SGB 0407

VO LU M E 47 I I S S U E 7

SPRING 2015 Pre-Show Issue Running apparel • Travel wear trends • Sneakers go plush and pop with color Come See Sgb and Sportsonesource at OR Summer Market 2014 Booth #16041

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Volume 47 I Issue 7

July 2014

Publisher & Editor In Chief James Hartford james@sportsonesource.com 303.997.7302 Senior Business Editor Thomas J. Ryan tryan@sportsonesource.com 917.375.4699

VP Business Development / East Barry Gauthier barry@sportsonesource.com 774.553.5312

Chief Information Officer Mark Fine mark@sportsonesource.com 561.615.0240 (x224)

Contributing Editors Scott Boulbol Fernando J. Delgado William F. Kendy Charlie Lunan

VP Business Development / West Barry Schrimsher bschrimsher@sportsonesource.com 503.784.6267

Director, Business Operations Renee DeDios rdedios@sportsonesource.com 303.997.7302

VP Market and Consumer Insights Neil Schwartz neil@sportsonesource.com 561.692.6722

Director, Media & Event Developmentt Candice L. Smith West Coast and Rockies candice@sportsonesource.com 603.361.5762

Editorial & Creative Director Teresa Hartford teresa@sportsonesource.com Senior Graphic Designer Camila Amortegui camila@sportsonesource.com

VP Retail Solutions Andy Annunziata andynunz@sportsonesource.com Sales & Marketing Coordinator 860.620.9045 Ryan Sullivan Director, Client Solutions rsullivan@sportsonesource.com Catherine Smith 303.997.7302 catherine@sportsonesource.com 303.997.7302 Circulation & Subscriptions subs@sportsonesource.com Director, Market Research 704.987.3450 (x7106) Bethany Ehlert Cooner bcooner@sportsonesource.com 303.997.7302

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Advertising Sales Account Managers Buz Keenan Northeast buz@sportsonesource.com 201.887.5112 Katie O'Donohue Southeast/Midwest katieo@sportsonesource.com 828.244.3043

SGB, Copyright 2014 is a trademark of SportsOneSource, LLC. All rights reserved. The opinions expressed by the authors and contributors to SGB are not necessarily those of the editors or publisher. SGB is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Articles appearing in SGB many not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher.

SGB, Volume 47, Issue 7, (USPS 457-390; ISSN 1548-7407) is published monthly by SportsOneSource, LLC., 2151 Hawkins Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203; 704.987.3450. Subscription rates: one year $79 (U.S. funds) in the U.S. and its possessions; Canada and Mexico $119 (U.S. funds); all other foreign delivery $199 (U.S. funds). Printed in the U.S.A. Periodical postage paid at Charlotte, NC and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send address changes to SGB, 2151 Hawkins Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28203; 704.987.3450.

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JULY 2014

PRE-SHOW ISSUE

This page: Pearl Izumi Fly Endurance Short Photo courtesy Pearl Izumi On the Cover: New Balance Fresh Foam Zante Photo courtesy New Balance

Best Practices

26 Running's Future Looks Bright

4 It's Show Time

Bright colors continue to be "extremely relevant"

Attending a trade show requires planning and

in the running category.

execution to have a successful and profitable experience.

30 Sandals Seek Versatility Sandals see more athletic influence merged with

Spring 2015 Features

smart design and quick-dry materials.

10 Running Apparel Trends New scientific technologies raise the bar to

38 Industry Calendar

entirely new levels for running apparel.

I AM...SGB 14 Travel Wear Trends

40 Brent Hollowell

It's all about Fashion, Fit and Function.

VP Marketing, Nathan Sports

18 Running : Plush Cushioning Continues Its Comeback A host of brands will debut oversized and thicker mid-soled shoes with strong color pops.

2 JULY 2014

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B E S T P R AC T I C E S

It’s Show Time To maximize your return on investment for time on task for attending and working trade shows, you need to know and implement some basic fundamentals.

By William F. Kendy

While some people may think that attending a trade show is just an excuse to get out of the store and take a mini-vacation, successful retailers recognize how beneficial expos can be.

Where else can you get all of the major manufacturers and players condensed in one spot for a short time period with the goal of doing business? It is not all cocktail parties, leisurely and aimlessly wandering the aisles looking a cool stuff and glad-handing. Working a trade show is hard work and necessitates planning and execution.

Here are some tips and insights for having a successful and profitable experience at whatever trade show you attend.

Why and What?

Your very first task is to determine why you are attending the show and what you want to accomplish before, during and after it.

What are your goals and objectives? Buy merchandise? See new products? Cement relationships with vendors and explore new business opportunities? Attend seminars and network with other retailers? Most likely it is a combination of all of them. Rank them by order of importance.

Know Your Inventory and Show Budget Determine your “Open to Buy” by category and what your inventory needs are. Set your priorities and establish a showbuying budget. Earmark at least 10 to 20 percent of your budget

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as a contingency fund to take advantage of show specials, closeouts and trade-show deals offering special terms and dating. If you don’t buy well you can’t sell well.

Identify the “Must See” accounts and prepare a secondary list of “Like to See” companies.

Most large trade shows publish a guide that is available pre-show and has a map of the floor plan, exhibitor listings, booth locations and a host of other information. You can find out who is where, what is going on when and all sorts of neat stuff.

Do your homework and match the floor plan against your account hit list and develop a logical and efficient walking trip itinerary. Don’t waste time (and exhaust yourself) bouncing all over like a ping-pong ball and clocking miles of walk time.

Pre-Show Execution Pre-register for the show, reserve your hotel and make travel arrangements.

Don’t leave the details for the last minute and get things done. You will have enough on your plate without having to worry about last minute details.

Insider Tip: Call the hotel and find out what shuttles or buses are available, taxi costs and pay upfront for hotel fees and hidden costs.

You may have all of your staff for rooms covered on a master account but does the hotel charge a fee for internet access or “incidentals”? Make sure you are covered.

You want your staff to attend and perform and it is your obligation to pay the freight.

Make Appointments Appointments at trade shows are like appointments with your doctor and there is a trickle down effect. If a doctor’s first patient arrives 20 minutes late then the appointment schedule changes for everyone. Plan ahead and try to “cluster” exhibitors, both the “must see” and “like to see” in sectors of the show floor. That

way if you have an appointment with a “must see” exhibitor and he is running behind schedule, you can fill in the dead time and drop in on a “like to see” company before the meeting (without walking a half mile back and forth) and still keep your rescheduled “must see” appointment.

Once in your appointment, depending on how booked the exhibitor is, cut down on the niceties and get right to the point of the meeting and get business done. Trade shows schedules are brutally hectic and structured and it is not the time for idle chatter, unless that is the direction the exhibitor wants to go. The time you spend also depends on how heavily scheduled you are.

Train the Troops If you are taking staff, assign each of them accounts to visit and make sure that they know the reason for the interviews and what you expect from them and the accounts. Tell them what functions and seminars to attend and to take notes to share with the staff at meetings after every show day and back at the store.

Insider Tip: Sometimes staff members view attending shows as paid party time. Reinforce that this is business as usual. Sure they can have fun and get away from the daily grind and routine, but it is work and they are your front line. It is all about time on task, completing objectives and presenting your store’s image in a professional manner.

Dress Smart If you want to show up looking like a third world country, so be it.

Even though you may be talking to old buddies, your appearance is a reflection on the professionalism of your business and what type of operation you run. Business casual attire, meaning a pressed pair of slacks and golf type shirt, is acceptable.

Insider Tip: Wear comfortable walking shoes or presentable athletic footwear. Nobody at a trade show will judge you by your shoes…they are also in them.

Always on Display As soon as you arrive at the airport or walk into your hotel, it is “Showtime”. You never know who may be a client, prospective client or exhibitor. Regardless of whether you are sitting in an airport, on a plane, in an elevator, at a restaurant or even in the restroom, you and your staff are in the public eye so be careful of what you say and how you behave. Remember that you have a name badge on. You can run but you can’t hide.

Expect and Inspect Take time after the show closes or before it opens to go over what you and your team accomplished, who you need to stop back and see and how and when to fit in new meetings. If your schedules allow, take a break during the day to evaluate.

Take Time for You After a few hours of working the floor sit down, relax, have a snack, get some fresh air and evaluate. Drink lots of water. While alcohol is more fun, it dehydrates you.

If you “Cold Call” exhibitors, don’t spend too much time at each booth. You won’t be able to see everyone. Develop a respectful “exit strategy” to disengage yourself from a chatty Cathy or someone who you need to move on from.

Reserve time for “walking the floor” to explore what’s available in the marketplace. Earmark at least a few hours to go over all the new products.

Networking and Schmoozing Be brave, outgoing, open, and friendly and remember to smile. Don’t be intimidated by suited exhibitors standing in groups in their booths talking. Half of the time they are doing that because they are as nervous as you are about initiating new

conversations. They are at a show to talk to people and you are as important as anyone else.

Follow up and Evaluation Collecting stacks of business cards may make you feel like you accomplished something but they are not worth anything if you do nothing with them. Commit to following up on the important contacts within a week or two and enter all of them into your database.

Determine if all of your show objectives were met and whether the cost, time and effort of attending the show was a good investment and will have a positive long-term effect on your business. Not all shows are equal and each needs to be judged on its individual merits.

Then…change your game plan for your next show. ■

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Brand

Strength Report 2014 Overview & Information

C

onsumers in 2014 continue their post-recessionary behavior by placing the greatest importance on quality of product when purchasing footwear, apparel, and equipment to support their active lifestyle. Quality of product continues to be the highest rated factor influencing consumer’s purchase of all three categories. Consumers have a strong preference to pay more for quality and receive the benefit of its longer use.

Consumers rely on their own personal experience with brands, placing greater importance in 2014 on their knowledge and trust of certain brands than they did in 2011. Fewer consumers are influenced by price, which continues to drop in importance over time, and is surpassed in influence by innovation/technology in 2014. Consumers want product that

6 JULY 2014

enhances their activities, allows them to perform better, and gives them an edge over the competition or their own personal best. In the current environment where social media apps such as Strava continue to play an increased role in the way in which an active consumer participates in sporting activities, the return to the brands is an increased trust factor from the consumer and the subsequent benefits that go along with it.

Nearly half of all active consumers believe a brand’s environmental initiatives are important in 2014, which is a substantial rise from 2011. Consumers place a high

expectation on the brands that they trust to also be focused on minimizing their environmental impact.

These observations are highlighted in this year’s Brand Strength Report, which summarizes the bi-annual consumer survey conducted by The SportsOneSource Group to measure consumer awareness, attitude, and intent to purchase active lifestyle product from specific brands. The Brand Strength Report was expanded in 2014 to include sports and outdoor equipment and consumers were also asked to offer their feedback on an expanded brand list.

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Brand Strength Reports Measure how consumers feel about the brands they are buying and using. Includes specific brand-by-brand rating system to determine Brand Strength Index.

Brand Strength Report – Active Lifestyle Consumer Measures Active Lifestyle brands among consumers who purchased sports or outdoor footwear/apparel in the past year.

Release Dates: June 2014 and June 2016 Brand Strength Report Specialty Outdoor* Consumer Measures Outdoor and Active Lifestyle brands among specialty outdoor* consumers.

Release Dates: August 2014 and August 2016

Brand Strength Report Sportsman’s Consumer Measures Sportsman’s and Active Lifestyle brands among hunt and fish consumers.

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Brand Strength Index

The Brand Strength Index is an indicator of how consumers view brands. The Index was built on a formula that measures both aided and unaided awareness, brand purchases, and the intent to purchase the brand again.

The greatest indicator of a Brand’s Strength is the consumer’s unwillingness to compromise on a brand.

Aided/Unaided Brand Awareness

These sections assess the brands that consumers are aware of either unaided or aided.

