Hello again,
hope you’r having a great start into the new week. But what about talking about last week’s running highlights from my bubble? I tbh had several personal highlights. First I had the chance to give some quotes about modern running & product for Business of Fashion, right next to some big names actually - what a pleasure. Then I answered some amazing questions for an interview in Bandit’s latest newsletter. Thx, what an honor! And over the week Irregular Practice x Hoka happened again for the release of the Bondi 9. Thx again for the trust! We had a blast - with almost 180 runners! Last but not least, I had the chance to send Romain Wyndaele to New Balance in Boston - more soon!
So what’s next? Actually, I talked to trail running athlete Ida-Sophie Hegemann last week and will release that very soon. In late February i’ll run the 47km (had to cancel the 82, that would’ve been a disaster…) at Transgarcanaria and i’m pretty sure that will be awesome! Also, PFW revealed some more future highlights but I think we’ve mostly talked enough about that already. So let’s move on to some product input from last week!
Ah yes, welcome to all new subscribers who joined due to yesterday’s raffle. Will inform the winner via Instagram Story later this week, so stay tuned!
Here’s what’s been hot in running last week:
1. Hoka x J.L.a.L Tecton X
The creative director of Jlal just teased two color ways of an upcoming Hoka collab. Been a fan of the first one and i’m quite happy to have a runnable silhouette. The first seen colorways of the Tecton X had a bit too much color imho and paired with the big word mark, that wasn’t “my pair of shoes” so i’m more than happy that these color ways are clean and not too bright! Coming in Summer.
2. Nike Pegasus Premium via Loop
The Loop Austin with a little chase scenario for the Pegasus Premium. Not sure if that’s a good running sure, but omg they look awesome and i’d love to get my hands on them. Even as a lifestyle-ish mid 2010s Air Max iteration this would’ve caught my attention!
3. Alex Zono x Soar
I love the content from this one and I even love the product a bit more. Excited about this, the colors just pop off!
4. Tiempos FW25
I enjoyed seeing so many independent running brands at PFW and Tiempos is definitely one I enjoy most. It’s cool to see how brands evolve, how their product gets more thoughtful, materials just get better. Tiempos FW25 looks nice and you should take a look!
5. ON x PAF
What a crazy show this was (I wasn’t there but enjoyed seeing all of your videos, honestly, haha). As far as I know, PAF and On are parting away but for FW 25 they again deliver are more than clean collection.
5. HAVENSHOP x ASICS Gel-Nimbus
Haven did good on this. Tbh the apparel collection with Gore-Tex is even better. See me fully-suited in these!
The Revolution of Running Retail!?
Bit of a hot take in the end but I really enjoy seeing “all those” (actually it’s few, but more and more follow) modern running retails popping up all over Europe. I mean Distance is around for quite some while but it’s hard to find comparable concepts elsewhere in Europe before 2024 I think. But now we’re talking a bout a number of new openings - Outandback Store in Aberdeen for example, Run Them in Germany’s Ruhr area, Berlin’s Flat Mountain Living, Brussels’ HANDSHAKE (opening soon) are pioneers of a concept that’s hopefully here to stay. They combine classic running specialty with solid outdoor gear and contemporary indie brands. And all of them focus on community from day one! Good to see, hope to see more!
PS: make sure to leave them some support, they’re doing good!
can't wait for Handshake to open in Brussels!!