Textile Insight

FOOTWEAR | COMPANY NEWS Shoe Style Outdoor Retailer Show Diary: Footwear's Visual Story. By Jennifer Ernst Beaudry he most obvious footwear trends at summer's Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City weren't grippy compounds, techy new fabrics or midsole innovations (although there were plenty of high-performance features on offer.) With performance a given in the outdoor world, the story for the season ahead was on the things that catch the eye — not as much the things that function for the foot. Bigger-is-better strappy uppers, aggressive colorblocking and more knits than ever are bringing visual appeal to their high-functioning styles. Here, Textile Insight's show floor diary on the styles to watch. Birkenstock puts a new spin on their classic styles including the Gizeh and Madrid. A knit style from Merrell, top, and a fresh look from Saucony, below. Altra flashes a sporty aesthetic, top, and OluKai dresses it up, below. Straptastic As the sport-sandal renaissance has matured and settled in, new variations keep the look fresh and modern — and Chaco's extra-thick webbing on the Mega Z Classic style is a perfect example. Birkenstock, too, went big for a new spin on their classics including the iconic Gizeh and Madrid styles. Contrasting black and grey make the hook-and-loop closure on Topo's Cor training style pop, and Ecco uses contrast stitch- ing and colorful logo pops to put the focus on a multi-strap style. Color Block Party It's no secret that the outdoor and ath- letic footwear markets cross-pollinate; this season, outdoor and run styles are borrowing heavily from athletic's classic retro color-blocked look. Clean, distinct lines and a classic outdoor color palette keep the look right at home on boot styles from Wolverine 1000 Miles and Forsake. A more subtle ombre effect and brighter colors suit fast-looking run styles from Salomon and Saucony. Dream Weave The comfort and sleek looks of knit uppers has meant an explosion of woven— and knit-like meshes — in the outdoor market. Adidas' Parley partnership continues with the Terrex Voyager CC Parley trail style, which showcases the recycled yarn made from reclaimed ocean plastic. Merrell takes advantage of its stretch knit materials sock-like fit on close- to-the-foot trail modes. OluKai puts a dressier spin on knit comfort, and Altra and Keen embrace the sporty look on new spring models. O Bigger-is-better strappy uppers, aggressive colorblocking and more knits than ever are bringing visual appeal to their high-functioning styles. textileinsight.com 26 • Textile Insight ~ September / October 2017

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