Sure, you could be a walking billboard for a multibillion-dollar corporation. And sure, those running clothes fit well, perform well and generally look okay. But there are better options out there. These are choices that will take you from, “Who’s that weird dude who always runs wearing lime green?” to “Since when did Ryan Gosling start working out in Brooklyn?” Options that are understated, but won’t leave you soaked in sweat like a cotton t-shirt. Options that won’t look out of place on your post-run coffee stop. So, burn the neon tee and step into the running clothing of reserved, well-dressed gentlemen.

Contributions by Tanner Bowden, AJ Powell and Meg Lappe.

Iffley Road

Based in the UK, Iffley Road specializes in a heritage aesthetic. Their clothing is high-performance, but the colors are muted to keep you looking more like a well-mannered lad than a pro track athlete.

Lancaster Drirelease Pique Tank Top $95
Brighton Shell Shorts $130
Training Log ~$24

Tribe Sports

Tribe Sports started crafting kits for runners made from the best fabrics it could source in 2011. The brand creates shorts, tanks, jackets and accessories in a variety of bold primaries, sprinkled with patterns throughout each collection. Each piece has details like flat seams and laser cutting to eliminate chafing for runners across the world — whether you’re a world class runner, or just looking to get into the sport.

Engineered Tee $59
Running Short $59
Running Cap $37

Ronhill

Dr. Ron Hill M.B.E. was the second man to break 2:10 in the marathon, competed in both the Tokyo and Munich Olympic marathons and was the first Brit to win the Boston Marathon in 1970. That same year, the speedy runner started his namesake company. The collection today features lots of volt and bright blue colors that seem to glow whether you’re emerging from the woods after an early morning trail or doing laps around the track after a rain storm. The brand hits all the basics with short sizes ranging from a split short to a seven-inch short.

Everyday S/S Tee ~$26
Infinity Marathon Twin Short ~$63
Stride Windspeed Jacket ~$79

Ten Thousand

If you’re looking for a brand that will help you stand out at the gym, look elsewhere. Ten Thousand is in the business of designing workhorse shorts and apparel that’ll help you achieve your goals in the weight room and in the timed mile. The ’One In, One Out’ program allows you clear our your current closet before you purchase something new — a unique take on activewear.

Distance Shirt $48
Interval Short $68
Training Boxer $32

DOXA

Mash together performance apparel design with ’80s hair metal aesthetics and you’ll get something close to DOXA. Its entire line bucks the neon-infused convention typified by the big brands and is highly technical purely by nature of its origins in the ever-changing climate of Scandinavia.

Sami Race Singlet $
Silas Race Shorts $68
Tiger Tights $79

Isaora

Born in New York City, Isaora makes what can only be described as some of the finest technical apparel in running. Many of their shirts and shorts are seam welded, which reduces potential for chafing and irritation. They also use reflective laminates on the shorts and shirts to keep you visible and safe at night.

Slim Quick Dry Welded Raglan $125
Welded Running Short $128
Taped Zip Hoody $350

Castore

Tom and Phil Beahon want to take on the likes of Adidas and Nike. How? With premium athletic apparel aimed at the most demanding athletes. The Beahon brothers are continually pushing Castore products to be the lightest, most durable and most functional available. The aesthetics are simple, with little more than the brand’s signature winged logo as an accent to a range of muted color tones.

Rix ~$323
Hoddle ~$112
Holmes ~$190

Ashmei

Performance can’t be faked. That’s why UK-based Ashmei addresses product design on the level of individual fibers. The result is a range of highly technical layers that perform with the environment instead of against it. The fact that everything the brand offers also looks damn good is just an added bonus.

Running Man Jersey ~$143
2 in 1 Shorts ~$145
Merino Sock ~$20

Soar

Soar is a running line designed by UK-based Tim Soar, battling Iffley Road for the top UK brand on this list. Soar uses advanced fabrics from Japan and Europe to create pieces that live up to expectations in the performance and style categories.

Jersey T-Shirt $90
Race Shorts: $85
Softshell $280

Satisfy

Satisfy is definitely one of the more fashion-forward brands on this list, but their clothing has the performance chops to back up the bold designs. The Packable long tee is great for shoulder-season runs where you might need an extra layer when you start out but want to shed it halfway through. It packs into a built-in stuff sack for easy carrying.

8-Inch Distance Running Short $204
Light Tee $99
Patchwork Low Socks $34

Tracksmith

Tracksmith‘s aesthetic is decidedly retro, but when paired with technical fabrics and smart features, the clothing itself is anything but dated. The company is based out of New England, which has a rich running history — and Tracksmith fits into that culture well without being kitschy.

Van Cortlandt Striped Mesh T-Shirt $70
Magnolia Shorts $56
Club Duffel $128

Janji

Janji is another New England-based running brand, located in Boston. As part of a social initiative, Janji donates money to provide clean drinking water for people in less developed countries. Their colors are bolder than others on this list, but even if bright colors aren’t your thing, their social initiatives are something to get behind.

Feather Tee $42
Uganda 5″ Middle Shorts $58

OnlyAtoms

Before she found running, Beth Weinstein was a denizen of the fashion world. There, she managed product lines for Rebecca Taylor and The Gap; now she’s using that expertise to guide OnlyAtoms. Inspired by the energy and happiness produced by running, the brand designs and produces a limited line of quality running apparel in NYC with the goal of inspiring others to get out and hit the pavement.

Proton Singlet Tank $60
Velocity Running Shorts $67

Saysky

Saysky is a small Copenhagen-based brand that was established in 2013. Their gear is about being training focused, but still having a relaxed mindset. The urban-Scandinavian aesthetic works just as well in New York and L.A. as it does in Copenhagen. If you’re serious about your training, but less serious about making a fashion statement, Saysky is worth a look.

Pace Shorts ~$51
Patch Singlet ~$53
Wolfpack Hat ~$45

District Vision

The minds behind District Vision pride themselves on prioritizing function and performance first, but you wouldn’t be wrong to note the high level of eye-appeal in each and every pair of shades brought forth by the New York–based team. The design is thoughtful, right down to the finest of details — like hypoallergenic rubber nose pads and D+ lens technology, to name just a couple.

Yukari $199+
Nagata $249
Keiichi $199+

Ciele

Ciele strictly makes running hats. They’re based in Montreal and make what are known in tight-knit running circles to be some of the best running caps available. They’re constructed from ultra-wicking COOLwick fabric and offer UPF +40 sun protection. They also feature reflective hits on the front and back to keep you safe when running at night.

GoCap Century Emerald Edition $40
ONECap “Clean” Speed Edition $50
LRCap – Tracksmith Relay Cap $50
QCKCap Sublime Shortcake Edition $45
FSTCap Whitaker Edition $40