running jackets. I think this length is more broadly appealing though.
Most of the stuff is Nike Trail simply relabeled, but the Lava Loft Jacket is net new and part of Nike’s big push into trail. It will be complemented by the new Nike ACG Ultrafly 2 and Nike ACG Zegama releasing in February. I’m still on the lookout for one of those mesh shirts…
Last Vestiges of ACG Streetwear
More similar to their streetwear-and-not-trail-running identity, Nike ACG is also doing a collab with Cactus Plant Flea Market, a Japanese streetwear brand popular for their offbeat looks. It will have a balaclava hoodie, a long-sleeve crewneck, raver pants, an anorak jacket, a long-sleeve polo, and a sherpa hat. Comes out Spring 2026.
Bandit Membership is now like…Amex?
Bandit previewed some of their 2026 benefits which now scale well beyond running and performance into luxury lifestyle. They partnered with Engine, a business credit card company with travel benefits to pass on the same benefits to members.
Bandit customers have disposable income, probably an Amex or Chase Sapphire card with similar benefits, and are buying these products already or using the products from these companies. This is a great kickback for the membership program and does actually offer members value since the benefits all make sense: race travel, footwear, recovery, strength training, nutrition. God forbid I see a discount on Runna…
While it makes the membership more valuable, I don’t love it. Maybe it started as a community-based membership, but it doesn’t feel like that any more. With the latest expansion it seems like its funneling money back into a closed ecosystem of PE portfolio companies. To me, developing this program and member portal also signals a potential shift in focus. How front and center will the platform be vs. the apparel? I’m 100% biased because I’d rather see them become a super well designed running brand that surpasses Nike rather than some amorphous run-lifestyle monolith.
My favorite version of Bandit are buzzy popup locations, organized races, and the unsponsored project. I wish the membership was more of a community type thing than a retention play, even if the perks stayed (I’d want them if I already paid for a membership).
Is there a better way?
Definitely, but probably not one that scales financially as well as discount codes.
Far from perfect, but Tracksmith has much more community and race-focused model. They have their Twilight 5k series that anyone in the community can race, but Hare AC members get an opportunity to capitalize on their $100 PR Bonus, not to mention early (guaranteed) entry, and 50% off race fee. They also get bussing to the start of London, Boston, and NYC. What this ultimately means is their Hare AC customers / members are meeting each other at races on the bus and probably at the Twilight Series races even if they don’t live in the same city. Building shared experiences amongst their customers. That’s pretty cool.
I’d love to be proven wrong here, but the messaging around the membership is very value driven where the value is discounts or cash towards more Bandit stuff.
Recent and Upcoming Releases
Bakline’s First Winter Capsule
Bakline is a 2-man running apparel brand out of Brooklyn, NY that does all of their graphic printing in-house which is pretty neat—nothing is outsourced. While new to many (and me), they’ve actually been around for over 4 years making kit for local club teams. They also come in at a very approachable price point, decidedly mid-tier value oriented despite having a lot of the features you’d expect from a premium priced brand. I don’t love the lifestyle side (catch me dead in a slogan tee), but their performance side has some solid digital camo, tie dye, and marble.
The winter line, in my opinion, is their most mature line yet, even if its mostly staple-type pieces. Clearly they were a printing and made-for-you studio before because the brand isn’t super cohesive yet (but hey, neither is Saysky) as a standalone apparel brand they’re still young. Excited to see how they mature their own line and their custom printing in house. As they grow, it will be hard to scale both.
Some of my highlights form the winter line
Glow-in-the-dark fabric in their Light Wave Windbreaker. “Charged” after 30 min of light exposure.
Their XC tights. I had a weird thing in high school where no matter the temp I couldn’t race in tights—either compressive, too thick, or somehow restricted my knee drive. These are designed by someone who felt similarly. Also, 8 pockets.
The FAST-TRAC 4 Flirts With Gravel
Puma has shown off early looks at the FAST-TRAC 4, their more rugged trail shoe. I’ve been a big fan of the super cush MagMax lately, which at $180 comes in solidly under my $200 limit for super trainers. Their trend lately has been shaving weight, and the 4th iteration of the FAST-TRAC is lower profile and lighter. In their overview with BITR Robbe Reddinger, the Puma PLM mentioned how customer preference is pulling shoes back towards road, i.e. “gravel” like tendencies. Cue gravel shoes cannibalizing the the bulk of the trail market—few people want the bulky stiff trail shoes that feel closer to a hiking shoe than their daily trainer.
New Colorway of the FAST-R NITRO Elite 3
I hate these naming conventions. The latest colorway of Puma’s Alphalfy killer comes out today, January 6, in their classic bright orange colorway.
The Perpetual Brooks Glycerin 23
Not releasing until Feb 2, but features their +2mm more of their DNA Tuned midsole, same as what is used in the previous version. They also cranked the price up $10 to $175. For $175, I probably want something a bit more lively or exciting…or more durable. The price of a Glycerin has bumped up every year for the last 3 years: the 21 was $160, the 22 was $165. Time to buy last years model at a discount!
We’re Recreating MothTech Still?
Any holes in a cotton shirt will be MothTech to me.
For Later
Check out my bit on 3rd and 4th wave running stores, which features a list of the best running stores in the world. Indie Running Stores
If you’re looking to shop for any of this cool gear, check out my running store finder which let’s you filter by brand to see the nearest store.
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That glow in the dark windbreaker is insane might need to cop
I purchased Bakline for the first time during their Black Friday sale and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. I love the fit of the straight cut longsleeve (just size down from a woman's fit) & these socks look so fun while being one of my favorite to wear performance-wise: https://www.bakline.nyc/products/performance-quarter-crew-sock