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Trending: What NYC’s “It” Runners Are Wearing (January 2026)
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items I run 30+ hours each week in NYC and spend most of that time clocking people’s running outfits and taking note of what shoes, tops, bottoms, etc. are trending with NYC runners.
This list includes the items I’m seeing in heavy rotation in January 20...
Sections
8
Women’s Shoes
Men’s Shoes
Women’s Tops
Men’s Tops
Women’s Bottoms
Men’s Bottoms
Women’s Shoes
Trending women’s running shoes in NYC in January 2026.
ASICS Novablasts, especially the Novablast 5, are everywhere right now. I see these mostly during the week, not on weekends, which make me think that they are popular for daily runs more than long runs.
Trending colors:
- White / Coral Reef
- Fl...
Women's | ASICS Novablast 5
These seem to be particularly popular with the ladies who love a matching set, wear their hair cute braids, and fly past me running a 7-minute mile.
Trending Colors:
- White / Black / Fire Pink / Orange Pulse
- Playful Pink / Off Noir / Hyper P...
Nike Pegasus 41 with a Pop of Color
The HOKA girlies are all wearing the Clifton 10, I’m not a HOKA person myself, but I am seeing these seriously everywhere right now, especially in LIC and the Brooklyn Promenade.
Trending Colors:
- Rose Cream / Dried Rose
- Grout / Mineral Blu...
Women's | HOKA Clifton 10
If there is an “it girl” of running shoes, these are them at the moment in NYC - but only if you can get your hands on them. My size is always sold out in every color and just about every runner I know in NYC hunts for them.
Trending Colors:
- Th...
Women's | Nike Vomero Plus
I will forever standby my claim that these are the BEST marathon shoes out there. I see On shoes a lot on the weekends in Central Park paired with NYC marathon jackets. So you know they are legit.
The Cloudsurfers are definitely my favorite, but th...
Women's | On Cloudsurfer Max
These are the unsung hero of the list. I see the Evo SL a lot for Tempo sessions and, as I put together this list, I’m realizing they are selling out in a lot of stores. And they are decently priced for good speed work shoes. BRB adding to my cart no...
Women's | adidas Adizero Evo SL
Brooks is definitely a fan fave, but I’m seeing a lot more of the Hyperion series. In particular, these Hyperion Max 3 seem to have been on everyone’s holiday wishlist. I would say they are on 1 out of every 20 runners in Central Park right now.
Tr...
Women's | Brooks Hyperion Max 3
Men’s Shoes
Trending women’s running shoes in NYC in January 2026.
Do I think these are the best looking shoe in the world? No. But are they on the feet of just about every single man who runs a sub-3 marathon? Yeah. Yeah, they are.
In my mind, if I see you wearing these, you definitely moonlight as The Flash.
T...
Men's | Nike Alphafly 3
I see men in these across all boroughs every day of the week. These seem to be very popular for easy runs.
Trending Colors:
- Illusion Blue / Light Blue
- Flash Red / Edo Purple
- Black / Cobalt Burs
Men's | ASICS Novablast 5
Brooks Ghost 17s, you will always be famous. I see these on runners who aren’t trying to look too flashy, but who just look effortlessly cool. You know the type I mean — the one who rolls out of bed, decides to run a marathon that day, and then place...
Men's | Brooks Ghost 17
I had admittedly never heard of these shoes until a week ago, but they are on my radar now. These seem to be very popular among men in running clubs and I’m starting to clock them everywhere on weekend runs. From the research I’ve done, they seem to ...
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
Another favorite for speed work. I’ve never friend Saucony’s myself, but these have a cult following and I’ve never seen a slow runner in them, and I’ve been seeing them a lot more in the last couple of months. And I always notice them because they a...
Men's | Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
New Balance seems to be having a moment in general, but these seem to be very trendy at the moment for speed work, especially on the West Side Highway.
Trending Colors:
- White / Cyber Jade
- Urgent Red
- Angora / Hot Mango
Men's | New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3
This shoe is a long run staple for a reason. I’ve never heard a bad thing about them. I have a feeling Altra’s are going to get a lot more hype this year based on how much more I’m seeing them in Central Park on the weekends.
Trending Colors:
- G...
Men's | Altra Torin 8
Women’s Tops
It’s cold in NYC right now. I’m seeing a lot of long-sleeve shirts paired with jackets and/or under running vests. I’ve seen this one so often in the last two weeks that I broke down and bought it. No regrets.
Core Long-T: Women's Lightweight & Longsleeve Basic Tee
It’s cold. We are all wearing these jackets and friendly nodding when we pass by one another.
NYC Marathon 2025 Windbreaker
Perfect for layering over a long-sleeve shirt. The price tag on this Brooks option is a little steep. A more affordable version is included in this list, as well.
