EKOÏ enters the running market as cycling specialist sets its sights on runners

Some sports brands are firmly rooted in one discipline. EKOÏ is one of them. For more than 20 years, the French brand has built a reputation for technical, high-performing cycling gear that is often competitively priced. Now the Fréjus-based company is looking beyond the bike. In 2026, EKOÏ is launching its first running apparel collection, already a comprehensive range. It is a logical move for a brand that understands the demands of endurance sport: thermal management, low weight, breathability, ergonomics and design. The goal is clear: bring its cycling apparel expertise to running while preserving the brand's core DNA of technical performance, innovation and accessible pricing.

A logical move for an endurance sports specialist

EKOÏ's move into running may surprise some people, but it makes perfect sense. The brand already equips athletes across several endurance disciplines: cycling, triathlon, cyclo-cross and more. These are sports where the demands placed on apparel are particularly high.

Running involves many of the same requirements:
✔ Rapid sweat wicking
✔ Maximum breathability
✔ Freedom of movement
✔ Body temperature management

These are all areas EKOÏ's product engineers have mastered over the years. The brand is applying the same approach it uses in cycling: rigorous material selection, weight reduction and ventilation optimisation. Given EKOÏ's track record, the formula has every chance of working.

Three collections to cover every runner's needs

For its entry into the market, EKOÏ has opted for a straightforward, easy-to-understand structure. The running collection is divided into three distinct ranges, each designed for a specific purpose. It is a smart approach that lets runners quickly identify which products match their needs.

START: accessible technical essentials

The START range is aimed at runners who primarily want reliable apparel for their everyday runs. It includes the Run Dry Fast, a top made from a micro-perforated fabric featuring Dry Fast technology to speed up sweat wicking. The goal is simple: deliver an effective, affordable technical base layer.

Prices start at €24.99, immediately placing the range among the most affordable on the market. The value for money is strong, especially considering the level of technicality built into the materials.

For the lower half, the Short Run Glide uses a two-fabric construction with:
➜ Micro-perforated rear panel for ventilation
➜ Integrated 2-in-1 brief liner
➜ Zipped rear pocket
➜ Adjustable drawcord

It is a simple but functional short, particularly thanks to the rear zipped pocket for carrying keys and a phone. It is clearly designed for regular training. The design is equally straightforward, with black-and-white colourways. Reliable choices for running with a bit of style, without overthinking it.

Cycling specialist EKOÏ enters running with a technical apparel collection. Three ranges designed for training and racing.

PERF: the versatile range for regular runners

The PERF range steps things up a level. This collection is aimed at runners looking for greater lightness and performance. Its key pieces are the Run Perf Airflow tops, available as both a T-shirt and singlet. The T-shirt weighs just 60 g and the singlet 45 g, making them exceptionally light. The aim is to create a second-skin feel with completely unrestricted movement.

There are two options for the lower half:
➜ Short Perf Running: a light, comfortable 2-in-1 model
➜ Run Perf Pulse half tights: designed for long runs, with several pockets and reliable support

This is probably the range that will appeal most to regular runners, the ones stacking up the miles week after week. The Run Perf Pulse half tights should be especially popular for their pockets and comfort. Plenty of marathoners are fans of this kind of gear.

RACING: the high-end range built for performance

At the top of the collection, the RACING range targets demanding runners and competitive athletes. Its most technically advanced piece is the Run Racing Outlast, made in Italy and featuring Outlast® technology.

This material absorbs body heat, stores it and then gradually releases it. The result is improved thermoregulation, less sweating and more consistent comfort throughout the effort. This is the range built for performance. When you are racing or running intervals and the pace picks up, body temperature rises. You need ultra-light, highly technical clothing to move that heat away efficiently. In unsuitable kit, you simply sweat too much, and it is not comfortable.

Two performance-focused products complete the lower half of the range:
➜ Short Run Racing Aerostride: ultra-light at 95 g, with micro-perforated panels
➜ Run Racing Prorise half tights: inspired by EKOÏ's cycling expertise, with bonded seams and optimised support

The latter clearly carries EKOÏ's cycling DNA: stability, light compression and an ergonomic fit. The finish and construction show that the brand already understands the codes of running and high-performance apparel. The side cut of the shorts should appeal particularly to faster runners, for whom freedom of movement is essential when pushing their limits and chasing big personal bests.

A highly accessible price point

This is probably one of the most interesting aspects of the new collection. True to its DNA, EKOÏ is keeping its pricing highly competitive:

✔ START tops from €24.99
✔ PERF apparel around €39.99
✔ RACING range from €54.99

Those prices are significantly lower than many premium running brands, while retaining a high level of technical performance. It is exactly the strategy that helped EKOÏ establish itself in cycling. For runners, the arrival of another serious player in the market is very good news: another option with a remarkably strong value proposition.

A brand arriving with serious credentials

By entering running, EKOÏ is stepping into an already crowded market. But the brand has several assets on its side:
✔ Strong textile expertise
✔ Experience across endurance sports
✔ Highly competitive pricing
✔ Clean, modern design

Above all, it has a clear philosophy: offer technical products without sending prices through the roof. The brand recently made its presence felt at the French cross-country championships. Olympic athlete Félix Bour dominated the race and was crowned French champion wearing EKOÏ glasses. Very classy. It is another sign that the brand is positioning itself intelligently in the running world.

With this first running collection, EKOÏ is doing more than adding another apparel line to its catalogue. The brand is opening a new chapter in its development. If runners respond well, the range will likely expand quickly over the coming seasons. In running, just as in cycling, athletes are always looking for the same balance: performance, comfort and a fair price. That is a space where EKOÏ could have an interesting hand to play. With its expertise, the brand may well attract the attention of plenty of runners.

✔ Find all EKOÏ running products on the official website ekoi.com