TRENDS, PERSPECTIVE & ANALYSIS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025 • A FORMULA4 MEDIA PUBLICATION
Above: Wolverine Rancher Pro Pull-On Composite-Toe Work Boots ft HyperRest.
On the Cover: Juno Jones Men's Classic Goodyear Composite Toe Boot.
THE FOOTWEAR EYE / 8
Analysis, news and insight on top stories across the footwear industry.
MATERIAL INNOVATION / 14
New regulations & tech advancements are driving sustainability efforts.
SOLD ON INSOLES / 16
Brands share insight on essential insoles for 2025.
BUSINESS INSIGHT / 22
Why returning customers are so valuable for retailers and vendors alike.
RETAIL SUCCESS STORIES & WISH LISTS / 26
Gold Medal retailers share what worked in 2024 and what they're wishing for in 2025.
BOOT BOOK / 36
Across the board, shoppers are looking for bang for their bucks in boots this year.
TREND INSIGHT / 46
In our latest survey, consumers share opinions on boot shopping and loyalty programs.
LINES WE LIKE / 50
Four new styles that can keep up with any active lifestyle.
Editorial Director
Cara Griffin
cgriffin@formula4media.com
Senior Editor
Bob McGee
rmcgee@formula4media.com
Contributors
Suzanne Blecher
Alan Miklofsky
Tom Ryan
Emily Walzer
Art Director
Francis Klaess
Digital
Erica DeSimone
Publisher
Jeff Nott
jnott@formula4media.com
516-305-4711
Senior Account Manager
Troy Leonard
352-207-2347
tleonard@formula4media.com
PO Box 23-1318
Great Neck, NY 11023
Footwear Insight
Footwear Insight Business Report Quarterly
runstyle
sportstyle
Team Insight
Team Insight Extra
Textile Insight
Subscriptions: formula4media.com.
One year, $39.00 in the U.S.
Footwear Insight
®
is a registered trademark
of Formula4 Media, LLC. ©2025 All rights
reser ved. The opinions expressed by
authors and contributors to Footwear Insight
are not necessarily those of the editors or
publishers. Footwear Insight is not
responsible for unsolicited manuscripts,
photographs or artwork. Articles
appearing in Footwear Insight may not
be reproduced in whole or in part without
the express permission of the publisher.
Footwear Insight Magazine is published
bi-monthly: Jan/Feb; Mar/Apr; May/Jun;
Jul/Aug; Sep/Oct; and Nov/Dec.
Postmaster: Send address changes to
Footwear Insight, P.O. Box 23-1318
Great Neck, NY 11023
footwearinsight.com
SUBSCRIBE
HERE!
