It’s time for Friday Five linkup with DC area bloggers Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed Up for What?!, and Mar at Mar on the Run! Be sure to stop by their blogs and say hello! While you’re there, be sure to check out other bloggers who are participating in the linkup, too. This week the DC Trifecta chose Brands To Love as the theme…..
Just Do It ~ Nike
Run Happy ~ Brooks
What We Live For ~ Life Fitness
A Healthy Mind In A Healthy Body ~ Asics
Impossible Is Nothing ~ Adidas
Power To The She ~ Athleta
One More Thing ~ Apple
Just like with my friends, I’m very loyal with the products I use. If I find something I like, I’ll stick with it as long as the quality remains high and the style and my tastes remain cohesive.
So what are some of my favorite brands? It should come as no surprise that the first four are fitness related, and the fifth one makes blogging easy. By the way, this post contains affiliate links, and to read more about what that means, check out the right side-bar.
1. Brooks – I’ve enjoyed Brooks running clothes for years. I have several of their jackets and running pants, and just recently started running in Brooks Glycerin shoes after years of running in Asics. I still love my Asics trail shoes, but the constant problem of holes tearing in the toes in my regular running shoes made me finally look for a new brand. Last fall I tried my first pair of Brooks, and have been a happy customer ever since.
2. Athleta – I have a couple of pairs of Athleta capris and shorts, and absolutely love them. I would love to own one of everything in their store, but…..
3. Life Fitness – About three years ago I got an amazing deal on a Life Fitness elliptical machine from a friend who used to be a sales rep for several lines of exercise equipment. He was selling off some of his personal equipment, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Having used Life Fitness equipment at all of the gyms I’d worked for, I was very familiar with the line and appreciated the quality. When I decided to purchase a spin bike and treadmill for my home gym, I decided to stick with the Life Fitness brand.
4. Adidas – Adidas is one of the major sponsors of the Boston Marathon, and I have four jackets and several shirts with the Boston logo on them that I purchased when I ran in 1998 and 2010. Adidas clothing is also often sold at Costco, and I love a good bargain. I have three pairs of yoga pants that I have practically lived in for the past several years, and love their comfort and long lasting quality.
5. Apple – Yes, I drink the Kool-Aid and love Apple products. I have an iPhone, MacBook, and iPod Nano and love how user-friendly both devices are. The ease of iCloud and iPhoto for sharing and editing pictures for my blog (and life in general) is awesome. I don’t see myself buying the Apple Watch, though…
Honorable Mentions – Garmin, Feetures!, Nike, Asics, Ann Taylor, Williams-Sonoma
- Questions:
- What are your favorite brands?
- What brand have you used the longest (of any product)?
- Who has a race scheduled for this weekend?
I love Athleta! For a petite person like me their clothes fit so well!
That’s so important, because not all athletes are the same height!
Deb Runs recently posted…My Running Favorites
Love Brooks shoes & recently just bought my first Athleta apparel. LOVE it ! Just wish they had a store here in France…
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…Paris Marathon Weekend
And BTW ! I used Asics for years and had problems with tearing in the heel, on the inside. It really upset me because I loved the shoes but my last pair only last 3 months. I am still tempted to go back… we’ll see.
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…OMG I did it. I signed up for a marathon !
I’m pretty lucky that we have an Athleta store near by. I think I remember getting their catalog before the local store opened. It’s so much better to be able to try the clothes on first, though.
Deb Runs recently posted…My Running Favorites
Nice list!
My very first pair of “real” running shoes were Adidas! I just took them to my PT to evaluate and was happy to hear him say there was still a lot of life left in those shoes. I took them out of rotation years ago thinking they were done!
You made me remember a pair of Adidas tennis shoes I had in college – tennis as in shoes for tennis. They were so cute (white with royal blue stripes)!
Deb Runs recently posted…My Running Favorites
Girl, you are speaking my language! I love Williams-Sonoma and Athleta! I feel like I could spend a paycheck in each place. I don’t wear Brooks for running but I had the chance to try some of their clothing from the Pure line and it was incredible. The fabrics were so soft and they felt great while running.
It’s very easy to do a lot of damage in Williams-Sonoma!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I like Athleta, too! I probably liked them better before they were purchased by the Gap. I have some “vintage” Athleta pieces that I love and haven’t been able to find again when they changed their lines. Can still find some good stuff, though.
Kelli recently posted…Favorite Apparel – Gym to Office
I didn’t realize that Athleta was now owned by the Gap. I bought my first item there about three years ago. I wonder if that was before or after the Gap takeover.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
Great list and great brands. Love the message from Athleta and of course couldn’t function without all things apple. I’m adding Skirt Sports- Real Women Move . Have a great weekend.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Firmoo Fashionable Eyewear
Oh, I like Skirt Sports slogan! Thanks for sharing.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
so my love for williams sonoma is a bit nuts. it’s my happy place. i love love love going there! great list!! let’s go shopping 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Brands I Love
Have you ever been to the Williams-Sonoma outlet store in Leesburg? Or, if you hit up their store in Reston Town Center, you can also shop at the Athleta and Apple stores nearby. Let’s do it!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I love that you have honorable mentions! 🙂 Athleta products are so cute and comfortable, I’d really like to try a few more of their styles. And I’m an Apple convert too! iPhone, iPod nano, MacBook Pro (sadly mine is getting pretty old and needs to be replaced soon).
