Wearing the right type of clothing for running is extremely important for performance. They need to be both breathable and flexible enough not to interfere with running. In this article, I present the best running clothing brands in 2024 to make it easier for you to choose among all the players on the market.
When it comes to running apparel, there are some brands that have dominated the market for many years, but both new challengers and existing players are putting a lot of resources into developing new innovative materials right now. In other words, the running apparel market is more interesting than it has been for many years. It has never been easier to find both stylish and comfortable running clothes than it is now!
Here are the best running clothing brands for 2024:
1. Nike
Nike is one of the world’s most well-known and successful brands in the sportswear industry and has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality running clothes. Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike has evolved over the years to become a global powerhouse in the sportswear industry, producing a wide range of products for runners of all levels.
Nike’s running clothes are known for their innovative design and advanced technology, giving runners the comfort, support and performance they need to excel in their sport. Some of the key features of Nike running apparel include moisture-wicking materials that keep athletes dry and comfortable, strategic ventilation that helps regulate body temperature, and reflective details for increased visibility during early morning or late night runs.
One of the things that sets Nike apart from other brands is their commitment to sustainability. The company has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including using recycled materials in its products and developing new technologies to make its manufacturing processes more sustainable.
Nike’s running apparel is also highly customizable, allowing athletes to personalize their gear to meet their specific needs and preferences. From custom colors and graphics to personalized logos and messages, Nike’s customization options allow runners to create a unique look that sets them apart from the competition.
In addition to producing high-quality running apparel, Nike has also been a leader in the running world, sponsoring some of the world’s best athletes and hosting a number of high-profile events, including the Nike Women’s Marathon and the Nike+ Run Club.
Overall, Nike has established itself as one of the premier brands in the running industry, offering runners a wide range of high-quality and innovative products to help them reach their goals and perform at their best – whether you’re a seasoned marathon runner or just starting out on your running journey.
In my opinion, Nike is currently unchallenged as one of the best running clothing brands in 2024. Especially thanks to its clean and distinctive style.
Read more: Best Nike Running Shoes
2. Asics
Founded in 1949 in Japan, ASICS has since become a global leader in the running apparel industry, offering innovative and technologically advanced products that help athletes reach their full potential.
ASICS running clothes are designed with a focus on both performance and comfort. The brand uses advanced materials and technologies to create products that are lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking. This helps to keep runners dry and comfortable, even during intense training sessions or long-distance running.
One of ASICS’ most popular running apparel lines is their compression gear. Compression clothing is designed to improve blood flow, reduce muscle fatigue and improve performance. ASICS compression clothing is made from high-quality materials and advanced technologies, like their Motion Dry technology, which helps to wick sweat away from the skin and keep the wearer cool and dry.
In addition to compression gear, ASICS offers a wide range of other running apparel, including shorts, tights, tops and jackets. The brand’s products are designed with both male and female athletes in mind, and they offer a variety of sizes and styles to suit all body types and running preferences.
Asics is a very popular brand and, according to many, one of the best running clothing brands on the market.
3. Hoka One One
Hoka One One was founded in 2009 by two avid runners Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas Mermoud. Hoka One One specializes in creating innovative running shoes and clothing designed to provide comfort and support to runners of all levels.
One of the key features that sets Hoka One One apart from other running apparel brands is their focus on creating shoes with extra cushioning. The brand’s signature thick soles offer superior shock absorption, which can help reduce the risk of injury and make long-distance running more comfortable. The shoes also feature a unique curved design that promotes a natural rolling motion of the foot, which can help runners save energy and maintain proper form.
In addition to their signature thick-sole, well-supported running shoes, Hoka One One also offers a range of running apparel designed with similar principles of comfort and support in mind.
Their clothing line includes tops, shorts, tights and jackets that are made from high-quality materials and designed to fit well without restricting mobility. Many of their products also feature moisture-wicking technology that helps keep runners dry and comfortable even during intense workouts.
One of the things that makes Hoka One One a standout brand is their commitment to integration. The company offers a wide range of sizes and styles to accommodate runners of all body types and genders, and they also frequently partner with different athletes and running groups to promote diversity and representation in the sport.
4. Craft Sportswear
Founded in 1977, Craft Sportswear has a long history of producing functional and comfortable sportswear for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Especially in Sweden, the brand is very popular among both cyclists and runners.
What I personally like very much about the brand is its clean and stylish design and functionality. Craft Sportswear’s running clothes are designed with the latest technology and are made from high-quality materials that are both breathable and moisture-wicking. These properties are important for running, as they help to keep the body cool and dry during exercise.
The brand offers a wide range of running clothing, including running shorts, tights, jerseys, jackets and much more. Each item is designed to meet the specific needs of runners, providing support, flexibility and comfort during workouts.
One of the unique features of Craft Sportswear’s running clothes is the use of ergonomic design. This means that each item is tailored to fit the body in a way that improves performance and reduces the risk of injury. The brand’s clothing is also designed to be stylish, with a modern and elegant look that appeals to runners of all ages.
Craft Sportswear has also launched many interesting running shoes this year, making the brand particularly interesting among those looking for the best running clothing brands in 2024.
5. Adidas
Another well-known sports and athletics brand, Adidas offers a wide range of running clothes for athletes of all levels. Founded in Germany in 1949, Adidas has a long history of creating innovative and high-quality products for runners.
The Adidas running clothing range includes everything from performance-enhancing compression garments to lightweight, breathable tops and shorts. The brand is known for its use of advanced materials and technologies designed to enhance performance and provide runners with maximum comfort.
