Outdoor Insight

FOOTWEAR V ersatility is the name of the game on the trail. Hikers looking to move up the moun- tain fast have begun trading in hiking boots for lighter weight low-top hikers or faster and lighter trail running shoes. And trail running brands have responded to demands from mountain runners and long distance hikers for lighter, more cushioned styles. And beyond the core users, brands say that consumers in general want lighter footwear that crosses over to multiple activities. All of these trends combined mean more hybrid trail run- ning and light hiking styles making their debut in 2019. "The most important trend impact- ing trail running footwear right now is the idea of maximizing protection for the trail environment but deliv- ering modernized construction and materials," says Shane Downey, The North Face's senior product director– footwear. "The innovations from road running are working their way into the trail experience as the large majority of consumers are realizing they can get out on the trail but don't need the overt features that once defined the category." The Ampezzo from The North Face is designed for the "progressive runner committed to the trails" and it is packed with cushioning, support and traction for a wide range of activities. "The never-ending pursuit of lighter weight products and the idea of doing more with less is an ongoing trend," says Mark Mathews, VP-sales, Scarpa North America. "Products that are designed with multi-purpose functionality are increasingly popular. Versatility is key." Scarpa's new Spin Ultra is designed for moderate to ultra distance runs and offers cushioning in a stable package featuring ample upper protection. It features a Vibram Litebase sole with Megagrip rubber, which sheds weight thanks to a thinner sole base – half a millimeter as opposed to 1.5 mm – while retaining normal-sized lugs. "On our local Bozeman trails we see it all — hikers wearing true hiking footwear, runners that hike in their trail running shoes, walkers in ath- letic shoes, and younger folks using very lightweight running shoes," says Christian Mason, VP-sales and market- ing for Oboz. The brand's new Cirque trail shoe, available in low and mid, combines a hiking chassis underneath with an athletic-inspired upper. Says Mason, "It looks fast, it's modern, it's lighter than traditional hikers, but it's clearly meant to be durable for the trail, with features like side abrasion guards and a rubber toe cap." Seeking to develop a true all-terrain performer, the Vasque product design team combined materials and con- struction to maximize traction, stability, and durability across a wide range of trail conditions for its Spring 2019 Velocity All-Terrain. The shoe is a streamlined trail runner. "The focus for years has been about specialization," says Brian Hall, direc- tor of product development at Vasque. "The trail running shoe may be the perfect all-around outdoor footwear for most people, so a versatile design checks a lot of boxes for those looking to get out on the trail." La Sportiva's new Kaptiva for Spring 2019, meanwhile, is a lightweight mountain running shoe designed for "training, racing or long days" in the mountains. The upper has durable rip- stop nylon inserts that are lightweight and the sole features Frixion XF 2.0 rubber with varied lug depths provid- ing maximum traction. Flex-Grooves in the outsole offer flexibility. "We continue to focus on provid- ing lightweight trail shoes with ample Hard Chargers Trail running and light hiking footwear styles are crossing over more than ever. s /UTDOOR )NSIGHT s *ULY OUTDOORINSIGHTMAGCOM LIGHT & FAST The North Face Ampezzo, MSRP $130. ALTRA LONE PEAK RSM MSRP $150

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