Running skirts have been a thing in trail running for a while. Salomon started making then at least 10 years ago for athletes like Anna Frost. They’ve been on the forefront for a while. The new thing now is long shorts inspired by Courtney Dauwalter.
The long shorts shift is interesting for sure. Feels a bit chafe-y for a fast road race but definitely an easily hybrid lifestyle development. I’ll take another look at the trail skirts, thank you. My general thoughts are that trail kit is too gorpcore + granola looking. And the shapes haven’t evolved for decades - very low rise waistbands etc. But I love S-Lab in general, so maybe there’s a solve there!
Do you know of any indie women’s trail brands? The men’s has evolved massively - lots of cool stuff by Tiempos, Satisfy, Portal, etc, which I’m aware of already.
My general thoughts are that the cool trail garb is mostly men’s-first, and the aesthetic overhaul has yet to hit women’s yet. Did a bit of research today and the Salomon stuff is probably the best looking, but it is still quite typical old school trail in its vibe. Very sportswear, not very trendy. Obviously women can buy men’s in the same way they do Satisfy, but the shorts etc often don’t really fit right
The whack-a-mole substack is giving- so many things I have been thinking about recently (and some I hadn't been thinking about!) and you wrapped them all in this piece perfectly. Running skirts would also be so great for hiding all your gels without giving you huge thigh pockets... I'm sold
And yes! The huge thigh thing is especially problematic when shorts only have one side pocket!! I put all 6 gels in one side bike shorts pocket for the NY marathon a few years ago, and I hated my race photos because of it. It looked like an abnormal growth. Those saddlebag pockets also just draw attention to a body part a LOT of women already worry about.
Some people (men, lol!) might suggest that's just a vanity issue, but it's quite sad that something like the lack of an adequate pocketing system on women's sports kit can make someone feel self conscious at the start line of what is effectively a 26.2.mile mind game. Give us a skirt already!!
So glad you feel the same. It could be called vanity but I know I always perform better when I feel like I look good/look the part/am comfortable. Loved your piece a while back about how women want pockets in the FT too https://www.ft.com/content/0b4ccfda-4305-4338-9f43-335fb6760eb1
Excellent read, Grace! One woman to note who ran across a country solo is Lydia Oldham (@comerunwith.me). She set the fastest known time on the Camino Portuguese. While it's not exactly a full tip-to-toe run across Portugal, it’s still an impressive 650km solo effort—and her content felt refreshingly different from a lot of the usual "running bros" posts.
Thank you so much — and for putting me onto Lydia! I knew she had done TSP solo but missed the Camino effort. Does not surprise me her content was more engaging either. More of this!!
Please keep me posted on the suitable and extensive list of does-it-all-workout-shoes because packing spare shoes is a part of brain admin I just don't need in my life.
I'm fascinated by the endurance bro phenomenon and I'm glad you've put it into words. To me it seems like they offer their followers an aspiration as a masculine role model.
I agree with your assessment. Seems like there is a missed opportunity to offer something deeper than grit and discipline, and help other men understand themselves better.
I love a running skirt but am not sure about a dress, what if you have to go to the loo? Especially that one with the built in bra, you’d pretty much be naked….
I hear you! That’s the issue I have with some of my running jumpsuits… always a worry in a public restroom. The Lululemon align dress actually has a detachable lining short — it’s not attached at the back to allow for easy pull-down. My hypothetical version would include that feature! Where have you gotten your running skirts from?
Haha, no, definitely not, I’m far too old & plump for the cool stuff (me in a running onesie is def not what the public need to see) but I do like to see & hear what’s new
Yes, so obviously the running jumpsuits that exist on the market already are not suitable for trail running.
That's exactly why the version of the dress that I wished existed with the built-in bra—the one I wrote about wanting—would have built-in shorts that you could pull down from the inside without removing any of the dress. The shorts pull down in the same way underwear does. So you wouldn't be naked on the trails, or the road, or anywhere.
Running skirts have been a thing in trail running for a while. Salomon started making then at least 10 years ago for athletes like Anna Frost. They’ve been on the forefront for a while. The new thing now is long shorts inspired by Courtney Dauwalter.
