Soar’s tagline is "beautiful performance running wear," which just about sums up Soar's approach to running gear. Based in the "the streets, parks, heaths and towpaths of London", Soar brings a nicely grown-up style to running wear. It isn't aggressively fashion-forward, completely minimal or awash in neons—just simple, lightly designed, modestly colorful clothes that are built to respectable performance specs. Soar uses a variety of quality athletic materials—Italian mesh, merino-silk blends—and add in all the right details you'd want to see in this kind of stuff, including flat-lock stitching and bonded seams, reflective detailing and body-hugging pockets.

Its aesthetic is one of the more refined examples of running apparel, with a color palette and simplicity of design that would feel just as home on a tennis court as it would on a running path. The clothes might not turn the heads of fashion types as they hew a little closer to design styles of the larger running brands, but they will give you a fairly respectable look for when you're hitting the track. That being said, Soar has recently introduced some brighter colors and more playful patterns to its assortment.

Another British label—but one which leans into its English roots heavily. Iffley Road is named after the track in Oxford where English athlete Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four minute mile in 1954. They further the idea by naming their products and colorways after British landmarks (like their Cambrian T-shirt, named after the gate in a local park that marks the beginning of the founders' regular 5k route).

Iffley Road fashions itself as a timeless running brand, with an aesthetic that borrows from vintage, prep school-esque athletic apparel with simple but strong stripes and piping. The two stripes that appear on the brand’s T-shirts and jackets are inspired by similar stripes on the top worn by Bannister when he first broke the 4-minute mile. And—speaking of timeless—Iffley Road also offers a repair program.

Muted two or three-toned designs in colors like pale navy and rusty burgundy hammer this vibe home; this is contrasted with garments offered in the whites, grays and blacks found in the pieces of any modern-day athletic brand. These are some of the least athletic-looking athletic clothes out there, in a good way; everything has a refined enough air that it would be fine to wear around town before or after your run. With slim-but-not-skin-tight fits and a reliance on more classic styling, this near-timeless feel is exactly what the brand intended. "Scratchy, sweaty and shiny were out;" the brand says about concepting their designs, and "soft, subtle and stylish were in."

No mention of style-minded running brands would be complete without paying respect to Nike's Gyakusou project. Yes, while Nike is, of course, the exact opposite of an under-the-radar brand, its collaboration with Undercover's Jun Takahashi is considerably less well-known than their mainline running wares. The pairing brings the best of each brand together–combining Undercover's dystopian, boundary-pushing, futuristic designs with Nike's performance fabrics and athletic functionality.

The label's name, drawn from the Gyakusou International Running Association, a Tokyo-based run club that Takahashi co-founded, translates to "running in reverse" in Japanese and is based around Jun Takahashi's own enthusiasm for running. "I run because running refreshes my mind and keeps me fit," he says. But the meditative nature of running may be the biggest reason. "When I am busy or mentally stuck, running helps switch my mindset. It helps me stop overthinking and instead take action and think positively."

“We have a really good rhythm,” Jarrett Reynolds of NikeLab told Complex in late 2016. She walks Takahashi through the latest Nike Running technologies, and then he'll select what to work with and what functional concept will drive the collection. Color schemes change season to season but often have a deep, earth-toned focus, a far cry from Nike's penchant for bold neons. Everything Takahashi selects is firmly rooted in running, and in recent seasons, he has explored the full range of Nike running technology, from Aeroloft vests to ThermaFit sweatsuits and from the tremendously popular Zoom Fly to the Gaiter Boot.

Satisfy is almost as much of a streetwear brand as it is a running one. It calls itself (perhaps a bit loftily) "a collective of multidisciplinary artists/runners from Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Stockholm and Kyoto," but is based in Paris, where the collective designs and prototypes all its garments.

