Ah, Tracksmith. The brand I love to hate and hate to love.
What is Tracksmith?
Tracksmith is a high-end running apparel company based in Boston, MA. Founded in 2014, the brand markets itself to the "amateur" runner, with "amateur" meaning not professional, but definitely competitive. They even sponsored runners in the 2020 Olympic trials.
They sell primarily running clothing with a few overpriced accessories like an umbrella ($88), sunglasses ($255), and a necklace ($600). Their prices are about 50-80 percent higher than traditional brands like Nike, adidas, New Balance and Saucony and their color palate is somewhat muted, understated and neutral.
They rarely have sales and you have to spend $150 to get free shipping. They don't sell through any distributors that I know of. You can buy their clothing online or in their Boston store. They have a program called "Hare AC" which gives you a $100 gift card if you set a PR while wearing Tracksmith gear. You need to submit proof that the race was a PR and you were wearing Tracksmith. This program costs $198 to join, although it does come with a singlet and you get free shipping without having to spend a minimum amount.Tracksmith gear has become somewhat of a status symbol in the running community, and I think that is their goal. If you wear Tracksmith you are saying, "I am a serious runner who spends serious money on my gear."
Hate to love and love to hate
Based on my description above, you can probably guess why I hate to love and love to hate this brand. I hate to love it because I have spent way too much money on their gear. I really do not need to pay for expensive running clothing, but I do anyway. I also hate to love it because I'm not a status symbol person. I don't buy designer handbags, belts or shoes. And yet I believe Tracksmith to be a status symbol.
I love to hate Tracksmith because I find the advertising to be a little pretentious and the prices for some of the items to be ridiculous ($48 for a pair of running undies!). They also have some really ugly items that I can't believe people would get. Their Black Friday deal was something on the order of "spend $150 this week and get 10% off a future order". Wow- how generous.
Outside the Boston store |
As a marketing professional myself, I applaud them for having marketing campaigns that are so effective, runners are willing to pay nearly twice the price for their gear. Good marketing appeals to the consumer's emotions. Want to show up at a race and look fast? Feel fast? Have disposable income? Tracksmith is the brand for you.
They do have excellent customer service and if you need to exchange your item for a different size, they will ship it out to you immediately without having to purchase another item and/or wait for your return to be processed. I find that their items run true-to-size or slightly small. I wear an XS in everything except for the Bell Lap top.
With that said, I will now review some gear items from Tracksmith.
On a scale of 1-5 with 5 being "excellent" and 1 being "poor" - here are my thoughts.
The Van Cortlandt Singlet ($65)
This is a lightweight loose-fitting singlet available in both men's and women's versions. Usually when you think about Tracksmith, this is the singlet that comes to mind as it is their signature piece. They come out with new colors each season. I have 3 of these and Greg has 1. If you want other runners to know that you are wearing Tracksmith, this is the piece you get. I think this singlet is okay. It doesn't have much shape to it but it looks fast!
- Comfort: 4
- Fit: 3
- Material: 4
- Style: 3
- Value for money: 3
The Van Cortlandt Singlet |
This fitted tank is available in both men's and women's versions. I prefer this tank to the Van Cortlandt Singlet because it's more flattering and less boxy. The material is super comfortable and lightweight. I have two of these and would probably buy another one if they came out with a color I really liked.
- Comfort: 4
- Fit: 4
- Material: 4
- Style: 4
- Value for money: 4
Tracksmith Twilight Tank |
- Comfort: 4
- Fit: 4
- Material: 3
- Style: 5
- Value for money: 3
The Tracksmith Bell Lap Top |
- Comfort: 4
- Fit: 4
- Material: 2
- Style: 3
- Value for money: 2
The Tracksmith Harrier Long Sleeve |
This long sleeve shirt is available in both men's and women's version and both Greg and I have one! Actually, I have two. I really like this piece. It has the signature diagonal stripe, but it's less pronounced because it's the same color as the rest of the shirt. It's form-fitted and has a long length. I wore this shirt in a snowy 5K and the snow stuck to shirt instead of the shirt soaking it in, which kept me warmer than a traditional long-sleeve. I love this fit, the fabric and the style. I highly recommend this one.
- Comfort: 5
- Fit: 4
- Material: 5
- Style: 5
- Value for money: 4
The Brighton Base Layer |
- Comfort: 5
- Fit: 5
- Material: 5
- Style: 5
- Value for money: 4
The Tracksmith Downeaster |
- Comfort: 5
- Fit: 4
- Material: 5
- Style: 4
- Value for money: 3
The Turnover Half Zip w/Turnover Tights |
- Comfort: 5
- Fit: 4
- Material: 4
- Style: 3
- Value for money: 2
Trish: Brighton Base Layer. Me: Trackhouse Crew |
This lightweight jacket is perfect for warming up before a workout or cooling down afterwards. It's fitted, sleek and versatile. You can also wear it at the beginning of a long run and then throw it in your car as the temperature starts to warm up. Or you can wear it as a normal everyday jacket.
- Comfort: 4
- Fit: 4
- Material: 4
- Style: 4
- Value for money: 3
The Session Jacket |
These form-fitted shorts are great if you like a tight fit. They have a 5" inseam. Most all form-fitted shorts ride up to some extent; and these do a little bit. But once you have sweated and gotten the material nice and wet, they tend to stay put! I wear these shorts in warm and humid weather and in the rain. Overall, these shorts are okay. I don't think they are anything special in terms of a tight-fitting short. I much prefer the "First Place" by Rabbit, which are shorter but seem to fit me better.
- Comfort: 3
- Fit: 3
- Material: 4
- Style: 3
- Value for money: 2
Lane 5 Short Tights |
- Comfort: 2
- Fit: 3
- Material: 3
- Style: 3
- Value for money: 1
The new Bell Lap Shorts |
- Comfort: 5
- Fit: 4
- Material: 5
- Style: 4
- Value for money: 4
Tracksmith Twilight Split Shorts |
These mesh shorts are another signature Tracksmith item that pair well with the Van Cortlandt Singlet. I really like the men's version of these on Greg but I'm not in love with the pair I have. I only have one pair (which I bought to go with the singlet) and I don't plan on buying another. I don't like the tie on these shorts- I prefer elastic waistbands with no tie. These shorts have chafed me on runs and the fit is sloppy on me. I like the burgundy color and the way they match the singlet, but that's about it.
- Comfort: 3
- Fit: 2
- Material: 3
- Style: 4
- Value for money: 2
The Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Shorts |
I have a pair of these tights in normal length and in capri. I like them quite a bit and I wish they would bring back the capri length which doesn't seem to be listed on their site anymore. I don't have any other tights from Tracksmith because I have so many tights already and I've been able to resist the "emotional purchase" for some reason when it comes to tights! These are lightweight and and fitted without having compression. They are fast and they perform well. I wear them for long runs and speed work. I might get another pair at some point. The website describes these as "a cold weather running tight" but I find them to be light and I would probably want something warmer if it were under 25 degrees.
- Comfort: 5
- Fit: 4
- Material: 4
- Style: 4
- Value for money: 3
Tracksmith Turnover Tights w/Downeaster top |
Is Tracksmith an emotional purchase? Yes. Aren't most purchases emotional? Yes. Do we like to admit they are emotional? No. If you have never tried Tracksmith and you want some starter pieces, I recommend the Downeaster top, the Brighton Base Layer, and the Twilight Split Shorts. I love the style, material and comfort of these pieces. Tracksmith items make excellent gifts for your runner friends and family because it might be something they like but wouldn't buy for themselves.