The 12 Boutique Running Brands You Should Know

Big shiny brands generating billions of dollars can sometimes lose their focus raking in all the green, leading to products that may not always be crafted with passion. Remember that you have options and grabbing gear from the fitness apparel giants shouldn’t be automatic because recognizable logos aren’t always synonymous with quality products, which is why we want to shine the light on some of the best boutique running brands out there. With a smaller spotlight, these lesser-known running apparel companies stay hungry and strive to always put out high-quality gear.

Searching for quality running brands outside of the companies making oceans of money is encouraged, but it can be challenging to sift through all of the smaller brands to find the golden few. It seems like every day a new running brand pops up with supposedly the latest and greatest gear to help you cross the finish line in record time. Because of all the boutique running brands flooding the market, we went ahead and compiled a list of the best running brands you should know based on our thorough research and experience in covering running products.

How we made our picks

There are quite a lot of boutique running brands out there, so our list below will comprise our favorites. Running has become cool these days, so we wanted to reflect that with labels that make stylish running gear without sacrificing any of their top-notch quality in the process. Our picks truly construct quality gear and are led by folks passionate about the sport of running.

Bandit Running

If you peruse the running space, you’ll notice most brands are fairly, if not highly, active in the running community. However, Bandit Running is at the top of that list, being on the front lines with fellow enthusiasts, and using them to test out new pieces, which has benefitted twofold by allowing the brand to grow through word of mouth. Founded in 2020 by three fervent New York-based runners, Nick West, Tim West, and Ardith Singh, Bandit has owed its rapid success to the community itself. The company caters to enthusiasts of all types, from mental health runners to hardcore marathoners, with both performance and lifestyle running products pervading its catalog, such as tops, bottoms, hats, socks, and other accessories.

Ciele Athletics

When Mike Giles and Jeremy Bresnen couldn’t find a running hat they liked, the duo set out to create one, leading to the start of Ciele Athletics. Combining style and technicality in ways other brands hadn’t quite done before, the two friends started making running hats back in January of 2014 and launched the company in August of the same year. Both live active lifestyles, as they run often and also skate and snowboard. Their running hats gained momentum in the marathon community, as they were represented at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon with a limited edition Ciele hat made for the race. Ciele’s hats, beanies, and headbands provide runners with moisture-wicking performance and protection along with timeless style.

District Vision

District Vision got its start when Tom Daly and Max Vallot tested out sports eyewear technology with a set of runners in New York. The duo went on to combine real-life feedback and Japanese engineering to come up with their first pair of running shades dubbed the Keiichi. Their stellar sunglasses provide runners with the technology needed to focus on the route or trail and make a connection between mind and body while running. Their running sunglasses are engineered to protect and reduce strain on the eyes. Although they specialize in running eyewear, they have expanded to include other running gear, such as shoes and clothing. District Vision will also occasionally collaborate with other running brands, such as Salomon, to create products to help you perform at your highest level.

Janji

Janji started out as a class project at Washington University by collegiate runners Dave Spandorfer and Michael Bernstein who believe running is a way to connect and change lives. Janji gives 5% of its revenue to fund clean water projects across the world. Spandorfer and Bernstein were inspired to give back after participating in the 2010 NCAA DIII Track and Field Championships as they pondered the importance of the water stations in the challenging 10K. Janji also stands out because they visit a new country every season to work with local artists to design a new line inspired by the place they’re visiting. Not only do they give back, but they provide a platform for amazing artists. In addition, they also make an effort to source their materials from the countries they visit, further making their gear original. Their brushed interior apparel is made from moisture-wicking fabric for optimal comfort and functionality.

Miler Running

Compared to all other races, the 400-meter is an interesting one. You’re not all-out sprinting nor, at one mile, are you needing to pace yourself the whole time. Rather, it calls for a very specific approach with specific requirements, blending both speed and endurance. Founded on that same ethos, Miler Running combines modern aesthetics with classic performance. Specializing in sleek apparel and accessories, it uses high-quality fabrics sourced from European and Japanese mills but produces and makes everything in-house in its New York headquarters. Only around since 2019, Miler is definitely one to watch.

