Pe Nation vs Sweaty Betty vs Redrun
OD's stocks all three. P.E Nation, Sweaty Betty, and Red Run represent three genuinely different approaches to premium activewear — Australian fashion-sport, British studio heritage, and performance running respectively. This guide breaks down which brand wins across every category so you can shop with confidence.
1 | Brand Profiles — Who Are They?
P.E Nation
Australian brand founded in Sydney, 2016 by Pip Edwards and Claire Tregoning. Sport and fashion collide — not sport-first, not fashion-first, both simultaneously. Known for bold prints, retro sportswear references, and a distinct gym-to-street identity.
Sweaty Betty
British brand founded in London, 1998 by Tamara Hill-Norton. The original premium women's activewear brand in the UK. Studio-focused roots in yoga and functional training. Known for proprietary fabrics, PowerSoft leggings, and a more refined British aesthetic.
Red Run
British performance brand with a running-first philosophy. Less fashion-driven than P.E Nation or Sweaty Betty — built for people who actually run seriously. Technical fabrics engineered for movement efficiency, breathability, and sweat management during high-output activity.
2 | Materials Compared
| Category | P.E Nation | Sweaty Betty | Red Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Fabric | Recycled polyester blends. Smooth finish with good colour saturation for prints. | PowerSoft — dense nylon blend. Buttery matte finish. Best-in-class feel. | Technical polyester / nylon blend engineered for running. Lightweight, fast-wicking. |
| Stretch Type | Four-way stretch across most leggings and shorts. | Four-way stretch with compression engineering. Shape retention over time. | Four-way stretch with directional panels for unrestricted stride. |
| Moisture Management | Good — wicks well during moderate activity. Less optimised for high-intensity output. | Excellent for studio and HIIT. Less optimised for high-sweat running than Red Run. | Excellent for running — fastest wicking of the three. Engineered for continuous sweat output. |
| Recycled Content | Committed to recycled fabrics. ECONYL and recycled polyester across range. | ECONYL recycled nylon across multiple lines. Strong sustainability track record. | Growing use of recycled materials. Less visible commitment than P.E Nation or Sweaty Betty. |
3 | Price Compared
| Item | P.E Nation | Sweaty Betty | Red Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leggings | £95–£130 | £85–£120 | £75–£100 |
| Sports Bra | £65–£85 | £50–£75 | £45–£70 |
| Shorts | £70–£95 | £55–£70 | £50–£65 |
| Jacket / Layer | £110–£160 | £100–£150 | £90–£130 |
Price Summary
P.E Nation sits at the top of the price range, followed by Sweaty Betty, then Red Run. Red Run is the best value of the three if performance is your priority. P.E Nation commands a premium for its fashion positioning and print quality.
4 | Style & Aesthetic — Who Looks Best?
P.E Nation
Bold. Fashion-forward. Retro sportswear references — think 90s athletic with a modern cut. Colourful prints and colour-blocking are core to the identity. If you want activewear that turns heads at the gym or transitions to coffee after, P.E Nation wins. Clear gym-to-street crossover.
Sweaty Betty
Stylish but more restrained. Seasonal prints are trend-led without being as overtly fashion-forward as P.E Nation. Strong gym-to-street appeal in a more British, refined way. The better choice if you want premium activewear that isn't shouting about itself.
Red Run
Functional aesthetic. Not fashion-first. Clean lines, technical details, minimal branding. Designed to look right at the start of a 10k or trail run, not at a rooftop brunch. If you want the best-looking running kit, Red Run delivers — but in a sport-specific way, not a fashion way.
5 | Best For Each Activity
Yoga & Pilates
Winner: Sweaty Betty — PowerSoft's density and opacity are engineered for studio floor work. P.E Nation is a close second. Red Run is not designed for yoga and shows it.
Running
Winner: Red Run — Built for running first and second. The technical fabric construction, moisture management, and reflective detailing on Red Run are running-specific in a way neither P.E Nation nor Sweaty Betty match. Sweaty Betty's Zero Gravity is the closest challenger.
