Footwear Insight

"At VELOUS, we engineer for athletes of all levels, from professional to weekend warrior. e most significant change in the direction is the inclusion of full shoe styles, in addition to existing slides and flips." – Tim Bartels, CEO, VELOUS "We have modified our mission as it relates to recovery to take aim at reinjury prevention. We're offering products that treat common injuries, while also helping to ensure that injuries impacting the training cycle do not continue to happen. e PowerStep Dynamic Ankle Support Sock combines three braces into one while maintaining a slim profile that can fit in just able any athletic shoe." – Jay Cain, director of B2B marketing, Foundation Wellness "e recovery category has enhanced people's awareness around the importance of good, supportive footwear. Post workout, or post all-day on your feet, a shoe that cushions the foot for comfort and supports the heel and arches is crucial. All of our shoes feature our TRUComfort insole, which has the cushion and support needed post workout." – Matt Dieckhaus, VP of sales and marketing, Latitudes Inc. "For any recovery shoe to be successful, it needs to be comfortable and leave the athlete feeling better afterward. Recently, there has been continued demand for more stylish recovery options from customers who want to wear their recovery footwear in the workplace or out to meet friends. Brands have responded by introducing new materials, styles, and colors into products." – Russ Stevens, product manager, Topo Athletic "The issue with this hot topic is, how is recovery defined? At Xelero, we define recovery as a balance of support, stability, and just the right amount of cushioning that working in conjunction to help recovery after running, and overcoming overuse injuries. e technology of Xelero TRU sandal sets us apart from all the rest." – Mike Arce, national sales manager, Xelero "e foundation of the recovery category hasn't changed so much as the amount of education and overall awareness of recovery footwear has increased. is year we'll be introducing two products that straddle the fence of open/closed-toe product and fit the rising demand for a modern mule. Many of our consumers who first experienced OOFOS with our sandals and slides are coming back for newer styles, so they can implement Active Recovery into all aspects of their lives. – Darren Brown, head of marketing, OOFOS "e recovery category has shied to cater to everyday athletes by emphasizing accessibility, affordability, and ease of use in recovery products. Brands have recognized the need to democratize recovery, making it more inclusive and relevant to the average consumer's lifestyle." – Mark Paigen, founder, Tread Labs 34 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2024 footwearinsight.com RECOVERY FOR ALL How has the recovery category adapted to everyday athletes? VELOUS/Active Flip Spring 2024 marks the launch of the Active Collection for VELOUS, which features a flip and slide. Both styles feature Tri- Motion Technology, which breaks down foot strike motion into three basic elements and provides a specific recovery solution for each part of the step, from stable cushioning and optimal arch support, to great forefoot flexibility. MSRP $59.95. Powerstep/Dynamic Ankle Stability Sock No, it's not a shoe. But it is built for recovery. e Dynamic Ankle Stability Sock works as a system – elevating both the shoe and the brace. It is sleek enough to feel normal/natural inside the shoe, not affecting gait or healthy movement. e cage's slight tack helps it to grip the inside of the shoe, allowing DASS and the shoe to move and work as one, enhancing the benefits of one another. e DASS can also be worn without shoes (around the house). MSRP $35.

• Cover