Norda

In just three years, Norda has not only become a forefront leader in the boutique running category but assertively positioned itself to compete with many of the big dogs. Focusing on innovative construction techniques, the Montreal-based company specializes in trail running shoes like its 001 and 002 lines, which are as attractive as they are utilitarian. The brand’s use of head-turning materials such as Dyneema, Cordura, and graphene – it even has a variant with a hand-painted midsole – has allowed it to get noticed. However, its dedication to hand-stitching and laser-cutting its products has earned it the respect of the community as a whole.

On

Three-time World Duathlon Champion and multiple Ironman winner Olivier Bernhard and his friends David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti started a footwear company truly catering to the soles of runners. Bernhard was inspired to start the company during his search to find the best running shoes available that would provide him with a cushioned landing, as well as a firm take-off. This led Bernhard to a Swiss engineer and the two created the first On running footwear. Today, you can grab On running shoes at more than 3,500 specialty running stores around the world. There are plenty of running shoe highlights in their catalog, including the On Cloud model from 2014, which is the world’s lightest fully-cushioned running shoe, according to On. The running brand continues to earn awards and approval from celebrities and athletes.

Ronhill

Started by Olympic runner Ron Hill who was the first Britain to win the Boston Marathon, clocking in at about 2 hours and 10 minutes, this brand continues to put out the most reliable gear for runners at any level. Hill used his expertise and experience in the sport of running to start the Ronhill running brand, providing athletes with exceptional garments to achieve the impossible. Hill pioneered revolutionary innovations in fitness apparel, including the side-split shorts and moisture-wicking textiles. In 2001, a new team was brought in to implement a novel, strong take on the design and development of running apparel. Ronhill was the best running brand winner in Athletics Weekly and they’ve taken home multiple Men’s Running awards.

Satisfy

Brice Partouche is an entrepreneur with a background in counter-culture that led him to create the fashion-forward running brand Satisfy. Several years before starting Satisfy, Partouche became addicted to running, yet he wasn’t into the culture of the sport nor the clothing. To celebrate the daily ritual of running solo, Partouche created Satisfy to speak to the running subculture and its connection to music and technology. All the apparel produced by Satisfy is created with in-house fabrics or ones acquired from trusted suppliers, as quality is their number one concern. According to Satisfy, every detail of each product has a purpose. It may be a highly fashionable brand for running, but functionality has been and always will be the main focus.

Soar

Founder and creative director Tim Soar is a keen runner who always wanted to create style-driven running apparel he’d want to wear. The idea sprouted in early 2013 and developed into a full-fledged company in 2015, and Soar has been one of the most reliable boutique running brands since then. Soar realized big budget brands spend most of their money and focus on creating footwear, whereas the sports apparel development received the scraps. Soar Running is all about functionality, however, since the founder also has an extensive background in fashion and design, style is also a must with Soar garments. Soar makes running clothes for runners at the local level and takes the time to connect with their audience through events like the Soar Mile run.

Tracksmith

Co-founders Matt Taylor and Luke Scheybeler are the brains behind the Tracksmith brand and their experience with sportswear is the key to their success. Taylor ran cross country and track at Yale where he fell in love with the satisfying feeling of training, and Scheybeler was the creative director and co-founder of Rapha. Founded in New England, where the Tracksmith team also races, the crew of the company has an undeniable love for the sport. The independent running brand focuses on making garments and gear to honor the amateur spirit of the non-professional competitive runners looking to achieve excellence. Tracksmith produces a variety of quality gear for running, including fitness shorts, track jackets, t-shirts, and shades. Each piece is crafted with quality workmanship and built with runners in mind. When you see the hare logo for Tracksmith, which is a symbol for survival and wit, you know you’re acquiring a piece of apparel made by runners for runners.

unsanctioned running

There are a lot of brands who claim sustainability when it comes to making their products, however, the list is much shorter when it comes to brands who actually dedicate themselves to being 100% sustainable, with an emphasis on transparency. Founded in 2019 by marathoner Carlos Furnari, who spent time serving as the creative consultant for names like adidas, Nike, and On, Unsanctioned Running is on that shortlist, with the idea of being 100% sustainable in all facets. Ethically made in Milan, every one of the company’s products features fabrics knitted at a bluesign-approved textile mill with either recycled plastic bottles or upcycled industrial waste. From there, the garments are produced entirely in a STeP-accredited factory in Portugal, packed in home-compostable garment bags, and shipped using compostable courier mailers.

Boutique Outdoor Brands You Should Know

Love the outdoors? So do we. Here are our favorite boutique outdoor brands to complement the list above.