Brand Purchasing

This section assesses the brands that respondents mentioned purchasing in the last year, both overall and by demographic. Conversion rates were also calculated as a percentage of respondents that indicated purchasing a particular brand in the past year.

Influences On Footwear/Apparel Equipment Purchasing

These sections define the factors which drive consumers to make either a footwear, apparel or equipment purchase. Respondents were asked to rate the importance of a list of factors when making either a footwear, apparel, or equipment purchase. Each section examines respondents by detailed demographic equipment groupings.

Footwear/Apparel/Equipment Ratings By Attribute

These sections assess the strengths and weaknesses of brands with regard to their footwear and apparel products. For each brand, respondents mentioned purchasing in the past year, they were asked to rate the footwear, apparel, and/or equipment products purchased.

Brand Specific Details

These sections analyze the individual respondents that mentioned purchasing each brand. Questions range from the reasoning behind purchasing a particular brand to a rating for certain aspects of a brand’s footwear, apparel or equipment products. Brand reports range from three to five pages depending upon which products each brand produces.

Purchasing Habits

This section assesses the purchasing habits of respondents when purchasing for themselves or their children. Questions range from how much do you spend on average purchases to future purchase plans.

8 JULY 2014

All versions of the Brand Strength Report provide Brand Awareness levels by specific demographic segments.

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Brand

Strength Report2014

Comprehensive Nationwide Survey Brand Strength Index Listing In-Depth Consumer Behavior Analysis Detailed Individual Brand Analysis Customizable Format

To order the Brand Strength Report or to customize your personal report, contact Bethany Cooner, Director Market Research The SportsOneSource Group 303.997.7302 x7107 or BSR@SportsOneSource.com

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SPRING 2015

RUNNING APPAREL TRENDS New space-age technologies are raising the bar to entirely new levels.

By Scott Boulbol

O

n the rack, running apparel for Spring 2015 may look a lot like previous years. But just below the surface, there is plenty to be excited about: New space-age technologies are bringing the usual functions like temperature regulation and breathability, among others, to entirely new levels.

For instance, heat- and moisture-sensing technologies and materials – ideas that have been floating around for years, but which have so far been seen as niche’ – are now bordering on mainstream.

“Cooling apparel is a key trend. And we see consumers looking for apparel that does more that wick,” said Jennifer Lee, lead designer for Performance Sportswear for Columbia, about their latest entry into the heat sensing technology market: Omnifreeze Zero. Like others in this new category, the fabric literally cools down when it comes in contact with sweat.

Sun and odor protection are also considered must-haves now in running apparel, and both are moving away from fabric treatments – or expecting the athlete to slather on sunscreen – toward sewn-in protection. “Sun protection is also a must,” added Lee, “and with the amount of sweat that runners generate, reapplying a topical lotion is not feasible. It’s much safer and convenient to go with sun-protective clothing and arm sleeves.”

Again while companies have been treating fabrics with anti-microbials for years, and most materials have at least some inherent protection, the trend now is tighter weaves/higher thread counts that naturally block UV rays at UPF 30 or even 50, and weaving in inherently anti-microbial materials. These don’t wash out like treatments do, which means the protection will last the life of the garment.

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As runners increasingly tend to ignore the clock – or the sun – and find time to train whenever their schedules allow, hi-viz specialty apparel is becoming easier to find, and hi-viz elements are being increasingly added to everyday pieces. And with that, running brands are making these ever brighter, with phosphorescent visibility elements now commonplace.

Of course, while we won’t go into details on color here, we can’t completely ignore color trends. Dayglow colors and ‘pop’ elements continue to rule the industry, and show little sign of slowing soon. “We will always have seasonal brights to diversify and amplify our running collections,” said Kristin Jones, senior merchandise manager for Adidas America. “These will be supported by beautiful neutrals that challenge the way we look at the typical black/white/grey.”

Temperature Regulation Virtually every piece of running apparel on the market today features some form of temperature and moisture regulation, or breathability and wicking. Modern tech

Kristin Jones, Senior Merchandise Manager for Adidas America

fibers are designed to wick moisture away from the skin, to cool and keep the runner dry, while warm air is also able to escape through the fibers to further the process.

Recently however, the industry has seen a steady influx of new fibers, weaves and technological innovations that enhance temperature regulation considerably, while

Columbia Women’s Zero Rules Skort, Men’s Zero Short, Freeze Degree II Short-Sleeve Top and Long-Sleeve Quarter-Zip Top

sometimes adding odor-eliminating elements as an added benefit. The two most common innovations in this area for Spring 2015 appear to be adding metal fibers into a weave to add a “cooling” effect and using “bio-sensitive” materials that react to heat and moisture, changing molecular structure to enhance cooling.

Columbia is wholeheartedly embracing this new trend of seemingly space-age technologies on their higher-end running apparel. This cold-weather giant is also making inroads with their warm-weather Spring 2015 running apparel, with technologies like Omnifreeze Zero.

While this launched in 2013 it has expanded for the Spring 2015 running line, and can also be found in many of their other outdoor lines.

“Omni-Freeze Zero’s little blue rings position an active cooling agent next to your skin that reacts with sweat or moisture to lower the temperature of the fabric, creating an instant and prolonged cooling effect,” Lee explained. When the runner sweats, the hydrophilic polymer rings wick the sweat; which in turn literally cools the fabric and the skin where it makes contact. The feeling is similar to placing a cool, wet rag on your skin in the middle of a workout. And because the cooling rings are woven into the product, in all the critical areas, its effects are permanent.

A few key products for Spring 2015 include the Women’s Zero Rules

Skort and Men’s Zero Short, $40, (which have the Omnifreeze dots in the compression liners), and the men’s Freeze Degree II Short-Sleeve Top and Long-Sleeve Quarter-Zip Top, $55 and $70. Also featured for Spring 2015 will be short sleeve and tank tops.

Another company pushing the temperature-regulation envelope is Adidas with their Climachill technology.

Products like their men’s and women’s Climachill Pearl Izumi Fly Endurance Short Short-Sleeve Tee, $45, combine titanium fibers, woven Photo courtesy Pearl Izumi throughout the garment, with strategically placed aluminum dots to provide a cooler feel to the garment. Metal simply feels cooler than fabric, they say, so these metal fibers and dots feel cool on the skin – think of the cooling sensation of touching cool metal with bare skin. The technology is also offered in their Climachill men’s and women’s shorts, $40.

While the titanium fibers run through the entire piece, the aluminum dots are placed only on the warmest parts of the upper body: neck, back, on long-sleeve tops, and forearms. Along with its cool touch, the dots provide a bonus cooling Adidas Climachill Short-Sleeve women's Tee function: Because they feature a and Climachill Shorts slight dome shape, they maintain space between the skin and the fabric, which improves ventilation. Plus the garments’ fibers, including the titanium, are flat as opposed to round found in most tech garments.

Adidas said because flat fibers allow for more surface area in contact with the skin, this also allows for better ventilation – more like a mesh weave – while retaining the soft smooth touch of traditional synthetic materials.

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Pearl Izumi Fly Endurance Shorts

New Balance NBIce line of products for men (left) and women (right)

New Balance also offers high-tech cooling in its NBIce line of products.

Like the others, this technology places a cooling agent – in this case, a jade powder – in close proximity to the skin.

This heat-activated chemical lowers its temperature when it comes in contact with sweat, cooling the runner. Jeff Garabedian, apparel senior product manager explained it this way: “The NBIce technology in our fabric comes from a Hualien jade. It’s ground to a powder; which is added to the dye in the fabric. It provides a cool-to-the-touch fabric when mixed with the yarn, as well as a sweat-activated cooling sensation when the wearer becomes active.”

This technology has been around for a few years, but will be expanded in their Spring 2015 NBIce running collection: This will include short-and long-sleeve T’s, a tank and a tunic for women; and for men, short-and long-sleeve T’s and a singlet. They range in price from $38 for the singlet and tank to $45 for the long sleeve T’s.

And this heat-sensing apparel isn’t going away any time soon. Pearl Izumi is preparing to re-launch a similar technology they’d employed in the past – but not until 2016. They said it would be similar to their previous use of a chemical called Zylatol, that they say cooled when it came in contact with sweat: “You know that feeling you get when you chew cool mint gum?

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That’s what this is like,” said Kelly Davidson, product line manager for Pearl Izumi’s run apparel.

Sun and Odor Protection The next key trend for Kelly Davidson, product line Spring 2015 is permamanager for Pearl Izumi’s run nent sun and odor proapparel. tection. Though treatments have been available for years, they were prone to “washing out,” and didn’t last the life of the garment. The newest running apparel has the protection sewn in and in different ways to provide sun and odor defense while lasting the life of the garment. For sun protection, this is generally done through tighter weaves – the less space between fibers, the less harmful rays can penetrate the surface of the fabric to the skin.

“This is not necessarily a new thing: Simply because you’re wearing a top means you’re getting some sun protection,” said Davidson. “The difference is now we deliberately increase that sun protection, with tighter weaves, plus we call it out on our labels. All our garments [except for mesh sections] must now be SPF 50 by construction.” And she added that since the garment is actually constructed this way, the SPF will not diminish over time, or through multiple washings. The same is true for odor protection – more companies are using fibers that are inherently antimicrobial.

Pearl Izumi’s Fly category offers some representative pieces for Spring 2015. Their men’s and women’s Fly ShortSleeve Tops will feature high-denier, circular-knit transfer fabric with a high yard count that creates a permanent UPF 50+ protection, $30.

Adidas Adistar Primeknit Wool Tee

While the unique flat fibers of Adidas’ Climachill also offer inherent sun and odor protection, they offer a cooler weather alternative – or for those who prefer natural fibers – with their Adistar Primeknit Wool Tee. The innovative fabric is made from Merino wool wrapped in soft Primaloft fibers. These tops provide the impressive natural odor-resistance and hydrophobia of wool, with the softness and added wicking and cooling of Primaloft. Adidas said there is UPF protection in this line, but it is not the focus of this piece.

Multi-Functional Pieces Finally, multi-functionality has also been a growing trend over the years, and Spring 2015 will offer plenty of innovative, and multi-purpose garments.

These pieces combine the function of two or more products into one, for temperature regulation, storage, visibility, etc. Pearl Izumi’s new men’s and women’s Fly Endurance Shorts, $60, are a great example of this trend, bringing in-short storage to a new level, without the bouncing issue that commonly accompanies this type of short. The “one-to-one” pocketing features multiple TKTK. Built-in pockets in varying sizes: two large gel pockets on the sides and a zippered rear pocket large enough for a sandwich or light jacket.

But what sets it apart is the way the pockets are attached. Rather than just sewing them to the outer shell of the short, like typical pocketed shorts, they also tack the bottoms of the pockets to the tight liner, which keeps them anchored down when the runner’s body bounces in motion.

Mammut, usually associated with climbing but recently making its mark Mammut MTR 201 Tech Shirt in the running community, offers an option for shoulder-season or highaltitude running that quickly transforms from a long-sleeve to a shortsleeve with the tug of a string. Just pull the loop at the wrist of the MTR 201 Tech Shirt, $89, and the sleeves pull up tightly toward the shoulder.

Another example of hi-tech advances to traditional running garments is New Balance’s Beacon line of hi-viz apparel, which will be expanded for Spring 2015. The Beacon Jacket, $175, along with the new Vest and Singlet ($135, $55), not only feature the usual hi-visibility color, and reflective accents, but they also employ phosphorescent pigments that glow in the dark for added visibility. They simply need 10 minutes of natural or indoor light to “charge” the pigment. ■

SPORTSONESOURCE.COM

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SPRING 2015

Travel Wear Trends It's all about Fashion, Fit and Function

By Scott Boulbol

T

ravel means movement. No great revelation there, except when you consider that travel wear – especially men’s – often does not offer the movement travelers need to stay comfortable while on the go. And when it does, it has historically meant loose-fitting, flowing, and often unflattering garments – especially in today’s world of fashion where fit is king. But travelers are also out in the elements often, and may need to go straight from a bus ride to dinner and a show.

