Free EU delivery on orders over €250 · Rock-solid guarantee · we repair what we sell
Ardeche Running Est. 2011
Specialist since 2011

Gear that holds up when the race gets hard. Built for the long run. Tested before it ships.

We've been fitting runners and triathletes since 2011 — people who train in real weather, race long distances, and don't want to replace kit every season.

0 Outdoorsmen kitted
0 Years in the field
0 Field-proven products
0 Trustpilot rating ★
European Outdoors Alliance Wild Waters Trust Wilderness Foundation EU BirdLife International Forest & Trail Society 1% for the Planet Atlantic Coastline Trust European Wildlife Federation European Outdoors Alliance Wild Waters Trust Wilderness Foundation EU BirdLife International Forest & Trail Society 1% for the Planet Atlantic Coastline Trust European Wildlife Federation
Founded 2011 · Family-owned

Ardeche Running. A workshop where the gear is built. Six generations on.

You've spent good money on gear that failed mid-race. A seam that split at kilometre 80. A tri-suit that chafed through the bike leg. A shoe that the shop talked you into and that never fit the way they said it would. We know, because men came in and told us — and still do.

We started in 2011 with a small fitting room and a clear idea: no filler products, no upselling on things that don't work, and a staff that actually trains. Our senior fitter, Markus, has run twelve Ironman events. He is not reading off a script when he talks gait analysis or talks you out of the wrong carbon plate. That kind of knowledge takes years, not a training weekend.

Today we carry a focused range — run shoes, tri gear, performance apparel, and packs for the longer stuff. Every product we stock has been tested by someone on the team or by a customer whose feedback we trust. If a piece of kit doesn't pass that, it doesn't go on the shelf. We're a team of nine. We turn around orders within two working days and answer sizing questions the same afternoon.

We do not carry lifestyle product. We do not stock things because a brand rep pushed them. We do not run countdown sales or manufacture urgency.

Join the community of athletes who've trained with us since 2011 — men who buy once, race hard, and come back when they need the next thing. Take the next step and talk to someone who'll tell you the truth about what you actually need.

Markus Brandt

— Markus Brandt, founder

Take the next step with gear that earns its place.

We don't stock things we wouldn't race in ourselves. Ardeche Running exists for athletes who train hard, buy carefully, and expect the kit to keep up. Join us — and find out why serious runners come back season after season.

€0 Donated to conservation
0 Restoration projects backed
0 Years giving back
The people behind it

Athletes who've done the distance.

Markus Brandt

Markus Brandt

Founder & Senior Fitter

Markus has been racing and fitting for over two decades — twelve Ironman finishes, a background in sports

Thomas Rees

Thomas Rees

Footwear & Biomechanics Lead

Thomas spent eleven years fitting performance footwear before joining us in 2014.

Andreas Huber

Andreas Huber

Apparel & Wetsuit Specialist

Andreas raced open-water and long-course events for fifteen years before moving to the fitting side of the

Claire Moss

Claire Moss

Customer Service & Accounts

Claire manages orders, handles returns, and keeps the back-office running.

Rock-solid guarantee Tested in lab, proven in field
1% for nature Conservation partner network
Guides on call Available Mon–Sat, by phone
Repair service for life We repair what we sell
Built for the long run

Gear that holds up when the conditions don't.

Every piece we stock has been field-trialled in real weather, at real pace. If it didn't earn its place, it's not here.

Pro staff picks

Gear that earns its weight.

Picked by the guides on our pro staff — not by marketing. These are the pieces they actually pack.

Pro pick
triathlon

Apex Race Trisuit

The problem with cheap trisuits is drag in the water and chafe on the run.

wetsuit

Open Water Wetsuit Pro

5mm neoprene across the core, 1.5mm under the arms.

New
running

Fell Trail Race Shoe

6mm heel-to-toe drop, Vibram Megagrip outsole, 4mm lugs.

cycling

Aero Bib Shorts

Most bib shorts fail at the chamois or the leg gripper.

Limited
cycling

Race Day Aero Helmet

220g shell, 14 vents, MIPS liner. The tail is adjustable — you don't need a separate TT helmet for most

triathlon

GPS Multisport Watch

Triathlon mode with auto-transition detection. Optical HR at the wrist plus ANT+ chest strap support.

Straight answers

Questions we get from serious athletes.

