Long before technical fabrics and race calendars entered their radar, Martin Boulais and Nicolas St-Pierre spent their days between skate parks and snow-covered mountains. Those experiences would eventually shape the foundation of Balmoral Running. 

When the brand launched in 2018, it looked differently to what existed within the running universe at the time. Early collections consisted of primarily T-shirts and long sleeves, drawing inspiration from the streetwear and action-sport culture that they knew best. 

More than anything, those early collections established a point of view. They reflected the belief that running could be approached differently, not only by performance but equally by the people and culture surrounding it.

Although Balmoral’s brand seems effortless today, the reality behind the early years looked very different. Orders were heat pressed, folded, bagged and shipped by Martin and Nicolas themselves. Yet, the founders were not confined solely to the work that happened behind the scenes, but remained familiar presences at community runs, races, and events throughout Montréal.

That proximity became one of the brand's greatest strengths. Rather than observing the running community from the sidelines, they were immersed in it. Conversation and feedback at races, and relationships built through local run clubs all helped shape the evolution of the brand. In many ways, the people wearing the products weren't separate from the process. They became part of it. 

Many brands grow by stepping further away from the process. For Martin and Nicolas, that was never the goal.

Production initially took place in Canada before expanding to carefully selected manufacturing companies in Portugal. Rather than relying solely on samples and specifications, they visited the factories themselves, spending time on production floors and ensuring the same standards and values carried through every step of the process. 

“We visited every factory ourselves. It was important for us to work with partners whose standards aligned with our own and could help us create the highest quality products possible.”

Today, premium Italian fabrics are brought to Portugal, where they are transformed into the garments worn by Balmoral's community. The result is a level of quality shaped as much by craftsmanship and technical expertise as it is by the hands-on approach that has guided the brand from the beginning. 

For Martin and Nicolas, the next chapter of Balmoral isn't defined solely by growth. It's about bringing the same spirit that shaped the brand in Montréal to new communities across Canada and beyond.

"The goal is to keep exploring new ideas, both in the products we create and in the ways we continue to build and support the community around Balmoral."

Through years of collaboration with Le Club, Balmoral has become a familiar presence within Montréal's running community. Through races, run clubs, and community events, the brand has evolved alongside the people who continue to shape it.

Looking ahead, the ambition is to recreate that same sense of connection in new cities and communities. Because for them, the goal was never just to create products. It was to create something people genuinely wanted to be part of.

Photos by Le Club