Footwear Insight

EREM XEROCOLE ALL-WEATHER, $189.99 Xerocole has become an all-weather option for 2023, offering breathability, rugged comfort, water-resistant leather upper, a full leather lining for comfort/temperature regulation and a hand- stitched construction that enables reparability and long-term durability. e lug pattern and natural bio rubber compound provide traction on wet/ loose terrain, while a plant-based PU insole provides comfort. "Our products come with a guaranteed responsible end of life option, which is a first for category. We have products that are biocircular, which means that they are made from materials and constructions that have a proven path back to nature and can be re-streamed into responsible next lives." — Noah Swartz, founder, Erem ARCOPEDICO PHISIS, $135 e Phisis features a flexible knit upper that stretches for ease (wrapping the foot like a sock) when slipping on and off. Due to the technical characteristics of the yarn (100% recycled polyester) and its construction (double-sided knit with thermoformed resin on the sides near the sole), it has a higher repellency to water drop penetration than a conventional knit shoe. ere is a removeable recycled insole, antiviral sole and the production process is zero waste. "We have always been focused on eco- friendly footwear, but now there is even more emphasis on our 'sustainable future' marketing campaign. We are using recycled materials, and most of our shoes are vegan and biodegradable." — Sydney Simas, VP sales and marketing, Simco Imported Shoes KEEN ZIONIC WP, $190 e Zionic WP is positioned as KEEN's most comfortable, fast and light trail shoe. It boasts a lightweight, high-energy foam midsole for a more cushioned, springy ride plus a lower-profile lug pattern for better ground contact and fluid heel-to-toe movement. Zionic is made for any outside athlete looking to move faster and go farther. "KEEN has been consciously creating products for almost 20 years. Zionic WP features an upper that is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials and an innovative EVA construction that eliminates any solvents from the sole by using only wa- ter-based adhesives and co-molding. e shoe also features PFAS-free water repellency and natural, pesticide-free odor control." — Will Schuh, senior product line manager - performance, KEEN DECKERS X LAB X-SCAPE SNKOUT GTX LOW, $185 e X-SCAPE line is designed with the performance of a running shoe, the look of a classic sneaker and the comfort of a cozy slipper. e upper is a GTX invisible fit construction within a Sorona knit upper supported by Matryx 'wings' to maintain foot position. e midsole is a super critical foam similar to top tier running shoes. "Sustainability starts for each individual by using fewer products in a wide variety of situations, thanks to the quality of the components being used. is is driving all of our designs. The complementary step is to use materials that require fewer fossil fuels (Vibram N-Oil), less water and limited waste (recycled polyester). For online customers, we 'ship in own container' (SIOC) – meaning no more shoe boxes inside cardboard cartons." — Jean-Luc Diard, global VP of innovation, Deckers X Lab VASQUE BREEZE, $159.99 e newest version of the Breeze (a style that first launched in 2004) has been mod- ernized to reflect the needs of today's hiker. e shoe is eco-friendly, lightweight, versa- tile, comfortable, breathable and durable. Recycled content is featured in the collar lining, webbing, upper mesh, heel counter, waterproofing and midsole. "Sustainability is now more of an expec- tation than a trend. As we build product, we continue to look at every aspect, asking how we can make it sustainable and with- out sacrificing fit, comfort and durability. Breeze is our most sustainable boot and we will continue to build on this strategy." — Jessica Sandrin, product line merchant, Vasque Footwear 12 • Footwear Insight ~ November/December 2022 footwearinsight.com Trends ECO-ENCOMPASSING Moving on from eco features and components to a full-on, sustainable mindset. Erem Arcopedico Keen Deckers X Lab Vasque

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