Saturday, January 9, 2010

Let's Talk Running Clothes


I am not going to lie. Like some of you, I was recently contacted by Champion, maker of cool and affordable fitness clothes. They asked me to highlight the Champion Innovation Lab on my blog in exchange for some Champion schwag to later review on said blog (and maybe model and maybe giveaway). Because I love new things (especially of the *free* variety) and because this program is actually pretty cool I thought it was a decent trade off.

What is the Champion Innovation Lab? Good question. I had no clue until they contacted me. Here's the gist:

Starting this past September, participants were given product from Champion’s extensive portfolio, including apparel from the popular Double Dry, Compression and Seamless lines. Athletes are then asked to catalogue their experiences in a provided Training Log, answering questions on weather, pace, route (e.g., train, street, treadmill), comfort, fit and washing machine care. Insights garnered from these logs continue to provide Champion with updates on how its products are delivering in real life. Runners are additionally outfitted in Champion apparel for the Half and Full Marathon events and are announced as Innovation Lab participants when crossing the finish line.

In fact, Champion had many Innovation Lab Athletes running at the Disney World Half Marathon today. I hope the clothes didn't freeze into their skin. Were any of you there for the Florida cold fest?

I think this lab thing is innovative. Guess that's why it's the Innovation Lab Here's the main reason I like this innovating Innovation Lab:

You don't just wear the stuff and say, "I liked it" or "It sucked" or "It made my butt look fat." You actually think about how you liked it under certain conditions.
  • When you were stinking hot, did the clothing wick well and keep you dry?

  • When you washed it, did it retain its shape, color, etc? Did the skid marks wash out easily?

  • When you were on that 20 mile run, did the shorts ride up? Did the shirt chafe in scary places?

You get the picture. A company trying to solicit this kind of detail and satisfaction level from its customers clearly wants to do a good job.

My question to you is: how do you choose your running clothes. Brand? Quality? How phat it looks? Practicality? Price? I usually choose mine based on how well it fits, how good it looks, and how well reputed the company is who makes it. Price is important too. I'm not stuck on any particular brand. If it's comfy, looks good, is the right price and makes me look like I got a boob job, I'll probably buy it.

Hope you're Saturday is everything that you dreamed it would be.

37 comments:

  1. Comfort/how it fits, then price for the qualitity. I'm not stuck on particular brands.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I go for comfort and a wide line up. Once I get comfortable with a brand I like to stick with them so it helps if they have everything I need.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lucky you! Free stuff is great. I choose my things according to 1) price and 2) fit followed by a distant 3) how it looks. I rarely match, but I'm comfortable and haven't spent too much money so I don't care.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds neat. How come I never seem to get in on this cool stuff? Maybe my blog is too lame...

    Anyway, to answer your question, it's a combination of price and fit. I'm all about the sale rack, but if it doesn't fit, forget it. I'm not stuck on particular brands, but sometimes if it's cute or not makes a difference.

    ReplyDelete
  5. fit first I guess. Then, I will pay extra for quality, because if it's something I like, I want to keep it around. So I guess that makes it
    1)fit/comfort
    2)look
    3)quality
    4)price

    ReplyDelete
  6. Price is important, but definitely how it fits. But sometimes I just want to match, too!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just saw your comment over on Eat, Run, Read about growing up in Columbia--I grew up in Ellicott City, just though that was neat :)

    As far as running clothes, price is usually the first dictator, but I won't buy it unless it fits well and is comfy.

    ReplyDelete
  8. For clothes I am not brand loyal but I do like brands that I know to work for me. I want a good price. I want fit and comfort.

    Oh and looking like I had a boob job wouldn't hurt either!

    ReplyDelete
  9. comfort, doing what it promises and price are my top 3. I actually rank Champion my top for sports bras (that I buy at Kohls!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Comfort, price and fit. The feel of the material is very important. If it doesn't feel good I don't even try it on. I do like certain brands but not hard and fast. Being a tester sounds very cool to me!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Price is my first priority, then comfort/fit, then looks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. First I am drawn to how something looks.
    Then I wear test for comfort.
    Over time I've come to have favorite brands.
    Price is important but I will over rule if something is totally hot.
    enjoy your testing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I choose based on price, comfort and looks. If it is Under Armour, I know it will perform. I have been getting the Champion Stuff at Target and like it. Unfortunately, I have to look for cheaper stuff now! I wish I could splurge a bit :)

    I fell today during my run and ripped a huge hole in my pants! Time for a new pair...

    ReplyDelete
  14. Price, fit/feel, I'm a guy and don't care about looks--I've been known to try and find the gaudiest colors on the clearance racks for fun. Usually I have no brand loyalty, but if I find a line that works in the price and feel department, then I'll stick with it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Price is first on my list, then how it looks, but I like bright fun stuff for my running clothes. I figure I wear my running clothes so much they should look good.