So among the key trends continuing into Spring 2015 will include designing some level of stretch into apparel, not something entirely new for women’s apparel, but definitely a new direction for men’s apparel. This allows both lines to sport a more modern, tailored fit while still allowing for the active lifestyle travelers enjoy.

But this will not mean a compromise in fashionable looks. On the contrary, with an element of stretch, designers are also free to create more crossover pieces that work great on the move or out on the town, which fits neatly into another trend the industry has seen over recent years. With or without stretch, no longer is travel wear so easily discernable as such, when seen out in the street. Brands are more commonly creating fashion pieces that also happen to feature travel wear tech. Visually these pieces look more like something you’d see in urban America (Rome?) than on safari in the Kalahari.

All of this while maintaining basic travel wears functions like breathability, durability and sun protection.

Mountain Khakis embraces all of the above in its expanded Spring 2015 travel collection. “One angle and trend we are applying ourselves to is stretch for men,” explained Noah Robertson, co-founder/director of product development. “We believe – and our male customers confirm – they see the benefits of stretch for the active everyday [and travel] lifestyle. It allows for better athletic/slimmer fits while also giving men the freedom of movement they desire.

Royal Robbins Breeze Thru Tank Photo courtesy Royal Robbins

SPORTSONESOURCE.COM

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Photo courtesy Mountain Khakis

Mountain Khakis Men's Skiff Shirt, Cruiser Pants and Shorts

The Men's Skiff Shirt, $100, is a great example. The top is 86 percent nylon with 14 percent spandex allowing for four-way stretch. It’s lightweight, with 30+ UPF while remaining quick drying and well ventilated in the back and front yokes. But the subtle plaid design could fit well in even the most hipster coffee shops and cafes.

The Cruiser Pants and Shorts, $95 and $75, available in men’s and women’s, also offer significant stretch, with a smooth drape, constructed from 91 percent nylon and 9 percent spandex. The pants – what Mountai Khakis calls the next generation of their popular Equatorial and Granite Creek models – look more like a classic Chino than a typical travel pant, but also offers UPF protection and is water resistant.

It's our belief the customer doesn't need to change out of something they have been wearing to travel in, but rather it's about feeling confident and comfortable in what they’re wearing right from the start of the day,” added Robertson. “So, after an adventurous/active day, go out to a nice dinner or a night on the town and don't feel the need to have to always change to address the atmosphere.”

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ExOfficio sees the same need for stretch and fashion-meetsfunction. “Outdoor apparel is made to last and be durable, but it doesn’t mean that it has to be rough and rigid. Also, slimmer fits are influencing apparel in outdoor lifestyle. Consumers are looking for apparel that will serve them in multiple environments,” said Product Line Manager, Kylene Wolfe. She added that they’ve also focused on optimizing seam and pocket placement for the best combination of comfort and function, especially under travel conditions, like wearing a backpack.

Plus they’ve taken the temperature-regulation part a step further, borrowing cutting-edge technology from the athletic apparel world. Their Sol Cool fabric uses active cooling technology – the fabric actually cools down when in contact with sweat – through the incorporation of Xylitol into the weave. This is similar to the chemical found ExOfficio Triflex Hybrid in mint chewing gum that Shirt cools your mouth when chewed.

Their Triflex Hybrid Shirt, $95, and Sol Cool Ultimate Hoody, $75, both available in men’s and women’s, use this Icefil cooling technology, along with other travel features.

The Classic Button-Down Shirt, which will be new in Spring 2015, has stretch side and back panels for mobility and cooling, zip pocket and a three-way button collar. A snap front makes for easy on/off or venting. The lightweight hoody, which can be worn as a shirt or a jacket, also features the Icefil fabric, and adds 50+ UPF sun protection. For Spring 2015 Moutain Khakis be offering more colorways for this piece.

ExOfficio Sol Cool Ultimate Hoody

The folks at travel wear specialists Royal Robbins seek the same functionality, but they’ve focused more on integrating necessary tech features more organically into the designs, rather than relying on flaps or zippers, etc.

“Designing ventilation into outdoor products has been a cornerstone feature in the active and travel market since its inception. Mostly realized historically through cape ventilation and zipper venting,” said Monica Smith, creative director.

Royal Robbins Diablo Long-Sleeve Shirt

“But the market has been trending toward bridging performance functionality with lifestyle looks over the past several years. In doing so designing fabrics that have this inherent in them is one approach,” added Smith.

For Spring 2015, their men's Diablo Long- and Short-Sleeve Shirts. $78, $68, styles are a good example: They employ micro-perforation; which allows for a relatively solid appearing surface, while having a mesh-like breathability. Thus they function like traditional travel pieces but look like a lifestyle piece.

And their woman's equivalent is their Breeze Thru Tank, $48, which employs another recent trend – taking classic natural fibers

and improving their technical performance, whether through blending or otherwise treating them. For this line they blend cotton and polyester, and apply a process where the cotton content is extracted in designated areas. “This process,” said Smith “creates a tonal pattern effect and a shearer surface where the cotton has been removed, increased airflow with a subtle Royal Robbins Diablo Short-Sleeve Shirt pattern appearance.”

Bluesmiths, who previously made a name for itself as a watersport brand, has found a niche in the travel market with a new technology that they say has become a big hit with travelers. They treat the garments with Schoeller’s Nanosphere technology, for maximum repellency of water, dirt, or whatever else one’s travels may throw at them.

“Normally, impregnated textiles have a smooth surface which offers dirt a large contact area to which it can easily adhere,” said Schoeller’s literature. “With the Nanosphere finish, on the other hand, a structured surface is created: This ‘hilly’ surface offers little onto which water, dirt and substances of any kind can adhere. They simply run off or can easily be rinsed off with a little water.”

Bluesmiths calls this “the most robust DWR coating in the marketplace that makes the garments repel water, dirt, oil, Bluesmiths Kanaha Long-Sleeve Shirt and the Lane Short-Sleeve Shirt wine and more. In addition, the shirts have built in UPF 40 sun protection. Originally designed for watersports, the shirts have become a huge hit with adventure travelers for their self-cleaning properties.”

The Kanaha Long-Sleeve Version Tee, $90, and the Short-Sleeve Lane Shirt, $75, have a classic sporty look. And in keeping with the trend toward more fashionable aesthetics, later this year, and new for Spring 2015, will be the addition of more fashionforward polo shirts, tees and shorts like the men's Wailea Hydrophobic Polo Shirt. ■

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SPRING 2015

The Promise of Plush Cushioning Continues Its Comeback A host of brands will debut oversized and thicker mid-soled shoes.

By Thomas J. Ryan Skora FIT Photo courtesy Skora

W

hile the running industry wildly experimented with minimalism for a few years, the pendulum has now swung heavily towards maximalism. For Spring 2015, a host of brands will debut oversized and thicker mid-soled shoes.

When a runner tries on a maximal shoe for the first time, the pillowy experience wins them over. Many runners also feel that overly cushioned shoes are safer than minimalist shoes that often require a transition period, if they even worked at all.

Some, however, feel maximalism remains just a small niche market category and the sweet spot remains neutral with ample – albeit not exactly plump - cushioning.

“It’s nice to see neutral continuing to gain ground,” said Golden Harper, founder of Altra. “It seems that while runners in general are trending toward more cushioning, they still want their shoes to

18 JULY 2014

be lightweight and natural while still having enough cushioning to take on long mileage.”

Many of the hallmarks of the minimalist trend remain – including the push for ever more lightweight shoes as well as the benefits of a more flexible mid-sole, proprioception, and encouraging a forefoot/mid-foot strike.

Even Hoka, the leader in maximal, stands out for being extremely lightweight for its size with its Meta-Rocker designed to promote accurate foot roll through the gait cycle. Some also feel there’s remains a place for minimal shoes.

“Minimalism has stabilized in a way by morphing itself into what we call "natural" shoes with features like more anatomically shaped toe boxes and without elevated heels working their way into shoes that still have enough cushioning to reduce stress on the feet,” augured Harper.

Claire Wood, senior product manager at New Balance, agreed that “neutral continues to be a zone with a lot of innovation and runners are gravitating towards this style.”

But Wood also noted that with the minimilist craze and now the maximalist movement, runners are recognizing that they can

have different experiences on their runs.

That’s opening up more options for a variety of shoes for runners and more experimentation for running vendors.

“The lines aren’t as clear, and foggier lines makes for more innovation and ways of creating fantastic running experiences,” said Wood.

SGB reviews the design approach both the major and minor running brands have taken for Spring 2015.

Brooks Running sees the neutral category being “on fire right now,” led by strength this year in the Glycerin 12 and Ghost 7.

Kira Harrison, Brooks’ footwear merchandising associate, said the minimalism trend led runners to expect lighter, more purposeful designs in their shoes, but many of them are asking for cushioning “rather than a true minimalist experience” and still others are looking for greater support. Overall, runners are looking for a greater selection.

“As more and more people run and fall in love with the sport, they want to be able to choose the experience that’s right for them,” said Harrison. “Some days that might mean feeling the run and other days that might mean floating through it.”

Shoes that ‘Float’ - Transcend 2’s max cushioning experience is taken to the next level in Spring 2015 by offering a softer

underfoot feel through new geometries in the mid-sole and redesigned forefoot lugs for a more cushioned strike and with more bounce. The Transcend 2 also offers a dual mesh upper construction, welded overlays and an external heel counter to create a plush in-shoe feel.

Shoes that ‘Feel’ - Cadence, Flow and Connect in the PureProject 4 all add an open vamp design that reduces overlays and maximizes forefoot freedom. New saddle and Nav Band designs provide a conformable, secure fit. The shoes also come with traditional, independent tongue construction designed specifically for the PureProject collection and add a soft, wrap-around collar lining that eliminates seams around the foot.

Overall, Harrison said Brooks remains committed to using smarter materials that take the weight out of the shoe and bring the upper closer to the foot while continuing to maintain fit and structure.

“Trends such as minimalism and maximalism are fantastic because they push innovation in the core category and they reflect the runner’s desire to have options,” said Harrison. “We see minimalist and maximalist trends as here to stay, each settling in at their respective ends of the running experience spectrum. But core will remain the majority of the market share.”

At Asics, a key update for Spring 2015 is the GEL-Nimbus 17, which drops more than half an ounce to rank as the lightest version of the GEL-Nimbus.

The weight savings is due in large part to the redesigned seamless FluidFit upper that stretches, hugs and moves with the foot. Additional weight loss

Asics GEL-Nimbus 17

Brooks Transcend 2

was achieved with the introduction of a new FluidRide midsole; which is Asics’ latest evolution in midsole technology providing the combination of 15 percent weight reduction with 20 percent more bounce back.

The latest version of the Nimbus also features a rearfoot gel unit that extends under the lateral midfoot for additional shock attenuation and protection for neutral runners. A new X-40 Comfordry sockliner and last team up to provide underfoot comfort.

Asics is also introducing a new collection of speed products that feature the 20th anniversary of the GEL-DS Trainer and 10th anniversary of the GELNoosa Tri, as well as two new shoes in the speed category: the GEL-Hyper Tri and the Piranha SP 5. For the maximal trend, Asics will introduce the GEL-Fortify, built with a new maximum support specific last and a BioMorphic Fit Upper to comfortably accommodate higher volume feet.

Brice Newton, senior product manager running footwear, Asics America, believes the maximalism trend with its focus on cushioning and comfort offers wider appeal to more runners than minimalism.

