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Our favorite run collabs of the past year
Shoes, apparel, and everything in between
Nike, New Balance, Hoka, Adidas, Norda, and more
Nothing went harder than the Nike x Patta collab
Running collaborations have existed for decades, but it’s undeniable that the sport’s recent popularity surge accelerated the number of releases in 2024. At this point, it’s hard to keep up with all of them—that’s why we have “The Dispatch,” a monthly collection of the best drops. Now, let me tell you a secret: it’ll probably double next year.
The Merrell x Janji collab was bright and bold
When done right, collaborations are actually a good thing. They help bigger brands connect with subcultures, and they help smaller brands get more attention and experiment with new resources. Most importantly, they let everyone try out new ideas.
In fact, they used to be released in small quantities because they were concepts that might not sell well but still deserved to be out in the world. That might not be everyone’s strategy today, but I still like to think of it that way.
Beyond a good product, it also has to be an interesting duo. The brands must have real synergy—a genuine intention to create something extraordinary. We also look for risk, experimentation, and the desire to bring something fresh to the world of running.
Forget the hype—we don’t care if these items are reselling at crazy prices or selling out in minutes. In the end, this is running gear—stuff we use every day, tear up in the mud and feel proud of afterward.
These are in no particular order, our favorite collaborations released in 2024.
Balance & Vision
Their second effort was a race shoe: the Fuelcell SC Elite V4, which turned out beautiful. Like a great creative director, District Vision said: “Make the logo smaller, make the ‘N’ more organic, add suede here, get rid of the unnecessary colors, and now make it all concrete gray.” Voila! This drop took the collab beyond a colorway, adding elements of each brand’s identity and delivering a seriously good-looking shoe.
Dutch Swoosh
Patta has been an influential brand and collective from the Netherlands for over two decades, and they’ve worked with Nike for most of that time. Since Patta has had a running team since 2010, it made perfect sense for the Swoosh to give them some killer gear. The collection (available to everyone) mixes running pieces with post-run vibes—everything from performance leggings and shorts to a varsity jacket.
Killer Combo
Satisfy had a few intriguing collaborations in 2024, including Oakley and Levi’s. Nonetheless, their Hoka collaborations continue to shape how running shoes are designed and perceived. This year, they revamped the Mafate Speed 4 with a lighter, semi-translucent upper and introduced four colorways. It felt like a testing ground for their upcoming trail shoe, theROCKER (July 2025). The big question: With Satisfy breaking off onto their own, will we see more from this partnership in 2025?
Gold Medal Winner
Alright, this might not be a traditional collaboration since Y-3 by Yohji Yamamoto is basically an Adidas sub-line, but who cares? Watching Noah Lyles win gold was awesome, but seeing him rock a Prime Strung spike with a huge Y-3 logo was wild. The shoe is stunning, featuring a super-cool Strung upper and silver spikes, and it is actually accessible to the public. It was the perfect branding moment for the Three Stripes.
Mixing in NYC
It was impossible to pick just one. This year, Bandit absolutely killed it. For Berlin, they teamed up with the Berlin Braves crew and released a wavy black-and-white capsule, including a bodysuit that would probably get you into Berghain on a Friday night. For Chicago, they dropped a blue collection inspired by the city’s architecture. Then New York got a massive red-toned drop mixing American and Japanese influences. Ultimately, Bandit proved there’s room for ultra-cool running gear beyond basic black—and that their design team is on fire.
Attention to Detail
Picture the nerdiest, most innovative mad scientists teaming up—because that’s what this is. Even seeing their names together makes you say, “hell yeah,” since both brands are known for taking their craft seriously. This time, Norda tapped Soar for a seven-piece apparel collection. Highlights included the Winter Anorak in a rich brown (very demure), a mustard-yellow wool-tech piece, and cargo tights. We need more from this duo—maybe a second drop or even a shoe?
Rock Stars
As we mentioned in our previous article about this shoe, the collaboration between Adidas and Pharrell on the Evo 1 is just the beginning. We’ll be seeing more artists collaborate on super shoes, which is a high-risk scenario. So far, this example was nailed perfectly—tied to a big sports moment, involving a culturally relevant figure, done subtly, without over-the-top buzz. Still, we’d love to see an athlete race in them.
Cool Comfort
I’m unsure why brands don’t pay more attention to their recovery shoes. They’re interesting styles and perfect canvases for creative designs. Hoka teamed up with British-Iranian designer Paria Farzaneh and released a special version of the Restore Chukka. It featured intricate jacquard motifs, plush mohair details, stretchy zigzag laces, and nods to Farzaneh’s Iranian heritage, making it one of 2024’s freshest highlights.
Colorful Collab
For two years, Merrell has quietly been releasing fire collaborations, teaming up with names like White Mountaineering, Parks Project, Dime, and Nicole McLaughlin. This year, they joined forces with U.S. running brand Janji and delivered a fascinating triple collaboration: a special edition Agility Peak 5 sneaker plus trail-ready apparel and accessories. Most importantly, they brought collaborator Gawaa, a Mongolian artist from the Gobi Desert, who provided the artwork.
Utility for Days
Okay, one more Hoka for the road. Hoka teamed up with creative mastermind/avante-garde apparel weirdo Nicole McLaughlin for their second partnership, featuring a custom version of the Mafate Three2 trail shoe. While all the technical aspects of the original are still there (including a Vibram outsole), Ms. McLaughlin throws in her own twist with a wild gaiter featuring a slew of pockets for on-the-go storage. Intriguing and appealing? Yes. Actually useful? Probably not. Do we care? No. We just want it on our feet.
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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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