    ReplyDelete
  16. How fun for you to get free stuff! When I shop for running stuff I'm drawn to looks first, then I look at the price and decide if I'm willing to even try it on or not! But, when all is said and done I guess it's 1)fit/comfort 2)price 3)looks.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds cool, I choose my running clothes by word of mouth. I'm still a newbie at running so I like to ask other, more experienced runners what they use. Chances are if you review something and sing it's praises then I'll be the one to go out and get it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ask anyone who's seen me at the start of a race: I wear the extras that others remembered to bring and that I forgot.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes I was there this weekend...it was one heck of a cold, wet race but it was a blast! I love my champion race shirt too although I tend to stick with Nike but I do love the C9 product at Target alot as well

    ReplyDelete
  20. We're Freezing in Florida! Husband did HM yesterday in 1:29:11 despite a start of flurries and sleet. Just 3 months ago we were at Disney's XC Classic to see my DD1 in 105 degrees. Crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  21. That is so cool! Good for you.

    I love Champion stuff. It's priced very well - it's at my favorite store (Target) and the fit & quality have been great.
    I just took my beginning running buddy there yesterday to outfit her (completely) for $85 - all Champion

    ReplyDelete
  22. lucky you! free running stuff! :o) I was at Disney in the 20 degree weather. Pretty much colder than cold - people's sweat turned into ice - the water stops had ice patches on the ground and ice hanging from the tables. pretty cold!! rock on for free stuff!! happy running lady!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am not brand loyal but if I found running tights that made my butt look small, I would be a product whore.
    Most of my stuff tends to be what do I need? Cold weather? Really cold weather? Summer shorts etc. Recommendations help as well.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Cuteness first, Brand second. They have to have both of these qualities. I have a few brands that have never let me down (Sugoi, Pearl Izumi, 2xu). I'm willing to spend the $$ if I think it's worth it and it will last me.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Dang girl nice gig with Champion. Looking forward to your reviews. I suppose I am like you and I buy for fit but I also have to add price is a HUGE factor for me. Since I really only ever wear race shirts the things I am buying these days are shorts, sports bras, socks and the occasional capri pants but out here they are not necessary. I look forward to hearing if your skid marks come out. LOL. That comment made me spit out my coffee!

    ReplyDelete
  26. woot woot for free stuff. I love picking out new running stuff...but I always try it on. I'm looking for weird seems or things that might rub. Price has become less of a factor now that I know what works well for me and really makes me feel my best while running, it's worth it to have those $25 socks

    ReplyDelete
  27. I choose based on comfort/fit and quality, followed by price and style. If I'm going to log major miles, it's got to be comfortable and serve its intended function; it's also got to hold up well. (Of course, all you can do is take your best guess on that one unless you're familiar with the product already.)

    I LOVE Champion bras. For those of us who are larger chested, they make some very comfortable and functional over-the-shoulder bolder holders that hold up over a long period of time.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fit is the biggest thing for me. I hate baggy running clothes. It slows me down.

    ReplyDelete
  29. all about comfort and the wick factor!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I'm all about the comfort factor and whether it wicks sweat away from my body. I personally don't care if I look like the biggest dork on earth due to my running clothes. If it keeps sweat away...I'm in!

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's so sad... but I'm a complete cheap skate when it comes to exercise clothes. I usually raid outlets and discount stores and get whatever feels comfy and looks good. I figure since I'm going to get those clothes sweaty and dirty, it doesn't make sense to spend a lot.

    But, at the same time, I buy only quality stuff. Clothing that won't wear out fast. Usually, that kind of clothing is $60-70/jacket or $80/pants, and if I can find that stuff for half the price I'm very happy (it still comes out to be pricey, in my opinion...)

    ReplyDelete
  32. i'm addicted to Nike and Under Armour! <3 my true loves!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm new to the running game but I definitely go for comfort ... and looks when I'm leaving my neighborhood.

    Winks & Smiles,
    Wifey

    ReplyDelete
  34. Free stuff? Sign me up!

    I have to admit, I am not loyal to any particular brand(s). Running gear is PRICEY so I generally look for sales or deals. Otherwise, it's all about fit and practicality.

    I hope the Champion stuff works out great for you!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Does sound like a cool program and I like that they want to know how consumers like/use their products with an aim at making them better. I, myself, own many champion sports bras (great for the smaller be-boobied among us).

    Comfort, fit, and quality for the money
    I like sale gear, but not if it doesn't hold up or fit me right. Once I find something that works, I tend to buy multiples of it (i.e. the Nike tempo shorts of which I own 5 pairs, or the lululemon running tights of which I have two even though they are 'spensive, they hold up and are worth it)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Running clothes must be light and flowing, so that the runner does not feel impeded or weighed down by their clothing when they are on a run.For some more good stuffs,I would definitely recommend


    http://www.apparelnbags.com/champion/index.htm

    ReplyDelete