The world’s best running brands to know now
Welcome to the world of running – but make it fashion
All products are chosen independently by our editors. Luxury London may earn commission on items purchased.
Running isn’t just a sport – it’s a way of life. With running clubs dubbed the new dating apps, and Parkrun and half marathons as embedded in social calendars as brunch and cocktails, it’s now safe to say that if you’re not a runner you’re an anomaly. Don’t believe us? More than 840,000 people across the UK have applied to participate in the 2025 London Marathon, surpassing the previous 2024 record of 578,304. And as running has grown, so have the brands designed for it. Forget clingy, unbreathable tops and shoes guaranteed to give you blisters: welcome to a whole new era of high-performance, technical activewear offering both substance and style. Read on for the best running brands promising to make pulling on your trainers the best part of your day.
FP Movement
Established in 2012 as a sub-brand of Free People, FP Movement has been at the forefront of redefining activewear, bridging the gap between fashion and function while infusing a strong feminine sensibility into a market long dominated by male-led designs. The running collections here are fun and playful, featuring pops of flaming orange, flamingo pinks and lime. The one-piece Righteous Runsie is perfect for chucking in your suitcase when travelling, while the Light As Air run shorts are the designs to reach for during warm-weather runs thanks to their breathable mesh fabrication. Plus, 2024 is shaping up to be a big year for the brand as it sponsors two Team GB hopefuls, sprint hurdler Jess Hunter and five-time British champion Jessie Knight, as they prepare for the Paris Olympics.
Tala
Relatively new on the fitness scene, having only been founded in 2019, Tala has made a name for itself as the go-to brand for sustainable but high-performance athleisure and activewear. The best bit? All pieces are made from eco-conscious materials, including wood pulp-based fibre sourced from sustainably-managed forests, recycled nylon and Lycra. Earlier this year, Tala expanded its best-selling running collection, FormTech, to incorporate seven new flattering but technical performance-wear pieces. The range is crafted from 82 per cent recycled, sweat-wicking materials, and our favourites include a versatile running jacket crafted from recycled hydrophobic materials and the high-waisted leggings with a handy internal cord adjuster to keep them in place all run long.
Lululemon
Lululemon beyondfeel running shoes
Lululemon ambassador, Montana Farrah-Seaton, for the Find Further Run campaign
While Lululemon may have made a name for itself in the world of fitness via its buttery-soft leggings and uber-comfortable sport bras suited to the likes of yoga and Pilates, it would be remiss to overlook its running offering. Encouraging you to chase those PBs, trust that this collection’s sweat-wicking and breathable running clothes will add a touch of style to your next half marathon. Trail runners will love the Blissfeel Trail running shoe – released to the market after four years of research to perfectly balance cushioning and firm soles for traction – as well as the new Fast and Free Trail running vest, designed with every kind of adventure in mind. Featuring an array of straps for hiking poles, hydration flasks, bicycle lights and secure phone pockets, you’ll be reaching for this again and again, whether that’s for a trail run through the Welsh wilderness, triathlon training on the coast or a cheeky weekend 5k in the city. And for those rest days where you’re looking for something effortlessly casual, rely on the Bend This Scoop and Square bra for an all-day fit. Run to this collection, don’t walk.
Satisfy
Images: Pierre David
Founded by designer and running addict Brice Partouche, Satisfy takes its cues from the fashion-forward vintage styles he grew up with going to flea markets in the Alps with his father. Partouche also spent much of his childhood skateboarding and snowboarding, before branching into running and launching Satisfy in 2015. Having now secured a position in the luxury market, Satisfy’s collections wouldn’t look out of place on a catwalk, and despite their simple looks, are packed with high-performance tech. The brand’s signature Mothtech T-shirt, for example, may look like it has been devoured by the aforementioned insect, but the holes have been strategically placed for ventilation and cooling. We also rate the TechSilk pocket shorts which feature a subtle lining that provides protection from heat and UV rays. Running, but make it fashion.
Ciele
Didn’t think you needed a hat for running? Think again. Canadian brand Ciele entered the activewear market having spotted a gap for stylish, functional headwear, with 2014’s GoCap still being one of the brand’s bestsellers. New for 2024, the GoCap Century has been overhauled to offer a more robust Coolmatic fabric as well as mesh for accelerated cooling, anti-odour protection and a ripstop with SPF 50. Caps aside, we also love the W TRNShort featuring recycled polyester, elastane for stretch, a durable water repellent finish in case of rain and an impressive reverse stitched, no chafe, Coolmatic liner for cooling, wicking and odour control. As the website says, these shorts are “designed for training days and a fun run here and there that might just lead to that half marathon PB.” Enough said.
Salomon
French brand Salomon is synonymous with hydration vests in the world of running – but don’t think that means they’re clunky or unfashionable. The brand has been endorsed by models Bella Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski, as well as singer Rihanna, and has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a ski boot manufacturer in 1947. These days, you won’t have to look far on trail running routes to spot at least one runner sporting the Active Skin hydration vest. Thanks to the soft and breathable fabric, the fit is ultra-secure and the revamped chest pockets provide effortless access to your flasks. Those who tend to enjoy road running, however, should opt for the Active Sling, ideal for carrying your must-haves like phones, keys and gels, without weighing you down or getting in the way.
On Running
As you might have noticed from its wavy, cushioned sole – which again has become as much of a fashion statement as a technical feature – Swiss brand On Running aims to replicate what it would feel like to run on a cloud. Founded by three friends in Zürich in 2010, the brand shot to fame with its CloudTec trainer sole, designed to help to prevent muscle fatigue and lower the heart rate. Today, there’s a shoe for every runner, from the 95 per cent recyclable Cloudrise Cyclon, perfect for the conscious runner who enjoys 5-10ks and only available via a subscription service, to the Cloudmonster 2, which is guaranteed to put a spring in your step.
Soar Running
Born in Hackney, Soar Running, as the name suggests, is all about speed. The brainchild of founder Tim Soar and his cousin, financial guru Paul Marriage, the apparel brand always aimed to stand out with its fashion forward outlook. With Soar – a former high-fashion designer who created collections for London Fashion Week – at the helm, it’s no wonder Soar has flown (no pun intended). Combining cutting-edge fabric and manufacturing technologies to deliver activewear runners actually need, Soar has a bit of everything, from socks and tops to shorts and tights. Our favourites are the men’s Session tights, designed in a lightweight woven fabric, and the sleek Singlet women’s running top offering maximum breathability with minimum weight.
Castore
Castore was founded by brothers Thomas and Philip Beahon in 2015 when they were both in their early twenties and playing semi-professional cricket and football. The latter is perhaps what the brand is mostly known for (it provides the kit for Aston Villa football club) but it has since expanded into cricket, rugby, Formula One, and tennis. Its training kit is ideal for runners who enjoy the occasional 5k in between their weight training sessions, team sports and HIIT workouts. Our favourite pieces from the SS24 Apex collection are the breathable mesh sports bra and lightweight coat for outdoor training sessions, both crafted with aeromesh panels for enhanced airflow, AerTek moisture-wicking and reflective details that promise visibility when you need it most.
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