Footwear Insight

52 • Footwear Insight ~ July/August 2019 footwearinsight.com categories now. You can do aerobics, cross- training and running in the SolsticeXT, yet it is stylish enough for errands without looking like a 'gym' shoe," says senior designer Steven Shorten. "People don't want to be 'lifters' or 'runners', they do it all," adds founder Brian Beckstead. Key Performance Features: The SolsticeXT, which launches in November, combines Altra's foot-shaped last and balanced cushioning with a new supportive liquid rubber foot cage. The flexible full-rubber outsole allows the shoe to firmly grip surfaces, but is flexible enough for effortless runs. Magic Price Point: $110 Ryka Do-Everything Shoe: Ryka's focus for 2020 is creating shoes that serve a variety of the con- sumer's daily activities, according to product manager Erin VanTrease. For spring, the Devotion XT has "amazing cushioning and an interior attach support system, great for classes combining high impact activi- ties with lateral movements. From studio dance workouts to weight training or just wearing out, this shoe delivers," she says. Key Performance Features: Devotion XT features a pivot point in Re-Zorb material for easy transi- tions and increased forefoot flexibility. Magic Price Point: $80 On Running Do-Everything Shoe: "The Cloud X is the lightest fully cushioned running shoe in the world for consumers who are looking for both runnabil- ity and lateral stability," says ON founder David Allemann. Key Performance Features: The outsole is made to move in all directions, and its proprietary Zero-Gravity foam keeps the shoe lightweight while still providing cushion and support. A lean, engineered heel cap keeps the heel secure and foot stable (critical for cross-training), and a patented midsole Speedboard TPU plate helps propel the runner into forward motion. And according to Allemann, the Cloud X's seamless shoe tongue and "sleek, stripped-down design" give it an "unmissable" look. Magic Price Point: $140. Athletic Propulsion Labs Do-Everything Shoe: "All of our products are designed with function first and foremost, but the Techloom Breeze is for everything your day entails," says APL co-founder Adam Goldston. "We create shoes where you can change your clothes throughout the day but keep your footwear the same whether you're running a marathon or run- ning a meeting," adds co-founder Ryan Goldston. Key Performance Features: APL's proprietary Propelium midsole/outsole degrades at a slower rate than traditional EVA. The stretch rebound Techloom upper has full 360 degree stretch with full support and instant recovery. The shoes are machine washable. Magic Price Point: $200 inov-8 Do-Everything Shoe: The brand's $140 F-LITE 260 Knit style is "stable enough for plyometrics and squats, but also flexible and cushioned for short bursts of cardio," according to Al St. Jean, U.S. sales and marketing director. Key Performance Features: The brand's META- FLEX technology moves with the foot creating a natural, stable platform for lifts, and the 360- degree ROPE-TEC upper tech delivers traction and durability on rope climbs. Magic Price Point: "Considering the physical demands of these workouts, the $120-$150 range is ideal," St. Jean says. l Altra SolsticeXT Do-It-All-Stars APL Techloom Breeze inov-8 F Lite 260 G Grip Ryka Devotion XT 2 On Cloud X Brooks Ricochet Saucony Freedom 3 ASICS GT-2000 7 Hoka One One Wool Hupana Flow ATHLETIC

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