Lace up your sneaks and stretch those gams—now that the weather is finally nice again, outdoor workouts are something we look forward to. Need some motivation? While sweating it out doesn't require a sleek outfit, stocking up on new leggings or a pair of sweet kicks might make you more inclined to hit the trail. Instead of sifting through piles of running shorts at a mall, check out these three athletic boutique shops for workout wear.
The Loop Running Supply Co.: Pam and Ryan Hess, owners of Austin’s newest running-apparel store, have a competitive-racing background. So it’s no surprise that the Loop stocks niche athletic brands (Satisfy, Oiselle, Ciele) featuring shoes, apparel and accessories meant to help customers achieve a personal record. The shop also offers a locker rental program and showers ($35–$100/month), if you’re working out at, say, the nearby trail on Lady Bird Lake. Looking for a group to run with? The Loop’s Ring of Runners gathers every Thursday at 6:30pm, switching routes and paces each time, before ending with booze back at the store.
Outdoor Voices: You’ve seen this athletic company’s tricolor leggings and slashback crops on trails throughout the city, as bodies whiz by in pastel or earthy tones. Outdoor Voices’ first retail location, a quaint bungalow tucked away in Clarksville, landed in 2014; since then, their apparel has become the city’s most coveted workout gear. At the store, you’ll find the clothing organized by activity: dog walking (casual), spinning (and other sweaty workouts) and yoga. Their tag line is “Doing Things,” but let’s be real—you’d look athletic wearing these leggings even while chilling on a couch.
Active Athlete: Straddling the line between athletic wear and street style, Active Athlete is a sneakerhead’s dream. Shoes are the main draw here, with coveted items like the Nike LeBron XV “City Series,” Air Jordans and Air Force 1s lining the shelves in men’s, women’s and kid’s sizes. Need an Adidas velour jacket? Active Athlete has the hookup, though you’ll need to come by the store to scope everything out—at this time, shipping isn’t available.