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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
Minted NY, Salomon, Adidas, Saturdays NYC, Mental Athletic, UVU, and much more
As fall marathon season reached its frenzied finale, it felt like November lasted a whole entire fall. From the day of the NYC Marathon to The Running Event, so much happened this month we’re not sure if it’s still even 2024. Thanksgiving week is finally here, and next week we’ll be going full Christmas mode. It’s time for the giving of gifts, which means you should check out our just-published Holiday Gift Guide for Runners. But if that’s not good enough for you, then maybe you can still grab something from one of the limited edition drops in this month’s Run Culture Dispatch.
We’re closing in on the last releases of the year, but there are still some great surprises coming our way. As always, here’s our collection of favorite collaborations released in November.
This month was packed with releases, here are some of our favorites.
Nature Meets City
The Brooks x Saturdays Ghost 16 sneaker dropped this month, blending NYC’s vibrant cityscapes with natural textures. Inspired by topographical maps and geometric water patterns, it brings a mix of warm earth tones with reflective details on the laces and heel—capturing the glow of city lights and urban architecture at night.
Maximum Minimalist
MM6 Maison Margiela and Salomon continue their creative partnership with a capsule collection split into Gore-Tex and Seamless families. The pieces combine minimalist aesthetics with performance features, catering to both running and night-out looks.
Blue’s Clues
The Minted NY x Saucony collaboration had everyone talking for one reason—it’s blue. On the Endorphin Speed 4, this bold color choice flipped expectations, especially since blue running shoes were supposedly out of style. But the audacious use of blue made this one of the most desirable releases this month. It’s edgy, daring, and has us all wondering: Is blue really back in the running sneaker game?
Jacket Testing
Released under Soar’s research and development division, this ultra-lightweight, windproof bomber jacket has a relaxed, cropped fit for a casual look, while still packing high-performance use. It’s all in the details—the fabric, diagonal pockets, laser-cut zippers, and clean silhouette make it a standout piece. The fit is different from Soar’s usual jackets, leaning towards a performance-driven yet stylish vibe.
Mixing in NYC
Bandit ended their fall marathon run with an epic cherry on top—a limited capsule for New York in collaboration with Asics. Inspired by the cultural mix of Japan and the USA, think of a moodboard featuring NYC’s Noguchi Museum and vintage Japanese logos. The collection beautifully combines dark reds and light blues, delivering some of their best graphics yet.
Yes, Blue Is Back
Blue’s been around for a while now—even UVU, the London-based label, has been rocking cobalt blue since the Berlin Marathon. For the winter season, they released Drop 22 and 23, a small batch featuring long sleeves, new slides, and a pair of tights in that iconic blue everyone loves.
Monster Mash
Mizuno’s Yokai Pack is inspired by Japanese folklore and supernatural beings called “yokai.” Using the Wave Rider 10 silhouette, each sneaker in the pack represents a different mythical entity, from eerie lanterns to towering skeletons. The collection captures the mysticism of Japanese stories with a modern, edgy twist. Available at select Mizuno stores in the U.S. and Japan.
Retro Shades
Mental Athletic teamed up with Alba Optics to create the ANVMA ’99 sunglasses—a nod to the boldness of the 90s. These limited-edition shades feature a bio-based TR90 frame, making them lightweight but durable. The polarized VZUM™ lenses enhance color contrast and are optimized for reading digital screens. Proudly handmade in Italy, these shades blend 90s nostalgia with today’s advanced eyewear tech.
Young Volks
On partnered with Bureauborsche, the German design studio behind some of the coolest recent soccer kits, to reimagine activewear. The IKON Collection features an updated tracksuit and the Cloudflow 4, designed to redefine the sports uniform for the younger generation. It’s made for wearing and living in—whether running at university or just lounging around.
All in Your Head
Adidas and Hermanos Koumori joined forces for a capsule collection that explores the mental side of running. Featuring a hat, shirts, vest, and jacket, this collection emphasizes Koumori’s mantra, “Run with the mind,” fostering a connection between body and spirit. Thoughtful design details throughout the garments reflect this mindset.
A Caribbean-American Tribute
Puma and The Brooklyn Circus (BKc) came together for a collection that honors NYC’s vibrant Caribbean-American communities and their influence on hip-hop and reggae. The standout piece is a revamped Deviate Nitro 3, featuring a rich palette of chocolate brown with bursts of orange and pink accents.
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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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