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A guide to running clothing: who makes it, where they are based, what the new fabrics actually do, and which trends are worth your money. Each brand, fabric and rule carries a status label and the sources behind it, and the region switcher shows what is sold where you live.
Researched and checked by the RunV research team. How we research. Independent: we do not sell gear and carry no affiliate links.
Fit, fabric and the weather you run in matter more than the logo. Synthetic fabrics dry fast and cost less. Merino handles odour and temperature well but costs more. For rain, look for a jacket you can re-proof, because water-repellent finishes are changing as PFAS rules tighten.
Nike, adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Brooks, Hoka, On, lululemon, Patagonia and Under Armour make most of the running kit sold worldwide. All are sold in the UK, EU, US, Canada and Australia, and On made a large push into running apparel in 2026.
Nike, adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Brooks, Hoka, On, lululemon, Patagonia and Under Armour make most of the running kit sold worldwide. On made a large push into running apparel in 2026. These brands are sold in all five of our regions.
Sources: Athletech News, Fleet Feet, Running Supply · checked 11 Nov 2026
Independent running brands have boomed, many started by runners and run clubs. Use the region switcher to see brands based where you live, from Soar Running in London to Ciele in Montreal and Fractel in Australia. We are still checking which brands ship to every region.
A Brooklyn brand that grew out of New York run clubs.
Sources: Rolling Stone, Wallpaper · checked 11 Nov 2026
A Montreal brand best known for its running caps.
Sources: Rolling Stone · checked 11 Nov 2026
Founded in 2018, Fractel makes performance headwear and apparel from recycled materials.
Sources: National Running Show · checked 11 Nov 2026
A British running brand known for classic, understated running kit.
Sources: Permanent Style · checked 11 Nov 2026
Four US independents with distinct styles: Janji's travel-inspired prints, Path Projects' technical shorts, rabbit's playful colours and District Vision's eyewear and merino knitwear.
Sources: Athletech News, Rolling Stone, Trend Hunter · checked 11 Nov 2026
A Swedish running brand focused on distance running kit.
Sources: FashionUnited · checked 11 Nov 2026
A Queensland activewear brand with running ranges.
Sources: Russh · checked 11 Nov 2026
A Canadian activewear brand with a large running range, sold in all five of our regions.
Sources: Athletech News · checked 11 Nov 2026
Two women's running brands that were new at the 2025 trade show.
Sources: Six Minute Mile · checked 11 Nov 2026
The performance line from Manchester fashion brand Represent, covering running and training kit.
Sources: LDN Fashion · checked 11 Nov 2026
A Paris brand led by its fabrics, with collaborations with Hoka. It has also started making running shoes.
Sources: LDN Fashion, Opumo · checked 11 Nov 2026
A Scandinavian brand making technical, minimal running kit.
Sources: Running Supply · checked 11 Nov 2026
A London running brand from Hackney, founded in 2015 by designer Tim Soar. Known for technical, race-focused kit.
Sources: END Clothing · checked 11 Nov 2026
Launched in 2014, Tracksmith is often credited with starting the wave of independent running brands.
Sources: Rolling Stone · checked 11 Nov 2026
Cooling fabrics lead the big launches, such as Nike Aero-FIT and adidas Climacool+. Merino remains a proven choice for odour and temperature. Inflatable insulation is still an early idea, and fabrics with built-in sensors or heat storage are not yet backed by strong independent testing.
A cooling fabric from adidas. A Climacool+ singlet was worn in the first official sub-two-hour marathon, run in London in April 2026.
Sources: adidas · checked 11 Nov 2026
Nike's Therma-FIT Air Milano jacket uses air chambers you can adjust to change how warm it is. It is an early idea rather than an established category.
Sources: Yanko Design · checked 11 Nov 2026
Merino wool controls odour naturally and helps regulate temperature in heat and cold. It costs more than synthetic fabrics and dries more slowly.
Sources: Running Warehouse, iRunFar · checked 11 Nov 2026
An airflow-first cooling fabric. Nike says it moves more than double the air of its older kit, and that it is its first elite performance apparel made entirely from textile waste. It started in football kits and reached running in autumn 2026.
A widely quoted 238% airflow figure was for football shirts. It does not carry over to running tops.
Sources: Nike, Nike newsroom, Runpack · checked 11 Nov 2026
Fabrics with built-in sensors, or that store and release heat, are widely promised. We found no strong independent testing for running. See the Running Tech hub.
Sources: Rising Trends · checked 11 Nov 2026
PFAS are chemicals behind many waterproof and stain-resistant finishes. France banned them in clothing and footwear from 2026, Denmark follows in July 2026, and an EU-wide rule is expected around 2029. Rain jackets are moving to PFAS-free finishes, which usually need re-proofing more often.
We are tracking the UK, US state, Canadian and Australian positions and will add them here.
Denmark's ban on PFAS in clothing and footwear starts in July 2026.
Sources: Chemistry World · checked 11 Nov 2026
An EU-wide restriction on PFAS is still being assessed and is not expected to take effect before 2029. For runners, it means rain jackets are moving to PFAS-free water repellents, which usually need re-proofing more often.
Sources: Projet Celsius · checked 11 Nov 2026
PFAS, sometimes called forever chemicals, are behind many waterproof and stain-resistant finishes. France banned them in consumer clothing, footwear and waterproofing sprays from 1 January 2026. Stock made before then can sell until the end of 2026, and the ban widens to all textiles in 2030.
Sources: TÜV SÜD, Chemistry World · checked 11 Nov 2026
Running kit is being styled as everyday wear, independent brands keep growing, and the big brands lead with cooling as summers get hotter. Some prices are edging up because of tariffs and shipping. None of these trends changes what you need for a good run.
Big-brand launches in 2026 lead with airflow and cooling, as runners train through hotter summers.
Sources: Nike · checked 11 Nov 2026
One index now lists more than 100 independent running brands, many started by runners and run clubs.
Sources: Running Supply · checked 11 Nov 2026
Some running kit prices have risen because of tariffs and shipping costs.
Sources: Six Minute Mile · checked 11 Nov 2026
Running kit now looks more like everyday clothes. The 2025 trade show saw more of this style, and District Vision added wool knitwear to wear before and after runs.
Sources: Six Minute Mile, Trend Hunter · checked 11 Nov 2026
In heat, wear light, loose, quick-drying fabrics and a cap. In cold, layer: a base layer, a light mid layer and a windproof top, plus gloves. In rain, a light jacket you can re-proof. Running warms you up fast, so most runners start a little cool rather than warm.
It can be. Merino controls odour and helps regulate temperature, so it suits long runs and travel. It costs more than synthetic kit and dries more slowly.
PFAS are chemicals used in many waterproof finishes. France has banned them in clothing from 2026, so new jackets are moving to PFAS-free finishes, which usually need re-proofing more often.
Independent British running brands include Soar Running in London, Represent 247 in Manchester and Iffley Road.
Fractel and LSKD are Australian. Ciele and lululemon are Canadian.
Mostly in comfort and durability. Fit and fabric matter more than price, and no clothing replaces training.
Hub published with 27 entries, each with sources checked on 11 November 2026.
Labels: Mainstream · Rising · In research · Unproven · Failed. Every claim links to its source and the date we checked it.
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