EDRA exists because nobody had built the alternative. Today, the new British running apparel brand founded in Leeds launches with a complete summer running collection, after opening early access to its waitlist on Saturday 27 June, 48 hours before the official launch.
The brand is founded by Nathan Edmondson, a former professional cyclist and competitive runner who has represented Great Britain in mountain running. Nathan set out to build the running brand he’s been waiting for someone else to make: designed by people who actually run, for the run itself, not just a logo.
Founder Nathan Edmondson adds, “Britain has brilliant running communities and a real appetite to get behind something of its own, but most running kit still goes one of two ways: garish and loud, or completely anonymous. We wanted to build something with real identity. Designed with intent, built to perform, never just for show.”
Nathan adds, “Most of the design choices came from things that have annoyed me over the years, kit that rides up, rubs, traps heat or gives you one more thing to think about when you’re already working hard.”
Rather than launching with a single hero product, EDRA has built DROP 1 – a full system for summer running, race day through to everyday training, following multiple rounds of sampling and testing by elite runners to perfect every individual item. The debut collection includes:
Unisex Cotton Tee
FLOATLITE™ Race-Ready Singlet
CHANNEL™ Running Tee
FLOATLITE™ Run Sock
CHANNEL™ Pinch Top Cap
FLOATLITE™ Split Shorts
CONVEY™ with FLOATLITE™ Half Tight
The collection’s signature piece is the FLOATLITE™ Half Tight, built around EDRA’s CONVEY™ carrying system to combine race-ready performance with serious carrying capacity from multiple gels to your phone and keys, the ultimate marathon and long-run companion.
The collection also follows a range architecture:
FLOATLITE™ – Race-ready range, highest lightweight tech.
CHANNEL™ – Core sports range, wicking, lightweight sports capability with a more durable weight structure.
CONVEY™ – Items with carrying capacity right at the core.
Founder Nathan Edmondson adds, “most of the design choices came from things that have annoyed me over the years: kit that rides up, rubs, traps heat or gives you one more thing to think about when you’re already working hard.”
“Inclusivity sits alongside performance at the heart of the brand. EDRA is positioned as a premium product designed with affordability in mind, priced from £15 to £75. Good running brands should inspire people to run and take part, not make them feel like they’re on the outside looking in,” says Nathan.
EDRA will launch first into local Leeds run clubs and races, with national ambitions to follow next year. “We’d rather grow slowly and do things properly than rush into lots of categories or markets,” said Nathan. “We want the Leeds community to feel that it has a running brand of its own that people are proud of; that’s success”.
Early access opened on Saturday 27 June, 48 hours ahead of public launch, for those who signed up via the EDRA website. The full collection is now available to everyone at www.edrasports.com.
