The Best Workout Gear For The Urban Athlete

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The Best Workout Gear For The Urban Athlete

Words by Chris Elvidge | Photography by Mr Joe Harper | Styling by Ms Sophie Watson

12 May 2021

Ten Thousand Midweight Tech Full-Zip Hoodie, Lightweight Stretch-Mesh T-Shirt and Stretch-Jersey Compression Shorts coming soon

No gym? No problem. Warmer weather and longer days on the horizon mean that now is the perfect time to take your exercise regimen outdoors. And if you’re stuck for what to wear, leave that to us. As usual, the MR PORTER team has been hard at work over winter to bring you a selection of the world’s very best workout gear and sportswear. So, however you get your fitness fix – whether it’s in the saddle, on the tennis court, or simply exploring your city on foot – we’ve got you covered.

Unlike cycling or, say, canoeing, running doesn’t require a great deal of kit. You should, of course, invest wisely in the stuff you do need, starting with the right pair of shoes. ASICS has a long-standing reputation for its high-performance cushioned running sneakers, and the latest iteration of its GEL-Cumulus range is no exception. The compression shorts and zip hoodie come courtesy of Ten Thousand, a New York-based fitness brand named after the “10,000 Hour Rule”. This concept, promoted in Mr Malcolm Gladwell’s 2008 book Outliers, states that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in any given field. With a name like that, you’d expect its clothes to be built to last, and they don’t disappoint. Finally, the backpack from Salomon, a leader in trail running shoes and accessories, is a must for long-distance runners.

Anyone for tennis? This summer promises a fuller competitive schedule than the last, when Covid-19 saw Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Tokyo Olympics all cancelled or postponed. It’s not just the pro circuit that’s seeing a resurgence, either, as anyone who’s tried to book a local court at short notice will no doubt be aware. But look on the bright side: at least you won’t be short of something to wear. Nike Tennis is our brand of choice this summer, making up the majority of the looks on show here, the one exception being the sneakers, which are from a collaboration between On and none other than Mr Roger Federer. And, well, if they’re good enough for him…

Fair-weather cyclist? There’s no shame in it. We’re celebrating the arrival of short-sleeved jersey season with a kit upgrade from Rapha and MAAP, two brands known for marrying high performance with a style-conscious approach to design. The latter, MAAP, whose bright orange Evade jersey can be seen on the left of this image, also happens to be new to MR PORTER this season. Hailing from Melbourne, one of the global capitals of fair-weather cycling, MAAP is notable for its impressive sustainability credentials, with the vast majority of its fabrics bluesign® or OEKO-TEX® certified to indicate a low-emission, eco-friendly manufacturing process.

This versatile workout look comes courtesy of Nike Training, the Beaverton sportswear giant’s yoga and fitness line, and lululemon, the Vancouver-based yoga brand turned lifestyle brand. Don’t be deceived by the simple appearance of these garments: between them, they pack enough sweat-wicking tech to keep you cool during even the toughest of workouts, while the Silverescent fabric in lululemon’s Metal Vent T-shirt even claims to stop body odour from developing. It won’t stop you from falling off the scaffolding, though, so please do be careful with those pull-ups.

When it comes to outdoor clothing that’s sleek enough to wear in the city, three brands immediately spring to mind: Patagonia, And Wander and Arc’teryx. The first, Patagonia, needs no introduction, having earned a reputation as not only one of the most respected outdoor brands on the planet, but a leader in environmental activism, too. The bright blue jacket seen here, which is constructed from 100 per cent recycled nylon, neatly sums up both sides of the brand. The second, And Wander, takes a far more directional approach, bringing elements of streetwear to the world of outdoor clothing. And the last, Arc’teryx, focuses on high-end mountaineering, but its minimal (and mostly black) design aesthetic makes it suitable for urban adventures, too.