Are you feeling hot to trot? How running gear got (very, very) chic

Enhanced cardiovascular fitness, stress relief, mood enhancement — there are myriad benefits to taking up running. But a new advantage is now coming to the fore: high-performing gear is hot. Ever since “gorpcore” made functional clothing covetable, high-spec running trainers (On, Hoka, Nike, Asics, pick your fighter) and visor-style sunglasses that wouldn’t look out of place at fashion week have started to feel like status symbols. And there are plenty of people looking to buy into the elite athletic mood; just ask any of Strava’s 180 million worldwide users, or one of the record-breaking 1.1 million people who applied for a place in the 2026 London Marathon (nearly double the number for the 2024 race).