But Asics still offers many shoes that are “flexible and really lightweight” and he believes the maximalism trend again extends the running experience for runners.

Said Newton, “It comes back to the idea that you should mix up your run and it’s good to have multiple shoes in your shoe bag.”

Saucony is introducing the Iso-Series, engineered with its new IsoFit technology. A soft inner sleeve and floating support cage combines to create a dynamic fit system that adapts to the shape and motion of the runner’s foot for a sock-like fit for comfort and allows the shoe to move in harmony with the foot.

“It’s a foot technology that adapts to each different foot but then also adapts to the body’s movement so the mid-system moves with the foot and gives you a plush feel throughout your whole run,” said Patrick O'Malley, Saucony’s SVP of global product.

The series also features the new PWRGrid+ midsole platform that is 20 percent

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more cushioned and 15 percent more resilient than standard midsoles while maintaining fluid transitions for a smooth ride.

“We wanted to create a plush ride underneath the foot but still allow the foot to do all the things that it needs to do such as flex and toe off,” said O'Malley.

The Iso-Series includes the Triumph, the plushest shoe Saucony created; as well as the Hurricane. It’s also featuring in a new shoe, the Zealot, Saucony which is two-ounces lighter than the Triumph and built Triumph with a 4mm offset to deliver A lightweight, fast and highlycushioned shoe. Said O'Malley, “It’s a great transition shoe for people who are moving away from minimalism but still want to work the lower part of their legs.”

Saucony has no plans to offer a maximalist shoe. O'Malley believes consumers are looking for a “cushioned ride but believes the consumer needs to utilize all the muscles and the joints so we think we have a great combination of plush cushioning along with great flexibility.”

The Iso-Series plays up the importance of fit to runners.

“We find fit is such an important thing and quite Saucony Zealot honestly if we can be the brand that can own fit than we’re going to be really addressing a good need for the consumer,” said O'Malley.

Jim Van Dine, president of Hoka One One, believes the ‘maximal’ trend is largely a response to the success that Hoka has enjoyed with its ultra-size and over-size shoes. Van Dine noted, “It seems that most running shoe brands are developing – or at least offering – shoes that they promise will provide benefits similar to Hoka shoes.”

The apparent copycats come as Hoka is enjoying “exponential growth” this year with new accounts opening each week with ultra runners responding to its higher volume, softer density and greater rebounding versus standard running shoes. Hoka’s store count, nearly all run specialty accounts, has grown to over 550, up from 92 at the close of 2012.

To support the demand, Hoka has made a number of internal hires, including adding Mark Mastalir as VP of marketing, and considerable investments in race sponsorships and athlete endorsements, including 2012 Olympic 1500-meter silver medalist Leo Manzano.

Hoka also recently developed a separate group of shoes for sporting goods and athletic specialty stores that are distinctly different than the Hoka shoes sold in run specialty stores.

“We will have four new styles within the sporting goods/athletic specialty assortment,” said Van Dine. “And, for our run specialty dealers, we are introducing a new shoe, The Constant, that will be our most supportive shoe.”

Hoka One One The Constant The Constant is a road shoe built with a mix of RMAT high-rebound material and EVA to blend a high level of support with traditional Hoka cushioning. The RMAT midsole geometry is built around the high-pressure zones of the traditional gait cycle to provide increased durability and guided support. The upper features a Lycra mono-wrap tongue designed to support the foot through the arch, and asymmetrical lacing to reduce pressure across the top of the foot. Said Van Dine, “It is designed to be the most stable shoe in our line – though it is still a neutral shoe.”

For Spring 2015, Mizuno will deliver a significant update with the Wave Rider 18. Key refinements include a modified outsole pattern for a better underfoot feeling and added durability, a reconfigured upper for the optimal fit that embraces the foot and works in harmony with the runner, and an upgraded sockliner for a more resilient, responsive ride.

“For the Wave Rider, the ideal experience would be an ultra-smooth, flowing ride, a fit that perfectly embraces the foot in all the right places, and category-leading lightness in

20 JULY 2014

the neutral trainer silo,” said Doug Smiley, business unit manager - footwear, Mizuno USA. A big milestone for Mizuno Wave Rider 18 Mizuno in 2014 is the launch of its brand campaign "What If Everybody Ran?" which united the running community to share inspirational running stories and showcased the transformative power of running across the U.S. But the major focus for Mizuno is on “delivering ideal and differentiated running experiences.” said Smiley. While running trend changes have “truly accelerated” over the last few years, Mizuno expects to “connect with runners, irrespective of what seasonal trends are currently grabbing headlines by staying true to our proven formula and design philosophy.”

As an example, Smiley pointed to two models - the Wave Hitogami and Wave Paradox - that are “on opposite ends of the spectrum. Yet, both are connecting with runners in a major way.”

The Wave Hitogami performance trainer delivers a fast, sleek ride ideal for race day or fast tempo runs while the Wave Paradox, which sits in its maximum support silo, gives runners a stable, smooth ride with category-leading lightness (10.6 oz. for a men’s Size 9). Said Smiley, “Both are finding their audience this season, and yet neither is purposefully tied to a seasonal trend. It’s our belief that runners will always gravitate towards these transformative running experiences, season after season.”

New Balance continues to expand on its Fresh Foam platform in 2015 using existing evolutions in its ‘Data to Design’ process. Wood called the original Fresh Foam 980 this spring an “extremely successful launch,” with revenues well over projections.

“There are several reasons for the success of this launch, including the growing desire in the market for neutral runners,” said Wood. “We believe that, for example, two neutral runners of the same build, similar stride, etc. could crave totally different experiences underfoot. Addressing the ‘ride’ someone can experience, through various foams, compounds, and geometries can deliver a variety of experiences.”

The Fresh Foam Trail arrives this month while next spring comes the Fresh Foam Boracay, a 980 update, that applies strike and impact patterns from runners’ data to contribute to the flexibility and ride. Also for 2015, a new model, the Fresh Foam Zante, brings a faster, speedier feel to the collection in an everyday running shoe.

New Balance Fresh Foam Zante

“The Fresh Foam Zante used a separate data New Balance Fresh collection, with our interest and focus on mid- Foam Boracay foot striking and faster speeds, and what sort of geometries this would encourage,” said Wood.

“A simple, yet technical upper with no-sew overlays and a bootie construction give the midfoot a snug, smooth fit.”

Other updates for Spring 2015 include the 860v5 stability model with the addition of Ortholite and a generous usage of no-sew construction in the upper heightening the in-shoe feel. The go-fast REVlite 890v5 accentuates subtle design changes to bring a touch more sleekness. New to REVlite is the 1500, a cousin to the popular 1400, bringing stable geometries and a slight dual density to the lightweight training category.

New Balance will also continue to develop its Minimus line as part of its Sports Research Lab’s ongoing study of lightweight and low profile shoes. Said Wood, “I think what we learned has helped us to develop groundbreaking new styles.”

technology that encourages flexible movement and we think is the best cushioning out there. It just happens to be incredibly responsive as well.”

Dave Jewell, footwear category manager, Zoot Sports said both minimalism and maximalism accentuates the importance of a shoe’s platform and the tri-specialist is translating the knowledge on a shoe-by-shoe basis. An example is the Solana, a neutral trainer featuring BareFit, Zoot’s premium fit system, which provides a seamless internal fit for comfort and the brand’s proprietary injected ZVA for shock absorption and a lightweight ride.

“We are using learnings in the market with what feels good but applying a sensible approach that makes a shoe easy to translate,” said Jewell. “Our belief is that you should never need to adapt your body to a running shoe. You should be able to feel good fit and feel in the Zoot Solana store that translates to a great run.”

ForSspring 2015, Zoot enters the maximalism category with the Zoot Del Mar. The midsole construction is 50/50 – top loaded Zbound+ with a ZVA base. Midsole heights are 25/17 (8mm offset), putting a substantial amount of shoe under the foot at a drop that all runners can step into and run with no adjustment period. It also features a 3D molded heel cup and emphasizes constant ground contact construction. Said Jewell, “At no point during the running stride will there be interrupted contact with the road. This creates a smooth, quiet, and supportive ride.”

For Spring 2015, Zoot will introduce a line inspired by the Southern California roots.

“California inspires us,” said Jewell. “In California, a good year is measured by how many days you lived out your passion; where it’s not what you do for a living, but what you live to do. It’s this active lifestyle that motivates us to make running shoes that will let us chase down your dreams and apparel that will let you feel our California rays.”

Newton Running plans to build on this year’s successful launch of its +ONE technology, which added a fifth lug to Newton’s award-winning four-lug Action/Reaction cushioning system, as well as its POP programs that expanded the overall line to address the different needs of different runners. Said Craig Heisner, Newton’s president, “The goal in 2015 is to take this blueprint and momentum that it’s creating in the marketplace and build on it.”

Four core styles – the Distance and Distance S in the speed trainer category and the Gravity and Motion in the mileage-trainer category – will undergo updates with a focus on “providing a design architecture and a point of view and ride that we believe is unlike anything else that’s out there in the marketplace,” he said, A big focus will continue to leverage its five-lug Action/Reaction system that enables Newton to tune the running experience for each runner. A new upper design will also incorporate more stretch materials that better conforms the shoe to the foot.

Newton’s first quarter “was the best quarter in our history” on the success of its +ONE technology.

The brand’s complementary goal will be building awareness and simplifying its overall messaging that a runner can “just put Newtons on and go run.”

Newton has no plans to address For Spring 2015, Karhu will release its first the maximalism trend. Heisner full-length fulcrum that starts by encapsunoted that Newton has more cushlating the heel and extending through the ioning than other maximalist shoes length of the shoe to the toe. Karhu’s patin the market. But he said many ented fulcrum technology acts like a lever runners are embracing Newton’s to move the runner forward quickly and efFrom top to bottom: Newton Running Distance, message around running efficiency. ficiently through the gait cycle and onto the Distance S, Gravity and Motion “Obviously there’s a perception next step. around what a thick midsole shoe offers versus This full-length fulcrum is debuting in two of its premium one that is going to be positioned more toward the trainers, the Fast5 (neutral) and the Strong5 (stability). Said Jordan idea of communicating with the ground, which is Kinley, Karhu’s national sales manager, “These models offer the greatest where we are,” said Heisner. “But we have a dynamic amount of cushioning and protection for the runner who needs it most,

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and extending the Fulcrum allows the shoe to provide continuous forward momentum and guidance throughout the entire gait cycle.

Combined with a new softer midsole, these models deliver our most plush ride to date.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Flow Tri, Karhu’s most lightweight and responsive model, gets an update. Also supported by fulcrum technology, the Flow Tri features a near seamless upper, easy pull heel tab, quick lacing system and Velcro closure to guarantee a customizable fit and quick time in the transition zone.

Since relaunching in the U.S. in 2009, Karhu has been steadily growing in the region with a focus on From top to bottom: specialty retail. “We've reKarhu Fast5, Strong5 and Flow Tri mained consistent with our message of efficiency and our utilization of the fulcrum technology while at the same time responding to consumers' needs with updates such as a slightly lower drop (8-10mm down from the standard 1214mm) and softer midsole durometers,” said Kinley. “Internationally, Karhu just opened its first retail location in May in its native Helsinki to much fanfare. We're currently in the planning stages for our global 100th anniversary celebration in 2016.”

For Spring 2015, ToPo Athletic will launch its Fli-Lyte road shoe for long-distance running. The Fli-Lyte features a 22mm stack height with a 3mm drop and offers its unique fit that allows toes to spread yet keeps the heel and waist secure. Said Tony Post, CEO “Our increased stack height demonstrates our commitment to offering athletes a range of platforms to support a variety of workouts and environments.”

Post admitted that when ToPo launched almost a year ago, ToPo Athletic Fli-Lyte people loved the fit, the neutral platform, and the lightweight, but were turned off by the split-toe design.

