Tracksmith is a Boston-based running brand that has made high-quality running apparel since 2014. The clothing is well known in running circles for its northeastern, Ivy League aesthetic and high prices. While the prices are indeed on the higher end for running gear, we’ve found the durability of Tracksmith products to be impressive. Most of the Tracksmith items we’ve tested have long lives with craftsmanship that ensures they don’t look ratty or disheveled at any point in their lifespan.
As with any clothing company, this isn’t true to every Tracksmith piece. But the ones that don’t meet that standard seem to get discontinued or revised quickly. In our conversations with Tracksmith designers and leadership, quality is always top-of-mind. A great example of this mindset is that Tracksmith could have sold out long ago but instead continues as a private company that charts its own course. That’s not the easier path but one that allows the focus on quality and brand to live at the top of the employees’ to-do lists.
Because of that maniacal focus on quality materials and craftsmanship, we like what Tracksmith brings to the table. The price and look may not be for everyone, but Tracksmith has a vision and sticks to it. We see the results in its apparel and footwear.
And while Tracksmith has a great track record [Editor’s Note: *ba dum tiss…] of high-performance products across the board, there are some items that consistently stand out for both their utility and value. Here’s our list of the Best Tracksmith Gear.
Best Tracksmith Clothing and Footwear Show
Best Tracksmith Shorts
Tracksmith Session Shorts
The Tracksmith Session Short is a well-established, lined short that was recently upgraded. The polyester/spandex build is soft, the inner liner fits well without being too tight, and the pocket situation is solid. There’s a zip pocket on the right side and 3 internal drop-in pockets at the rear. The rear pockets can hold gels or other snacks, and one is big enough to hold a phone (as is the side pocket); but we found most phones were too heavy for these featherlight shorts to still feel natural carrying that much weight. So if you’re ok leaving your phone behind, the soft Session Shorts are great at preventing chafing even if your legs rub together.
Fit: True-to-size, Price: $75
Best Tracksmith Shirts
Tracksmith Session Tee
The Tracksmith Session Tee is a highly stretchy, very breathable polyester mesh tee that’s perfect for warm weather training. It doesn’t have big logos, and it fits well. Taller runners will want to go up a size to get some extra length, but everyone else will be good with the true-to-size fit. It’s also odor resistant, so it won’t get smelly over time like many mesh-type products. The only drawback is you’ll need Band-Aids or Body Glide on your nipples if you want to take this tee for a long run (as with any mesh-based top).
Fit: True-to-size, tall runners go up a size for length, Price: $75
Tracksmith Harrier Tee
A recent upgrade has made the Tracksmith Harrier Tee one of our go-to running tops. The Merino wool/nylon build is lightweight and extremely soft for a Merino-based tee but an absolute rock star at regulating temperature. It works just as well on warm mornings as it does chilly ones. The small Tracksmith logos on the sleeve and bottom right corner of the body don’t draw attention, and most people won’t even realize it’s Tracksmith. And despite its svelte build, it holds up great to repeated washings after constant usage.
Fit: True-to-size, tall runners go up a size for length, Price: $90
Tracksmith Fieldhouse Tank (or Tee)
We were surprised when Tracksmith decided to hit the gym (so to speak), but the Fieldhouse Tank (or Tee) is an upscale, fun option for your lifting sessions. It’s got a very preppy look that may not be for everyone, but the lightweight polyester and cotton build is soft and comfortable. The material does a good job handling the abrasive nature of gym equipment, and moisture wicking is in line with what other brands offer in their gym-focused apparel (see our Lululemon guide here). This is one of those pieces that will look just as good running errands after the gym as it does inside it.
Fit: True-to-size, tall runners go up a size for length, Price: $50
Tracksmith Strata Singlet (or Tee)
The Tracksmith Strata Singlet is one of the best singlets on the market. Originally made for Tracksmith’s pros at the US Olympic Trials, it’s got a soft, stretchy nylon and elastane body that’s featherlight. Whether conditions are chilly or humid and hot (in which case, the singlet includes coldblack tech to prevent heat absorption), it performs well and largely disappears. It doesn’t chafe either. It’s a singlet that just does its job and doesn’t get in the way, allowing you to focus on racing. And it’s also available in tee form for those that love this fabric enough to use it for daily training.
Fit: True-to-size, tall runners go up a size for length, Price: $125
Best Tracksmith Cold Weather Gear
Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
The Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer is not only a great Tracksmith product but one of the best running base layers on the market. The Merino wool/nylon/polyester long-sleeve build is comfortable and warm with great length for tucking (though tall runners should go up a size for length). It works as a base layer or on its own and has perforations across the chest and back to help dispense excess heat. It doesn’t pick up odors after winters of hard use and consistent washings. It doesn’t have the intense scratchiness of some Merino base layers, and its seamless construction keeps it comfortable on even the longest of runs.
The Tracksmith sash along the front is understated, so many people won’t even know the brand; they’ll just notice the stretchy, form-fitting, and flattering fit and ask where you got it. It’s also sometimes available in a tee shirt version that performs just as well on slightly warmer days.
Fit: True-to-size, tall runners go up a size for length, Price: $100
Tracksmith NDO Tights
This is another Tracksmith item that can easily lay claim to being one of the best in the industry. The NDO Tights are perfect for frigid temperatures with strong wind-blocking and water-repelling properties. The 3M sashes keep the wearer visible in those low-light winter running conditions. The envelope pockets at the rear work great for gels or snacks while the zippered pocket on the upper right leg holds even the biggest of phones.
