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Our monthly dispatch of the best things brewing in run culture
The month’s best running drops, collaborations, and special releases
Saucony, Norda, Raide, Hoka, Maap, Soar, Diadora, Altra, Adidas, Bandit, Satisfy, District Vision, Merrell
Bandit Running Grand Prix (photo courtesy of Bandit)
Things slowed down a bit this month, possibly because we are still recovering from June, when things got extremely saturated. So in a way, this is our recovery month before the fall racing season starts heating up. Honestly, I’d rather spend my time catching the last weeks of summer running than obsessively trying to buy a drop online (which I kinda did anyway). So take a rest, because the wave comes back again soon.
Nevertheless, this month saw the release of a few great, thought-out collaborations; here are our favorites.
Dope Dye
This collab puts the technical Peregrine 15 in a muted “Gesso” color, inspired by the material used by artists to prime a canvas. A neat crossover between NYC menswear and trail function. Then, to make things more interesting, 3sixteen took some pairs to hand-dye in beautiful natural colors ( “Indigo,” “Sunflower,” “Granite,” “Rubia,” “Blank Canvas”), a trend in running lately, making it both a collaboration and a customized shoe at the same time.
Belt Business
Norda and Raide teamed up on the LF 2 L Hydration Belt. The popular zero-bounce belt, built for mountain runs, is praised for its stash capacity. Not much has changed in the structural design of the belt, which is a good thing; the main treat is a bespoke sage colour with reflective co-branding and pink toggles. Good option for those tired of black.
Maap Making
Hoka joined forces with cycling brand Maap to release a special edition Tecton X 2 MAAP trail racer. It blends Hoka’s carbon‑plated propulsion with Maap’s neon‑accent aesthetic and reflective detailing. Same Profly X midsole for smooth off-road transitions, but visually dialled in with cycling cues. Available in a bright “limeade” look and built for runners who want race‑capable tech that turns heads. One of the greatest so far.
High Flyin’ Drop
Teased in January and released this month, the Soar × Altra capsule is a performance‑driven trail racing system. It features the Mont Blanc Carbon trail shoe paired with a Trail Race Top, lightweight cap, and integrated shorts and half-tights. The shorts use RHEON impact‑absorption tech, and the kit is styled in a Prism-inspired palette, a Soar colorful staple.
Paint Canvas
The latest of the Yohji Yamamoto adidas label is another high-fashion take on Adizero staples Adios Pro 4 and Adios 9. This time, the master stroke comes in painter-brushed stripes to make you look a bit less polished and a bit more artsy. These Y-3 shoe edits keep getting better and better. I wish the price were closer to the original, as they were for past versions of the shoe.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
Satisfy celebrated its decade mark in 2025 by leaning into its Americana‑inspired aesthetic and cult appeal. The capsule collection was comprised of MothTech tees with designs and motifs from the archive, the Joe Strummer photo of the Run Punk Run collection, Inner Trip Center, and Born to Run, among other classics.
Peak Performance
Snow Peak and Merrell reunite for a second collaboration, reworking the MTL Long Sky 2 trail runner into a sleek, all-black “Matryx SP” edition. Unlike their earlier chunky Moab Speed 2 GORE-TEX, this version is streamlined and minimal, yet built tough with high-performance materials—blending Japanese design sensibility with American outdoor engineering. A refined, technical update for serious trail runners.
Formula Run
The Bandit Grand Prix is a new, high-energy running event organized by Bandit Running, inspired by F1 racing and underground street culture. A series of races, including 5K, 3K, and finals, all in a loop inside a warehouse. A very sleek event that also included a limited edition capsule and a DJ set by Washed Out, making it one of the coolest nights in running and community.
Master Piece
Museum of Distance Running (MODR) is a niche brand by Jared Younger built around running as art. One of its most popular designs, the mesh shirt, which has been sold out for months, is back in a new black color, along with a hat. These sell out quickly but appear from time to time, so it’s good to keep an eye on them.
Fair Isle Fun
A little bit ahead of time, District Vision has released their first batch of winter pieces. The collection includes a fair mix of running and lifestyle pieces with a lot of fleece, knit pieces, and merino. Stand out pieces are the reverse high loft fleece and the Merino Long Sleeve Mock Tee, as well a the fair isle wool sweater, because at this point why the hell not. If you like to plan ahead, this is the perfect time to stock up.
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Alfredo is a runner, writer, creative director, and cultural analyst based in Berlin. After years as a casual runner, his move to Berlin transformed his running into a vital practice for mental health and a source of tranquility during cold, early morning runs. His interest in clothes comes from uniforms and sportswear, combined with a love for innovation and research—which might explain why he meticulously charts his winter running gear.
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