How a Runner In Bombay Dresses for the Heat
Notes from India's running boom and a lot of other things...
Hi from Vienna, where the sporting highlight of the trip thus far has been accidentally joining up with a massive run club (they’re a menace everywhere!) near the Hofburg Palace while jogging with our baby in the stroller and being told “You are such an inspiration!” I was trying to take note of what the crew of mostly 20-something Austrians was wearing, but I only got eyes on a lot of matching sets and Adidas EVOs. I’m planning on doing some more research on Austrian activewear and will report back in the next issue!
In this edition of The Sweat Lookbook, I speak with Aalisha Shah, an athlete and run club leader based in Bombay, India1. Aalisha and I met when I scouted her to be in a campaign I was working on, and I was eager to learn more about how she dresses for performance, especially in a hot climate. I’ve been interested in exploring women’s sports in India since I saw this story on fencer Tanishka Katri shot by the uber-talented Gorkey Patwal (with whom I collaborated for this video).
I was also curious about the Indian activewear scene, which we touch on below. In recent years, India’s athleisure market has exploded and is expected to grow by 5.2% annually to $3.2 billion by 2032. There is – as we’ve been exploring in several newsletters – a world of difference between athleisure and performance apparel. Brands like Cava Athleisure, BlissClub, Kica Active, Aastey cater to consumers pursuing an active lifestyle, but you don’t yet see many sport-specific offerings, outside of smaller brands like Athlos or Aguante, catering to runners.
As it is globally, running is booming in India. In 2024, 1,500 events attracted 2.5 million runners. And there’s room for more growth: just 25% of the participants in the Mumbai Marathon were women. The boom is fueled by community, where inclusive groups like Shah’s The RunBay Club, Namma Run Club in Bangalore, and The Social Club in Goa foster feelings of connection, motivation, and safety for their athletes. Big brands are in the mix too. Asics, New Balance, Adidas, Reebok, and Nike all host run clubs in Indian cities. This spring, Nike brought their women-focused After Dark Tour to Mumbai, even flying coach Diljeet Taylor out to the festivities. 2
Of the legacy players, it’s Nike that appears to be making some of the biggest moves to capitalize on India’s growing activewear market. They recently collaborated with Nor Black Nor White on a collection of “sport-forward” silhouettes featuring bandhani, a traditional Indian tie-dye technique. Not only is it the first Indian fashion collaboration for Nike, but from what I could find, it’s a first for any of the leading sports brands.
Given the buzz around India’s fashion scene and its running boom, collaborations feel like a huge opportunity for brands. I’d love to see someone partner with Paris fashion week darling Kartik Research or an indie brand like Spurthi Gowdwa. While not a fashion brand, Jaipur Rugs continues to delight with their seasonal Tennis Championships content. Can you blame me for wanting more high-concept visuals like this?
Still, India’s sports infrastructure does not yet reflect all this momentum. Athletes (and especially women) face a host of systemic challenges that keep them out of the global spotlight. Winning just 41 Olympic medals since 1900, “there is no doubt that India has been an underperformer in the Olympics and generally in global sports,” Ronojoy Sen, author of “Nation at Play: A History of Sport in India” told CNN. It’s an area of significant investment – both by individuals like Aalisha Shah who are building communities around sport and by the nation. Since 2018, India’s sports ministry has allocated nearly $260 million to state governments to develop sports infrastructure. India was leading the race to be named the host of the 2036 Olympics (until the IOC announced a pause in the contest). A testament to the value some Indian power players are placing on sport, the Olympic campaign is being led by the matriarch of the Ambani family (of $600 million wedding fame),
Whether at the amateur or elite level, I’m keeping my eye on India’s sporting and fashion scene. And keeping my fingers crossed for some better LA 2028 Opening Ceremony looks, too.
The Road Is My Runway
In Conversation with Aalisha Shah, founder of The RunBay Club
How did you get started in sports? Do you remember what you wore?
I wasn’t athletic at all growing up. In fact, I was the kind of person who’d come up with any excuse to skip gym class - I just didn’t feel like sports were “my thing.” My movement journey only really began during Covid. One of my closest friends, Jiten (who’s also a co-founder of our run club), would host evening Zoom workouts. It started as a fun way for our friend group to stay connected, but over time I found myself looking forward to it and noticed how much better I felt. My energy shifted and so did my mindset.
As for what I wore back then, I just wanted to feel comfortable. I was shy and very self-conscious, especially about wearing anything fitted. My go-to was always a baggy t-shirt and tights, whether it was to the gym or on a run. It was more about hiding than fashion.