Sizing, shipping, fit advice, what works at altitude and what doesn't. No fluff.

01 How do I pick the right trisuit for my first race?

The Apex Race Trisuit is built for athletes who've done the training and don't want the kit letting them down on the day. Fit is everything — it should sit close without restricting your swim stroke or cutting into your thighs on the bike. If you're between sizes, size up for shoulder width, not waist. We're happy to talk through fit over email before you order.

02 What water temperature is the Open Water Wetsuit Pro rated for?

Field-trialled down to 14°C with comfortable range from 14°C to 22°C. Below 14°C you'll want a separate thermal underlayer or a thicker suit entirely — we'll tell you that honestly rather than oversell the Pro's range. The neoprene is 5mm at the core, 3mm at the shoulders for stroke freedom. It's a race wetsuit, not a winter training tool.

03 Do you ship to the UK, Norway, and Switzerland after customs changes?

Yes. We ship across the EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland. UK and Norwegian orders may incur import duties on arrival — those are levied by your customs authority, not us, and we can't absorb them. Swiss orders are similar. We mark the correct value on all documentation. Delivery to most EU addresses is 3-5 working days. UK and Norway typically add 2-3 days on top of that.

04 Are the Fell Trail Race Shoes resoleable or is that it when the grip goes?

The Fell Trail Race Shoe uses a Vibram Megagrip outsole bonded to a reinforced midsole. They're not Goodyear-welted — they're performance race shoes, not walking boots — so a full resole isn't on the table. What we do offer is a worn-gear assessment: bring them in or send photos, and if the upper is still sound we'll advise whether a third-party resoler can save them. We'd rather you got another season out of them than bought new.

05 What does the warranty actually cover on the GPS Multisport Watch?

Two years from purchase date. Manufacturing defects, faulty straps, display failures — covered, no argument. Physical damage from a crash, swimming into a rock, or dropping it on a turbo trainer — not covered, though we can sometimes source replacement parts. Bring it to us before you write it off. We've fixed watches that looked terminal. The warranty is registered at point of sale, no separate form needed.

06 Can I return the Aero Bib Shorts if the sizing is wrong?

Yes, within 30 days, unworn and in original packaging. Sizing on the Aero Bibs runs true to our size guide — check the thigh measurement in particular, that's where most people go wrong. If you've ordered two sizes to try, send back the one that doesn't fit and we'll process the return within five working days of it arriving. We don't charge a restocking fee.

07 Is the Race Day Aero Helmet certified for UCI-sanctioned events?

Yes. It carries CE EN 1078 certification and meets UCI equipment regulations for sanctioned triathlon and time trial events. If you're racing under a specific national federation that has additional requirements, check their rulebook — we can't monitor every regional variation. For most European triathlon and open-road events, it's legal as supplied.

08 Do you have a trade-in or second-life programme for older kit?

We do. Bring in worn Ardeche Running gear — trisuits, wetsuits, shoes — and we'll assess condition. Good-condition returns go into our refurbished resale stock at a reduced price. You get store credit against new gear. It won't cover the full original cost, but it's better than kit sitting in a bag. We don't take gear that's beyond reasonable repair — we'll tell you straight if that's the case.

Talk to a guide

Tell us what you do. We'll tell you what to pack.

Our specialists answer their own phone. No scripts, no call centres. Tell them the conditions you face, the trails you walk — they'll come back with three pieces of gear and a reason for each.

The full range

Filter by discipline, distance, or terrain.

Road, trail, triathlon — specced for where you actually race, not where the photo looks good.

0 products in catalog
Weight
Material
Length
Action
triathlon

Apex Race Trisuit

The problem with cheap trisuits is drag in the water and chafe on the run.

wetsuit

Open Water Wetsuit Pro

5mm neoprene across the core, 1.5mm under the arms.

running

Fell Trail Race Shoe

6mm heel-to-toe drop, Vibram Megagrip outsole, 4mm lugs.

cycling

Aero Bib Shorts

Most bib shorts fail at the chamois or the leg gripper.

cycling

Race Day Aero Helmet

220g shell, 14 vents, MIPS liner. The tail is adjustable — you don't need a separate TT helmet for most

triathlon

GPS Multisport Watch

Triathlon mode with auto-transition detection. Optical HR at the wrist plus ANT+ chest strap support.

