Footwear Insight

44 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2023 footwearinsight.com also pick up the slack when other footwear fails. A lot of lightweight, minimal footwear feels great on your foot heading out the door in the morning, but they will not deliver that same comfort four, eight, or 10 hours into a shi. Even in the clog category specifically, Sanita clogs are intentionally designed with a snugger, more secure fit than many others: when you are making quick moves in the emergency room or trying to save that tray from toppling, you need ultimate confidence in what you are wearing on your feet." KLOGS: e brand promise is "comfort that outlasts the day." What makes KLOGS unique, says Dieckhaus is that "they feel great right out of the box and will be just as cushioned and supportive the very last time that they are worn." is is thanks to the brand's TRUComfort insole and TRUBase outsole. "ese partners in crime are both made from proprietary polyurethane, ensuring that our comfort never changes," he notes. "Our uppers are all full grain leathers and patents that are easy to wipe clean and our KLOGFit makes our shoes easy to slip on and off." mōshn: For mōshn, it's all about the brand's Dynamic Motion Technology. Shoes from mōshn provide stability when standing and an enhanced toe spring that naturally moves the wearer forward, meaning less energy is used, says Dieckhaus. "Each pair of mōshn distributes weight to the heel, which helps to improve posture, meaning happy back and joints," he explains. Everything underfoot is polyurethane and made to feel great right out of the box and continue to provide the same cushion and support for the entire life of the shoe. SmartKnit uppers on the shoes are machine washable. Alegria: "Our shoes have amazing arch support, which is built into the footbed," notes Gold. "e footbeds are replaceable (which extends the life of the shoe) and most are available in wide widths for a customized fit. Our customers love this feature." Additionally, the bottoms of the shoes not only feature slip-resistant tread, but are also made of durable, long-lasting polyurethane. e new ROK n ROLL outsole on Alegria's Solstyce and Eclips, as well as the outsole on the Duette are rocker bottoms, which create a rolling motion so that the foot does not fully flex and that takes the pressure off the arch and ball of the foot and helps to prevent foot fatigue. For Fall 2023, the Eclips features a new technology called Liquid Shell, which is a membrane barrier between the upper and the lining, and it allows for liquid to roll off. "Athletic looks are huge in healthcare trends, but many athletic shoes are not fluid-resistant and the Eclips is just that," says Gold. Dansko: e brand is known for its proprietary footbeds. "We encourage consumers to take them out and see the difference for themselves," says Bolinger, noting that some footwear styles on the market for healthcare have little or no support. e Peony footbed features the brand's popular Dansko Natural Arch technology (DNA), for added arch support and heel stability. Also, these EVA footbeds include a shock absorbing heel pad and a Propel forepart for energy return. FRANKIE4: Four key differentiators help the Australian brand stand out. 1) Sole Hero Footbeds: Enabling soft support in every FRANKIE4 shoe, the Sole Hero Footbed is designed with the aim to help create better alignment (or movement) in the foot and leg by supporting the heel and arch with so contours. Featuring layers of contoured materials with differing soness, it is designed with the aim to provide shock absorption and to increase comfort under the foot when standing and walking on hard surfaces. 2) Sole Saver Pack: Created because no two feet are the same—narrow, wide, bunioned or not—this helps FRANKIE4 shoes fit every unique foot like a glove. ese complimentary packs include two full-length footbeds, two half- length footbeds, and two forefoot cushions, so each purchaser can piece together their perfectly tailored fit. 3) Backed by health professionals: e brand says its products have had thousands of podiatrists and physical therapists test and provide feedback, to ensure each FRANKIE4 buyer is receiving the best product possible. 4) Slip-resistant: Selected FRANKIE4 styles in the brand's sneaker and workwear range meet the slip-resistance standards of EN-ISO 20347:2012(SRC) and ISO 13287 (SRB). n Left, FRANKIE4 styles like the all-black Nat II sneaker feature soft support, slip-resistance and easy-clean uppers. Right, Sanita's Ramone Clog is on-trend as a front-of-house fashion style for hospitality workers. COMFORT TRENDS

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