Jonathan from Copenhagen asks a profound question that many active individuals ponder: Is it better to stick with one athletic brand for all your workout gear, or can you freely mix and match? More importantly, does your apparel truly influence your performance?
Every major sports brand is in a constant battle of innovation, continuously adding cutting-edge features like advanced wicking, specialized padding, and spring-loaded designs to their athletic wear. Their goal? To convince you that their products, and only theirs, will give you a competitive edge.
While professional athletes might benefit from these high-tech advancements—like the custom superlight 3-D-printed sports bra Nike created for runner Faith Kipyegon to help her chase a sub-four-minute mile—for most recreational exercisers, the impact is less significant. Let’s be honest, for us, a good stretch likely makes a bigger difference.
In reality, the decision of what to wear for your workouts, or whether to stick to a particular style, often comes down to a mental game rather than pure physics. If you genuinely believe your new lightweight shoes or breathable shirt gives you an edge, you’re likely to move with that confidence and push yourself harder.
And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that approach. Conversations with serious competitive athletes consistently reveal that their attire plays a role in their mindset. Feeling good in their gear often translates to better performance. This psychological factor is partly why many female athletes are now asserting control over their uniforms, moving away from simply adapting men’s styles.
So, when it comes to choosing your activewear, there are several factors worth considering.
For most amateur athletes, the primary considerations should be comfort and affordability. Your investment in athletic gear should align with your dedication to a sport. Think of those classic movie scenes featuring middle-aged characters decked out in head-to-toe high-tech sports apparel, looking ready for an Olympic final – they’re almost always played for laughs, aren’t they?
Next, consider brand association. Much like fashion labels leveraging celebrity endorsements, sports brands partner with top athletes to suggest that their winning technology will magically transfer to you. Whether this is scientifically true is less important than your admiration for the athlete themselves.
Beyond individual endorsements, sports brands have masterfully built communities around their core values—even more so than traditional fashion houses. This is why you often hear people declare themselves ‘Nike people,’ ‘Adidas people,’ ‘Skechers people,’ or even ‘Chuck II people.’ It’s almost as if every gym in the city is a living laboratory for an anthropological study, revealing distinct social groups defined by their preferred athletic brands.
And let’s not forget about ‘anti-brand’ communities, such as climbers, where appearing overly devoted to a specific outfitter can be perceived as a lack of serious commitment to the sport itself.
So, if you’re a fan of On CloudTec sneakers, NikeSKIMS leggings, and Adidas Techfit tops, feel free to mix and match to your heart’s content. Just be aware that your choices might send a confusing message to fellow brand loyalists!
Lastly, a word of advice: steer clear of athletic gear from high-end fashion labels. While a Louis Vuitton bicycle or Chanel boxing gloves might offer a touch of ironic flair, they’re best reserved for glossy magazine spreads or perhaps a leisurely stroll through Gstaad, not serious training.
Got a Style Question? Ask Away!
Each week in ‘Open Thread,’ Vanessa tackles a reader’s fashion query. Feel free to submit your own questions anytime via email or X. Please note that questions may be edited and condensed for clarity.