10 replies to this topic

[rungear]

Hey Coolrunners,

I've got a friend who's interested in creating an online business selling motivational running tops (kind of like those Lorna Jane singlets except in material similar to what CoolGear is made from, and for both men and women).

I thought the best place to see what runners want would be here on cool running What do you think about these tops? Do you think it's a good idea, or not really? Would you be interested in such a product (to wear when you're not wearing your CR gear of course )? What do you guys like to see in running gear?

It would be very helpful if you could give your honest opinion - if you think its a total fail of an idea, or if you think that there are too many similar things out there right now, please state that!

Any further advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
rungear

Edited by rungear, 11 July 2012 - 03:00 PM.

[nite_time_runner]

Drop me a line at ian atsymbol youcanrun.com.au and I will try and help with answers or feedback.  I have dabbled in this space for the last 12 months or so...

[runhard]

Youcanrun are awesome shirts. Recently got a long sleeve shirt and it was great down in the snow over skins.  Also have a short sleeve one which I wore doing intervals great shirts.

RH

[rohan]

the idea of motivational running gear is fine.

I just question the method of distribution.  Like why would people hear of the product and go searching for an online store to obtain it?

Widespread placement of product so people can see and obtain it is always the biggest question.  Good ideas are a bit dimeadozen.

[CharlieB]

I do love the Inknburn run shirts - the quality is great and the designs are awesome. I think its a great idea to have someone is Aus making cheaper run shirts

[rungear]

Thanks guys for your help!

@nite_time_runner: I'll email you soon, thanks for your offer to help!
@runhard: Thanks for your input, I'll keep that in mind when producing etc.
@rohan: Thanks for your help, we were thinking about advertising in magazines such as R4YL & Women's Running Australia, as well as doing competitions etc. through their respective Facebook pages. Right now there are a couple of online sites doing this, and I believe it's been relatively successful to get business online.
@CharlieB: Thanks for your comment, I will check out the inknburn shirts. How much would you be willing to pay for a shirt?

Actually, to all, if you needed a running shirt right now, how much would you be willing to pay (including shipping)?

Thanks so much again!

[runhard]

rungear, on 12 July 2012 - 01:50 PM, said:

Actually, to all, if you needed a running shirt right now, how much would you be willing to pay (including shipping)?

Thanks so much again!

How long is a piece of string?  

Depends on quality, what it offers etc!  What market are you hoping to break into?

My wife used to buy Lorna clothes and loves them. This was before it became huge. They have since priced themselves out of her market!

RH

[aDrain]

Have you seen http://cafepress.com.au ? They have a whole section on running gear, and you can design your own.

I've no connection to cafepress - just seen them online.

[rohan]

Only problem with cafe press is it can take about 3 weeks to arrive. (coming in from the USA)

[Ponytail]

I think the Lorna Jane range is the most overpriced load of wank I've ever seen. Who are the words supposed to motivate? I don't know about everyone else but I generally don't run along looking at my chest...

Edited by ponytail, 13 July 2012 - 04:57 PM.

[rungear]

Well basically, the brand we're trying to create is basically a mix between Lorna Jane and more technical CoolGear like clothing (sorry, don't really know how to describe it). We've just heard many times from friends etc. that they like their Lorna Jane/Nike/whatever clothes they have with motivational words on it. But the problem was that during the times when they wanted to wear them (mainly long runs & races - 10ks, half marathons etc.), they couldn't, because all (or at least most of) the Lorna Jane/Nike/whatever were cotton, or some similar material that wasn't breathable/wicking. They wanted a singlet that would have motivational words on a mesh singlet, suitable for races.

As far as we've seen (please correct me if I am wrong), there is pretty much nothing like this on the market.

Why I'm posting here is because I'm not sure if it'd be popular or even necessary - maybe my friends & I just haven't seen a product already available, or maybe the reason why nothing else is around is because it's not going to sell, nor is it a good idea.

Hope this clears things up a bit

I've will check out CafePress,  thanks Adrain & Rohan, I knew they sold custom shirts, but never knew about the running gear.

@ponytail: haha I guess for some it can motivate, in races and such when you can't have an iPod or anything to motivate you, you can always glance at your chest for that extra bit of motivation?

Thanks guys again for your contribution!

Edited by rungear, 13 July 2012 - 11:26 PM.