The response to switch to closed-toe shoes “has been fantastic.”

Its split-toe was recently named shoe of the year by Minimalist Shoes and Gear, and its upcoming Santé fitness training shoe was named the 2014/15 Gold Medal winner by ISPO in the performance footwear category. In-store events and demos continue to show that people still love ToPo’s fit. Added Post, “They also comment on the weight and quality of product.”

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Despite the industry current against more minimal footwear, Post believes minimalism helped runners became much more in-tune with their form, increasing strength and mobility, and taking a more holistic approach to running.

“Minimal footwear still plays an important role in many athletes' training whether it is to improve form, stimulate the muscles in the feet and lower legs, or just to strengthen proprioception,” said Post. “And there are still folks that just like the feedback and sensation they get in more minimal shoes. For all of these reasons, we expect minimal footwear will always have a place in the market.”

Adidas continues to gain a ‘boost’ in running with the success of its Boost cushioning, which uses thousands of energy capsules for an energy return that Adidas believes exceeds any other foam cushioning material available. That was followed last year by a strong response to Springblade, which features “Energy Blades” to create an ultra-responsive experience for runners.

Adidas Supernova Sequence Boost

“These two platforms give us the unique ability to hit both the high school athlete and the young urban runner via the mall and sporting goods,” said Chris Brewer, running specialty category manager for Adidas America.

Ongoing Boost introductions continue to expand Adidas’ running business. The Supernova Sequence Boost is believed to be one of the most stable running shoes on the market today. The model features a full length Stableframe, which guides the foot throughout the foot strike. The Adidas Torsion System allows the shoe to adapt to any surface on landing to ensure midfoot support in the plant and push-off phases. It also features an engineered mesh upper and a full heel-to-toe continental rubber outsole.

Brewer believes the concept of maximalism remains a “small niche” in the market, but “the real trend is maximum cushioning, not giant midsoles.” With the shift away from minimalism, the momentum is behind traditional shoes in traditional categories built in smarter ways.

“Better ways to build product will rule the day, like better mesh applications, from knitted to four-way stretch to engineered mesh,” said Brewer. “It’s all about premium applications that have intuitive value. Hard to do, but things like Boost and Primeknit give us a unique positioning to the running consumer.”

For Spring 2015, Adidas will launch the Ultra Boost, which Brewer said “will be the top-of-the-line Boost model for 2015 and will have four stand-out features to separate it from the competition.”

For Spring 2015 from Altra, major updates include the Provision 2, its moderate-stability shoe that features a 2mm full-length Varus Stability Wedge built into the midsole to go along with its new Stabilipod technology which enhances the three natural stability zones of the foot by introducing widened midsole pillars in those areas. Along with Altra’s footshaped toebox, the Provision 2 allows for a natural running technique in a stability shoe “while allowing the foot to splay and displace impact, stabilize, and push off the ground powerfully,” said Harper.

The Instinct 3, its heritage shoe, has been updated with a more secure fit and stable, responsive ride. The Torin 2 update adds a touch of cushioning along with a wider, stable platform and more room in the toebox.

Harper said Altra’s heritage shoes continue to sell well while Altra’s two max cushioned shoes launched this year – the Paradigm Road and Olympus Road/Trail Crossover – have done “extremely well.” Added Harper, “Our marriage of max cushioning with natural features like a foot-shaped toebox and consistent cushioning from heel-to-forefoot has been a huge hit for much of our crowd, especially the ultra runners.”

Another new shoe seeing “a ton of success” is the One Squared, which is 24mm thick and weighs in 5.9 ounces, which Harper believes could be one of the highest cushion-to-weight ratio shoes on the market.

“We still believe the sweet spot for running consumers is exactly what we thought it was when we started Altra, shoes that have

Altra One Squared

enough cushioning to work well for long mileage, while still being as natural as possible,” said Harper. “Promoting proper foot and body alignment as well as good running form don't have to come at the expense of wearing a non-cushioned shoe.”

Pearl Izumi for Spring 2015 is building on the introduction of Project E:Motion in 2013 that promised to deliver the “smoothest running experience possible,” Pearl Izumi for Spring 2015 is introducing five new styles for men and women: EM Road N 1, EM Road N 2, EM Road M 2, EM Tri N 1 and EM Tri N 2. The focus for the launch will be the new EM Road N 2, its top-selling style sitting in the neutral training shoe category.

The EM Road N 2 features Pearl Izumi’s new 3-D seamless print upper technology that adds lightweight structure and upper integrity with less wasted materials while also offering unlimited opportunity for textures, layers and colors, according to Mike Thompson, product line manager for run apparel and footwear.

A new dynamic offset midsole provides a softer midsole unit (9 percent softer in heel and Pearl Izumi 10 percent higher energy return versus previous EM Road N 2 models); a wider platform for increased stability; and 10 percent more flexibility with more forefoot segmentation. A new outsole pattern also provides better traction/grip on wet surfaces.

The Project E:Motion launch has led to “solid growth” in the SRA channel in the past 18 months while also earning the brand several product awards from running magazines.

Thompson believes the buzz of maximalism will wear off in 2015/16 and Pearl Izumi is well positioned in the ”sweet spot” between the two trends.

“When we introduced our new Spring 2013 Project E:Motion line, we delivered a full range of road, trail and triathlon performance footwear under 10 ounces by having the discipline to know when to stop adding 'stuff ' to our footwear,” said Thompson. “By taking the best of both footwear trends -minimalism and maximalism, we are able to deliver lightweight, performance footwear that still has plenty of cushioning, comfort and a great fit without compromises.”

The Swiss running brand On is introducing the re-engineered Cloudster in the neutral category for Spring 2015. While continuing to provide superior cushioning, the upper adds a new Adapative-Fit concept with 4Way-Stretch fabric adjusting to the foot in all dimensions for an enhanced fit. Toes splay out easily to benefit from the natural cushioning capabilities of the feet and to allow a stable stance for push-off.

The shoe continues to feature the brand’s CloudTec sole that combines a soft landing with a firm push-off. Co-founder David Allemann said the ongoing shift shows that minimalist shoes were not offering enough protection for the average runner. On the other hand, he believes “maximalist instead would be the other extreme and does not seem to be a sustainable solution.”

A strong response this year to the Cloud, its lightest model ever, again left runners impressed with On’s ability to deliver a lightweight package with superior cushioning and comfort.

“It allows the runner to land soft (maximalist) and push-off hard (minimalist),” said Allemann. “On combines the best of both worlds in a unique technology that only cushions upon landing and then becomes firm for a natural transition and a powerful push-off. The result is a soft, light yet very agile run.”

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you can see and feel. A great example of this is our Z Series product range that delivers a natural feel and lightweight product with cushioning equal to a traditional high mileage running shoe.”

On Cloudster

Rick Higgins, VP of merchandising and marketing for Skechers Performance division, said new account sign-ups shot up immediately after its star men's runner Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the Boston Marathon this year since 1983.

Said Higgins, “It caused all those who had been on the fence to climb over.”

Another win for its run push was the signing in May of Kara Goucher, a top American female distance runner over the past decade, to support its efforts to reach women runners. But Higgins knows that

In the past 18 months, On has quickly expanded its presence in the U.S. from 60 to 250 dealers, including key Running Specialty Group doors, Fleet Feet and Fit2Run. The growth has been supported by the opening of its first U.S. headquarters in Portland, OR last spring as well as a new arrangement that makes Far West Associates its rep firm out west.

At Reebok, a key launch for Spring 2015 is the next generation of its successful Z Series platform - the ZQuick Dash. The midsole thickness has been beefed up and the sockliner has been upgraded, both of which are designed to provide more protection and cushioning. The heel crash pad is decoupled more to smooth ground forces at impact and the toe-off zone has been stabilized for better propulsion. On the upper, Reebok’s Nanoweb technology provides locked in fit in a lightweight and seamless form.

Ted Fitzpatrick, Reebok’s director of product marketing for running footwear, said the updated Z Series “remains lightweight and continues to provide increased ground contact for more control and cut groove geometry for a quick release to help you get there faster.” The Z series launched in February with healthy sell-throughs at Reebok’s sporting goods and mall partners.

Building on recent successes such as RealFlex and ZigTech, Reebok is promising further innovation stories in Spring 2015 although it’s keeping them under wraps for now. Reebok expects to Reebok capitalize on what Fitzpatrick sees ZQuick Dash “as more interest in less-traditional silhouettes and casual-first running looks.” It’s also positioned well around the shift to cushioning and thicker midsoles because Reebok never swung too far to minimal.

“Superior feel in-store and during the run remain key requirements for all our products,” said Fitzpatrick. “Consumers continue to tell us that Reebok running footwear is great because it offers technology

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Meb Keflezighi became the first American to win the Boston Marathon this year since 1983.

Photo courtesy Skechers

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USA|MADE its success comes down to runners enjoying the benefits of Skechers’ M-Strike technology, which fosters a mid-foot strike technology, as well as its Resalyte cushioning and GOimpulse sensors for enhanced sensory feedback.

Among its upcoming releases, Skechers will release the GOMeb Strada, a morecushioned shoe that offers "passive stability."

Skechers GOMeb Speed 3 The GORun 4 shifts to a two-piece midsole over a one-piece for a more responsive ride and overall has less of a rocker affect than the original GORun but the focus remains on the midfoot strike. A GOMeb Speed 3 with new tooling, updated aesthetics and a roomer toebox also to build on the popularity of Keflezighi.

Skora will launch a cushioned road shoe next Spring. Said David Sypniewski, CEO of Skora, “We’re combining the features our customers love, such as a fullyrounded outsole and anatomical fit, and crafting the next generation trainer. A balanced cushioning approach with amazing breathability, it’s going to be a tremendous addition to our line. “ Skora, which launched in 2012, promotes natural running form and a midfoot strike because of its 0mm heel-to-toe drop. Despite coming to market riding the miinimalist craze, the brand continues to grow at over 110 percent per year with gains overseas and in the U.S. Says Sypniewski, “As we continue Skora FIT to expand our product offerings, we continue to stay true to our design philosophy, removing the unnecessary and offering a premium product; it’s what runners deserve.” He sees the market settling into what he calls a “neuminal” positioning, a neutral-minimal hybrid.

“It’s all about finding balance,” said Sypniewski. “’Barefoot shoes’ were too extreme, as is the new ‘maximalism’ fad. The athletic footwear market is forever changed, offering more low profile and lighter footwear. These are all good things. I think we’ll see continued developments in materials and a return to better fit and quality.”

Spira Footwear - best known for its WaveSpring technology featuring three reengineered springs embedded under the heel and toe – is introducing shoes with new seamless uppers and lighter weight for Spring 2015. A focus is also on improving colors and materials.

“Spira’s technology seems to fit with whatever trend is out there,” said Andy Krafsur, Spira’s CEO. “Our mechanical midsole provides the best cushioning and energy return on the market, and is super lightweight and responsive.”

Spira was founded by 2001 well before the minimal craze and continues to slowly draw a committed pack of runners to the benefits of its unique technology. Krafsur pointed to an outside study from the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology that showed running shoes with integrated Mechanical Springs technology may have the benefit of lower oxygen cost for running at a submaximal effort while offering the injury reduction benefit of cushioning. The research suggests the WaveSpring leads to about six minutes improvement in a marathon for the average runner with the same amount of effort over traditional footwear, estimates Krafsur considers “conservative.”

“Practically speaking, we believe we’re the Holy Grail,” said Krafsur. “Can’t quite figure why the rest of the industry has yet to fully catch on, but the consumer is finding us somehow.” ■

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SPRING 2015

THE FUTURE OF RUNNING CONTINUES TO LOOK BRIGHT Color has taken over the running industry within the past several years; and while many vendors see a toning down and a cleaner approach than past years, bright colors aren’t expected to go away.