HIIT & Strength Training
Winner: Sweaty Betty — Power Legging's compression and squat-proof construction are optimised for dynamic training. P.E Nation is stylish but the compression level is not as engineered. Red Run's technical fabric is excellent for cardio but less designed for strength sessions.
Everyday / Lifestyle Wear
Winner: P.E Nation — No competition. The fashion-forward prints and retro silhouettes are the best of the three for wearing off the mat and out into the world. Sweaty Betty is a very close second.
Hiking & Outdoor Activity
Winner: Red Run or Sweaty Betty — Neither brand is purpose-built for hiking, but Red Run's technical fabrics handle varied weather better. Sweaty Betty outerwear is a strong choice. P.E Nation's outdoor range is more limited.
6 | Full Comparison Table
| Category | P.E Nation | Sweaty Betty | Red Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Australia | UK | UK |
| Founded | 2016 | 1998 | 2018 |
| Primary Use | Fashion-sport crossover | Studio, yoga, HIIT | Running |
| Hero Product | Printed leggings | Power Legging | Running tights/shorts |
| Price (leggings) | £95–£130 | £85–£120 | £75–£100 |
| Style | Bold, fashion-forward | Refined, trend-aware | Technical, minimal |
| Gym-to-Street | Excellent | Very good | Limited |
| Sustainability | Recycled fabrics | ECONYL nylon | Developing |
| Size Range | XS–XL | XS–XXL | XS–XL |
| Best For | Lifestyle, studio | Studio, HIIT, yoga | Running, cardio |
7 | Shop All Three at OD's Designer Clothing
OD's Designer Clothing is an authorised UK stockist of P.E Nation, Sweaty Betty, and Red Run. All three brands are available in-store at St Helens and online.
Shop P.E Nation
Browse P.E Nation at OD's — leggings, shorts, sports bras, jackets, and lifestyle pieces.
Shop Sweaty Betty
Browse Sweaty Betty at OD's — Power Leggings, sports bras, running tops, and outerwear.
Shop Red Run
Browse Red Run at OD's — performance running tights, shorts, and technical tops.
Visit In Store
44 Barrow Street, St Helens, WA10 1RY
Mon–Sat 9am–5pm | 01744 730985
8 | Frequently Asked Questions
Is P.E Nation better than Sweaty Betty?
It depends on your priority. P.E Nation wins for fashion-forward styling, bold prints, and gym-to-street crossover. Sweaty Betty wins for technical studio performance — specifically the Power Legging's compression, opacity, and waistband engineering. P.E Nation prioritises looking good; Sweaty Betty prioritises functional performance with style as a close second. Both are premium quality — they serve different purposes.
What makes Red Run different from Sweaty Betty and P.E Nation?
Red Run is built specifically for running — not studio work, not lifestyle wear. The technical fabric engineering, reflective details, and cut are optimised for running biomechanics in a way neither Sweaty Betty nor P.E Nation match in their core ranges. If you run seriously, Red Run's technical construction is purpose-built in a way the others are not. If you do a mix of activities, Sweaty Betty or P.E Nation offer better versatility.
Which activewear brand is most sustainable — P.E Nation, Sweaty Betty, or Red Run?
Sweaty Betty and P.E Nation both have verifiable recycled material commitments — Sweaty Betty uses ECONYL recycled nylon, P.E Nation uses recycled polyester and ECONYL across their range. Both brands are ahead of Red Run on publicly visible sustainability commitments, though Red Run is developing in this area. If sustainability is a deciding factor, Sweaty Betty and P.E Nation are the stronger choices.
Does P.E Nation run true to size?
P.E Nation generally runs true to standard UK sizing. Leggings tend to be true to size with a moderate compression fit. If you prefer a very high-compression feel, size down. The shorts and casual tops can run slightly generous — sizing down one is often recommended for a more fitted look. Come in to try at OD's if you're unsure.
Can I wear P.E Nation leggings for running?
Yes — P.E Nation leggings are technically four-way stretch with good moisture management and will perform adequately for running. However, they are not engineered specifically for running in the way Red Run's products are. For occasional runs or a variety of activities, P.E Nation is versatile enough. For serious runners who run 4+ times per week, Red Run's technical construction will perform better over time and high-intensity output.