Footwear Insight

and cushioning with support, not be overly restrictive and easy to get on and off." Kelsey Jayne, footwear design director, Dansko "It comes as no surprise that recovery shoes are broadening out and expanding at a rapid pace. Recovery footwear gives the wearer much needed relief through support, shock absorption, and energy return. e shoes can be used for running errands, aer a long serving shi, traveling, or aer chasing your kids all day. Recovery is also oen worked towards aer an injury (when it is already too late)." Aaron Azzarito, president, Telic "Recovery is an important category of footwear, and athletes at every level have their own version of what recovery means to them. Skechers is e Comfort Technology Company, so recovery footwear is a natural component in our lineup." Greg Smith: VP of product development and merchandise, Skechers Performance "We started with the OOriginal and as it gained in popularity, consumers asked us for more styles that they could wear year-round, for example, winter boots, clogs and closed toe shoes. e OOFOS consumer is a mindset, not a specific demographic. ey are consistently active through fitness, exercise and activities that keep them on their feet - whether that be workouts, long workdays or extended periods on their feet." Steve Gallo, president, OOFOS "Trends like running super shoes and the overall rise of the performance category have led to an emphasis on recovery products at a high level. is has trickled down to more people getting exposure to recovery footwear. Recovery shoes tell a comfort story. Because of our brand's roots in the biomechanical comfort, it makes for a perfect combination of comfort technologies that can be applied to our recovery footwear." Taylor Leaf, senior footwear designer, Vionic Group "For some people, a recovery shoe's support and breathability might be crucial; for another it's soness; for another it's a design that blends with their lifestyle. You don't have to be a marathoner or ultrarunner to benefit immensely from compression. In the same way, you don't have to be an ultra-athlete to also use and appreciate a recovery shoe!" Sarah Humphries, director of marketing, Zensah "We're seeing that having a comfort option to either change into or simply live in all day is creating a 365-recovery environment. HOKA makes products for pro runners and first milers, ultra-marathoners and mountain roamers, neighborhood walkers and even wild trail runners, that lets moving go beyond performance. Our recovery models are built with the principles of maximal cushion and minimal weight." Colin Ingram, senior director of product, HOKA "Consumer awareness of foot health and its importance to one's overall well-being has led to significant growth in this category. I think a lot of brands are finally realizing that people need recovery shoes they can count on in any situation; life doesn't have to slow down just because you don't have the right shoes. Helping offload bottom pressure and keeping the foot in alignment is critical to recovery." Dan Werremeyer, CEO, Instride Shoes (Xelero) "The overall idea of recovery is not just immediately aer your activity, it is an all-day concept. Consumers want options beyond a slide and flip to wear so they can 'recover' and do everyday activities at the same time. We are introducing a recovery shoe closed toe version in SS23. To properly heal, your feet need not only great cushioning and stability, but also great underfoot arch support and flexibility in the forefoot to allow your tendons to stretch and relax." Tim Bartels, CEO, Velous Footwear RED HOT RECOVERY HOKA/ORA RECOVERY SLIDE While HOKA is rooted in performance, a balanced product portfolio is the brand's long-term strategic goal. Products like the Ora Recovery Slide are designed with cushioned HOKA foam midsoles for premium comfort, meta-rocker geometry complements the natural gait cycle and reduces the height differential between heel and toe, partnered within an Active Foot Frame to capture a tired foot for ultimate recovery. MSRP $55. 32 • Footwear Insight ~ September/October 2022 footwearinsight.com

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