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The first collection of a new brand blending running, cycling, and hiking
Q&A with co-founders John Roberts and Patrick Stangbye
Now at Portal website and select retailers worldwide
Photos courtesy of Portal
Imagine a group of individuals from Oslo, Vancouver, and London, each with experience from companies like Rapha and Roa, and some even owning their outdoor labels. They join forces to create gear that caters to their shared passions: running, cycling, and hiking. This is the story of Portal, which launched its first collection last month after much anticipation.
The brand places an emphasis on three key pillars: ride, run, and hike. The goal is to help athletes build a versatile wardrobe that primarily supports these three activities. However, it also leaves room for creating specialized products when necessary.
The initial drop features essential items such as running shorts, technical long—and short-sleeve tees with cropped lengths and sort-of-raglan shoulders, a large cargo belt, softshell pants, hats, and socks. Additionally, they introduced their Alpha jacket, an insulated shell crafted from recycled nylon and lined with Polartec Alpha Direct 90.
Portal is priced on the premium end, but given it’s a self-developed project by talented creatives with extensive industry experience, the investment pays off. This brand focuses not on fleeting trends to encourage continual purchases but on crafting durable products for everyday use, regardless of the sport.
Having people with so much experience in technical apparel is always a good sign for a good quality product.
We talked with John Roberts and Patrick Stangbye to get to know more about the story behind this venture.
BITR: Please tell us, who are the people behind Portal, and how did you come together to build the brand?
John Roberts: Yeah, it’s me, Patrick, Colin [Meredith], and Barrie [Bloor]. We’ve all worked in similar fields for a while. Patrick and I first met while working at Rapha, and Barry and I have been running and riding together for years. We had shared ideas about what we wanted to create, and two years ago, in March, we decided to give it a go. Since then, we’ve just kept going.
Patrick Stangbye: Yeah, while we’re all friends, we also have different skill sets. There’s not too much overlap, which makes us a well-balanced team. We knew we could bring something different to the table and make it work.
BITR: How did you decide who would take on what role within the company?
Patrick: Our experience in the industry gave us a clear understanding of what needed to be done. Since we’re a small team, we divide tasks based on expertise, but we’re also flexible. Some of us are doing things we haven’t done in years—things we didn’t expect to do again—but that’s the nature of starting something new. It’s all about balance.
BITR: Would you say Portal belongs to a specific place, or is it more of a global brand?
John: If we had to say, we’re a northern hemisphere brand. Weather plays a huge role in our identity. We come from places where bad weather doesn’t stop us from being outside, and we want our clothing to reflect that.
BITR: Since your team is spread across different countries, how do you manage collaboration?
Patrick: We work remotely, but we’ve built a digital workflow that keeps everything transparent. We use shared tools, so everyone has access to what’s being worked on. Even though we’re not always in the same place, our system allows us to collaborate efficiently.
BITR: One of the core ideas of Portal is breaking silos between sports—cycling, running, and hiking. How did that philosophy develop?
John: It’s about movement, not labels. People used to say to me, “Oh, you’re a runner now?” or “You’re a cyclist,” and I’d say, “No, I just like to move.” We see more people blending activities, so our goal is to create gear that supports that lifestyle.
BITR: Let’s talk about the pieces launching. What should people expect?
Patrick: Versatile essentials. We have technical t-shirts and long sleeves that work for all three activities. The fit and fabric were carefully chosen to perform across disciplines. Then, we have specific pieces like bib shorts for cycling, run shorts, and hiking pants. But most of our collection is designed to be cross-functional.
John: A lot of us have way too many jackets—one for every slight change in the weather. But in reality, we keep using the one that works best across situations. That’s what we want to create: products that people actually reach for daily.
BITR: How often will you release new products?
Patrick: We’re following a seasonal cycle because we sell D2C and wholesale. But we’re not about forced drops. We want to build a long-lasting wardrobe. If something needs improvement, we’ll iterate rather than replace it just for the sake of releasing something new.
John: Yeah, none of our styles are meant to be seasonal. We’ll offer new colors or minor refinements, but we’re not pushing artificial urgency.
BITR: Is there a detail in the collection you love but think might go unnoticed?
John: The bib shorts, with the pockets in the stomach. I can’t live without them. And the hip pack—it’s compact but holds everything securely. I use it for every run now.
Patrick: For me, it’s the technical tees. I’ve had tons of performance shirts, but this fabric is next level. It’s lightweight, quick-drying, and durable enough for both training and daily wear. The fit is optimized—not too tight, not too loose. It’s one of those pieces that just works.
BITR: Lastly, how did you land on the name ‘Portal’?
Patrick: We went through a massive brainstorming process, listing hundreds of words. We needed something that had meaning but was also neutral enough to resonate globally. We liked the idea of Portal as a gateway—to movement, to mindset, to experience.
John: Funny enough, we started with two words, and Portal was one of them. After all our exploration, we came back to it. It just fit.
The Portal SS2025 Collection is available now. You can check it out at portal-brand.com.
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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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