The long shorts shift is interesting for sure. Feels a bit chafe-y for a fast road race but definitely an easily hybrid lifestyle development. I’ll take another look at the trail skirts, thank you. My general thoughts are that trail kit is too gorpcore + granola looking. And the shapes haven’t evolved for decades - very low rise waistbands etc. But I love S-Lab in general, so maybe there’s a solve there!
Ya Id give it all another look then. You’ll be surprised.
Do you know of any indie women’s trail brands? The men’s has evolved massively - lots of cool stuff by Tiempos, Satisfy, Portal, etc, which I’m aware of already.
My general thoughts are that the cool trail garb is mostly men’s-first, and the aesthetic overhaul has yet to hit women’s yet. Did a bit of research today and the Salomon stuff is probably the best looking, but it is still quite typical old school trail in its vibe. Very sportswear, not very trendy. Obviously women can buy men’s in the same way they do Satisfy, but the shorts etc often don’t really fit right
The whack-a-mole substack is giving- so many things I have been thinking about recently (and some I hadn't been thinking about!) and you wrapped them all in this piece perfectly. Running skirts would also be so great for hiding all your gels without giving you huge thigh pockets... I'm sold
Thank you so much, Sarah!
And yes! The huge thigh thing is especially problematic when shorts only have one side pocket!! I put all 6 gels in one side bike shorts pocket for the NY marathon a few years ago, and I hated my race photos because of it. It looked like an abnormal growth. Those saddlebag pockets also just draw attention to a body part a LOT of women already worry about.
Some people (men, lol!) might suggest that's just a vanity issue, but it's quite sad that something like the lack of an adequate pocketing system on women's sports kit can make someone feel self conscious at the start line of what is effectively a 26.2.mile mind game. Give us a skirt already!!
So glad you feel the same. It could be called vanity but I know I always perform better when I feel like I look good/look the part/am comfortable. Loved your piece a while back about how women want pockets in the FT too https://www.ft.com/content/0b4ccfda-4305-4338-9f43-335fb6760eb1
Excellent read, Grace! One woman to note who ran across a country solo is Lydia Oldham (@comerunwith.me). She set the fastest known time on the Camino Portuguese. While it's not exactly a full tip-to-toe run across Portugal, it’s still an impressive 650km solo effort—and her content felt refreshingly different from a lot of the usual "running bros" posts.
Thank you so much — and for putting me onto Lydia! I knew she had done TSP solo but missed the Camino effort. Does not surprise me her content was more engaging either. More of this!!
Here for Jake Dearden in the tabis 😂
Give them a go for your next Hyrox worlds?
I might!!
Just here to say a few women have run across countries, solo and unsupported :)
Please keep me posted on the suitable and extensive list of does-it-all-workout-shoes because packing spare shoes is a part of brain admin I just don't need in my life.
As much as you talk about new balance and district vision, the new minimus is my jam for a do it all shoe!
Thanks for the substack. I loved this one! 🤍
I'm fascinated by the endurance bro phenomenon and I'm glad you've put it into words. To me it seems like they offer their followers an aspiration as a masculine role model.
I agree with your assessment. Seems like there is a missed opportunity to offer something deeper than grit and discipline, and help other men understand themselves better.
what is the name of the new image-making app?
This was super entertaining. The Substack algo brought me here and now I’m subscribing, great first read, looking forward to more.
I love a running skirt but am not sure about a dress, what if you have to go to the loo? Especially that one with the built in bra, you’d pretty much be naked….
I hear you! That’s the issue I have with some of my running jumpsuits… always a worry in a public restroom. The Lululemon align dress actually has a detachable lining short — it’s not attached at the back to allow for easy pull-down. My hypothetical version would include that feature! Where have you gotten your running skirts from?
Haha, no, definitely not, I’m far too old & plump for the cool stuff (me in a running onesie is def not what the public need to see) but I do like to see & hear what’s new
But….isn’t that just a dress and some shorts?
No.
But hey, it sounds like you have no desire or need for a piece of sportswear like this, and that's okay! Each to their own!
If in a loo, at least there’s a door but what if you were out on the trails??? I get my skirts from Lululemon…
Yes, so obviously the running jumpsuits that exist on the market already are not suitable for trail running.
That's exactly why the version of the dress that I wished existed with the built-in bra—the one I wrote about wanting—would have built-in shorts that you could pull down from the inside without removing any of the dress. The shorts pull down in the same way underwear does. So you wouldn't be naked on the trails, or the road, or anywhere.