Outdoor Insight

34 • Outdoor Insight • November 2018 outdoorinsightmag.com ONE FOR ALL The idea of wear-anywhere shoes has dominated the outdoor conversation for the past several years, but outdoor brands say the appetite for versatile, do-everything styles shows no sign of abating and continues to be a key way to reach new (and yes, younger) customers. For German brand Lowa, the All-Terrain Sport family of light- weight boots and shoes has been critical in the North American market, according to GM Peter Sachs. "These multi-purpose, athletically inspired outdoor shoes are certainly where there is a lot of opportunity — especially with a younger customer than we traditionally enjoy," he says. At Forsake, versatility has always been a priority for the brand's already-young consumer. But for 2019, it is looking to do even more, according to Sam Barstow, co-founder and COO. The brand is adding the women's Track style for Fall, a complement to the men's Phil family that Barstow describes as a "casual collection of styles that are at home in the city and workplace." Bill Dodge, CEO of Garmont North America, says versatile, travel-friendly product has been an important category for the brand. But it's not always given the respect it warrants, he adds. "Lifestyle is a term and category [that] lot of people think of as casual, but that's not the case, I think. What we think about in lifestyle is following the actual lifestyle of an outdoor consumer. It is less about a specific trip, and more about adventures — everyday adventures and longer adventures." Garmont's fall Tiya style, named after the UNESCO World Heritage Center in Ethiopia, was designed to work for the person going to visit the site, Dodge said. The midcut leather shoe is available in both Gore-Tex and non-waterproof versions, and is for women only. "People who go to the site aren't just going to hike, they're going to explore and understand natural history and world history and that's the type of travel we see customers taking today," he says. "It's different than just backpacking and it's one of the reasons we think lifestyle is growing so well. It's a functional product, it has a nice style to it and you can use it in fairly rugged terrain. And it's a good shoe for the airplane and going to work as well," he adds. Consumers are still hungry for do-everything footwear styles. 1. Forsake Phil Chukka, MSRP $129.95. 2. Adidas Terrex Skychaser II Mid GTX, MSRP $225. 3. Vasque Talus AT Low, MSRP $140. 4. Garmont Tiya GTX, MSRP $190. 1 4 "Multi-purpose, athletically inspired outdoor shoes are certainly where there is a lot of opportunity." PETER SACHS, LOWA 2 3 FOOTWEAR T R E N D S

• Cover