My MacBook is five years old, so it’s an antique! My husband added more memory to it, so it’s chugging along like a trooper!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I went to Brooks from Asics as well. I only had one pair of shoes that got holes in the mesh so soon after purchase, but the main reason I switched was I did not like all the changes they made from one year’s model to the next. It never felt like a good fit and I was turned off immediately.
Lesley recently posted…These Are (5) of My Favorite Brands
I’m not sure why shoe companies make such huge changes in some of their shoes from season to season. My new Brooks Glycerine 12’s are lighter than the 1’1’s because they took a “gel pack” out of the heel. I haven’t worn them to run in yet, so the jury is still out as to whether or not I’ll like them as much. I hope I do!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
Well, the brand (especially when it comes to running) that I’ve used the longest would probably be ASICS. I started running in high school and my first running shoes, recommended by my track coach, were ASICS and I’ve been wearing them since them! That was over 20 years ago- ha! I’ve worn a few other brands in addition to (never in place of) my tried and true, but I haven’t found any that were worth switching out completely. I love your list and I love that you included some honorable mentions; hope you have a great weekend, Deb!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Five Beauty Brands to Love
I wore Asics for 17 years so I can’t complain about them too much. I think my orthotics raised my toes up higher and made them rub holes in the mesh. My one-month-old shoes looked like two-year-old shoes!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
After hearing so many people rave about Athleta I think I’ need to finally give in and try a pair of their capris out!
Jen recently posted…Friday Five 4/17: Fitness Brands To Love
Yes, check them out. I love my capris.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I started with Nike and Under Armour clothing. I’ve branched out some over the years, but they remain favorites. Nothing ever wears out! I do have a few Adidas items too. And yes, I drink the Kool-Aid.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Brands to Love
I have a pair of Nike capris that I’ve worn for about six years that are still going strong as well. I’ve never really worn Under Armour with the exception of race shirts I’ve received. My husband and sons wear UA a lot, though.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I’m a big Apple fan as well. We both have iPhones, iPads and we have a Macbook Pro as well. I love tech-y stuff. I love my Garmin watch, but that’s more recent. And Mizuno is what I’ve almost exclusively run in since I started 3 years ago. Under Armour is almost exclusively the clothing I own as well.
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Face The Music Friday #71
Can’t have enough Apple products! 😉 I’ve never tried Mizunos…
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
This is a fun link up to read!
Since I started running 18 years ago, I’ve only worn Nike sports bras!
Abby recently posted…Getting high – my first run back and post-partum exercise
Great list! I almost put Athleta too since I love their clothes too. And I’m running in Brooks right now – just ordered another pair. I love them!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?! recently posted…Five Fitness & Triathlon Brands to Love
I just got my second pair of Brooks last week, and look forward to giving them a try tomorrow morning.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I am right there with you girl! I love Brooks, my favorite running jacket is brooks and it is durable visible and all around awesome! And I have to give a shout out to the ipod nano as well, I have cracked the screen and sent it through the laundry and that thing just keeps on ticking lol.
Amber@Eat2SaveYourLife recently posted…5 Fitness Brands To Love
Through the laundry, huh? That’s awesome!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
Athleta has some really cute things. I like most of their things better for yoga than for running, but they have some sports bras that are great for both.
I’m also an Apple devotee.
MrJenn recently posted…friday five – brands to love
They do have some cute yoga clothing. I wear their capris for running and I have one of their skirts (or skorts) that I train clients in.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I’ve been an Apple user for many years!!!
I think I have been running in Nike Tempo shorts for about 20 years now.
Kim recently posted…Words that Annoy
It was Nike running shorts that I had been wearing (until they turned faded gray) that caused my BRF to have a running clothes intervention with me. Those shorts might have faded, but they never wore out!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I love Athleta as well. I just re-read your Boston post, some good reads 🙂
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Brands to Love
Thanks, Jennifer!
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I haven’t tried athlete yet but keep hearing great things! I’ve got to check them out.
Chaitali recently posted…Friday Five things from the Internet
Yes, give them a try. They have a great variety of styles.
Deb Runs recently posted…Happy Boston Marathon Day!
I too am in love with Athleta. Pretty much any of their gear goes for me. Of course Apple too. I love my Macbook and iphone of course!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…skratch LABS cookie Mix Review and Giveaway
Hoka One One – Time to Fly 🙂
I’ve had my iPhone for about two months now and I love it! I’m glad I made the switch. When my laptop wheezes it’s last wheeze I may look into expanding my Apple family.
I’m glad you like your iPhone. It’s always hard to make such a big decision like that, but it’s great when you’re happy with your decision. And one can never have too many Apple products (although I have desire to own an Apple watch).