These running shoes are perfect for Texans

Brooks made a special edition version of its popular Launch model for the Houston Marathon. Photo courtesy Brooks Running

Imagine wearing a pair of Texas flag-themed sneaks the next time you make a dash across the Lone Star State.

Brooks designed these limited edition running shoes as part of a line of merchandise it created for the Chevron Houston Marathon. The race, scheduled for Jan. 17, was cancelled because of the pandemic, so Brooks offered the shoes to running stores around the state that carry the brand.

Here in Austin, Fleet Feet Austin, 211 Seaholm Drive, nabbed a small supply. When the store’s operating partner, Ari Perez, tweeted a photo of them this week, he triggered a mini-run.

The blue and white shoes – a special version of the popular lightweight, neutral balanced Launch line – feature red soles and a white star on their toe box. They sell for $100 and come in men’s and women’s sizes. (And if Fleet Feet sells out before you nab yours, check Academy, Zappo’s and the Brooks website, which all have limited supplies.)

“I think it’s beautiful, right?” Perez said. “Hey, man, that’s Texas on your feet!”

Perez has already stashed a pair in his closet for safekeeping. He says he’ll break them out for special occasions, like Texas Independence Day on March 2. I think they’d go great with a pair of those groovy Texas-flag shorts that were popular a few years back.

Perez, by the way, says he’s noticed a bit of a running boom lately, related to the pandemic. People who normally would head to the gym for a workout are exercising outside instead.

Keep an eye out. Some of them might be sporting a little bit of Texas on their toes.