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"The outlook for the cat- egory remains strong as consumers will continue staying active, no doubt. The biggest challenge for the category remains knowing where the consumer will be shopping. We prioritize and encourage consumers to shop at their local running specialty dealer. But at the end of the day, a brand must make sure they give the consumer access to their products on the channels in which they want to shop." Jim Monahan USA President, 361 "Being able to predict 2021 would be as challenging as predicting what happened to the world in 2020. However, as an industry, we need to focus on what we can positively affect and the incredible benefits of the transformative power of running. More people have come to running this year for stress relief and health and wellness, but runners miss the gathering of their communities. My hope is that we take all the hard lessons we have learned in 2020 around COVID- 19 and racial injustice and continue to make a positive impact by ensuring inclusivity and bringing runners together in a safe community environment." Todd Dalhausser President, Altra "2020 has been a year when many people found em- powerment in getting outside and moving; the running shoe category will continue to develop and be driven by consumers' desire for health and fitness in 2021 and beyond. Given that, Hoka has an opportunity to continue delivering a unique experience to consumers at all access points. Our one-of-a-kind Hoka cushion and ride will see its latest iteration with the updated Carbon X 2, launching this January. It delivers an unprecedented combination of our lightest cushioning to date and a propulsive carbon fiber plate; together this is designed to give our consumers a soft, responsive and inherently stable ride. In short, by continuing to lead with a bold and unex- pected approach, we think we will be able to provide consumers — many returning, but many more new — a unique and empowering running experience." Gretchen Weimer Global Vice President of Product, Hoka One One The Noosa Tri 13 from Asics, launching in March, is an eye-catching $130 shoe with triathlon-specific design details. It also features the brand's GUIDESOLE technology for a snappy, fast and stable ride. The $180 Carbon X 2 from Hoka One One is designed as a fast, endurance racer that can be used for training and racing alike. It has a responsive, carbon fiber plate and an aggressive Meta-Rocker. The 361-FLAME, set to launch in Q1 of 2021, is a Carbon plate shoe that is race ready and lightweight at 7.4 ounces. The $160 style fea- tures 361's QU!KFLAME foam with carbon fiber technology, aiming to allow for faster, longer runs for the wearer. Altra's Lone Peak 5 updates the brand's popular trail shoe model with the brand's EGO midsole for more cushioning and durability. The Lone Peak 5's stone guard has also been updated to reduce weight while maintaining protectivity. OUTLOOK 2021 26 • November 2020 sportstyle • sportstylemag.com

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