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As a follow-up to its popular Recovery Mode sneaker which launched in May of 2023, Alo Yoga has officially announced its latest footwear innovation: the Alo Runner. Like its predecessor, the Alo Runner is designed for both men and women with style and performance in mind while furthering the brand’s commitment to offering a holistic approach to wellness.
Importantly, while its connection to yoga has always been synonymous with the Alo, the brand has never put itself in a corner when it comes to where it can live within the fitness space, often giving its consumers various outlets to try the brand’s DNA including ballet, Pilates, tennis, meditation and even street style. Now with the Alo Runner, the brand is taking a step further into running and the benefits (both mental and physical) that the movement provides.
Danny Harris, chief executive officer at Alo Yoga, said that running was specifically chosen by the team as the brand’s next shoe “because we see it as a form of moving meditation. Like yoga, running is tied to breath and deepens the connection between your mind and body.”
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Mirroring the brand’s mission, the company said the sneaker “embodies a commitment to holistic well-being and mindful movement” while promising to elevate the runner’s experience with precision. The Alo community, said Harris, is already full of runners including himself. “I run every day,” he said. “[And] I can confidently say these are the best running shoes I’ve ever worn. They’re lightweight and make me feel fast, and we made sure to design them with just the right amount of stability.” In addition, every Alo trainer was also asked to participate by wearing them to test the shoe and provide feedback during design finalization.
Notably, the development for the Alo Runner was underway for several years and went through many iterations before the team decided on its unique design.
“[The] design delivers both performance and fashion,” said Harris. “We leaned into a sleek monochromatic look, in both black and white, that aligns with Alo’s signature aesthetic. From a performance standpoint, it was about balance, speed, and versatility. We created a shoe that elevates every runner’s performance, no matter their skill level.”
Key features of the Alo Runner include a breathable engineered double-layer mesh designed to optimize airflow with 70 percent recycled materials, a dynamic dual-density midsole for soft impact, high responsiveness and comfort, and an extra-firm crash pad cushioning at the heel to provide stability and structure. The sneaker is designed for multi-terrain from track and road to trail and will be available in two colorways: black and white.
With so many running shoe options on the market, Harris said that the Alo Runner stands out due to its appeal for “every type of runner because of the interior cushioning and outsole tread,” whereas others are often designed for specific purposes like road running or trail running.
“When you begin a run with intention and you reach the finish line flooded with endorphins, it’s powerful,” said Harris. “It’s a life-changing practice. It was important to us that this shoe helps runners achieve that feeling, and we’re excited to finally bring it to market.”
Alo’s campaign for the Alo Runner will blend its heritage yoga roots with the running world through a narrative of personal transformation and the connection between breath and movement. The campaign will feature Joe Burrow, Mathew Noszka, Jordan Rand, Louis Chandler, and Rayna Vallandingham.
Priced at $185 the Alo Runner will be available for purchase on Sept. 5 online and in Alo stores nationwide. In tandem, Alo Moves will debut Running Series on launch day. The four-week program will be led by Alo’s director of fitness at Alo’s Wellness Club Louis Chandler and has been designed to build endurance while tapping into the mental benefits of running.
In addition, to celebrate, Alo is hosting a global 5K run on Sept. 7 for its trainers, community partners, influencers and customers. The 5K will begin at over 100 Alo Sanctuary locations around the world including Beverly Hills, Austin Congress, Rock Center NYC, London and Dubai. A full list of locations will be available on Alo’s website.
This launch comes months after Alo Yoga made changes to its inaugural shoe model. In March, the shoe formerly known as the “Alo x 01 Classic” sneaker was renamed to the “Recovery Mode” sneaker. According to Harris, the move to change the name came after reviewing customer feedback and the desire to highlight the shoe’s recovery features.
“The new name allows us to continue to tell our story that we’ve been telling for so long,” Harris told FN in an interview in March. “It’s about being the best version of yourself, quieting your negative subconscious, amplifying your positive subconscious, setting intentions goal and so on. So, I think that the shoe is very much in line with our values.”
