(Run) Culture is King
There may be another less tangible phenomenon at work, which is that running brands have managed to establish a cultural cache that cycling brands haven’t quite matched. In short, running is cool.
There is an upstart energy to brands like District Vision, Tracksmith, Janji, Satisfy, and Bandit that feels authentic and grassroots. The founders of several of these brands have backgrounds in fashion as well as true athletic chops, and have brought edginess and style-forward design to their products. Running clubs are booming all over the world and major marathons are drawing record numbers of applicants. The cost to get involved in the sport? A pair of kicks, shorts, and a tee.
“Fundamentally, people want to belong,” says Elliot. MAAP’s founders have a background in streetwear, and that has influenced their own aesthetics and partnerships. The brand recently did a collaboration with Public Possession, a German record company, that featured stylized bibs as well as lifestyle apparel like t-shirts and hoodies. “I think the larger aim is: how can we show up in a way that is just going to get the world absolutely psyched on the sport?” said Elliot.
Stangbye views the struggle for cycling brands to strike as deep a chord with their audience as a communication issue. “Running is a bit less serious on a recreational level,” said Stangbye. “These brands make performance products, but their communication is adding another layer to it. If you want to be a cowboy, you go to Satisfy. If you want to be mindful, you go to District Vision. In cycling, it’s very directional toward performance. What is missing needs to come in this other layer of communication.”
To others, the vibe of cycling is just right. Running may be having a moment, but it’s a loud one.
“I don’t believe running has a culture that cycling lacks,” said Wilimovsky. “I think it certainly has a hype and accessibility that cycling doesn’t, but cycling culture is alive and well. It’s just a little quieter. Which is why a lot of people, myself included, love it.”
The good news is, you don’t have to take sides. You can identify with a specific brand or sport or you can wear it all, do them all. Just don’t be surprised if your favorite brands go multidisciplinary as well.