Why Mileoff Makes Running Gear for the Girlies

Women's clothing isn't always made by women, and that especially seems to be true within the sportswear world. As the conversation surrounding women in sport (rightly) grows and more brands begin to cater to the needs of women athletes, there's one brand in particular that's caught our attention.

Founded in March 2025 by a former employee at Dyson, mileoff is a new running brand created for women, by women. "In running, when you first begin, it's hard to believe that one day you will be able to run a 10k, then a half marathon and then a marathon. This is the perfect analogy for a lot of women in life, not believing in ourselves enough to take the risks and chase our dreams, so I really wanted to share the message of daring women to dream bigger in everything they do, not just in their running," founder Alice Bugeja tells us.

With hero pieces like the innovative hydration vest and continuously sold-out double-cuff socks, the brand offers a unique approach to running clothing, one that truly blends fashion with function. "Mileoff is unique because, unlike a lot of new sports apparel start-ups, we haven't just bought off-the-shelf leggings and tops and slapped a logo on; we started with real runners' problems and designed pieces from scratch to solve these," Bugeja continues.

We caught up with Bugeja to find out more about the story behind the brand, her creative process and plans for the future.

Scroll down to read the full interview and head to the mileoff website for a closer look at its collections.

Tell us a bit about the decision to start mileoff. Where does the name come from, and what's different about it from what already exists in this space?
Growing up, I had an entrepreneurial spirit; I always had little projects or businesses on the side and knew ultimately I wanted to create something special, a real business that would have a positive impact on people. I left university still not knowing what the idea would be, but I worked at Dyson for nearly five years, gaining all the skills I needed to eventually go on and launch my brand.

When I identified the white space in the market for women's running wear, I just knew I had to go for it. There was a glaring problem to be solved, it matched perfectly with my pure passion for running and I was determined to prove that as a female founder, we could build a successful business in this male-dominated industry.

The more I researched the idea, the more I became obsessed with building this brand for women and wanted to make it about so much more than running clothing. In running, when you first begin, it's hard to believe that one day you will be able to run a 10k, then a half marathon and then a marathon. This is the perfect analogy for a lot of women in life, not believing in ourselves enough to take the risks and chase our dreams, so I really wanted to share the message of daring women to dream bigger in everything they do, not just in their running.

The name originated from the fact that women weren't allowed to run marathons 60 years ago; they told us we couldn't, and even to this day, the majority of clothing we wear to run in comes from a male-founded brand. Women in business and female founders are often (subconsciously) told we can't, so the idea of being seen from a mile off is to be bold, to prove them and ourselves wrong and have the courage to do things we doubt we are capable of.

Mileoff is unique because, unlike a lot of new sports apparel start-ups, we haven't just bought off-the-shelf leggings and tops and slapped a logo on; we started with real runners' problems and designed pieces from scratch to solve these. Our hero piece, the hydration run vest, is totally unique. You simply can't find one like it in the smooth, buttery-soft fabric and stand-out summer colorways that are fitted to the female form. It's performance-first, fashion-forward and always has functional features.

How would you explain your creative process? Where do you begin when designing a new collection?
I start with the problem that needs to be solved, that comes from the moments on a run that feel uncomfortable or pre-race stress when you don't have enough pockets and the post-run chafing and soreness - and I write a list of non-negotiable features for each piece to eliminate all of these. This turns into a sketch, which goes through multiple iterations into final CADs and then tech packs ready for our factory to produce a sample. For the colors and style, I create moodboards and take inspiration from other sports and industries and then I obsess over the fabric, fit and function — it's a very detail-driven process, from the form on the body, the seam placements to pocket angles.

What are some of your key considerations when creating the more technical pieces?
I always think about the end-use, we do months of testing, running the pieces to ensure that the fit, functionality and fabrics exceed our expectations. A woman's body isn't an afterthought for us; it's the first thing we think about and we engineer pieces that move with us. I focus on elements like breathable fabrics, adjustable elements, storage that's practical but hidden and silicon grips to prevent movement and chafing. I like to think we go that one step further than big brands, which sometimes lack attention to detail and brands where running isn't their core DNA. We are always looking through the lens of a runner, which is very different from the needs of someone who is going to the gym or doing yoga.

It's true there aren't many brands out there that are for women and made by women. Why is it so important to create safe spaces for the female, NB + female-identifying community within sport right now?
Historically, we've been told we can't. We have been excluded, overlooked and underestimated, whether that was out on the road in running races or in boardrooms in business. This previously may have capped our potential, but there should be no limit to what we can achieve, and sports and movement are a vehicle to help us get there. Creating a safe, supported space means more women taking part in the movement, and when we participate in sport, we feel empowered. It gives us energy and we will all lead better lives for it.

What still needs to change, in your opinion?
There are a lot of external factors that need to change to make big shifts happen, such as funding for women-led brands and more women as key decision-makers in all areas of sport, but there are things we can do at an individual level to make an impact on our lives and those around us. We have the power to change our own lives; we just need to believe in ourselves that little bit more and have the confidence to go after the things we think are out of reach, whether it's just going for your first run, signing up for a marathon, or going for your dream job. Slowly, we can make change happen.

What advice would you give those who are curious about running, but haven't quite taken the plunge yet?
Running is one of the easiest forms of movement to get into; it costs less than most sports, you can do it from wherever you are, just step out of your front door with any old pair of sneakers, and walk or jog, even if it's just for five minutes on and five minutes off. Go slow, forget about pace. Then, to make a habit of it, set a weekly time you will go with a friend or join a local running club; there are so many of them now! Consistency is key; you WILL improve, but only if you stick with it.

What are some of the future aims and goals for mileoff?
Our ultimate goal is to develop the very best performance apparel for women runners, which means one day, investing heavily in innovation of materials and fit, for example, to create the perfect sports bra for high-impact running. However, as a small self-funded, solo-founded start-up, we have a lot of work to do to get there, and first things first, we will be building out an A-team!

In the meantime, we will continue to launch new products for the key seasons, starting with Fall/Winter 2025, where we are really pushing the boundaries of what is possible for a brand of our size. I can't wait to connect with our community in real life at events and just see where this journey leads us. It was once all just a dream in my head, so it's incredible to see it all come to life.

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