By Thomas J. Ryan

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olors are still in, but there is also a return to basic, single tone colors,” said Skora Founder David Sypniewski. “New materials and patterns are going to make a debut next year as well.”

“Colors are becoming sophisticated again,” added Chris Brewer, running specialty category manager for Adidas America. “Simple designs deserve clean and premium color placements. We see this as a longer-term trend. Of course, we will monitor this as we go, but it seems to be happening slowly, but surely, and we don’t see it suddenly slowing down.”

Patrick O'Malley, Saucony’s SVP of global product, believes bright colors remain “extremely relevant” but he sees a greater emphasis on more-subtle color pops than wild all-over color.

“A couple of years ago you could throw any color on a shoe. It could be really aggressive,” noted O'Malley. “Now we’re back to using colors that complement each other rather than contrasting.”

Saucony also wants its shoes to look “light and fast,” using flowing lines that pull towards to the forefoot to make the shoe appear as if they’re “in motion when they’re on the shelf.” Designs are also meant to be “functional” and to help support each model’s performance attributes “so that when a consumer goes up to the wall, they say ‘That design makes sense.’”

As far as specific colors, citron has become a core color for men and women. Twilight, a bluish, purple color, is also clicking with both genders. Said O'Malley, “On the men’s side, you’re able to push the boundaries.”

Golden Harper, founder of Altra, strongly suspects a toning down of colors for Spring 2015.

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Brooks Running Transcend Photo courtesy Brooks Running

“Colors are going pretty dark and moody for 2015,” observed Harper. “Our aesthetics are being driven by ways to highlight our technologies, as well as materials and lightweight overlays that are still strong. This allows the product to be light without compromising durability, while making for a more sleek and more polished looking product.”

Tony Post, CEO of ToPo Athletic, said color has become “much more sophisticated,” especially in the women’s market. He added, “It's clear that consumers aren't shying away from bright, rich hues and unconventional color pairings, but the market has moved toward more sophisticated, tasteful uses of color pop. We've used this as an opportunity to experiment with printing and color blocking as a way to deliver on this trend.”

But Doug Smiley, business unit manager, footwear, Mizuno USA, said color remains unquestionably part of Mizuno’s equation in telling a larger brand story and connecting with consumers.

“In Spring 2015, the bold colors will still be very relevant,” noted Smiley. “There are plenty of bold and confident options and their pairings, while unexpected, will give the lineup a very dynamic look. You will also see a resurgence of classic ‘athletic’ colors like red and blue applied through a modern lens. There’s more saturation and depth to these colors, and they give off a sense of sport and heritage.

Claire Wood, senior product manager for performance running, New Balance, also believes that while more tonal shifts may be coming, color is not going away. The brand now goes to market with several colors in each style, tuned to the different tastes among runners.

“This industry is not black or white, so shoes never will be,” said Wood. ”Having fresh, fun exciting colors for the youthful runner, as well as material innovation that can take color application in unique ways is an area we have an entire team dedicated to.”

Kira Harrison, Brooks’ footwear merchandising associate, said that to kick-off Spring 2015, Brooks’ color team did an insights trip around the U.S., visiting key running markets in each region of the country. Two key takeaways from the trip were that runners believe running “should be fun and color is a great way to excite people to go run.” Secondly, people have an “emotional connection” to color and view color as a personal expression.

“The main emphasis this season is on ‘true’ colors,” said Harrison. “We are seeing the trends move away from the artificial world of neon and celebrating true colors that are still very vibrant and rich. We use trend relevant colors to create a seasonal point of view and freshness to the line. We combine these with our classic sport palette which is made up of colors that are always relevant to running and to running and Brooks.”

Beyond colors, blocking also plays a huge role in the overall look of the shoe and will be emphasised by Brooks in Spring 2015. The three trends that rose to the top were monochromatic, split blocking and fades. Said Harrison, “This season, we continue to use prints in our line and for the first time we have an allover print on the PureConnect. The use of all-over prints has been seen more in categories such as cross-training and we want to bring this energy to the running world.”

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Karhu, reflecting its Scandinavian heritage, will continue to play up vibrant colors for Spring 2015.

“Bright, mid-range uses of cobalt blue and green are seen throughout,” said Jordan Kinley, Karhu’s national sales manager. “Depth is added through use of complimentary accents of titanium blue and granite. We are telling a similar story of depth and color through the use of a vibrant blue/green with accents of coral and sea glass. We are also adding depth through layering of air mesh, and textured synthetics in satin and matte finish.”

Zoot, a brand long known for its strong use of color, plans to continue to push the limits in 2015 with an even-bigger emphasis on the California culture and related colors.

On’s Co-founder David Allemann said that from the beginning, On has introduced a brand aesthetic that is more minimal in form yet bolder in colors.

The brand avoids any applications and decoration in the upper shoe that is not focused on functionality. He added, “This leads to a sleek minimal form factor that is optimized for performance. On brings in the fun through color and clearly departs from the dull color schemes runners were used to in the past.

On can be fast, fun and fashionable at the same time.”

Pearl Izumi will introduce women’s-specific upper designs on all of its new Spring 2015 styles.SGB Ad July14.pdf 1 6/6/14 9:51 AM

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“The female consumer represents over 55 percent of the footwear units sold at SRA and they are currently left with one option in the market by all brands – a men’s upper design on a women’s last with women’s colors,” said Mike Thompson, Pearl Izumi’s product line manager for run apparel and footwear.

The designs will feature softer, more flowing lines versus men’s and a smaller, subtle logo on the quarter after research showed that a majority of women do not like oversized logos on the ‘unisex’ upper designs. For color, Pearl Izumi, like other companies, will replace some of its neons and fluorescents with “more toned down colors that are deep and saturated.”

When Newton Running was launched in 1996, it stood out for its vibrant colors and has no plans to shift - with many of its competitors also embracing a vibrant color palette. One subtle shift is using mid-range colors for a more mainstream appeal but “it will always be a secondary color for us,” said Craig Heisner, president of Newton Running.

From a design point of view, Newton continues to believe that it stands out for its minimal approach that removes any “superfluous extras” from the shoe. Said Heisner, “We make running shoes first to run in. We know it’s a fashion business, too. But anything that is added on our shoe is added to support the athlete running.” ■

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SPRING 2015

Sandals Seek

Versatility Sandals see more athletic influence merged with smart design and quick-dry materials.

By Thomas J. Ryan

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onsumers have a wide range of choices when it comes to sandals, including flips, slides, full-foot sandals, and shandals (part shoe, part sandal).

“Generally, consumers are looking either for an inexpensive, relatively disposable pair of sandals – such as a cheap pair of flips to wear to the beach – or they are looking for a legitimate pair of footwear – a quality sandal to wear much of the year,” said Chip Coe, general manager of Chaco. In terms of quality sandals, consumers look for smart design and quickdry materials, among other stepped-up features.

“The more serious sandal buyer is looking for additional characteristics more than just individual features,” said Coe. “Among those desirable characteristics are all-day arch and foot support, versatility in design and construction, and quality in materials and craftsmanship. For many, life is too short to wear cheap sandals.” In many cases recently, they’re looking for more performance features.

“The marriage between athletic and outdoor is not about to end any time soon,” said Jeff Dill, Keen’s outdoor business unit director. “There is so much good that can be borrowed from athletic and crossed with outdoor that customers, and therefore brands will be crosspollinating these for a long time.”

He pointed to low, light midsoles with the protection of a traditional midsole. Super light, but indestructible upper materials taken from running and even basketball that have found their way into uppers of hiking and sandal products. And a host of edgy colors that have arrived in the past few years and “shocked outdoor out of the brown and green rut we were in.”

The resulting product is often “Faster, more competitive, and in many cases younger,” with consumers “happy to accept a compromise of durability for weight, and precision over protection.” He added, “It’s a pretty fun and exciting evolution.”

Beyond lightweight construction and more sporty colors stemming from athletic design, a very large part of the sandal business continues to be influenced by classic outdoor elements – ruggedness and durability, muted colors, serious outsole traction design across a range of terrain, and security in the lacing or webbing systems, according to Coe. But in many cases, he sees more sophisticated approaches around sandal design.

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SPORTSONESOURCE.COM Photo courtesy Keen

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“There is an increasing market for higher-end (primarily leather) flips and sandals,” said Coe. “Premium materials and treatments and a handmade look and feel are very important here. These styles have been around for a long time in the southern climates, but are making their way north and west.”

Interest in rich leathers is leading to a comeback in the brown category for Timberland. “For us, it’s about using the leathers Timberland is known for its sandals,” said Don Desalvio, senior director of Sport Leisure Footwear at Timberland. “We’re seeing much nicer, more refined sandals on the rise where in the past few years it has been mostly rugged trail sandals or casual flip-flops in the market. This allows for more versatility in wearing occasions and outfits. Women’s styles with closed-toes and heels are coming back – we’ve designed a very refined fisherman style that plays on this trend.”

For the first time, Timberland is putting its proprietary anti-fatigue Timberland technology into its sandals with the Earthkeepers men’s Earthkeepers Hollbrook, $120.

Hollbrook The technology, first introduced in the Timberland Pro line of industrial boots, features very small cone shapes that help rebound shock for standing all day.

The Hollbrook also updates the midsole, wrapping it in polyurethane and inserting Vibram rubber pods to high-wear areas in the back heel and forefoot. Said Desalvio, “This allows for durability when pushing off and traction when walking. We’ve packaged this with premium full-grain leather uppers in a range of silhouettes including a closed-toed style, ankle-strap, slide and flip.”

For women, a Spring 2015 highlight Timberland Earthkeepers is the Earthkeepers Tilden, $120, a Tilden crafted wedge with chunky details like metal studs and contrasting leather straps that can transition from day to night. An anti‐fatigue, leather‐covered footbed provides comfort and support.

Desalvio said that for Timberland, it’s all about “quietly expressed features” – more than techy bells and whistles. But often tapping the same technology seen in its boots, Timberland aims for all-day versatility – offering sandals that can carry consumers from the city to the trails. “This means better traction, and comfort features all in refined silhouettes that can be styled multiple ways,” said Desalvio.

“This season we continue to feature beautiful leathers throughout our line, including our sandals. Heritage details can be found in our men’s closed-toe sandals and flip-flops to women’s crafted wedges, comfortable ankle straps and ultra-stylish fishbone style sandals.”

At Chaco, the Outcross Evo collection launch will be the largest in the brand’s history. An evolution of its 2014 Outcross styles, the collection ranges from a very open, breathable, water and trailfriendly style the Outcross Evo 1, $110, to the slightly more protective yet highly breathable and water and trail-friendly Outcross

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Chaco Outcross Evo 1

Evo 2, $110, to the unisex trail-capable Outcross Evo 3, $115. The women’s collection also includes the Outcross Evo MJ, $100 – a classic Mary Jane updated for today’s active outdoor consumer. The collection features gender-specific fit and design, and delivers performance and versatility across a wide range of uses and environments.

Chaco’s Z/Volv collection, $100 for sandals and $65 and $60 for two flip sandles, mirrors the styles in its Classic Z collection but adds an athletic-inspired midsole/ sidewall design, a gender-specific EcoTread rubber outsole, with 25 percent recycled rubber content, a softer topsheet/footbed design, and a softer polyurethane material that is used in the entire footbed/midsole.

The combination, according to Coe, leads to a “a softer underfoot feel than our Classic Z collection, but with the same webbing adjustment system, the same all-day arch and foot support, and the same quality and durability.”

Chaco is also introducing for Spring 2015 the unisex Chill leather flips and sandals collection, $80 to $110, and many new colors and designs to its popular Classic Z sandal collection, $80 to $110.

