Dust apparel and the Dirt Division are a match made in heaven

Introduction to Dust

TAYLOR: A Haiku:

Dust is dirt
Light enough to float
Trail essence

I know what you’re thinking: “What are you smoking, Taylor?!” Honestly, nothing, but I do tend to follow down existential rabbit holes that could lead to a complete waste of brain power, but it keeps me kicking.

Dust. I like the vibe. I like tromping around in it. I don’t like that it infiltrates every nook and cranny of my house during these too hot and dry seasons.

Anywho... Dust, the running clothing company we’re talking about today, is a fairly young brand that is truly inspired by the rural West and the freedom that comes with simple things, open skies, and the high likelihood of getting down and dirty. Whether the aesthetic is for you or not, know that it comes with intentional fashioning and the fun-at-heart, getting-lost-in-the-woods kind of vibes.

ALEX: I am increasingly becoming a fan of the 2-in-1 short combos. Recently, I have seen Raide do this well and was eager to put these to the test. The outer layer is a light, stretchy split-short, and the inner compression liner short is super soft and supportive. The inner layer is equipped with pockets on each side for a phone, key, or nutrition. Or whatever else you like to throw in your pockets… who am I to limit you to three options? Ultimately, they accommodate an obnoxiously large max iPhone, so basically, nice and big.

The waist has a double drawcord that I found useful when the shorts were fully loaded, though I did not find much of a need for either when I was not carrying anything in the pockets.

The inner layer was super soft and mostly supportive, but I found myself wishing for some silicone grips on the bottom. They rode up a bit more than I like, and I think this detail could easily address that. Having to stop and pull everything back down into place is a bit inconvenient and distracting.

Overall, however, I love the fit, design, and feel of these.

MELISSA: I was a huge fan of these split shorts. They fit well, felt super comfortable, and I loved the functionality of the pockets on the inner tights. I experienced minimal riding up, and these were great for hot-weather running. I do wonder how much the outer layer adds, whether it helps keep things cooler or if I’d be just as happy with the tights alone. Either way, I liked these and will continue to run in them.

REESE: I was super excited to see a split short with a legit split on the side, but I ran into some issues with these. I’ll start with the positive first. I love a full split short. It's so freeing. And the fabrics were terrific, though I wouldn’t suggest these in hot weather, as the materials are on the heavier side. 

For the downsides of these shorts: I think I’m between a small and medium, or these shorts are 1 inch too big or too small. I personally would like to think that it's easier for a clothing company to adjust, cause lawd knows, I’m not trying to change to fit into clothing. The inner shorts needed to be an inch or more longer. My quads/butt are muscular, and the shorts rode up. The outer shorts were then too long, as the seam that held the shorts together between my thighs rubbed, which doesn’t happen on any of my other split shorts.

Shop The Shorts - Women 

JARED: I don’t wear 2-in-1 shorts all that often because I’ve never found a liner that offers enough support to replace my running underwear. The Dust 2-in-1 shorts are no different for me, so I still wear my underwear underneath. But the liner adds a couple of useful pockets that comfortably hold my phone, my dog’s poop bags, a gel, a car key, or whatever else I need to stash. That gives it a purpose beyond support. It’s also soft and comfortable enough that once I started running, I didn’t give it another thought. The outer fabric is lightweight with a little stretch, and I love both the fit and how the shorts feel on the run.

Shop The Shorts - Men 

ALEX: The Mechanic Shirt combines classic utility style with performance material and design. This shirt is my favorite piece of the current Dust collection. I love the look and feel of the perforated, breathable material. This is part of the men’s line. 90% of the time, I buy and wear men’s clothing. I am a big fan of a boxier fit, the colorways that are more traditionally assigned to men, and the overall styles.

This shirt is super fun to run in and really cool to just hang out in and style. I have been loving button-ups lately. Throw this on over a base layer or even a wool blend T-shirt, and you can extend its use into much cooler temps. On its own, it's super breathable, dries fast, and keeps you cool. In all the ways.

