Tracksmith - Too expensive?

I agree. It's a bit high for me. And I struggle to deal with running clothes on-line because I can't feel how light weight they are or are not.

Most of that looks like something I'd wear AFTER running rather than while running.

I'm afraid of sharing my opinions out of fear of angering the brojos, for sponsor dollars and their east coast milieu. But I think the clothing line is a tad pretentious and not very original. Doing the whole East Coast preppy Andover Shop/Brooks Brothers thing, make a few "track" related stuff, charge exorbitant prices, hope a few customers will bite, maybe a few from the hipster/yuppie crowd. I think I saw something like this a couple of years ago, but quickly forgot about it so don't remember the company/attempt. There's a lot of bull in contemporary apparel in general, not just for track outfitting or "prep" styles--a lot of hype and differentiated (inferior) "designer" stuff targeted at middle class consumers. So, in the grand scheme of things, it's just one of many.

I think it is hilarious that they say most runners want to run in cotton t-shirts and that people don't like to run in split shorts.

been here before wrote:

I think it is hilarious that they say most runners want to run in cotton t-shirts and that people don't like to run in split shorts.

They're just trying to sell their product dude.

That said it's a pretty cool t-shirt, and I know nothing baout that mesh but i'd be willing to bite to check it out. I've always wanted short shorts where i don't have to hang so freely. And the singlet is pretty cool.

Yesterday I got the Van Cortlandt singlet and shorts for wear testing, for a post on RW next week.

The mesh is good performance material, at least based on two runs in really humid weather.

There are lots of fun little craftsmanship/design details on the clothes. Is that enough to get people to pay a premium?

I'll be asking Matt Taylor about target audience. The clothes are definitely cut for skinny runner builds, which may not necessarily overlap with urban hipster casual runners who would seem among those likely to be drawn by the aesthetics.

Wearing the shorts as a 50-year-old is funny because most people probably assume I'm running in shorts I got in high school.

Expensive running clothes make the runner.

All the great runners from Kenya grew up wearing expensive running clothes.

If you want to be good, you have to pay the piper...

Looks to me it is positioned more for the bike crowd that cross trains and doesn't mind paying big bucks for their "uniforms" of the day.

Can't envision seeing any LRC cheapskates even considering buying this stuff.

Hey, let's be real here. Everyone has their own preference for style, color, fabrics, etc. Some people will love this gear and some people will hate it. But to say that somehow tracksmith is "positioned for the bike crowd" or for "hipsters" is just bullocks. This is about the most refreshing thing I've seen in running in a decade or more. They're using real runners (all from Mass it looks like) for their photoshoot. They're making race kit as well as everday training gear. It's all made in America.

Jeez, you guys are tough on people . . .

I'll definitely be giving it a try.

small target market for those products - IMO more for folks who want to look like athletes than athletes themselves

maybe yuppie tri geeks will buy them.. they buy anything and seem to thing that more $$ always equals better quality

also a very small product line right now.. will be interesting to see what else they offer.

Looks like a good start to a line to me. They're clearly going for the Rapha cycling aesthetic. This is an aspiration all lifestyle line, not a everyman performance line. If it doesn't appeal to you or is out of your price point comfort zone, you're not the market.

http://www.rapha.cc

Made in the USA? I'd pay a bit extra for something made on our shores. I like the looks...

Up the Irons wrote:

Made in the USA? I'd pay a bit extra for something made on our shores. I like the looks...

So would I if they didn't paint the website with pretentious fluff about how glorious New England is.

if you don't wear full split shorts, GET OUT.

Goucher Needles wrote:

Looks like a good start to a line to me. They're clearly going for the Rapha cycling aesthetic. This is an aspiration all lifestyle line, not a everyman performance line. If it doesn't appeal to you or is out of your price point comfort zone, you're not the market.

http://www.rapha.cc

You're missing the point partially. People are just criticizing it because it doesn't appeal to them. I think we are all wondering, "WHO ON EARTH DOES THIS APPEAL TO?"

I'm not looking for a raise of hands on letsrun. I want to know what the target market is.

Furthermore, I run in new england. All of the runners in the MA running scene are not really your big spenders. Despite trying to be some new england For Us By Us brand, I don't actually see who here would want this.

I think it is hilarious that they say most runners want to run in cotton t-shirts

I like running in cotton shirts, but mainly because I like the feel of my nipples bleeding

I prefer cotton blend shirts for running but not this expensive. My favorite shirts for running are the American Apparel tri-blend tshirts. They are no more than $10 though. And never had a chafing issue, but I've had plenty of chafing problems with technical shirts.

This Tracksmith stuff isn't very practical based on price alone. Reminds me of the Ralph Lauren adds where they show models geared up in RL looking like they are doing serious mountaineering.

Personal Preference wrote:

Hey, let's be real here. Everyone has their own preference for style, color, fabrics, etc. Some people will love this gear and some people will hate it. But to say that somehow tracksmith is "positioned for the bike crowd" or for "hipsters" is just bullocks. This is about the most refreshing thing I've seen in running in a decade or more. They're using real runners (all from Mass it looks like) for their photoshoot. They're making race kit as well as everday training gear. It's all made in America.

Jeez, you guys are tough on people . . .

I'll definitely be giving it a try.

You must work in there marketing dept.

I saw some buzz about this, but had no idea it was clothing line. Honestly I don't know what I expected, but I was disappointed it was just running gear.

heyyo wrote:

Goucher Needles wrote:

Looks like a good start to a line to me. They're clearly going for the Rapha cycling aesthetic. This is an aspiration all lifestyle line, not a everyman performance line. If it doesn't appeal to you or is out of your price point comfort zone, you're not the market.

http://www.rapha.cc

You're missing the point partially. People are just criticizing it because it doesn't appeal to them. I think we are all wondering, "WHO ON EARTH DOES THIS APPEAL TO?"

I'm not looking for a raise of hands on letsrun. I want to know what the target market is.

Furthermore, I run in new england. All of the runners in the MA running scene are not really your big spenders. Despite trying to be some new england For Us By Us brand, I don't actually see who here would want this.

it's for metrosexuals - guys who really really care about their appearance and are willing to spend a fortune on it.

In New York people pay $40 spin class - someone told me good personal trainers cost $75/hour.

I'm sure some of those people would pay $20 more for an actual tangible item.