What's your current workout routine?
I’m an early riser. I wake up at 4:30 am and begin my day with either a run, yoga, or strength training. My entire workout routine is built around my running schedule, whether that means building strength to support my mileage or slowing down to recover. The combination of running, strength, and yoga has given me a balance between pushing myself and listening to my body.
What was the spark behind starting The RunBay Club? What's the overall running scene like in Bombay?
The idea for The RunBay Club came from friendship and a shared love for running. In 2023, after I ran my first half marathon, the four of us (founders of RunBay) – Ashwin, Jiten, Pranav, and I - decided to train for the Ladakh Half Marathon together. It’s one of the most beautiful but toughest races in India, and we trained all through summer and monsoon. More than the race itself, it was the training experience that really brought us closer. We realised how powerful it was to run in a group and how it made the process more fun and less intimidating.
Since then, our Saturday mornings were already dedicated to running, we thought, why not open it up to others? We put out a simple post on Instagram saying The RunBay Club is meeting for its first 5K run at Marine Drive tomorrow. The next morning, eight of us showed up (including the four of us), and it honestly felt really special. Also because the four of us were running together after a year.
Over the past nine months, The RunBay Club has come to mean a lot to me. It’s given me a space where I feel a real sense of belonging, something I didn’t expect when we first started. There’s a growing community of runners who are looking for more than just fitness - for connection, encouragement, and a space that feels welcoming. For me, RunBay has been all of that. It’s helped me grow as a runner, build meaningful friendships, and be part of a group where everyone’s genuinely invested in helping each other show up and become their best.
What are your go-to pieces of gear? Are there any special considerations when it comes to running in Bombay?
My go-to running piece, without a doubt, is my Women’s Distance Running Shorts from Athlos. Anyone who knows me knows I love them. I have them in almost every colour. The four-pocket design is a game-changer and perfect for carrying gels, my phone and anything I need on a run. Most importantly, they fit really well. Once you find a brand that works for your body it’s hard to switch. It’s a bit like finding the perfect pair of jeans.
Because of Bombay’s heat and humidity, it’s important to wear fabrics that are breathable and lightweight. I’ll always choose dri-fit sleeveless tanks from brands like Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, and Domyos (Decathlon).
When it comes to footwear, I’ve become a loyal fan of ASICS over the past few years. Right now, I rotate between the Asics Novablast 5 and the Nike Vomero18 as my daily trainers. They’re both comfortable and supportive.
Hydration is another key part of running in a hot climate. On every run, I carry my TEGO water bottle. It’s lightweight and comes with a hand strap.
I’ve realised that the more confident and comfortable you feel, the more you start to enjoy what you’re wearing. Over time, my workout wear has naturally evolved, and now there are so many styles I’m excited to try, things I wouldn’t have considered in the beginning.
Are there any trends in terms of favorite gear or styles you've noticed among your run club members?
Yes, definitely. One of the things I’ve enjoyed observing over time is how everyone starts to find what works for them, not just functionally, but in terms of comfort and confidence. Among the women in our run club, there’s been a noticeable shift toward lighter, more breathable clothing. Sheer or mesh tops paired with colourful sports bras have become more common.
Biker shorts have also become a favourite for many. This is a style that I would want to open up to as well, because the women carry it so well! Sling bags and running belts have also started to show up more. They’re functional but they’ve also become a bit of a style statement.
One gradual change I’ve really noticed is how more women are transitioning from tights to running shorts, particularly because they’re much more suited to Bombay’s weather. It’s been great to see that shift happen naturally, as women get more comfortable in their own skin and in the community.
Overall, the shift has been toward practicality, comfort, and feeling secure in your own skin. For me, I didn’t consciously realise when my confidence started to grow, but I could see it in the way I dressed. My choices became more about what felt right for me, which then reflected how much more comfortable I felt being myself.
What do you feel like is missing from the running market in terms of apparel or gear for women (whether locally or more at large!)
In India, the options for women’s running apparel are still quite limited, especially when it comes to variety in fit, fabric, and function. There's a huge athleisure market here, but not enough focus on lightweight, technical running gear that’s actually built for performance. I’m hopeful though, there’s been a massive rise in female runners recently, and with that kind of demand, I think the market will catch up. It’s an exciting time to be part of this shift.
Follow Aalisha on Instagram, here.
Quick Thoughts
Things that Caught My Eye or Ire…
Featuring Nike, Comme Si, vintage activewear, dog walking fashion, and more…