JARED: The Mechanic’s button-up style isn’t something I usually run in, but I see the appeal. Unbutton a couple of buttons for extra airflow, or button it all the way up for a little more sun protection. It’s versatile, too. Hiking, camping, a trip to the store or coffee shop, working in the yard; it fits into all of it. The fabric is lightweight, comfortable, and dries really fast. There’s also a small back pocket with a magnetic closure, which is a nice touch, though I’ve never had much use for a shirt pocket.

It’s a great-looking shirt, but running in it takes a little getting used to. Even with the lightweight technical fabric, the collar, buttons, and extra material are noticeable compared with a simple running shirt. I’d be more likely to grab it for a long mountain outing, a 100-mile race, or a summer camping trip than for my daily runs.

Shop The Shirt - Unisex 

ALEX: The Cotton Popover — another men’s line pick for me — represents a homage to the 1970’s. The sleeves are intentionally a bit shorter to minimize bulk, though overall this is not a lightweight shirt. The heavyweight cotton is great for pre/post shoulder season runs. I've also been wearing this before and after cooler evening outings. If said outing remains low output, I can also get away with moving in it. I do really appreciate the extended placket where you can unbutton relatively low and vent the shirt.

The material is super high quality and durable. Similar to the mechanic shirt, there is a magnetic pocket in the back that I honestly don't really know what to put in. In both instances, I avoid putting anything with any weight to it back there because it swings around or pulls at the back of the shirt. It looks kind of cool, I guess? Maybe it's lost on me, and I'm missing something. Open to your back-shirt-pocket-filling ideas.

Overall, another great item in Dust's lineup. One thing to note: this has a slim fit. Go up a size if you want more room.

Shop The Shirt - Unisex 

MELISSA: I loved this racerback tank! It worked well as a light layer over the crop top and was comfortable with a running pack, too. The fabric was super light and dried quickly, making it a great option for summer running. It’s a simple piece, but one I’d happily keep reaching for on hot days.

Shop The Tank - Women 

MELISSA: This piece surprised me in the best way. I really struggle to find bras that balance support, comfort, and practicality. Most crop top and bra combos haven’t offered enough support for me, so I usually end up wearing a separate bra underneath.

This top delivered the support I needed on its own. It was tough to get on, but once it was in place, I could run comfortably without giving it another thought. The aesthetic is not quite my style, but for performance, value, and comfort, it’s a win.

REESE: Again, I’m struggling with the fits of Dust. I’m somehow just an inch or so off from it fitting well. The side straps felt like they kept slipping off me and therefore were annoying rather than offering any kind of support. The phone storage was pretty low on my back, nearly to where my shorts touched it, and was slightly away from my back, causing some swaying.

Like the shorts, I enjoyed the materials and design, but for my body type, this crop didn’t feel like something I’d run long distances in. It would be fine for casual wear or short runs.

Shop The Crop - Women 

TAYLOR: The Western Vest is a great representation of what Dust has to offer. Think of a runner’s version of your great-uncle Leonard’s work shirt. It has a quality build with a medium-weight material. While the fit is relaxed, I appreciated my traditional medium for daily running. If you’re looking into this for racing, go down a size to reduce bounce.

For what it's worth, I grabbed the W at the Death March Beer Mile at Western States. I definitely wasn’t in shape to do so, so it must have been the vibes that come with wearing the Dust Western Vest.

Shop The Vest - Unisex 

TAYLOR: This is the first hat that blends lightweight materials I actually want to run in with a true trucker style. I love everything about it. From the rural callout to the breathable lightweight construction, it’s a hat that tugs at my simple and practical nature.

Yes, you do feel the extra breeze with the open mesh on the front.

Note that it does have a slightly deeper crown than the typical running cap, but it’s not as deep as the typical trucker hat either. It is a happy medium.

Shop The Hat - Unisex 

JARED: The Megalight Raglan Tech Tee is an exceptional shirt. The fabric is soft, a little stretchy, and incredibly lightweight; just 75 grams in my men’s medium. I also appreciate the relaxed fit. Beyond the material and fit, I want a shirt that stays dry and feels airy, and the Megalight nails both. Whether it’s hot on the trail or cool and breezy, this shirt feels right. It has quickly become a favorite running shirt that I reach for often.

Shop The Shirt - Men