running

Road Racing Flat

8mm drop, full-length carbon-fibre plate, 28mm stack at the heel. 198g in EU 43.

wetsuit

Lake Entry Wetsuit

If you're starting open water swimming and don't want to spend full-distance money yet, this is the honest

triathlon

T1/T2 Transition Bag

Two separate compartments — wet gear in one, dry kit in the other. 42L total.

nutrition

Electrolyte Tabs — 8-Tube Box

96 tabs, 8 tubes. Each tab: 300mg sodium, 100mg potassium, 50mg magnesium. No added sugar.

cycling

Aero Road Race Jersey

Cut for a race tuck, not an upright position.

service

Professional Bike Fit

A bad bike position costs you power and eventually costs you injury.

running

Compression Run Tights

20-30mmHg graduated compression from ankle to mid-thigh. 4-way stretch 200D fabric.

nutrition

Long Course Nutrition Pack

Enough for a full-distance race: 12 gels, 4 electrolyte tubes, 2 caffeine bars.

Field notes

Honest write-ups from the field.

Verified buyers, real expeditions. We don't filter for tone — only for whether the kit was actually used.

★★★★★

"Picked up the Helmsdale 9'0" 8wt after my old rod developed a crack in the mid-section. Three days on fast-moving spate water — the tip protected the tippet on every strike, and the blank loaded cleanly into a quartering wind without the dead-spot feeling I'd had with my previous rod. Four-piece tube packed without fuss. I'd been putting off the switch for two seasons. Shouldn't have waited."

Lars J.
Lars J. Verified Angler, 18 seasons
★★★★☆

"The GORE-TEX Pro shell held up across three back-to-back wet days in the hills — pit zips worked, hood sealed properly, DWR still beading on day three. My only note is that the chest pocket zip runs a touch stiff when cold. Not a dealbreaker. Build quality is solid and the weight is honest for a 3-layer shell. Would buy the next version without hesitation."

Richard P.
Richard P. customer since 2011
★★★★★

"I've gone through four pairs of race shoes in ten years and these are the first I haven't had to break in. Vibram Megagrip outsole performed on wet trail sections — no slipping on the technical descent. True to size on a D-width last. Wore them for a full ten-day training block and the heel counter hasn't softened at all."

Massimo C.
Massimo C. retired engineer, long-distance triathlete
★★★☆☆

"The 45L pack arrived well-packaged and the build quality — 210D ripstop with Hypalon reinforcement — looks exactly as described. Shipping took twelve days, longer than the estimated window on the product page. The load-lifter straps work well and the hip belt carries 14kg without biting. Customer service replied quickly when I asked about the delay. Good product, just manage your timeline expectations."

François L.
François L. first-time buyer
★★★★★

"Wore the 200gsm merino mid-layer through the first frosts of the season on exposed ridgeline terrain. Regulates well — no clammy patch on the climb, warm enough when you stop. Seams sat flat under a shell without bunching. I've had cheaper merino pill badly after a few washes. This one's held its shape after six machine washes at 30°C. Exactly what it says on the label."

Joost van H.
Joost van H. Verified Hill-Walker, 12 seasons
★★★★★

"Ordered the 4-piece 5wt for small stream work — tight casts, short leaders, overgrown banks. Medium-fast action is forgiving on the back-cast in confined space and the tip recovered cleanly on every presentation. At 92g it's light enough to fish all day without fatigue. The cordoned sleeve and triangular tube are well-thought-out details. This is the third rod I've taken from Ardeche Running and the build standard hasn't dropped."

Gerhard K.
Gerhard K. regular customer, 8 seasons
Is this gear for you?

You measure success in seasons. Not in seasons on Instagram.

01

You've been at it long enough to know which compromises matter on day eight, not day one.

02

You read material specs before marketing — denier counts, fill weights, GPM ratings.

03

You'd rather buy one piece this decade than three over the same span.

04

You want to talk to someone who's actually been out in the field, not a script in a call centre.

Built for men aged 35-65+ — established working professionals, craftsmen, and longtime collectors.

Contact Us

Visit the workshop, write to us, or call during opening hours.

Stridehaus Köln

Address
Venloer Straße 47, 50672 Köln, Cologne
Email
[email protected]
Phone
+49 221 4783 6291

Opening hours

Mon–Fri10:00 – 19:00
Saturday10:00 – 17:00
SundayClosed

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