Outdoor Insight

outdoorinsightmag.com November 2018 • Outdoor Insight • 33 FOUR FOR THE FLOOR UTILITARIAN CHIC For the most cutting-edge outdoor gear, sure, you can head to the summit. But more and more, brands say you should think about looking on the runway. "When you look at the runways in Paris and New York, there's outdoor there. You see the collision with streetwear as well. There's this really interesting dynamic: kids are being influenced by the runway and the [effect] of celebri- ties and influencers is stronger now than we've ever seen," says Shane Downey, senior product director of footwear for The North Face. "And what's really interesting in the demands of current consumer is that performance is an expectation — but design aesthetic is also an absolute requirement," Downey adds. "Utilitarianism is a strong trend, and we need to be building beautiful products that have a reason for being." Downey says these themes are ones that will be ani- mating The North Face's footwear line for the seasons to come and will be brought to life in different ways across both lifestyle and performance categories. The Spring '19 launch of the brand's EXTS outsole technology, he says, is an initial pairing of that street-ready look with a pinnacle performance tech package. "Urban dwellers are seeking out technology from the outdoor sports market to protect against the elements and, at the same time, the outdoor sports market has turned to urban fashion for design inspiration. The lines between fashion and function continue to blur," says Greg Thomsen, managing director for Adidas Outdoors U.S. What does that look like? "Minimalist styling, matte fab- rication, and fashion colorways are providing consumers that not only functions, but also looks stylish on and off the mountain," he says. Thomsen flags Adidas' Terrex Free Hiker GTX, a water- proof winter-weather version of the shoe that launched for Spring '19, as exemplifying that blend. Waterproof, with a Primeknit upper and Boost cushioning throughout the insole and a Continental rubber outsole, the styles is "ready for all conditions," as Thomsen says. But with a sleek look that calls to mind styles from Adidas' athletic mainstays, the Terrex Free Hike GTX is at home in the city as well as the trail. "Urban dwellers are seeking out technology from the outdoor sports market to protect against the elements and, at the same time, the outdoor sports market has turned to urban fashion for design inspiration." GREG THOMSEN, ADIDAS OUTDOOR BRANDS TALK TRENDS FOR THE SHOW SEASON. BY JENNIFER ERNST BEAUDRY Street-ready style merges with performance tech. 1. Adidas Terrex Free Hiker GTX, MSRP $250. 2. Chaco Fields Chelsea WP, MSRP $175. 3. Danner Arctic 600, MSRP $220. 4. Tecnica Forge Winter, featuring Custom Adaptive Shape technology. H eading into the first-of-its kind November Outdoor Retailer (and the immediately preceding Grassroots Connect show), there's more than the average share of questions being asked — and at Outdoor Insight we worried that in the confusion (who's going where? And when?) it would be difficult to get a read on the most compelling trends and biggest stories of the fall season. But we needn't have worried. As it turns out, brands formulating their plans for the 2019 show season are priming the market with fashion-forward, super-versatile products that fit seamlessly into the consumer's day to day. Here, outdoor brands tell Outdoor Insight what they expect to animate the market for Fall '19.

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