Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1490822
BOOT BOOK "There seem to be two top trends that consumers are most looking for. One of those is classic styling and materials. They want beautiful leathers and soft materials without a lot of ornamentation. The other trend is a little bit more high fashion. They want to see a lot of detail go into the boot, including things like embroidery and having various color combinations to choose from." Prasad Reddy, CEO, Twisted X "Women on the job want to be seen, acknowledged, and treated fairly. This means having access to safety footwear that fits their bodies and meets their needs. As the worker shortage continues, women are stepping up to fill those positions in all kinds of industries, and Juno Jones will be there with them every step of the way." Emily Soloby, founder, Juno Jones "Most important to today's worker beyond protection is comfort. Comfort goes beyond a good fit and insole; comfort needs to be top-of-mind for each material choice, design, and engineering of our boots." Karen McSorley, brand manager, Kodiak "With industrial footwear, the job often defines the need. We find that people are wanting lightweight and comfort." Don Colbert, president, HOSS Boot Company "We currently see a demand for highly functional, versatile, and durable boots. When it comes to technologies and key features, we see our consumers trending toward styles that feature innovative technology to enhance the performance and comfort of the shoe or boot. For outdoor boots, one of the top trends we're seeing is demand for moisture-wicking and waterproof materials." Lauren King, director of brand marketing, Wolverine "Comfort, quality of materials and functionality are key. We only use the finest ingredients, starting with the most durable, strongest, and premium leathers coming out of our own tanneries. For key ingredients that we cannot produce ourselves in-house, we only partner with best-in-class companies like Gore-Tex for waterproofing, Primaloft for insulation, and Michelin for durable outsole rubber." Felix Zahn, director of merchandising, ECCO "Consumers are continuing to prioritize sustainability in the products that they purchase, which has been part of Kamik's DNA for more than a century. We are also keeping up with aesthetic trends by providing urban styles and trustworthy footwear that can take an individual through their everyday life. Kamik provides the perfect versatile boot for every consumer, designed with top features: waterproof materials, optimal grip, trustworthy insulation and of course, comfort designed for the everyday outdoors." Gillian Meek, CEO, Kamik "Firstly, I think most consumers want their boots to be well designed, built to last, and comfortable for all-day wear. I also believe that a customer wants the versatility of a product that can serve multiple purposes as well as outfits. Something that is durable and rugged yet has a clean silhouette that can withstands the everchanging fashion trends." Michael Martin, national marketing manager, Blundstone "Customers have always wanted durable boots that will last. What's changed is that now they also want those boots to fit and feel like a sneaker. At Forsake, we're designing for this customer by building boots that are lightweight and require little to no break-in without sacrificing durability." Sam Barstow, founder, Forsake "Our loyal Ariat consumers rely heavily on our boots to help them perform in a variety of demanding environments so, while we do keep on top of trends, we focus mainly on solving for a consumer need and draw on their feedback for inspiration. Big Rig is a recent example where we received numerous calls, emails and letters from our loyal customers asking for boots that offer a wider range in foot and calf sizes." Jake Rivas, VP of footwear design, Ariat "Our consumers continue to advocate for lightweight yet durable boots on the jobsite. At the same time, they also are interested in classic and heritage styles that reflect their lifestyles and hobbies and demand top-quality leathers and hardware on their boots." Brent Jennings, VP of marketing, Warson Brands 30 • Footwear Insight ~ January/February 2023 footwearinsight.com Brands weigh in on what consumers want.