Our Story

We started Zone 2 from a place of privilege. As members of a fantastic local run club - shout out to The Derby Runner and Team Derby Runner - we’ve always had access to great kit, expert advice, and the kind of community that makes running even better. At club nights, the shop would host shoe try-ons so we could test the latest trainers before committing. Brilliant.

(Pete and Jake in club colours after both hitting HM PBs at The Ramathon, 29/06/2025)

But clothing? Nothing like that exists (and honestly, probably for good reason - can you imagine the smells?). That leaves runners with a tough choice:

  • Go cheap and accessible - fine when you’re starting out, but not built for the long run.
  • Stick with the big brands - safe, but pricey.
  • Or spend hundreds on “designer” running gear, hoping the quality lives up to the tag.

We’ve done all three. And still felt something was missing: premium kit that feels amazing, performs when it counts, and has a bit of personality.

The name Zone 2 Apparel was born on a marathon training run. Somewhere between the miles, while being overtaken on a long Zone 2 session, Jake joked to Pete: “I wish I had a T-shirt that said I’m doing my long run - I can run faster than this.” It wasn’t the best design idea (our egos get us into trouble), but the thought stuck. Why isn’t there more personality in running clothing? Why not celebrate all runners, fast or slow, with gear that matches the way we actually train?

Zone 2 Apparel, or Z2 Apparel as you’ll often see in our branding, was born from that gap. And from the belief that you have to run slow to run fast. That same philosophy guides our process today. We’ve rejected countless samples, delayed launches, and pushed back timelines - because the only way to do this properly is to put the grind in.

Every piece we make is designed to perform when it matters. Comfort on the long run. Breathability on tempo day. Feather-light freedom on race day. This isn’t just clothing - it’s a reflection of what running means to us: progress, community, and the joy of pushing limits.

If running has taken over your life like it has ours... welcome home.