Its clothes have a harsh, gothic kind of vibe—mostly black, with some white and camouflage thrown in and the occasional leopard print or tie-dye—often photographed on tatted-up models. The brand’s clothes are all performance-driven, with tech fabrics from Japan, Switzerland, Italy and France, boasting all the functionality you'd want; hidden key pockets, built-in liners, ultra lightweight construction accent trim (but not overly tight) fits. One of its signature styles, the "Moth Eaten" treatment, embodies their unique approach to running wares. The T-shirts have seemingly random perforations throughout, which Satisfy says are "mapped to create vented cooling zones" while also giving the garment a beat-up, vintage kind of vibe.

Satisfy’s ability to exist as both a tech-savvy fashion-forward brand has endeared it to a cult-like following, as well as to other brands. In 2019, at the height of Salomon’s popularity, the two French brands teamed up on a pair of Sonic RX Max colorways—one extremely toned down and the other in line with Satisfy’s penchant for hi-vis makeups.

Tracksmith has a very similar vibe to Iffley Road—simple, grown-up designs that can take you from the running track to your local suburban coffee shop without missing a beat. Tracksmith channels it through New England, creating a slightly more American prep feeling (versus the “British boarding school” vibes of Iffley Road). There's lots of color here, but it's all in subdued shades of reds, blues and grays, with handsome diagonal stripe tees, color blocked track jackets and printed running shorts. If you can imagine a Harvard running club member wearing it during the early-to-mid-20th century, then you’re on the right track.

That said, the brand’s not exactly anonymous outside of running circles; a 2017 collaboration with Noah wasn’t just a nod to the New York City Marathon—it’s crop of gear that’s perfect before, during and after your run. More recently, Tracksmith has taken to temporarily setting up shop inside Rowing Blazers’ New York outpost, doubling down on the brand’s Ivy League aesthetic.

The brand was founded in Wellesley, Massachusetts—the halfway point of the Boston Marathon—and later moved 13.1 miles down the course to set up a storefront downtown on Newbury street. Being based in Boston is important to Tracksmith. "We live here, we work here and we race here. We relish everything New England means to running and to us," the team says. "This place, and its historical significance to our sport, are at the core of our identity.”

The exercise brand that doesn't really want to be an exercise brand, Outdoor Voices says that it makes "technical apparel for recreation," appealing to all versions of casual athletics—from running to yoga to walking the dog. Its approach seems to be making athletic apparel appealing to the everyman, rather than the intense athlete. No matter the marketing, its wares work well for running, whether you're a marathoner or a couple-miles-per-week kind of guy.

All of its offerings are meant to be mixed and matched, and it offers "kits," a top paired with shorts or pants, at a bit of a discount. The aesthetic is a minimally-minded challenge of the bright neons and multi-paneled mesh creations of the big workout brands, with simple neutrals and modern but unassuming fits—slim enough and streamlined enough to feel modern, while made from fabrics that are nice enough to feel somewhat luxe. The brand takes special pride in its fabrics—a heathered poly/spandex blend they call "Mossed Jersey," a comfortable all-weather "Stretch Crepe," and an especially lightweight "Rec Poly" (short for recycled, since the polyester that makes up the majority of the fabric blend is made from 100 percent recycled bottles). They're all nice enough (if unexciting) and are spread out across can't-miss basics—short and long sleeve tees, tanks, shorts with built-in liners, slim sweatpants and unassuming sweatshirts.

When it comes to Outdoor Voices, the appeal is in minimal, stylish basics that you can sweat in. A 2016 partnership with A.P.C. made a lot of sense on an aesthetic front—so much so that the Parisian label invested in Outdoor Voices, too. In 2019, Outdoor Voices once again dipped its toe into the collaborative waters, working with Hoka One One on a minimalist running shoe. Things appeared to be going well for Outdoor Voices—described as a “startup darling” by some—but 2020 saw expectations for the brand come crashing down to Earth when it was revealed that the company was not as profitable as investors had assumed. While that doesn’t make the gear any less good—it means it might not be around forever.

