After taking a winter hiatus from running that has left me with a deficit of endorphins and jeans that fit a little too snugly, the clarion calls of spring have sounded. I've re-downloaded Strava and got back into the plod.

And what better motivation to run a below-average-paced 5k than to take a collection of Janji's running kit for a spin. Look good, feel good – am I right? Although it turned out Janji is about considerably more than looking good. These are some of the most practical running items I've tried, with functionality that genuinely enhances the experience. Think sports bras with built-in phone pockets, shorts with enough nifty storage for keys, cards and gels, and lightweight jackets that weigh less than a decent argument for staying indoors.

Janji – pronounced "JON-JI" – is a Boston-based brand making high-performance running apparel for everyday exploration. Each seasonal collection is inspired by a different region of the world, developed in collaboration with local artists, which goes some way to explaining why their colourways are consistently better than the standard-issue blue-and-grey options dominating most running kit.

The sustainability credentials are also worth noting. 2% of all sales go directly to clean water projects in the communities that inspire each collection – over one million dollars donated so far. Their fabrics lean heavily on recycled materials, and they're ambitiously working toward producing everything in the least harmful way possible. First rule of sustainability, as they put it: make something that lasts. Which is backed up by their five-year Run Everywhere Guarantee – if anything rips, tears or breaks due to a defect, they'll repair it, replace it or issue store credit.

My top picks from the Janji collection

W's Long Bra

The selling point here is a powermesh-reinforced pocket in the racerback that holds your phone without bouncing around – which sounds minor until you've spent a 5k with your handset slowly migrating down your leggings. The fabric is double-lined with moisture-wicking stretch, offering light compression that doesn't feel restrictive in stride. Removable padded inserts and a soft internal elastic band handle support duties without any underwiring drama. The racerback design with wider straps sits flat against the skin – no rubbing, no shifting. Worth noting it runs warm given the double lining, so better suited to cooler months than midsummer efforts.

Janji Zephyrunner Wind Jacket

A jacket that earns its place precisely because it doesn't try to do too much. The hyperlight nylon shell is water-resistant and wind-blocking with a CFM rating of 16 – engineered specifically for running rather than borrowed from a hiking range. A bungee hem and hood toggle dial in the fit when conditions deteriorate, and the whole thing stuffs into its chest pocket when you don't need it. Three zip pockets keep essentials accessible without bulk. Equally at home at an outdoor festival as a 10k, which in practical terms means it justifies its place in the wardrobe on frequency of use alone.

Janji W's 3" AFO Middle Short Ultra

Anyone who has attempted to run whilst clutching keys in one hand and a phone in the other will understand the particular misery of it. These shorts solve that dilemma. A back zippered pocket fits most phones, two zippered hand pockets handle cards and cash, and an interior liner pocket has an elastic loop specifically for keys – so nothing shifts, rattles or escapes mid-run. Two drop-in gel pockets make them genuinely useful for longer efforts too. Side notches aid mobility and reflective detailing around the pockets and logos keeps you visible after dark. Available in a colourway that may well be the difference between going for a run and not going for a run.

Janji W's Circa Daily Boxy Tee

The Boxy Tee is the same Mantra fabric as the rest of the Circa Daily range – that blend of recycled polyester, pima cotton, modal and spandex that sits unusually softly for something that can also handle a run – but cut with a relaxed, slightly cropped silhouette that hits at or just below the natural waist. The 4-way stretch moves without restriction and the ergonomic seaming means no chafing on the move. Worth noting that sizing runs generous – if you're between sizes and prefer a more structured look, size down. Those after a drapey, versatile top that works as readily off the run as on it will find it fits the bill. 

Janji Running Mini Bag

If you're heading out for a shorter run and don't want the commitment of a full running vest, this 1-litre belt bag does the job without fuss. Three zippered compartments keep your valuables secure, and a DWR treatment keeps them dry if the weather turns. The exterior bungee system adds useful overflow storage for a light layer. An interior key loop with Nite-Ize S-biner means you're not excavating through pockets mid-run. The waist strap extends to 54 inches and works equally well worn as a crossbody. Deceptively practical for its size.

Janji AFO Hyperlight Cap

At 29 grams this is, by most measures, barely a hat. The AFO stretch-woven fabric – 88% recycled polyester with elastane – is fast-drying and highly breathable, and the low-profile fit keeps it aerodynamic rather than bobbing around on your head. The foam brim is crushable and pliable, meaning it survives being stuffed in a pocket or the bottom of a bag and comes back into shape when you need it – and can be flipped up when the sun isn't an issue. Fit is handled by an adjustable reflective bungee cord with a rubber toggle rather than a plastic clip, which is a small but considered detail. One of Janji's bestsellers, and it's not difficult to see why.

Janji W's Circa Daily Long Sleeve

The Circa Daily sits in that useful category of kit that works equally hard on a run as it does off one. Made from Janji's Mantra fabric – a blend of recycled polyester, pima cotton, modal and spandex – it's genuinely soft in a way that synthetic-heavy running tops often aren't, with enough 4-way stretch to move without restriction. Ergonomic seaming means no chafing on longer efforts, and it dries quickly enough that you're not wearing a damp top for the rest of the day. Best suited to shoulder season running – it's not a base layer for deep winter, but for the grey middle ground of British weather, it covers a lot of ground.

Janji Revo Merino Liner Gloves

Cold hands are one of the more effective ways to talk yourself out of a winter run before you've even left the house. These merino liner gloves address the problem without overcomplicating it. Naturally antimicrobial, moisture-wicking and fast-drying, the merino does its thermal work without bulk. The grippy palm gives you enough tactility to actually handle things – your phone, a gel, a gate latch – and the screen-friendly index finger and thumb mean you're not removing them every time you need to check your pace. Stretchy, comfortable fit that sits neatly under a shell glove if temperatures drop further.

For more information visit uk.janji.com