When it comes to marathon season in New York, runners are always chasing that edge, and for many, it starts with what’s on their feet. Craft Sportswear clearly knows this, because just in time for the New York City Marathon, they dropped something fast, fresh, and unapologetically New York: the limited-edition Craft x Lucia Kype Pro.
Inspired by the city’s most iconic comfort food, this performance running shoe was designed in collaboration with Lucia Pizza, a NYC staple known for its legendary slices. It’s a mix of high-performance tech and that local street flavor with the kind of energy only New York can serve.
Built from Craft’s top racing model, the Kype Pro represents the brand’s best work in road-running innovation. It features XX Foam with a nitrogen-infused Pebax midsole for ultra-light cushioning, an Arris carbon fiber plate for extra propulsion, and a breathable open-weave upper that feels just as good on the last mile as it does the first. I had a chance to check the shoe out at a previous pop-up, and calling it “lightweight” doesn’t even do it justice. It’s like running on air with attitude.
To celebrate the launch, Craft hosted an event at their SoHo pop-up shop (21 Spring St.) on October 30th, where the vibe matched the product: pure NYC. Guests were treated to fresh Lucia slices, cold drinks, a live DJ, and even custom flash tattoos courtesy of Uplift Tattoo. The energy was real, a perfect mix of fitness culture and New York flavor.
The celebration continued with a 5K Shakeout Run later that evening, hosted by Sombra Civilization, one of NYC’s most creative and community-driven run clubs. Runners laced up in the new Kype Pros, hit the streets, and capped it off with a post-run raffle for a chance to win a pair of the shoes. Between the food, music, and the running community, it felt like the perfect kickoff to marathon weekend.
Throughout the weekend, visitors also got the chance to meet Craft athletes Tim Tollefson (who’s running the 2025 NYC Marathon) and David Laney, adding even more inspiration to the mix.
The Craft SoHo pop-up will remain open through marathon weekend, with the limited-edition Kype Pro ($320) and other exclusive pieces from the Craft x Lucia collaboration available for purchase. For those who can’t make it to the city, the collection will drop later this season exclusively in the U.S. at craftsports.us.
Because in New York, even your running shoes should come with a little slice of style.
