Footwear Insight

Oboz Women's Juniper 8-inch Insulated Waterproof / $165 Outdoor How it looks: Designed for Main Street and the mountains, the boot, which is made of waterproof suede leather and a textile, starts with a women's specific last for a sculpted fit. Its low-profile outsole, side zipper, molded heel kick and flat wide laces give it a rugged yet styl- ish look. It comes in two colorways: Cocoa/Cobalt and Eclipse Black/ Beet. How it works: Warm and waterproof, it features a winterized rubber outsole for a cold-weather grip and a wool-topped O FIT thermal insole that keeps heat near the feet. It also has 200 grams of 3M Thinsulate, a knit collar and a polyurethane-coated leather snow and mud guard that wraps the boot. There's a D-ring to attach gaiters. What's Trending Chuck Roth, Design Director "The trend toward lighter and more breathable footwear is a constant, but the trick is achieving that without losing the integrity expected of boots. Although synthetic materials, cushioning technologies and constructions can reach those goals, leather is a very strong market player. In the end, a ton of people simply want a leather boot. There's nothing like leather — how it feels, the way it breaks in and conforms to the foot, its lasting durability and how it can get better with age. "There continues to be a blurring between outdoor and everyday footwear. People want footwear that has both style and function so they can take a hike and then go shopping or walk the dog and then get a beer. Like my daughter reminds me, you still want to look cute even when you're on the trail. Footwear that can blend good looks with performance serves another trend, too — many consumers want to own less and do more with what they have." The Original Muck Boot Company Lineman / $200 Outdoor Casual and Lifestyle How it looks: Handsome and rugged, the work-to-play Lineman has an oiled pull-up leather outer that features a quick-adjust grommet and eyelet lacing for a tailored look. How it works: Made of 100 percent waterproof leather and materials that keep feet comfortable in a temperature range of sub-freezing to 65 degrees, the boot has rubber overlays at the ankle, toe and forefoot. A side-zip closure makes it easy to get on and off. What's Trending David Mesicek, Head of Marketing "Consumers continue to seek products with functional integrity, products that enable the wearer to be comfortable and stylish in a single, versatile style that can be worn day to night." Sorel Joan of Arctic Wedge II / $240 Outdoor/Fashion How it looks: A kick-ass street-style silhouette references the world of rock-and-roll and the military. How it works: An upgrade of the brand's best-selling winter boot of the same name, it features a waterproof full-grain leather upper, a removable polyurethane-like ethylene vinyl acetate footed for comfort, a molded BPU wedge part with flex grooves for comfort and a molded rubber outsole for traction. What's Trending Erin Sander, Director of Product "We looked to our consumers in key markets, including New York, London and Los Angeles, when we developed our Fall 2018 collection. We referenced what was relevant to women who do something in the world of culture – music, art, tech, street style – and infused bold silhouettes, hardware details and exaggerated proportions as a nod to military inspiration. Our customers crave functional and stylish footwear that allows them to step boldly from outdoor to indoor, day to night and season to season. Our Fall 2018 collection was designed through a style lens and proves boots can be chic yet practical." Sporto Power / $99.99 Outdoor How it looks: Made of waterproof suede and lined with wool, the fashion-forward Power is a fun aprés ski boot or city hiker that is TSA-ready for travel. Accented with contrasting stitching and two-tone laces, it is topped off by a plush box-stitch fur collar. How it works: The tall, cold-weather boot is built on the brand's dual- density flyweight midsole with a carved heel. The treads on its athletic sole provide traction and stability, the side zipper makes it easy to put on and take off, and the finished D-rings and laces provide a custom-like fit. Inside, the foot rests on a bed of Barefoot Wool, a natural anti-microbial that wicks moisture. What's trending Charles Brown, Designer "Trends we have tapped into are the convertible boot — a kind of boot you can wear in the snow but is stylish enough for city streets. Also, the alpine style that is trending is called out by the Power's metal eyelets and sturdy waterproof athletic outsole." Thorogood Veracity GTX / $200 Outdoor (also designed for hunters and workers in a variety of fields, including delivery-truck drivers) How it looks: Made of full-grain leather and ripstop fabric, it's light on its feet with heavy-duty features. How it works: It gets its all-day comfort from its lightweight, flexible construction, which includes a Gore-Tex Guaranteed To Keep You Dry lining that is waterproof and breathable. It also has an oil- and slip-resistant Vibram cup outsole. What's Trending Todd Hanson, Vice President Uniform & Outdoor Sales "We are a 125-year-old company that prides itself on keeping Americans working. We are doing all we can to keep as many of our product offerings Made or Built in the USA. Fifty percent of the products in Thorogood's new outdoor division are produced in the USA. The Veracity GTX is built in the USA in our Wisconsin factories. It has all the bells and whistles typically offered only in an import." Timberland 1978 Aerocore Hiker / $160 Outdoor How it looks: Inspired by a silhouette from the brand's archives and the athleisure category, this sneaker boot, built on the original 1978 Hiker, has retro- inspired laces, classic hardware and a waterproof crafted leather upper. But it's lighter, faster and more flexible than its predecessor, making it ideal for the city and the trail. (Pictured on page 46.) BOOT B OO K 44 • Footwear Insight ~ January/February 2018 footwearinsight.com

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