Issue 84 · December 4, 2025
All issuesHello & a very happy Honda Days to you all!
First order of biz, shoutout to Mr. Joe Keery for not allowing us to say we're "back in Chicago" normally ever again for the rest of our days. Anyway, we're baaack innnn Chicagoooo and we're opening the doors to our new Flagship store tomorrow, bright and early. Part listening café, part pre/post-run community hangout, part retail shop. 1708 N Damen ave in Bucktown. We've got a weekend full of events and every Member who comes through gets a free limited edition Bandit Chicago hat (while supplies last). The Membership is 20% off now through Sunday with your Chicago zip code at checkout.
But wait, there's more... Chicago-based Members now get discounts with Studio Three (2 weeks of unlimited Interval/Cycle/Yoga classes, 10% off theUnlimited Membership) as well as Ethos Training ($75/month saving on the All-In Membership, $185/month savings on the Acupuncture & Recovery Membership, $30 savings on your first private training session). Pretty, pretty, pretty good.
Ps. It's Valencia Marathon weekend and like a young Eddie Money, we've got two tickets to paraaadise. This is a song-themed b-mail now. Finley & Malcolm are on their way to join our friends at ODDA running for a collaborative pop-up alongside some other good pals. Custom Valencia tees, a community shakeout, and generational vibes. If you're in town, we'll see you there.
Decemby-mail: Chicago events, meet Ian, a case to be made, Valencia pop-up, the near future.
01 — Chicago events
Is it a flagship opening if you don't have gigantic scissors and a ribbon to cut out in front of the store at 8AM in the freezing cold? No my friends, no it is not. We've got early access and breakfast for Members, a Friday night block party, and Saturday morning miles. Come one, come all, let's get this thang opened right.
RSVP HERE
02 — Meet Ian
Gather round, story time. In October '22 before a single Chicago soul [probably] knew who we were, Ian Gonzales reached out inviting us to collab on some tees with his Last Lap Cornerstore for the marathon. We nervously made 50 pieces and stood out in the freezing rain selling them together. Tomorrow, Ian will get the keys to run our new Chicago Flagship.
MEET IAN
03 — A case to be made
Has the first weekend in December low key become one of the best and most important performance moments on the annual race calendar? Bandit correspondents John Rice and Tim Rossi make the case that a CIM / Valencia double-header goes toe-to-toe with any other Sunday on planet Earth. A reference to Aristotle for good measure. Tap in. Tap very in.
CIM & VALENCIA
04 — Valencia pop-up
Our familia at ODDA is putting on one helluva pop-up for the community this weekend in Valencia with ourselves and a few other good friends. Ardith did her thing on some custom race tees, but you'll have to come by to see 'em for yourselves. Finley & Malcolm will be there holding it down. We'll also be hosting a shakeout on Saturday at 9:30AM. Come through. Pull up.
VALENCIA POP-UP
05 — The near future
After this Sunday in Valencia, the final Bandit product for the year 2025 will officially all be out into the running world. But fear not! We've got (at least) five rock solid things to look forward to before the ball drops in Time Square. And that's not including the Chicago Flagship opening tomorrow mern'. It's going to be a Decemba to Rememba.
NEAR FUTUREWorld Athletics crowned Mondo & Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Athletes of the Year. Strava Wrapped's most logged mile shoe shows the daily-trainer culture is quietly winning. Heat training keeps proving it’s a tool, not just masochism. Chanel just turned the Bowery station into a runway. There's a sneaker/streetwear crawl from Soho to the LES to Brooklyn. New NYC exhibits worth your time. John Rice's Spotify Wrapped was predictably led by the same track that looped for 42 hours at our NYC pop-up door.
Download our 100% free half & full marathon training iOS app, The Program.