Footwear Insight

OUTSIDE THE LINES A $180 all terrain running shoe, the women's Fuseknit offers comfort, durability and protec- tion for rough off-road surfaces. Like Cra's other performance products, it was developed "with all aspects of the Nordic elements in mind." It has a fully engineered knit upper with a waterproof and insulating membrane inside. e lightweight Ar Foam midsole is responsive and flexible. A lightweight hiking style featuring a knit upper and a cushioned, responsive midsole, the Maverick, made par- tially with recycled materials, comes from new brand HOLO, which is already gaining traction at retail. Portland, OR-based HOLO was launched by veteran footwear designer Rommel Vega, who has worked for the likes of Merrell, Keen, Columbia, Puma, DC, and Converse. HOLO aims to merge sustainable materials, accessi- ble price points and modern outdoor-inspired designs into its products. Look for sandals from the brand next. is sustainable road running shoe is made with a biodegradable breathable knit upper and sock liner. And its FeelTrue sole has a biodegradable rubber and tire-inspired tread. Rounding out the green story, recycled materials make up the webbing, laces, and mesh lining. Known for its barefoot-inspired designs, Xero's Zelen is indeed a zero-drop running shoe, with a wider toe box and adjustable tension straps for support and stability. Built to perform on trails and obstacle course races, the $150 Spark is a standout from the Finland- based brand VJ Shoes, which has its U.S. HQ in Portland, OR. The shoe is flexible, grippy and super lightweight, making it feel like an extension of the foot. It has an EVA midsole and uber-grippy butyl rubber, along with a breath- able mesh nylon upper and a wider toe box. LINES WE LIKE On the road, on the trail and beyond, these performance styles add some spice to the outdoor and running space. CRAFT • NORDIC FUSEKNIT MID VJ SHOES • SPARK HOLO • MAVERICK XERO • ZELEN 42 • Footwear Insight ~ January / February 2022 footwearinsight.com

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