Ronhill Trackster Classic

The iconic product, which still works, after all these years. Super-light, stretchy, tough, comfy, versatile, and easy to care for. Extensively copied, but still relevant.

Ron Hill was an English long-distance runner, in an era when all athletes wore cotton. Best known, to US readers, as the first British winner of the Boston Marathon (1970), he pioneered carbo loading, redesigned shoes and clothing, and used his academic background as a Textile Chemist to shift the entire paradigm of sportswear, to make it less restrictive and thus, more efficient.

I've been wearing Trackster tights since the 1980s. They're light—almost filmy—crazy-stretchy, wind resistant and bug-resistant, for those days, when shorts would be a bad idea. Made of what they called nylon, when they were manufactured in England, and polyester, now they are made in China, and with a drawstring to hold them up, Tracksters are much tougher than they look. They work, not just for running but for walks, cycle rides, and for a thousand other pursuits.

They wash easily and dry quickly. I've walked long distance trails in them, worn them as a thermal mid-layer, commuted, mountain biked, rock climbed, and canoed. They have heel loops—I cut them off—and a tiny pocket in the waistband for your keys and cards.

I prefer pants without pockets and as little restriction as possible. I sometimes roll up the legs to below the knee. Tracksters offer wind protection and warmth with a minimal weight penalty. They're so versatile, I've always thrown a pair into my overnight bag and keep a pair in the car, for unseen events and trouser emergencies;-) Still inexpensive and the design is virtually unchanged, for good reason. An absolute design classic.

Background

Forty years. Everywhere I've ever been:-)

Ron Hill held the British marathon record for nearly 50 years and ran at least a mile, every day, for 52 years. Makes my daily walk streak look a bit pathetic;-)

Great versatile pants.

Used these for 30 years. Great versatile pants used for commuting on the bike, running, and hiking. Last forever.

Background

30 years used for commuting on a bike, running, hiking.