Falling somewhere between Satisfy and Outdoor Voices, Ten Thousand has a dark and simple vibe that's perfect for the kind of style-minded runner who wants to look sharp, tough and minimal. They divide their offerings between the activities they envisioned them for—cross training (think programs like Crossfit), endurance (running) and strength training (any kind of weightlifting). The lines between the first and the third are kind of blurry, but its running gear is fully dialed in to the necessities of pounding the pavement.

The running shorts are short, super lightweight, laser-cut for ventilation and built with a single zip pocket behind the right hip for small wares that won't weigh you down. Plus a loop in the back to hang your T-shirt from (if you want to shed it mid-run) is a clear reminder that the athlete—and the way its design team uses garments in their respective workouts—is at the core of design.

Its range of other shorts, tees and compression gear are similarly thought-through. Like most other modern running brands, all the designs are featured in black, but a small handful of other very muted colors are available for a small section of items. As seen in the modern and minimal color selection, Ten Thousand’s items are finished with a simple “X” logo that—for all the graphic design found in other brands on this list—actually looks pretty refreshing.

Bear with us here: There’s a lot more iterations of Nike ACG than you might think. When it was first launched, in 1989, Nike’s All Conditions Gear diffusion line was designed for everything from hiking and trail running to mountain biking and, really, any outdoor activity. ACG, as the line quickly became known, tapped into the growing popularity of outdoor physical activity, drawing on earthy color palettes for some of the diffusion line’s most successful footwear silhouettes, like the Air Mowabb, and trail-ready apparel.

Unlike some of the more traditional running brands laid out above, ACG’s gear does not tend to be minimalist. But it has historically been heavily reliant on technological advancement. As the ’90s bled into the 2000s, ACG became an incubator of sorts for Nike’s experimental designs, which ultimately led to the brand appointing Errolson Hugh to relaunch ACG in 2014. Under his direction, ACG became more geared towards techwear, urban exploration, sleek outerwear and futuristic footwear, though the core ideas of ACG—exploration and movement—remained.

After four years, Hugh’s ACG 2.0 came to an end in 2018. Since then, Nike has turned ACG into a sort of nostalgic running line, bringing back some of the most revered silhouettes, like the aforementioned Mowabb and the Wildwood, in addition to new versions of coveted apparel, like the “Hike Nike” logo T-shirts. With Nike’s traditional running and athleisure business thriving, ACG offers a throwback to chunkier, crunchier silhouettes and funkier colors.

On a venn diagram of comfort, durability and timeless design, Reigning Champ is squarely in the middle. Reigning Champ wasn’t founded as a performance brand, and while it might not boast the same technology as Nike, it can lay claim to unrivalled comfort and quality, while still being rooted in sports. Introduced in 2007, Reigning Champ offers an almost idyllic take on traditional sportswear, with incredibly simple fleece, T-shirts, shorts and pants.

The Canadian brand has long favored a toned-down aesthetic, relying on a core palette of grey, black, white and navy, while infusing seasonal colors like oxblood, forest green and sky blue. Rather than rely on bright colors or bold graphics, Reigning Champ’s appeal—and it’s reputation—is staked in the fact the goods are Canadian-made, with tremendous attention to detail, from pre-shrunk fleece. That said, the brand has also dabbled in logo-heavy pieces—especially as part of collaborations with the NBA and MLS.

And, speaking of collaborations, it’s through projects with adidas, Asics and New Balance, that Reigning Champ began to explore more performance-driven athletic apparel. Ultimately, that led to the Vancouver-based brand introducing more tech-heavy pieces, with an expanded “Sea to Sky” line comprised of weatherproof—albeit still minimalist—athletic gear.

Somewhere between Errolson Hugh’s ACG and Reigning Champ, you’d find Isaora, the New York-based technical sportswear brand that was founded in early 2008. While Isaora is “dedicated to stomping a new path forward in performance wear”, the brand has also dabbled in more tailored garments. Put simply, Isaora has offered up everything from lightweight running T-shirts and shorts to mid-layer puffer jackets and sleek trench coats.

