You don't always need a fit to go run
On consumerism, peer pressure, and what people really wear.
Social media (marketing) is a very narrow view of the runner’s world. Think about the last 5 Instagram ads you saw, the latest viral reel, what vibey photos have been circulating amongst the online hypebeast run crowd. As someone that is constantly keeping an eye on all the new stuff coming out, I have to actively seek out things that are outside of this aesthetic.
I will be the first to admit that I’m wowed by shiny things and good marketing. Even as cynical as I am about new brands entering the running space applying the streetwear marketing book, I, too, am human, and feel the urge to buy a lot of it fully knowing I don’t need it.
There are so many new runners hitting the road and joining clubs; there was a 59% increase in running club participation globally in 2024. It’s great to have this influx of new energy in the sport and see it be cool again! I’ve never had more friends to run with. What it also means is that brands are fighting for market share, advertising aggressively, partnering with run clubs, and trying to get in your pocket.
It’s easy to pick out the new Milennial and Gen Z runners with disposable income1. They’re wearing the latest gear from Bandit, Tracksmith, SATISFY, BPN, UVU Club, 247 Represent, and probably the Adidas Adizero Evo SL.
That makes sense given what they are being fed by social media. Just like peer pressure around what you wore to school or now wear to the office, the groups you run with and media you consume naturally influence what you think you should be wearing.
In reality it’s the minority of what most people are actually wearing, run club or not. 99% of runners are wearing what’s on the top of their laundry pile to sneak in 4 miles before they take their kids to school, or grab 3-5 miles after work with friends. The contrast I’ve seen running with one of the "cool" run clubs in NYC and meeting up with a club when visiting my family in Buffalo is stark.
There's nothing wrong with getting dressed up. I throw on a fun outfit or fresh pair of shoes when I need motivation. But there's a difference between wearing something because it brings you joy and wearing something because Instagram told you to.
Here’s some non-aesthetic run outfit inspo:
Specifically in the more fashion forward scene-y cities like NYC, Berlin, Los Angeles, Paris, London
If folks are looking to see this in action — run a local race. It’s a great reminder of what 90% of people are wearing. We should all wear what makes us comfortable, but that doesn’t have to be specialized gear or the latest Bandit drop.
I'm starting to feel the urge to rebel against the hypebeast-ification of running fashion. Looking more into things like vintage soccer jerseys.