Becoming a Runner: Are you loyal to one running shoe brand?

The man behind the desk at my new gym struck up a conversation about running with me last week while I was digging through my wallet for my membership card. It's a small place and he recognized me as one of the few people who is in there during my regular morning workout time.

"Just out of curiosity," he asked, "what kind of shoe runner are you?"

I'm quite familiar with shoe questions and can talk about peep toes, platforms, wedges, and booties to death. But I'm still getting used to calling myself a runner and I certainly have never heard the term "shoe runner" before his question.

He must have seen the confusion cross my face because he clarified.

"What brand of running shoe do you stick to?"

I got it. I quickly rattled off my go-to brand and a few of the others I made my way through back in my hardcore walking, strength training, and even aerobics days.

Had I not spent ten years in a relationship with a personal trainer and recognized this as a favorite topic of conversation, I would have expected the guy behind the desk to give me his sales pitch for some shoe brand he was repping. But he was just trying to help his girlfriend move past a brand that wasn't working well for her and was curious what other women runners in the gym were wearing.

Let's be clear. It's imperative to have a fitting for the very best exercise shoes for you by a professional. After many of these, I do know that some of the major brands -- even some who make fabulous-looking shoes in colors and styles I covet -- do not make exercise shoes that work well for the natural movement and shape of my foot or the training I'm doing. Other brands work better.

One brand slam dunks it for me, with shoes that fit my own bio-mechanics and performance really well. And while it is in no way a priority (for exercise shoes anyway), I really do like the styles and colors they produce. I'm willing to invest my money in them and go to their specific store (rather than a sporting goods or running gear store) because, time and training again, they don't disappoint.

My brand may not work for you. But I definitely identify as one of their shoe runners.

What about you? Are you loyal to one specific brand of exercise shoes? What does it take to win your shoe runner heart and dollars?



More running questions:

• Is running a solo venture or team thing for you?
• Music or no music?
• How do you stay motivated?