Footwear Insight

24 • Footwear Insight ~ January/February 2021 footwearinsight.com Reebok Work / Women's Trailgrip Work Dialing in on the trend of lightweight boots for all- weather environments that fit more like a casual hiker, this work style also has a MicroWeb lacing system for lateral stability and a MemoryTech Massage footbed. And it has an alloy toe and CushGuard internal metatarsal guard. Available January 2021. MSRP $137. Skechers Work / Argum-Alcova A soft lining, waterproof seam-sealed design and padded collar make this lace up casual comfort steel toe work ankle height boot comfortable and protective. The Argum-Alcova features an Electrical Hazard Safe design and Skechers Air-Cooled Memory Foam footbed. A translucent outsole provides a unique, stylish look. Available Now. MSRP $114. Rocky Boots / Rocky XRB Smart fabrics continue to trend, whether for cooling or warming, as well as for antimicrobial effects. The Rocky XRRB employs Dri-Blaze thermal insulation, an 800-1000 gram equivalent, for moisture management. This waterproof boot also features a Vibram outsole. Available Fall '21. MSRP $180. category grows, we are seeing a demand for different styles of workwear — similar to the lifestyle category. For customers, function and safety come first, but a close second is style. We've seen the division between work and life grow increasingly blurred, and consumers now expect pairs that can be worn on and off the job site." Soyala Breen, Senior Director, Footwear Merchandising, Work, Ariat "I see continued growth in the boot category. Solo sports, continued social distancing and people reconnecting with the outdoors." Marty Meade, Director of Sales and Marketing, Bearpaw "Consumers are looking for a lightweight boot that is comfortable and durable." Bianca Boettcher, Marketing Manager, Thorogood "Throughout the pandemic, our work and work boot categories have been strong and continue to grow stronger. We're seeing trends in casual and outdoor boots, but without the focus on performance as we did before. Comfort is becoming an important feature in the boot category. Distribution channels will be very important in 2021. We strongly believe brick and mortar stores will make a comeback, specifically specialty stores like the work and outdoor categories. The customer is looking for expertise, someone who can provide specific answers and personal service." Prasad Reddy, CEO, Twisted X "We see the continuation of multi-functional, multi-occasion wearable products combined with comfort and value. Specifically, in the outdoor industry, we are seeing more and more customers exploring the great outdoors – some technical, true hikers and explorers; but mainly families and weekend warriors spending more time outside due to the pandemic, for exercise, safe social distanced socializing and simply to mentally recharge or decompress during this difficult year." Brandy McCarty, CMO / SVP Global Brand Strategy, The Eastman Group "The work and outdoor categories are converging to feature the best innovations from both product segments. Consumers are purchasing multi-purpose boots that can be utilized in several of their daily tasks, including safety requirements for the job and all-purpose use for lifestyle needs. Traditional work boot silhouettes now feature many prominent details from outdoor, including aggressive tread designs, high-performance midsoles and footbed technologies to ensure all day comfort." Matt Tucker, VP and Brand General Manager, Georgia Boot "Athletic inspired. Work brands are realizing there is a large portion of consumers that have never worn a boot and look at them as being heavy and uncomfortable. Hytest is focused on incorporating materials and technologies from the athletic brands to bring performance, comfort and lighter weight styles to traditional work boots without sacrificing durability." Matt Gould, Product Development Manager, Hytest "We continually ask consumers who purchase our footwear what their number one requirement is for safety footwear. Across all categories, boots included, is the weight of the shoe. We are also seeing a continuing trend toward lightweight boots that are great for the outdoors and all- weather environments, but fit more like a casual lightweight hiker." Brent Jennings, VP of Marketing, Warson Brands "With the advancement of mills being able to produce sustainable or recycled fabrics and materials at lower cost than previous years, suppliers have been more aggressive with those offerings. Since they will be at a comparable price to non-recycled materials, I think brands will follow suit organically. Smart fabrics are continuing to trend, with technology that can cool or warm your foot based on the atmosphere inside the shoe, in addition to offering anti- microbial aspects." Jordan Anderson, Product Development Director, Rocky Boots WHAT'S TRENDING IN 2021 THE BOOT BOOK WORK

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