District Vision Running Clothing Guide: Fit, Layers and Sizing

District Vision does not sell a single running range but several lines built for different uses. The brand presents the Boxy Training Tees as lightweight technical baselayers, and the California Cotton Tee as a heavyweight cotton tee made in California. Some of its shorts have a liner, others do not. The Japanese nylon windbreakers form the outer layer. The right choice therefore depends on use, construction and fit, but also on the size system: District Vision does not publish the same chart for a tee, a short or a jacket. This guide compares the pieces sold at AURA using the official product pages. The full selection is in the District Vision collection.

In short

• Technical first layer: the Boxy Training Tee, in 139gsm polyester, described as a lightweight baselayer with moisture and odour management.
• Cotton tee: the California Cotton Tee, in 6.5oz cotton made in California. It is not a technical tee.
• Short with a liner: the Layered Training Shorts (3" split short) and the 7" Training Shorts.
• Linerless short: the 5" Linerless Shorts.
• Outer layer: the Half-Zip Nylon Windbreaker, highly water-resistant with a PFC-free DWR finish. District Vision does not call it waterproof.
• Sizing: flat garment measurements for tops and jackets, waist circumference for shorts and trousers.

District Vision in brief

District Vision describes itself as a brand that builds tools for mindful athletes, based on the idea that mental wellbeing is the foundation of every form of physical exercise. Its first experiment dates back to 2014: sports eyewear tests run with a group of runners, which led to the Keiichi frame, handmade in Japan. Co-founded by Tom Daly and Max Vallot, the brand has since built a running apparel line and now has a flagship store in Los Angeles. Eyewear remains a large part of what it does, but this guide covers clothing only.

District Vision clothing at AURA: what are the differences?

Data taken from District Vision's product pages. Weights are those published by the brand, in gsm or ounces depending on the model: a lighter fabric is not better in itself, it simply serves a different purpose.

Which District Vision tee should you choose?

From left to right: Short Sleeve Boxy Training Tee, Boxy Compression Training Tee, California Cotton Tee. Product shots with the same framing, scale not guaranteed.

Boxy Training Tee, short and long sleeve

The Short Sleeve Boxy Training Tee and the Long Sleeve Boxy Training Tee belong to District Vision's lightweight baselayer programme. The fabric is a 139gsm breathable stretch polyester from Vietnam, with overlock construction. The brand claims effective odour and moisture management across all athletic pursuits. The fit is described as relaxed and boxy, slightly oversized, and District Vision explicitly refers to its size chart. Both versions share the same official chart.

Boxy Compression Training Tee

The Boxy Compression Training Tee combines the lightweight performance tee with an integrated long-sleeve compression base layer. "Compression" therefore refers to that base layer, not to the whole tee: District Vision says it is made from the same Italian-milled stretch fabric as its performance tights, providing support while keeping breathability and freedom of movement. The page lists 139gsm, fabric from Vietnam and 100% polyester, without giving the base layer's composition separately.

California Cotton Tee or Boxy Training Tee?

For running, the Boxy Training Tee is the piece built for effort. The California Cotton Tee is a heavyweight cotton tee: District Vision gives it no technical claims, and it is better suited to wear outside your sessions. Both charts are flat garment measurements, so they can be compared, but note that the Boxy uses a men's chart and the California Cotton Tee a unisex one. The details are in the sizing section.

Which District Vision short should you choose?

Layered Training Shorts (with liner) and 5" Linerless Shorts (no liner). Product shots with the same framing, scale not guaranteed.

The 3", 5" and 7" lengths are those in the product names. District Vision does not publish an inseam measurement for these models: the name does not guarantee an exact technical measurement.

In practice, the difference is mostly about construction. The Layered Training Shorts is the shortest, with a liner and deep side splits. District Vision calls it its all-around running short. The 7" Training Shorts offers more coverage: it also has a liner, and it is the only one of the three with zipped pockets. The 5" Linerless Shorts has no liner, and the brand pitches it for training and everyday wear alike. All three use the same waist chart.

Which District Vision jacket for running?

Half-Zip Nylon Windbreaker

The Half-Zip Nylon Windbreaker is made from a recycled Japanese single-layer shell fabric that District Vision describes as highly water-resistant. It has a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) finish, which helps water bead on the surface. The brand does not present it as waterproof and gives no indication of duration or heavy rain performance. 100% nylon, 123gsm, fabric from Japan, half-zip front and a woven shoulder label that holds your sunglasses by the temple.

Taslan Nylon Jacket

The Taslan Nylon Jacket also uses a 123gsm Japanese nylon. District Vision highlights reliable weather resistance, a seamless back for freedom of movement, a high zip that protects the neck from wind and cold, and slotted hand pockets that double as vents. It has the same eyewear-holding shoulder label. The page mentions neither DWR nor waterproofing, so the two jackets cannot be compared on rain protection: only the Half-Zip claims a water-repellent finish.

What about District Vision trousers?

The Nylon Tussar Pants is the technical trouser of the selection: 123gsm Japanese single-layer nylon, wide leg, articulated knees and a drawcord waistband. District Vision describes it as balancing performance and everyday comfort. The Fleece Track Pants is made from a 270gsm Korean fleece, 100% recycled polyester, with a brushed interior. The brand mentions warmth in cooler conditions, a relaxed straight-leg fit, an elastic drawstring waistband and side pockets. It does not present it as a running trouser.

