Footwear Insight

42 • Footwear Insight ~ January/February 2018 footwearinsight.com BEARPAW Marina / $89.99 Outdoor How it looks: Sporty and lightweight, the 6-inch quilted waterproof boot features a muted multicolor nylon/ leather upper. Its upper collar is trimmed with faux fur. How it works: It keeps feet warm, dry and comfortably in style with a full waterproof bootie, a wool- blend lining, a comfort-cushioned sheepskin footbed and a molded thermoplastic rubber outsole that's durable and high-traction. What's Trending Denise LeMons, Senior Designer "Dominating footwear and acces- sories is the maximalist approach: sumptuous fabrics, rich color and deliberate, sometimes over-the-top embellishments are key features in Fall 2018 footwear. Velvet is promi- nent and feels new — it injects a luxurious look into casual silhou- ettes. The Marina was inspired by activewear. It has subtle pops of color and a quilt pattern in graphic shapes to provide a contemporary, feminine aesthetic that coordinates well with active outdoor apparel." Cougar Viper / $150 Outdoor How it looks: The fashionable sneaker-influenced women's winter style, which steps out of the closet even when there's no snow on the ground, comes with a faux-fur collar equally appropriate for wear with a skirt or ski suit. Lightweight, it comes in two-tone colorways as well as an all-black version. How it works: Waterproof and temperature-rated to minus 22 degrees, it features a molded base, nylon shaft, polar plush lining, memory-molded insole and an anti- slip outsole. What's Trending Steve Sedlbauer, President & Owner "We feel the customer is needing a reason to buy and looking for alter- native styling and innovation in fashion casual boots. Our range for Fall/Winter '17 resonated with the influential retailers in the market and broadened our reach to more sport lifestyle accounts that recog- nized this need and wanted to offer their customers something fresh. For Fall '18, we expanded our col- lections in a 'weather or not' focus, eliminating the risk of the winter category and extending the wear- ability over three seasons." Khombu Men's Cranmore / $65.99 Outdoor How it looks: Stylishly sleek, the Cranmore is a short waterproof commuter boot that works in foul weather as well as the office. How it works: A temperature-reg- ulated thermolite lining keeps feet warm in cold weather yet cools and adjusts to interior temperatures. Its rugged rubber traction outsole is made for slippery and wet terrain and an inside zip closure gives a good fit. What's Trending Brandy McCarty, Chief Marketing Officer "This boot speaks to the trend of outdoor boots becoming more sophisticated and able to easily translate to an office or night-out setting. It's commuter comfort with- out sacrificing style." Kodiak Marcia Arctic Grip / $189.99 Outdoor (Winter & Cold, Wet Weather) How it looks: Available in blue, black and gray, the boot has a full-grain leather upper and a felted- wool padded collar with an inside zipper. How it works: Made to thwart temperatures down to minus 22 degrees, its Salt Shield leather repels salt stains without damaging, discoloring or swelling the leather. An exclusive Vibram Arctic Grip outsole provides traction, and Repel X waterproof materials and a waterproof bootie keep feet dry. It has 200-gram Thinsulate insulation; a lightweight and breathable needle-punched wool/polyester lining; a removable contoured insole lined with a needlepunched wool/polyester top cloth perforated for enhanced temperature control; and a durable ABS heel. What's Trending Karen McSorley, Brand Manager "One of the biggest trends in our category is in slip resistance. The Marcia Arctic Grip boot features the exclusive Vibram Arctic Grip outsole, engineered to perform on wet ice while offering a clean, crisp design." Merrell Thermo Rogue 8-Inch Gore-Tex / $230 Outdoor/Hiking How it looks: The athletic two-season hybrid hiker is stripped- down sleek and light on its feet, ready for winter adventures. How it works: A Vibram Arctic Grip Dura outsole, with a color-changing lug that responds to adverse weather, combines a durable wet- ice grip compound with maximized lug geometry for stability on ice, snow, slush and everything in between. It has targeted PrimaLoft Aerogel Gold Insulation for ultra- lightweight warmth where it's needed most — there's an Aerogel footbed and an Aerogel toe cap. What's Trending Steve Workman, Vice President of Hike "Merrell's FW18 collection is our most able and adaptable launch yet. These shoes feature exclusive technology to help you go the distance, even in winter, to make your trail runs, mountain hikes and treks through the snow longer, faster and more enjoyable. The Thermo Rogue boot is a perfect example of this. Offering ultra-lightweight warmth, but adaptable for multiple seasons, the boot provides unparalleled protection even in extreme weather conditions, without slowing down your hikes." BOOT B OO K OUTDOOR It comes out of the closet for all occasions • Whether it's a souped-up all-terrain hiker, a 24/7 worker or a winter weather warrior, the 2018 outdoor boot is a cross dresser that's a good fit for a variety of wearable categories. Light in weight and heavy on looks, it has the agility of a sneaker and the fashion sense of a casual shoe that works well during the week as well as the weekend.

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