As far as genders, Chaco finds women prefer a “slightly lower profile, lighter weight product where possible,” but he finds both genders look to Chaco for “quality, durability, fit, functionality, and versatility.”

For Spring 2015, Keen has a revamped lineup for 2015 that includes no less than 10 new models in the water category alone.

That is in addition to its popular lineup of Newport, Clearwater, Whisper, Venice, Rose sandal and others that have made Keen a dominant sandals resource for the last 10 years.

“New products like the Zambezi, $100, and Gorgeous, $150, feature a one strap Z-Pull mechanism to wrap your foot securely

and snugly, but remain comfortable no matter what water you are in or around,” said Dill. “Lightweight water shoes like the 7oz Class 5 Tech, $80, and women’s Cypress, $90, mean options for people who need sandals, water shoe protection, all day comfort and sticky rubber traction. Keen was born in and around the water, and we aim to serve every outdoor athletes no matter what they plan to get into.”

Keen Zambezi

Dill said that even with the core athlete, color has shifted this spring from all over neon bright to more subdued color and blackings complimented by a bright pop or technical callout. But fans appreciate Keen’s comfort and durability regardless of its end use.

“Having a bomber go-to for every activity from travel to light hiking to rafting is a highly desirable product and is what the original Newport and Keen were originally built around,” said Dill. “On the other side is a more athletic and pure performance driven consumer that demands low, light weight, and innovation that is specific to the activity they practice. For them, elements like sticky rubber traction, maximum drainage and lightweight are more meaningful than durability. At Keen, we have entire collections of product aimed at providing solutions for both groups - and some for those in between.”

At Teva, its Originals collection, $40 to $75, is expanding to its most comprehensive range with a mix of materials, colors and details for Spring 2015.

“The consumer response to this collection in 2014 has been extraordinary,” said Lorie Pointer, director of product and Teva Originals collection

Photo courtesy Teva

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Photo courtesy Sperry Top-Sider

design at Teva. “These silhouettes provide the perfect blank canvas for unexpected materials and elements of discovery. We haven’t scratched the surface with what we can do with these silhouettes.”

Teva’s women’s Cabrillo collection, (sandal, $90; crossover, $80), focuses on feminine styling with built-in comfort. For men, the Berkley, $100, is a leather casual sandal at home in a variety of environments. In its active sandal collection, Teva’s women’s Verra, $60, is functional with feminine styling and a range of bright colors.

“Across our line, we focused on the craftsmanship that goes into each style and the finishing details that really make a difference in the end product,” said Pointer.

Forecasting trends, Pointer sees a move away from super-bright neon colors to colors with a “chalky, even retro feel.” She added, “We're also seeing 'new neutrals' that aren't as pastel or as soft as those in past seasons. This season they have a chalkier feel and are a bit more unisex.”

For Sperry Top-Sider, the aesthetics focus is on nautical sport colors and heritage styling. Beyond the use of lightweight materials, in both outsoles and midsoles, Sperry is applying its successful technologies to sandals. These include Adaptive Wave-Siping and SON-R technologies used to promote grip and accentuate proprioception and its ASV (Anti-Shock and Vibration) for all-day comfort.

“For Sperry it is all about comfort and grip,” said Lee Baxter, VP of performance product at Sperry. “Versatility is a must which is where styling and color can influence. Our line of performance sandals provide best-in-class grip, and offer a wide variety of colors to please the masses while maintaining classic Sperry styling.”

Highlights for Spring 2015 include the unisex Voyager Sandal, $65, with a closed upper design that provides support and protection

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with breathability and comfort of a sandal. The shoe is designed to tackle paddling, boating, fishing and other rugged activities.

For women, the Point Breeze collection includes the Sport Slide, $75; Strap, $75; and Sport Band, $65, and offers ample cushioning and strong traction. Said Baxter, “Comfortable uppers, sport styling and colors make these sandals must have footwear for the active woman.”

Hi-Tec will debut the Galicia Strap, $50, featuring adjustable hook and loop fastening for a custom fit, like its popular Waimea Falls and Waimea Slide. It also offers extra support at the heel. But what makes the Galicia Strap a standout is the pattern; which makes the sandal look Sperry Top-Sider Voyager Sandal (top), Point less like a traditional walking sandal and gives Breeze Strap (middle) and Sport Band (bottom) it a more fashion-forward appearance. Said Ian Little, marketing manager of Hi-Tec, “The colorful fabric on the inside gives the sandal a very summer-like look.”

Little said customers who purchase Hi-Tec sandals value customized fit made possible with its adjustable fastenings, and also care about comfort.

Hi-Tec Galicia Strap He added, “[They] want a sandal that looks both casual, offers all-day comfort and can be used on light hikes.”

At Spenco, best known for its insoles, the focus is on fit and function with its Total Support Technology in all of its new sandals. Said Jeff Antonioli, global sales director at Spenco Medical Corp., “Outsole, mid-sole, insole and upper work together to achieve a perfect fit.”

Spenco continues to add flourishes of fashion. Its core Yumi sandal, $50 to $60, is expanding with new synthetic upper materials, enabling a gold foil croc emboss version for women. Other introductions include the Andi, $80, a simple gladiator style; and the Tora in Synthetic Nubuck, $90, with back strap and contrast colored linings.

The Rose, $100, presents a refined, floral-embellished toeSpenco Yumi sandal (top), Tora (middle) post dress style. The men's and Sand (bottom) style stays consistent with its classic designs in addition to new materials, performance features and benefits.

Overall, Antonioli said Spenco’s Beach/Active line uses bright colors, is lightweight, and offers textured printing and embossing on the uppers. Its Casual/Lifestyle line features new upper materials, leathers and suedes with toned-down trendy colors. The Outdoor line comes in natural earth tones, is water resistant, and made of mesh and synthetics. “Spenco’s sandals shine when it comes to style, proving orthotic sandals can be attractive, too,” stated Antonioli.

The North Face has found success extending some of its bestselling franchises into the water. “We’ve taken some of the elements from our successful hiking and light hiking styles like Storm, $60, and Hedgehog III, $85, and built sibling styles adept for use in and out of the water,” said Patrick Anderson, senior product manager, footwear. “By sharing a similar design aesthetic, color palette, and feature set, we’ve been able to leverage our success on the trail into more amphibious end-uses.”

The North Face, top of a sandal buyers lists are: quickdrying uppers, anatomically shaped, comfortable footbeds and straightforward, no-fuss strapping systems. Added Anderson, “Several years ago, we saw the ‘barefoot’ The North Face Storm (top) and Hedgehog III (bottom) category eat up a lot of open-tobuy dollars in the sandal category, as consumers flocked to brands like Vibram FiveFingers for their multisport, amphibious footwear.

That trend came and went quickly, and we’re now seeing consumers come back to the category in a much more traditional way.”

Birkenstock is introducing sneaker-inspired outsoles on two of its well-known sandal silhouettes – the Arizona, $160, and the Gizeh, $160. An EVA midsole and rubber outsole gives the classic

Birkenstock Arizona (left) and Gizeh (right)

styles a fresh, athletic look to go with the famed wellness benefits of Birkenstock’s signature footbed.

Matt Hundley, public relations and events manager at Birkenstock USA, said athletics continue to influence the sandal category, but the brands that are successful are those that can integrate those performance attributes without deviating from their identities.

“We’re driven to provide unmatched quality, comfort and support through the authentic footbed in every Birkenstock sandal, clog and shoe,” said Hundley. “And it’s paramount that we stay true to our DNA while delivering fresh, new products that achieve these high expectations.”

With Birkenstock going through another revival in the U.S., the brand is clearly seeing more women paying attention to function, durability and comfort.

“Without a doubt, women are seeing footwear differently,” said Hundley. “It’s ok to buy sandals on the merits of comfort and functionality, and it’s ok to wear sandals that deliver health and wellness benefits. It’s happening thousands of times each day with Birkenstock.”

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For Spring 2015, Sanuk, known for its signature yoga mat footbeds built for maximum comfort, will introduce the Beer Cozy Light, $34, a slimmer take on its classic Beer Cozy Sandal. It features a flexible synthetic upper with jersey lining, a no-rub toe post and arch support.

Sanuk Beer Cozy Light and Yoga Slinged Up

The women’s Yoga Slinged Up, $44, is based off of the Yoga Sling 2 and represents Sanuk’s version of the gladiator sandal with its signature asymmetrical stretch knit ankle strap. It’s offered in a variety of solid colors and seasonal prints. Across its women’s line, Sanuk’s spring color palette features pastels, faded and dusty hues and traditional metallic basics.

“We use a mix of on-trend bright colors like watermelon, berry and sea foam to create color schemes for a variety of styles to take you on and off the beach,” said Trisha Hegg, global director of product, Sanuk. “We have created timeless metallic classics within our Yoga Mat sandal offerings, which include gold, rose gold, silver, pewter and bronze. Sanuk’s Yoga Sling Collection continues to dominate our women’s sandal momentum, and has evolved this season with new stylish silhouettes and renewed colors.”

Sanuk is also offering for men a Party Wave Collection and for women the Shore Things Collection featuring a variety of sandals that are water-friendly and adventure-ready. The men’s Latitude and women’s On The Rocks styles both have contoured molded rubber outsoles for better grip and arch cookies for added comfort.

Hegg said that while the brand doesn’t cater to the athletic market, a big part of Sanuk’s appeal is that they can be used for multiple purposes. Said Hegg, “Whether you need a pair of sandals for the beach, the barbeque or when you’re on the move, Sanuk has created footbeds and silhouettes to suit those needs.”

For Spring 2015, Reef is unveiling its Swellular Technology, built around three layers of innovative material: a soft, contoured Swellular foam deck for comfort; a medium-density Swellular midsole for support; and a high-density rubber outsole featuring an ocean-inspired aesthetic for traction, protection and durability. The Reef Rover, $50, adds the technology to make it one of the brand’s most versatile sandals.

“We believe that consumers want a sandal that looks great, feels great, and is adaptable to different environReef Rover ments,” said Reef ’s VP of footwear Tom Cooke. “In other words, if you could only have one sandal, what would it look and feel like?”

The color palette includes neutral options and two bright, trend options. The Rover’s synthetic nubuck upper is complimented with

36 JULY 2014

a moisture-wicking, odor-managing treatment liner with added padding for instant comfort. The strap is designed to perfectly blend support and comfort.

OluKai enters the adventure sandal market with the introduction of the Hokua Pahu and OluKai Ohana Pahu ‘Ohana Pahu for men. The Hokua Pahu, $90, is a multi-sport full-foot water sandal emphasizing comfort and functionality. Features include water-resistant, quick-drying adjustable straps for a custom fit, enhanced multi-surface outsole, and an anatomical EVA midsole. The ‘Ohana Pahu, $90, offers the fit of a threepoint sandal, drawing inspiration from the classic ‘Ohana, with added security of a heel strap. Benchmark tested against the leading competition concluded the adventure sandals are 39 percent lighter with higher slip resistance on both wet and dry surfaces.

“OluKai’s entry into the adventure sandal market is a very natural one as we continue to push the envelope for what an OluKai sandal can do," said Kerry Konrady, director of marketing at OluKai. For women, a standout is the Wana, $110, which features a premium soft full-grain or metallic leather, compression-molded EVA, leather wrapped footbed, handsewn leather toe post, and laser-etched design details.

At Speedo, the big story is the expansion of its popular Exsqueeze Me collection, which debuted in 2014 and features dual density injection molded EVA construction for performance, flexibility and comfort.

Speedo the Exsqueeze Me Inflow (left), Exsqueeze Me Yagi Slide (right) and Upshifter (bottom)

“It’s our most comfortable, athletic inspired collection with vibrant colors, FluidFlow technology that provides drainage from the upper sole down through the outsole, and S-Trac technology to streamline water away from the outsole and enhances direct surface contact to improve traction and slip resistance,” said Barry McGeough, VP hardgoods for Speedo USA. New Exsqueeze Me styles for 2015 include the Exsqueeze Me Inflow, $30, a women’s sport casual sandal that’s hydrophobic and ultra-lightweight with an adjustable strap for a comfortable fit and comes with an upper in a range of bright colors.