One of Adidas’ most popular runners’ clothing ranges is its Boost series, which includes shoes with responsive cushioning that provide a comfortable and energizing ride for runners. Adidas running shoes are designed to enhance running performance by providing a high level of support and stability while being lightweight and breathable.
In addition to shoes, Adidas offers a wide range of other running apparel designed to help runners perform at their best. These include compression shorts and tights that provide muscle support and help reduce fatigue, as well as lightweight tops and jackets that provide protection from the elements without weighing runners down.
Adidas’ commitment to sustainability is also reflected in their running apparel. The brand has launched a range of eco-friendly products made from recycled materials, such as the Primeblue range of running shorts and leggings, which are made from recycled ocean plastic.
In recent years, Adidas has also launched a number of interesting collaborations with both iconic brands and personalities. One of these is the Adidas x Marimekko collaborative collection that hit the market earlier this year.
Their Terrex collection for the outdoor segment has also received many awards for quality and innovation.
6. New Balance
New Balance is a brand that has established itself as one of the best in the running apparel market. They offer a wide range of products for both men and women, and their clothing is designed to provide comfort, durability and performance.
One of the things that sets New Balance apart is their commitment to using high-quality materials in their products. They use materials specifically designed for running, such as moisture-wicking fabrics that keep you cool and dry during intense workouts. They also use lightweight and breathable fabrics that provide maximum freedom of movement and comfort.
New Balance offers a wide range of products for runners, including shorts, tights, jerseys, shirts, jackets and much more. Their clothing is designed to fit well and provide maximum support and comfort during exercise. They also offer a variety of colors and styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect outfit for your next run.
Another benefit of choosing New Balance for your running clothes is their commitment to sustainability. The company has a strong commitment to reducing its environmental impact by using recycled materials in its products and reducing waste in the manufacturing process.
In addition to their commitment to sustainability, New Balance also has a strong focus on innovation. They are constantly developing new technologies and materials to improve their products and give runners the best possible performance.
7. Saucony
Saucony is a popular brand for running shoes worldwide and it is common to choose running clothes based on the brand of the shoes, rather than the other way around.
One of the key features of Saucony’s running clothes is their innovative use of fabrics and materials. They use a variety of materials such as polyester, spandex and mesh to create breathable, moisture-wicking and comfortable running clothes.
Their clothing range includes everything from shirts, shorts, tights and jackets to socks and hats, all designed to give runners the ultimate in comfort and performance.
Another distinguishing feature of Saucony’s running clothes is their attention to detail. They put great emphasis on the design of their products, making sure that each garment is optimized for the specific needs of runners.
For example, their shorts are designed with a wide, elastic waistband to prevent chafing and irritation, while their tights have a compression fit that provides support to the muscles and helps improve circulation.
8. Puma
Founded in 1948 in Germany, Puma has grown to become one of the world’s leading sportswear brands. The brand’s running clothes are designed with the runner’s needs in mind, using advanced materials and technologies to improve performance and comfort.
One of the key features of Puma’s running clothes is the use of moisture-wicking materials. These materials are designed to draw sweat away from the skin and keep runners cool and dry even during intense workouts. Many of Puma’s running clothes also feature ventilation panels or mesh materials to improve airflow and increase breathability.
In addition to moisture-wicking and breathable properties, Puma’s running clothes are also designed with a focus on comfort and mobility. Many of their products feature stretchy materials or ergonomic designs that allow for a full range of motion, helping runners to move freely and comfortably.
Puma also offers a wide range of running gear, including shoes, socks, hats and much more. Their shoes are particularly popular with runners, and many models feature advanced cushioning and support technologies that help reduce impact and improve performance.
9. Under Armour
Under Armour is a sportswear brand that has come on strong in recent years. They offer a range of high-performance clothing and accessories for athletes of all levels. It is also a popular brand among runners – especially in the US.
One of the distinguishing features of Under Armour’s running clothes is their use of advanced fabric technology. Many of their garments are made from moisture-wicking materials that help keep runners cool and dry even during intense workouts. In addition, some of their products are made from anti-odor materials, which can be particularly useful for runners who sweat a lot during their workouts.
Under Armour’s running clothes are also designed with comfort and mobility in mind. Many of their products feature stretchy materials that allow for a full range of motion, which can be crucial for runners who need to move quickly and efficiently. In addition, some of their products have built-in compression, which can help support muscles and reduce fatigue during long runs.
So Under Armour is in the top tier the US.
10. Salomon
Salomon is a brand that has been producing high-quality running clothing and accessories for over 70 years. Especially in trail running, Salomon has built a reputation for their ability to produce functional and stylish clothing designed to help athletes perform at their best.
One of the main benefits of Salomon running clothes is their focus on innovation. The brand’s designers are always looking for new and better ways to help runners perform. They work closely with athletes to understand their needs and develop products that meet those needs. This commitment to innovation has led to some impressive products, such as the Salomon S/LAB running clothes, which are designed for elite runners.
Another strength of Salomon’s running clothes is their use of high-quality materials. The brand uses advanced fabrics and materials that are designed to be both durable and comfortable. For example, many Salomon running shirts are made from a breathable and moisture-wicking fabric that helps keep runners cool and dry even during the most intense workouts.
This attention to detail also extends to other products, such as the Salomon running shorts, which are designed with stretchy and lightweight materials that allow for maximum freedom of movement.
For trail runners, alongside Adidas, Salomon is definitely one of the best running clothing brands on the market in 2024.
These were my picks for the best running clothing brands in 2024. There are many contenders both in the low-budget range and among more exclusive brands, but these can be considered the best in my opinion, taking into account factors such as innovation, quality and affordability.