Women’s | Brooks Shield Hybrid Vest 3.0
This vest from Amazon is so popular right now. I’m seeing it layered over just about every long sleeve shirt.
baleaf Women's Hooded Puffer Vest Slim Fit
This + black running tights is the current running equivalent of jeans and a going out top in NYC.
Women's | On Weather Insulated Jacket
This specific shirt in black
Womens Micromesh™ Long Sleeve Tee - Blacks Micromesh™ Long Sleeve Tee - Black
As a local NYC company, Bandit is always tending in NYC. But their winter line is super popular right now. This mockneck is so practical for cold weather.
Bandit Womens AuraGrid™ Mockneck Performance Top
This color seems to be the most popular
Bandit Women’s MacroSoft™ Quarter Zip - Antique Brasss
I saw a lot less Lulu in the summer/fall, but their winter pieces are very much voguing.
Lululemon Cold Weather Running Half Zip
These paired with puffy vests
Nike Swift Women's Therma-FIT Turtle-Neck Running Top
All the NYC runners are stocked with HEATTECH
HEATTECH Ultra Warm High Neck T-Shirt | UNIQLO US
These specific Under Armour tops
UA Vanish Cold Weather Women's ½ Zip | Under Armour
Men’s Tops
Are you even a runner in NYC if you don’t have one of these??
NYC Marathon 2025 Jacket
If the gents are splurging on a jacket, it’s probably this one.
Bandit Resisto II™ - Waterproof Jacket in Champagne
Another very popular jacket option at the moment
Bandit Coldfront™ Jacket, Unisex - Ash
This particular shirt
Mens Micromesh™ Long Sleeve Tee - Ash Gradients Micromesh™ Long Sleeve Tee - Ash Gradient
This is a unisex sweatshirt but is definitely trending for men specifically.
Cotton Fleece Abstract Grid Crewneck - Unisex, Black
Arguably the single most popular men’s running top in the winter in NYC.
Nike Stride Men's Dri-FIT 1/4-Zip Running Top
Very popular base layer
Men's | Tracksmith Brighton Baselayer
Women’s Bottoms
Full-length thermal running tights are a must. I personally struggle with some of lulu’s stuff because of the lack of pockets, but these specific running tights are everywhere you look right now.
Thermal High-Rise Running Tight 28" | Women's Leggings/Tights | lululemon
Believe it or not, despite the below freezing temperatures, a lot of the NYC ladies are still wearing shorts out there for their runs. Don’t ask me how.
Nike Tempo Women's Dri-FIT Mid-Rise Brief-Lined Running Shorts
If you are one of the crazies still wearing shorts but who likes a compression fit, Bandit shorts remain the top trend for NYC ladies.
Bandit Stamina High Waist 5" Compression - Shadow
Bandit is always a popular choice because of their innovative approach to pockets / running storage. These joggers are fantastic. I’ve only started seeing them this last week, but they’re definitely popping up now.
Bandit supplies goes quick, so do...
Bandit Womens Superwarm™ Run Pant
Men’s Bottoms
I am typically seeing these on men who don’t wear shorts over their running tights.
M's Trail Tight
Always a fan favorite
Nike Stride Men's Dri-FIT Woven Running Pants
If I see a tall man running, he’s often wearing these
Pace Breaker Jogger *Tall | Men's Joggers | lululemon
Perfect for cold outdoor runs
REI Co-op Swiftland Hybrid Running Pants - Men's | REI Co-op
Another great black jogger option for colder weather.
Core Pants: Lightweight & Stretchy Men’s Running Apparel | On
Wallet-friendly option with a lot of hype in the city right now
DSG Men's Cold Weather Run Pants
The men are still wearing their shorts, but are opting for the slightly longer length in the winter. I’m also seeing these paired over running tights.
On Men's Focus Shorts 9”
Socks & Accessories
This one is cheating a bit because they are only on pre-order. But they are what all the NYC runners are talking about at the moment. Gloves that let you access your watch? Brilliant.
Merino Performance Gloves, Unisex - Black
Can’t go wrong with these
Women's Fast and Free Fleece Running Gloves | Women's Gloves & Mittens & Cold Weather Acessories | lululemon
If you weren’t able to get the Bandit versions of these gloves on pre-order, these watch-revealing gloves are a great option!
Women’s Lux Watch Window Gloves
Are you even a male runner in NYC if you down own a Nike hat and glove set?
Nike Essential Men's Running Hat and Glove Set
While men are opting for hats, women seem to mostly be wearing ear-covering headbands.
Women’s Winthrop Headband | Athleta
Winter running means running in the dark. These LED vests are tending big time.
Tracer2
Miscellaneous
MUST KNOW RESOURCE.
Dress My Run is a FREE website that guides you on how you should dress based on the weather at your location.
It helps you to avoid over- or underdressing based on conditions. I swear by it. It’s never steered me wrong and I a...
A RUNNER MUST-KNOW - Dress My Run