The Exsqueeze Me Yagi Slide for men, $28, enables Speedo to enter a rapidly growing subsector of the sandal market with a hydrophobic and ultra-lightweight option at a strong price point. For both genders, the Upshifter, $65, features a full grain leather upper that’s breathable, durable and waterproof. The EVA topsole is wrapped in full grain leather while the S-Trac rubber outsole offers water management and flow dispersion for maximum traction. Said McGeough, “It’s a great sport sandal, perfect for the active consumer, updated with full grain leather styling.”

McGeough said that with brights, neons, saturated jewel tones working in the athletic space, Speedo has been able to bring more color into its sandal line. But believes “comfort is king” when it comes to sandals. He added, ”What’s happening now in foams and cushioning systems allows us to be able to make comfortable sandals and going to market with a compelling comfort story, like our Exsqueeze Me dual density injected EVA foams, is table stakes in the sandal world.”

Brad Gruber, national sales manager at Rider USA, also believes “comfort above all” is what consumers look for in a sandal, and that Riders new Dry Eco Foam “is leading the evolution of foams coming to the market.” While remaining 100 percent recyclable, the foam is both non-porous and water resistant. The perpetually dry foot-bed raises comfort levels and reduces the chance of fungal growth.

“Dry Eco Foam also offers cushioned insoles and longer cushion memory, creating fanRider USA Smoothie II (top), Monza (middle), The Next (bottom) tastic feeling sandals and unwavering support,” said Gruber.

“We tested the foam in several of our sandals in 2014 and the results were impressive. For 2015, Dry Eco Foam will be included in every sandal in our line.”

For Spring 2015, the Brazilian-based company’s lineup includes the Smoothie II, $25, which is designed to compliment the arch of the foot. The Flexpand sole and Dry Eco Foam cushioning technology combine to make it a versatile, stable sandal. Adding flair are the dual colored outsoles and gradient upper straps available in a range of vibrant colors.

Inspired by vintage auto and motorcycle racing trends, the Monza, $32, features a two-toned racing stripe across its exclusive Dry Eco Foam insole. The Flexpand Sole wraps around the upper portion to hug your foot for a high performance feel.

The Next, $40, features an orange upper, a waterproof material that also supports durability, and unique 3D printed insole features comfort arch accents with stitched detailing. Said Gruber, “The brilliant blue woven nylon lining has been added for comfort under the straps, on the top of the foot and between the toes.”

From Cushe for Spring 2015 comes the Radiance and Glimmer, $90, and the Coquira, $80, for women. Said Alyssa Ruedisueli, associate marketing manager for Cushe, “These three styles feature Cushe Mellow Comfort, a super spongy PU footbed Cushe Glimmer (top) and with arch support that forms Coquira (bottom) to your foot and is supportive in all the right places. Cushe Mellow brings the vibe of the beach under your feet closer than it has ever been.”

Ruedisueli said Cushe’s team believes minimal and clean design profiles that incorporate color pop are giving this category a spark. She added, “Utilizing premium materials that mix different textures and colors in a seamless and fresh way.”

For Spring 2015, Cudas expands its water sandals range for women to include the Yancey, $60, and the minimal ShastA, $25, as well as the men’s Lanier, $60. On the flip side, Cudas is offering the Jackson, $32, for men and the Juniper, $30, for women. The lineup will continue to feature its signature, thick cushioned anatomic footbeds, heel cups and arch supports for stability and thin lace toe-pieces that won’t create blisters between toes.

“Our consumers appreciate the Cudas’ flexible, grippy sole, as seen in the Shasta or Yancey, that helps keep them connected to their SUP so they can go from kneeling to

standing seamlessly,” said Jenny Howren, brand director, Cudas. “Our consumers also benefit from our shoes offering plenty of toe and heel protection for canoeing or kayaking.”

Also drawing praise is Cudas’ vent system that moves water out of the shoe quickly.

Howren noted that consumers “rave about our ‘no break in time’ - we build styles (like the men’s Jackson and the women’s Juniper) with day- one comfort as a priority.”

From an aesthetics viewpoint, Cudas has seen its female consumer move away “from embellished, fussy sandals to a clean-lined Juniper with just a flash of color,” said Howren. She added, “Our new styles, as well as our enduring favorites, are designed for versatility that look great with sundresses or with shorts, season after season.”

Oofos is one of the pioneers in aftersport footwear. Said Duncan Finigan, VP of marketing, “The awareness of recovery footwear has been a growing trend over the past three seasons and we expect that as more athletes and fitness enthusiasts rely on recovery footwear as part of their workout routine, recovery footwear will become a must have in everyone's closet.”

Oofos is made with proprietary foam, called OOfoam, which absorbs 37 percent more than EVA. Because of this, almost 40 percent less of your body impact is going back up through your body. To many, a big part of its appeal is that Oofos is “180 degrees from most sandal companies that offer a flat, compact EVA slab.”

Oofos OOriginal Thong

From top to bottom: Cudas Yancey, ShastA, Lanier, Jackson and Juniper

For Spring 2015, Oofos will further update its OOriginal Thong, $40, and Ooahh Slide, $40, with an expanded range of colors.

While tones are expected to soften, the brand sees more demand for bright, summer colors for women while navy is working as an alternative for men. Said Finigan, “One of our biggest requests is for more styles so people can wear Oofos with all of their outfits, all day long and into the evening.” ■

SPORTSONESOURCE.COM

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TRADE ASSOCIATIONS | BUYING GROUPS

CALENDAR For full year calendar go to sportsonesource.com/eventsa

Athletic Dealers of America 1395 Highland Avenue Melbourne, FL 32935 t 321.254.0091 f 321.242.7419 athleticdealersofamerica.com National Shooting Sports Foundation Flintlock Ridge Office Center 11 Mile Hill Road Newtown, CT 06470 t 203.426.1320 f. 203.426.1087 nssf.org National Sporting Goods Association 1601 Feehanville Drive / Suite 300 Mount Prospect, IL 60056 t 847.296.6742 f 847.391.9827 nsga.org Nation’s Best Sports 4216 Hahn Blvd.

Ft. Worth, TX 76117 t 817.788.0034 f 817.788.8542 nbs.com Outdoor Industry Association 4909 Pearl East Circle / Suite 300 Boulder, CO 80301 t 303.444.3353 f 303.444.3284 outdoorindustry.org Sports & Fitness Industry Association 8505 Fenton St., Suite 211 Silver Spring, MD 20910 t 301.495.6321 f 301.495.6322 sfia.org

Photo courtesy Outdoor Retailer

JULY

SEPTEMBER

8-11 NBS Summer Market Austin, TX

3-8

NBS Fall Semi - Annual Market Fort Worth, TX

10-13 European Outdoor Trade Fair

Friedrichshafen, Germany

4-6

Imprinted Sportswear Show (ISS) Orlando, FL

15-17 ASI Chicago

Chicago, IL

10-12

Interbike International Trade Expo Las Vegas, NV

18-20 A.D.A. Spring Show

Reno, NV

16-17

SFIA Industry Leaders Summit Chicago, IL

AUGUST

OCTOBER

6-9

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Salt Lake City, UT

7-9 OIA Rendezvous Asheville, NC

14-16

Sports Inc. Outdoor Show Nashville, TN

NOVEMBER

24 Tennis Industry Association The Tennis Show

New York, NY

3-5

NBS Fall Athletic Market Ft. Worth, TX

15-16 A.D.A. Fall Show Palm Springs, CA 23-25

38 JULY 2014

Sports, Inc. Fall Team Dealer Show Las Vegas, NV

Snow Sports Industries America 8377-B Greensboro Drive McLean, VA 22102 t 703.556.9020 f 703.821.8276 snowsports.org Sports, Inc. 333 2nd Avenue North Lewistown, MT 59457 t 406.538.3496 f 406.538.2801 sportsinc.com Sports Specialists Ltd. 590 Fishers Station Drive / Suite 110 Victor, NY 14564 t 585.742.1010 f 585.742.2645 sportsspecialistsltd.com Team Athletic Goods 629 Cepi Drive Chesterfield, MO 63005 t 636.530.3710 f 636.530.3711 tag1.com Tennis Industry Association 1 Corpus Christi Place, Suite 117 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 t. 843.686.3036 f. 843.686.3078 tennisIndustry.org Worldwide 8211 South 194th Kent, WA 98032 t 253.872.8746 f 253.872.7603 wdi-wdi.com

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39

I AM... SGB

Brent Hollowell, VP of Marketing at Nathan Sports, with son Garrett and daughter Tyler after a trail run.

Brent Hollowell VP Marketing, Nathan Sports Assuming you are a running enthusiast, what first drove you to become one? Growing up in a military family, we tended to live in warmer climates where sports were played yearround - and I played them all. It wasn’t until my senior year when our track coach needed somebody to run the two-mile that I finally experienced “running” in the truest sense. And I hated it! It was by far the hardest sports I’d participated in to that point, but in the end it was also the most gratifying thing I’d ever done. In a foot race, you are out on that starting line, and the outcome is all about what you bring to the track on a given day. It gave me more confidence to tackle difficult obstacles in life.

How did you get started in the industry? My first job after college was working for Foot Locker. After managing my own store in Dallas, I moved to the New York office for a merchandiser position. It was after moving into the sports marketing department that I learned how to create programs that successfully connect brands and retailers to the end-users. Two years later, I became VP of global marketing and having that strong core of both in-store and buying experience really informed my approach as to what marketing’s true role should be within a successful organization.

What do you like about working in the running industry? From the days at Foot Locker when we built events like the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, to heading up marketing at Adidas in the mid-90s, where so much of our growth came from what we were doing in running, this category has always resonated most in my heart and mind. There’s something very powerful about the way runners connect to the products and brands in this space. Almost anyone can run, anywhere, at any time – and the venue is just outside your front door.

What makes you excited about working at Nathan? We’re focused on one thing - how to help runners have their best run. Hydration and safety solutions should not be afterthoughts to a runner or a running store. These things are as essential to a successful and enjoyable run as shoes, socks or a sports bra. In fact, how useful is any of your running gear if you aren’t properly hydrated and cramp up - or you’re not being seen out on the roads and are hit by a car? We’re helping bring much-needed attention to these realities and are rapidly changing long-held beliefs and behaviors.

40 JULY 2014

What’s new for 2014? I’m probably most excited about our “Drive for 5” initiative with our run specialty partners. This effort is focused on creating awareness and tools for retailers to help them double their hydration conversion rates by incorporating hydration into their fitting process. Combined with our “What’s Your Hydration Plan?” campaign and our “H2O Pro” program, we really have the opportunity to help retailers grow these categories and provide runners with a transformational experience both in-store and on their run.

Do you have a hobby your industry friends may be surprised to know about you? I get geeked up about almost anything to do with science.

What’s the key to marketing (or branding) in the run space that’s notably different than other industries? First, runners are fairly open to poking fun at themselves and their rituals. We did a campaign at Adidas in the mid-90s, “Runners, yeah we’re different,” that showed everything from guys taping their nipples, to blowing snot rockets, and everything in between.

That gritty, authentic, and fun sensibility still sums it up for me. Second, even the biggest-name professional runners are typically quite down-to-earth. In my experience working with pros from virtually every sport, runners are among the very few that I’ve never heard refer to themselves in the third-person. As a marketer, you can work with that. Third, running is a great metaphor for so many things in life and we should celebrate that as an industry – not just slog through our product features and benefits.

Favorite motto? “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

- Albert Einstein

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