According to the American College of Sports Medicine, San Diego ranks among the nation’s top 15 fittest big cities. While we appreciate the qualitative proof, one only has to peek outside any given window in the city to see a swath of San Diegans jogging, biking, dog-walking, or taking to the seas with a board.
So it makes perfect sense that the region is home to crackerjack athleisure and gear businesses kitting up fitness buffs around the country with comfy workout wear and sport-ready supplies. Here, we’ve packed our yoga bags with goodies from eight local companies.
Rêver Yoga
Is the squishy foam yoga mat you bought in college starting to resemble the surface of Mars? Time for an upgrade that can stand up to how much you sweat in that 100-degree vinyasa class. Local yoga teacher Yadi Valiente founded the brand in early 2024, designing mats to be sustainable and slip-proof with a microfiber suede surface and a cushiness that keeps your cat-cows comfy. The cute Pôr Do Sol mat gets its name from the Portuguese word for sunset and has the soothing hues to match.
H20 Audio
Sure, everybody loves their AirPods. But when we slip into a wetsuit, our trusty buds stay stuck onshore. San Diego’s H2O Audio knows that, sometimes, you need to take Khruangbin below the waves. So the music and exertion aficionados behind the company created an ergonomic headset that lets music propel you through your athletic pursuits—whether that’s underwater, above sea level, or in the snow. The TRI 2 Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones come with a built-in MP3 player for deep dives and Bluetooth capabilities for a Spotify connect on runs or bike rides.
Pointe Studio
The humble grip sock—so overlooked until you realize it might’ve just saved your life during a tricky move on the reformer. Pointe Studio, a now-national brand that still hosts local fitness meetups, brings an extra sartorial spark to this workout class workhorse, sheathing feet for Pilates, barre, yoga, and even running. The popular Varsity style suits several practices (and comes in a bunch of fun colors).
Mamala Surf
Named after the supernatural shark-woman who commanded the waves of Hawaiʻian lore (and probably devoured an overeager dude or two), this coven of surf aims to bring fellow wahines the most comfort in the line-up. Warm and flexible, the company’s wetsuits are impervious to the waves, thanks to fancy, Japanese tech. Score the quick-drying 4/3mm chest zip full wetsuit to ensure your next dawn patrol is never far away.
100%
100% has been manufacturing goggles integral to the safety and cool factor of BMX and motocross riders and snow sport enthusiasts all over the country since the early 1980s. Keep your peepers snatched and safe in the Hypercraft sunglasses. The company’s trademark UltraCarbon technology helps shield the precious eyes of cyclists and ballplayers with aerodynamic angles and lenses that repel dirt and oil.
Ethos
Ever wonder how local gyms get the coolest branded merch? You have Ethos to thank. Fitness temples like North Park’s Activate House and Bodyrok’s four local studios have slapped their logos across the company’s supportive basics, including leggings, bras, and sweatshirts. But you don’t have to rep your gym to wear Ethos—you can snag slogan-free staples, like the company’s cozy suede 1⁄2 zip, on its site.
Vuori
Born in a North County garage, this Carlsbad-based company has since grown into a full-fledged athleisure empire known for its DreamKnit, proprietary fabric that gives workout wear the texture of a stick of Land-O-Lakes. The brand’s now-iconic Performance Joggers wick moisture for long runs (but they’ll be your go-to for couch potato days, too). Ooh, so soft.
Hylete
With a roster of sweaty clients that range from armed service members to your gym crush, this company has successfully achieved its mission of making your thighs look ripped (even before you get a pump going with sumo squats). See the proof in their best-selling Helix III men’s shorts. Deep cuts in the thighs and glutes increase your range of motion, and pilling-resistant fabric means you can wash out any post-gym funk without fear.