Cotton and fleece pieces, for outside your sessions

The California Cotton Hoodie follows the spirit of the California Cotton Tee: 11.5oz cotton 3-end loop terry, pigment dyed and stone washed, made in California, with a slightly cropped boxy fit and a front pocket. The Reverse Brushed Full-Zip Fleece is a 270gsm Korean fleece, 100% recycled polyester, brushed inside, with handwarmer pockets, a silver zip for adjustment and ventilation, and a relaxed, slightly boxy silhouette. District Vision does not give either piece a specific running function.

How to build a District Vision running outfit

• First layer: the Boxy Training Tee, short or long sleeve, which the brand calls a baselayer, or the Boxy Compression Training Tee with its integrated compression base layer.
• Bottoms: the Layered Training Shorts or the 7" Training Shorts if you want a liner, the 5" Linerless Shorts if not.
• Outer layer: the Half-Zip Nylon Windbreaker (highly water-resistant, DWR) or the Taslan Nylon Jacket (weather resistance, neck protection).
• Before and after: the California Cotton Tee, the California Cotton Hoodie, the Reverse Brushed Full-Zip Fleece or the Fleece Track Pants.

District Vision does not publish temperature ranges for its pieces, so we do not give any either: how you layer depends on your run and how you feel.

How does District Vision fit?

District Vision's general FAQ says its apparel runs true to size with an athletic fit, while the product pages specify the silhouette of each model: the Boxy Training Tees are described as relaxed and slightly oversized, the California Cotton Hoodie as boxy and slightly cropped, the Fleece Track Pants as relaxed with a straight leg, and the Nylon Tussar Pants as wide-leg. Nor is there a single chart: the brand publishes one per family, as garment measurements for tops and jackets and as waist measurements for bottoms. All official charts are in inches; we have added centimetre conversions (1 inch = 2.54 cm).

Tops: flat garment measurements

For these charts, District Vision measures the garment laid flat: width runs from armpit to armpit, length from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem. This is not a chest circumference. To compare, measure a tee that fits you the same way.

Boxy Training Tee (short and long sleeve), men's chart

California Cotton Tee, unisex chart

Both charts follow the same protocol and can be compared, with one caveat: the Boxy uses a men's chart and the California Cotton Tee a unisex chart. In M, the Boxy Training Tee is 3.2 cm wider flat and 1.9 cm shorter than the California Cotton Tee. The gap changes with size: in S, the Boxy is 5.7 cm wider; in XL, the California Cotton Tee is 1.9 cm wider.

California Cotton Hoodie, unisex chart

Jackets and fleece: flat garment measurements

Same protocol as for tops: width from armpit to armpit, length from shoulder to hem.

Values shown as flat width / length, converted from the official charts in inches.

Shorts and trousers: waist

For the shorts (Layered, 7", 5") as well as the Nylon Tussar Pants and the Fleece Track Pants, District Vision publishes the same chart, expressed as a waist circumference. It is a circumference, not a flat width. District Vision publishes this chart as a size guide without specifying whether it refers to a body measurement or a garment measurement.

The published chart leaves a gap between M (30 to 31 inches) and L (32 to 33 inches). District Vision does not say which size to take in that range, or between sizes in general: in that case, the AURA team can advise you.

AURA reference: in our photos of the Long Sleeve Boxy Training Tee, the 7" Training Shorts, the Half-Zip Nylon Windbreaker, the Taslan Nylon Jacket and the Nylon Tussar Pants, the model is 1.80 m tall, weighs 65 kg and wears a size M.

District Vision at AURA

The current selection, with available sizes, is in the District Vision collection. To see all our running pieces across brands, head to our men's running clothing page. District Vision is available in our Rennes store and online, with delivery across France and Europe. The selection also includes a few caps and a beanie, which this guide does not cover.

Frequently asked questions

How does District Vision fit?

District Vision's general FAQ says its apparel runs true to size, while the product pages specify the silhouette of each model. Each family also has its own chart: flat garment measurements for tops and jackets, waist measurements for shorts and trousers. The Boxy Training Tees are intentionally relaxed and slightly oversized.

Does District Vision run large?

Not according to the brand, which says its apparel is true to size. Some fits are roomy by design, though, such as the Boxy Training Tees or the California Cotton Hoodie. Compare the chart measurements with a garment that fits you.

Which District Vision short should I choose?

With a liner: the Layered Training Shorts (3" split short, side splits) or the 7" Training Shorts (more coverage, zipped pockets). Without a liner: the 5" Linerless Shorts. All three use the same waist chart.

What is the difference between the 7" Training Shorts and the Layered Training Shorts?

The Layered is a 3" split short with a two-way stretch shell, a four-way stretch liner and deep side splits. The 7" is longer, with a four-way stretch aloe liner, two zipped pockets and a rear pocket. Same size chart.

What is the difference between the Boxy Training Tee and the California Cotton Tee?

The Boxy Training Tee is a technical baselayer in 139gsm stretch polyester with odour and moisture management. The California Cotton Tee is a 6.5oz cotton tee made in California, with no stated technical function. Their charts differ: men's for the Boxy, unisex for the California.

Is the Half-Zip Nylon Windbreaker waterproof?

District Vision describes it as highly water-resistant, with a PFC-free DWR finish. The brand does not present it as waterproof.

Where can I buy District Vision in France?

At AURA, in Rennes, in store and online at aura-estore.com, with delivery across France and Europe.