While Isaora has always made performance wear, it was definitely streetwear-adjacent in the mid 2010s, teaming up with the likes of Kith, Porter and a handful of other brands on more graphic-heavy pieces. Today, the brand offers a range of pieces in shades of black, grey and navy, with taped seams, ergonomic zips and pockets and a bevy of other high-tech features. While the puffer jackets and cargo pants can be worn on a day-to-day basis, Isaora’s focus is undeniably on performance wear, with reflective detailing making it the perfect choice for runners with a discerning eye.

Until recently, the only people who knew about Hoka One One were serious runners—the kinds that train religiously for marathons or schedule their vacations around races. Hoka One One was only founded in 2009, but in a little over a decade, it has become one of the most well-respected running brands in the world.

Hoka One One recently made headlines with an absurdly oversized outsole. While it might look like a ploy to get press, it’s very much in line with what Hoka has done from the outset. When every other brand was going minimalist and low-key, Hoka launched with oversized, extremely-cushioned outsoles, that were initially popular with ultramarathoners—an admittedly small segment of the population. From there, the brand endeared itself with casual runners and, eventually, with the fashion crowd, as sneaker mania reached new heights in the mid-to-late 2010s. Collaborations with the likes of Engineered Garments and Outdoor Voices, helped solidify Hoka’s standing as a bonafide sneaker brand—not just a runner’s brand.

Even more recently, the brand has begun to dabble in apparel, introducing an inaugural range of running gear in March, 2020. Like the footwear, the clothes are designed first and foremost with running in mind. Hoodies have small, zippered pockets for power bars, phones or anything else one would need on a long run and lightweight jackets are made using Gore-Tex fabric. Perhaps most interesting of all, though—the brand is making an effort to use recycled fibers, something which seems like a must in this day and age.

One of the best things about sportswear brands teaming up with more fashion-forward designers is that the resulting product often represents the best of both worlds—it’s functional performance wear that can be worn for more than just a jog or a workout.

Pyer Moss’s ongoing collaboration with Reebok—launched in 2018—has done just that. The two brands have reimagined some of Reebok’s classic sportswear sneakers from the ‘90s, namely the Daytona and DMX. Pyer Moss’s Kerby Jean-Raymond has put futuristic spins on both silhouettes. That play between futurism and heritage has been the common thread in the three years of collaboration, with footwear and apparel that features vintage-inspired color blocking—turquoise and purple, for example—but detailing that seems fit for the future.

Admittedly, while the pieces could probably pass as functional workout gear, they’re not performance wear. Instead, they’re crafted from heavier materials or cut in less-than-ergonomic ways, favoring form over function, and more closely inspired by the casual ways in which sportswear was worn in the ’90s and ’00s.

Few athleisure brands seem to be as divisive as On. The brand’s signature design, the Cloudtec soul, is, to some, reminiscent of Reebok’s mid-aughts “Zig” technology—and not in a good way. But others swear by that very technology and the brand’s running shoes. In recent years, On has arguably been one of the quickest-growing running brands—especially in fashion circles.

The brand offers more than sneakers, though, with a range of sleek, high-tech performance gear that runs from lightweight T-shirts and shorts to water-repellent jackets. A sophisticated, but simple, color palette has become one of On’s calling cards, and those looking for refined athleisure will probably find what they’re looking for.

Plus, if it’s good enough for Roger Federer, it’s likely good enough for you.

When Ciele Athletics launched, it was hard to foresee the success that the brand would have. The Montreal-based brand launched with “just a cap,” as it says on its site, offering lightweight, colourful running caps to a select few retailers. Eventually, though, the caps caught on and, by becoming masters of a niche, Ciele got its foot in the door with a number of retailers and runners around the world.

Today, the brand is still offering its famed caps, in a dizzying number of colors and shapes, but also visors, T-shirts and beanies. Considering how entrenched the brand has become within the running community, it wouldn’t be shocking to see more clothing in the coming seasons.

Until then, though, Ciele remains, arguably, the under-the-radar athleisure accessories brand.