Running Apparel For A Cause
Wear your heart on your sleeve and everywhere else with apparel that makes the world a better place.
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Brands that give back take your charitable running to a new level. From supporting breast cancer research to paying teachers’ salaries in a developing country, philanthropic gear makes it possible to pair your purchases with your life passions. Even better, do-good apparel can be cool looking too. Each of these outfits is elevated with a fashion-forward charitable component to prove just how easy it is to look great while you make a difference.
JANJI Tanzania Singlet
In 2010, two seniors from Washington University were slated to run the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. As they hydrated furiously on the bus ride to the track meet, Mike Burnstein and Dave Spandorfer began to realize how lucky they were to have access to plentiful water for the purpose of competing in their sport when so many people don’t have enough to live. At that moment, Janji—meaning “promise” in Malay—was born. The friends committed to create what they call “apparel with an altruistic bent.” By purchasing this singlet, you help a person in Tanzania get a year’s worth of clean water. Proceeds from the purchase go to MSABI’s deep-water well projects, which help Tanzanians build sustainable and durable water wells.
$28, runjanji.com
Graced by Grit Delicious Half-Zip
$86, gracedbygrit.com
Skirt Sports Redemption Fitness Short
$45, skirtsports.com
Puma Formlite XT Ultra Alt
$70, puma.com
LOVE HOPE STRENGTH Unisex Midweight Hoodie
Founded by two survivors, Love Hope Strength has a mission to promote cancer and leukemia early detection—and it forwards this goal in the coolest of ways. The foundation celebrates cancer awareness by throwing rock concerts at incredible locations. (Think: the top of the Empire State Building and the base camp at Mount Everest). At their shows, it’s as easy as a cheek swab to get on the list as a potential bone marrow donor—they’ve already added 66,000 individuals to the national database. If you can’t make it to Nepal, snag this rocking hoodie. Proceeds from the sale help build cancer centers all over the world.
$55, lovehopestrength.org
HKNB Sexy Bra
$50, newbalance.com
Under Armour Perfect Tight Printed Capri
$60, underarmour.com
Altra The One2
$100, altrarunning.com
FORTUNED CULTURE Ethiopia Bracelets:Wisdom/Health/Love
Fortuned Culture makes jewelry that is way more than skin deep—it helps runners remind themselves of personal ambition while providing those services for someone less fortunate. Eritrean American Azie Tesfa started the line to connect the country of opportunity she grew up in to the developing nation she often returned to while visiting family. Through the purchase of this trio of pendant bracelets, you will help aid the lives of people in Ethiopia. “Wisdom” gives books, school supplies and a uniform for one young student for a year, “Health” provides 65 meals for a child and “Love” pays a teacher’s salary for six months.
$30 each or $75 for all three, fortunedculture.com
MPG Soul Shirt
$54, mpgsport.com
INKnBURN Bloom Sports Skirt
$75, inknburn.com
Pearl Izumi EM Road N2
$120, pearlizumi.com
MOVEMBER Mo Sista Tee
The Movember Foundation aims to positively impact men’s health by starting conversations and raising funds to go toward fi ghting prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems. Every November, guys grow ’staches to raise funds and awareness to “change the face of men’s health.” (Get it?!) But girls can get in on the action to support their fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and friends by giving back with this super-soft Mo Sista Tee.
$38, movember.com
Lorna Jane Gratitude 7/8 Tight
$90, lornajane.com
Under Armour Micro G Pulse TR Training Shoes
$80, underarmour.com
SU2C Short Logo Baseball Cap
Proceeds from the purchase of this run-worthy cap go to support Stand Up 2 Cancer’s mission to improve lives through groundbreaking research. A charitable arm of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, SU2C is best known for its television fundraising specials—but it does great work all year round. With the goal of accelerating the pace of the development of cancer treatment and preventive measure, SU2C brings together the research community to encourage collaboration and cutting-edge clinical trials.
$16, standup2cancer.org
Roxy Cutback Tank
$38, roxy.com
CW-X Pro Shorts
$80, roadrunnersports.com.
Skora Fit
$95, skorarunning.com
Photography by James Farrell
Hair/Makeup by Christie Caiola