If there are two things that can get me seriously jazzed, it’s fun, unique designs and supporting a local Oregon company. Enter Folklord, a Portland-based upstart that checks both boxes in style.
From their collared trail running shirts (yes, collared!) to their boldly colored headwear, Folklord brings a fresh and playful vibe to the trail scene. They are keeping things simple for now with a limited selection of items, but even with a smaller lineup, they deliver some seriously awesome and fun designs.
More about Folklord
Born from the creative mind of Portland trail runner Elliot Matson, Folklord brings a fresh, irreverent perspective to endurance apparel. Since its launch in August 2024, Folklord has aimed to reimagine running gear as something more than just functional—it’s a blend of artistry and performance, designed for legendary adventures – it’s “Leisletic.”
Elliot, a career creative with a resume spanning advertising, design, photography, and motion graphics, built Folklord from the ground up. From branding to apparel design, everything reflects his vision. Each piece features hand-illustrated, limited-run prints inspired by the wild wonders of nature—flora, fauna, and cryptids alike. And don’t worry, more prints are set to launch this spring.
The Ethos
What truly sets Folklord apart is its ethos. While other brands lean into the grueling narratives of ultra-running—the pain, the grind, the suffering—Folklord champions the bizarre, the optimistic, and the joy of simply being “out there.” As Elliot puts it, “A legendary day is any day with a story to tell.” I love this on so many levels.
As someone who enjoys running, but does it not to push myself to the limits or punish myself – but just to feel healthy and connected, this resonates with me, and this website.
Myth Shirts
Folklord’s Myth Shirts – come in two bold patterns—a pink floral design and a light blue featuring narwhals. Yes, narwhals, the “unicorns of the sea.” How often do you get to wear a shirt featuring such a legendary creature? I had to jump at the chance.
Over the past few years, I’ve really warmed up to collared running shirts. They’re still relatively rare, though brands like rabbit and Roark have dabbled in this style. It’s a look I never thought I’d like, but now I’m a full convert. Folklord’s take on the collared trail shirt feels fresh and functional, not to mention fun.
The Myth Shirt—like all Folklord apparel—is made to hide in plain sight in polite society and stand out on the trails. More prints will drop this spring.
These shirts are designed with trail running in mind but work just as well for road runs. It both short-sleeve and button-up is trail-ready and versatile, featuring a magically lightweight fabric, a perforated back panel for breathability, snap buttons, and a fit that feels just right.
It is surprisingly light and strikes a nice balance between breathability and durability—perfect for handling the rigors of long trail days. The fit is true to size, and my usual size worked perfectly.
Story (Trucker) and Tall Tale (5-panel) Hats:
The headwear lineup is equally bold and playful, featuring a mix of breathable five-panel and trucker-style hats. Whether it’s vibrant colors like purple or quirky patterns like apples blossoms, these hats bring a ton of personality.
Regardless of the style, they’re lightweight, super breathable, and offer a stylish, functional option for your next run.
Folklord
Summary
Follow Folklord on Instagram to dive into its world of humor, weirdness, and inspiration.