Yes, they’re pricey, but they deliver comfort, fit, warmth, and extreme durability (they’re basically impervious to abrasion). Most importantly, our legs stayed warm and protected in even the most gnarly of winter conditions.
Fit: True-to-size, Price: $195
Tracksmith Harbor Vest
The Tracksmith Harbor Vest is one of the warmest running vests on the market. It’s also one of, if not the, most expensive. Those that live in icy winter climates and find themselves needing to bring out the big guns to keep their core temperature up will find it worth the money. Its PrimaLoft Gold fill provides plenty of warmth, and the nylon/elastane build does a solid job of stopping wind. It’s got good pockets inside and out and accommodates layering nicely via its generous fit.
Fit: True-to-size, tall runners go up a size for length, Price: $200
Tracksmith Downeaster Pant
The Tracksmith Downeaster Pant takes the traditional sweatpant formula and adds Merino wool. The result? A soft, comfortable, and durable sweatpant that takes warmth to a whole new level. This is the pant we turn to when rolling out of bed to shovel snow in near-zero temperatures. It holds warmth extremely well whether you’re braving the frigid temps, working from home, or sitting on a cold airplane. If you live in a place where you could use a pair of extra warm sweatpants, the Downeaster Pant is a fantastic option.
Fit: True-to-size, Price: $150
Tracksmith Trackshouse Sweatshirt
The Tracksmith Trackhouse Sweatshirt is a heavyweight cotton/polyester blend that is on the upper end of the sweatshirt comfort spectrum. The warmth and coziness screams warm blanket. The kangaroo pocket is a great size, and there’s a small key pocket inside it for securely storing small items. Like other cozy sweatshirts, it’ll shrink if dried; and, especially with its smaller head opening, we recommend everyone go up a size for that oversized hoodie fit that’s perfect for winter lounging and errands.
Fit: Go up a size for that oversized hoodie goodness, Price: $130
Tracksmith Trackshouse Crew
The Tracksmith Trackhouse Crew takes all the goodness from the Trackhouse Sweatshirt and turns it into a crew neck option. If you don’t like hoodies, get this instead.
Fit: Go up a size for that oversized sweatshirt goodness, Price: $120
Best Tracksmith Shoes
Tracksmith Eliot Runner
The Tracksmith Eliot Runner is easily the best-looking running shoe on the market. It’s got a casual aesthetic that only running shoes from the 80s and 90s can truly match. The great colorways and spectacular craftsmanship make it that much better. And the engineered mesh upper is extremely comfortable.
But it’s also imminently runnable. Putting the Eliot Runner on-foot, you get soft step-in feedback from the overly thick, supercritical Pebax insole. And while the Pebax midsole is firmer, it delivers a consistent ride. It’s easy to pick up speed in the Eliot Runner, but you won’t get energy return like a carbon-plated shoe. The Eliot Runner is a throwback that efficient runners will love.
It’s also the perfect shoe for walking around all day – and the type of shoe you take on vacation because it’ll look and feel great for all-day sightseeing while also allowing you to log your miles in the mornings or evenings.
The price and experience are premium. This isn’t a shoe for everyone, but it sure is fun to wear. See the full review.
Fit: True-to-size, Drop: 9mm, Price $198
Tracksmith Eliot Racer
The Tracksmith Eliot Racer is a top-tier road racing shoe that’s different from any racing shoe you’ve used before. The drop-in midsole setup works well and is unique in road running (though drop-in midsoles are familiar to our WearTesters audience due to their occasional presence in basketball performance footwear). The carrier foam is Pebax, and the removable ATPU drop-in sits atop a scooped carbon fiber plate. The result is a bouncy, responsive, and protective race day shoe in which the lack of glue (thanks to the drop-in setup) really allows the energy return to shine for runners of all sizes.
The Eliot Racer feels smoother and better the higher the effort. The outsole has more rubber than expected, which indicates Tracksmith may be prioritizing durability. As for grip, the traction was a mixed bag that resembled most racing shoes: good but not the best in awful weather. But thanks to the drop-in midsole’s sidewalls, the broad forefoot, a tightly gusseted tongue, and the Tracksmith sash that locks down the midfoot, the Eliot Racer is on the upper end of the spectrum in terms of racing shoe stability.
The upper’s mesh doesn’t retain water, and the microsuede tongue and liner add comfort. Heel lockdown might need some fine-tuning via either simple tightening of the top laces or a runner’s knot, but it is achievable. The Eliot Racer’s wider-than-usual-forefoot, straighter last, and taller toebox allow for more wiggle room and toe splay compared to many race-day options, making it possible for wide-footers to enjoy what it has to offer.
That said, the price is certainly at the higher end of the price continuum of distance race models. So if you’re price conscious, the Tracksmith Eliot Racer might not be the right road racing shoe for you. But if you can swing it and want bounce, support, understated and high-end looks, plus Tracksmith’s reputation for durability, the Eliot Racer will be worth the money. See the full review.
Fit: True-to-size, Drop: 7.5mm, Price $198
Are you a Tracksmith fan that doesn’t see your favorite item on the list? Comment down below or DM us on Instagram to tell us about your favorite Tracksmith product. If we like your suggestion, we’ll test it and you may see it appear on our Best Tracksmith list.
