Re-Building Foundations FILA Using the Newest Materials, Manufacturers Areare Fila.Com / 800-845-FILA Pushing the Limits on Shoe Construction
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FOOTWEAR Re-Building Foundations FILA Using the newest materials, manufacturers areare fila.com / 800-845-FILA pushing the limits on shoe construction. New colorways themed for the Aus- By Kent Oswald tralian Open and BNP Paribas Open will be a cosmetic highlight of the Axilus 2 Energized shoes ($110). Their When talking about footwear, few in the industry comment on how shoe stylishness often masks their perfor- mance features, such as the updated manufacturers are increasingly leaving behind natural leather. The leather outsoles and breathable sockliners upper was once the calling card of a top-of-the-line tennis shoe, but it has lost made of anti-slide nylon. These quali- its competitive edge in terms of performance. The prevalence of synthetics is ties make them a favorite of World a tribute to the increasing amount of science and research going into the foun- No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, World No. 2 dation of everyone’s game. Karolina Pliskova, as well as John According to Wilson Global Marketing Specialist for Racquet Sports Brian Isner. A Junior Axilus 2 Energized Ruehlmann, “Tennis players have increasingly preferred higher performance ($65) will arrive mid-February. materials than leather for lightness, comfort, breathability and moisture Debuting later in the spring will be management. These materials also allow brands to be more creative regarding the company’s fi rst pickleball-specifi c design and aesthetics.” performance shoe, The Volley Zone Josh Wilder, New Balance tennis and lacrosse footwear product manager, ($110), which will incorporate many features of the Axilus 2 Energized. echoes the sentiment, saying, “There’s a plethora of knit, woven and synthetic The Zones will include three color- options that allow much more customization than stitching classic leather up- ways for men and two for women. pers. These newer materials allow designers to push the limits of what’s been The shoes will feature a branded Fila done with footwear construction while also inherently being lighter, stronger pickeball logo and will be featured in and more breathable.” marketing materials along with a new You can say this change in focus has been hiding in plain sight, but you can’t pickleball apparel line. say it’s been hiding. In any case, it is well represented among our highlights here. YONEX WILSON, FILA, HEAD, COURTESY 24 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com The prevalence of synthetics is a tribute to the increasing amount of science and research going into the foundation of everyone’s game. Head Wilson Yonex head.com / 800-289-7366 wilson.com / 773-714-6400 yonexusa.com / 424-201-4800 The new year will see the newest The full range of technical and style The fl agship Eclipsion3 ($155) will addition to the company’s shoe line, innovations are displayed across be worn by three-time Grand Slam the lightweight Revolt Evo ($99.95) Wilson’s footwear line. There are nu- champion Stan Wawrinka, among for men and women featuring syn- anced di erences in the heel counter, other professional players, and will be thetic leather and breathable mesh. rubber thickness on the outsole and available for men, women and juniors Cosmetic updates are on o er for EVA cushioning between the men’s ($70). It has been redesigned with a men’s and women’s versions of the and women’s lines, as well as hard- one-piece sole for additional stability, Sprint SF ($159.95), with its supreme court, clay-court and all-court sole greater comfort for the big toe, longer balance of weight and durability; the pattern versions. lasting cushion through the mid-sole, all-court Sprint Pro 3.0 ($129.95), also New colorways will be available for additional support for the heel and a available for juniors ($59.95); and the the Amplifeel ($159). New also are the larger graphic plate for more robust performance Revolt Pro 3.15 ($119.95) lighter Kaos 3.0 ($129) for women, movements toward the net. in both hard and clay-court soles, as and Kaos SFTs ($129) made with new The FusionRev3 ($145) for men and well as a junior model ($79.95). The molds for men and women, as well as women is available in new colorways Revolt Team ($99.95) is built using a series of Kaos junior versions, from and continues to o er a performance only the men’s last, and the Sprint the 3.0 ($79) to the QL ($69), and fi t with its fl exible, synthetic inner Team ($99.95) is created only from a Kaos Kid ($55). New colorways have bootie, and its long-lasting cushion- women’s last. been added for the Rush Pro 3.0 and ing. Finally, the SonicAge2 ($120), The company sponsors the US 2.5 for men and women and a junior also available for men and women, is a Open Pickleball Championships, version, the Rush Pro QL ($69). model for those players needing more among other pickleball events, where Also making a fi rst appearance will width. It o ers stable, fl exible comfort they promote the cross-functionality be a pickleball-specifi c shoe, the Rush and support for quick and easy direc- of their footwear primarily identifi ed Pro 2.5 Men’s Pickleball ($99), with tion changes. In all, Yonex’s array of with tennis. similar features to its tennis sibling. options should please many. www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2020 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 25 Lotto K-Swiss lotto.sportlife.us / 484-261-2100 kswiss.com / 800-938-8000 Mid-level to high-performance players will appreciate the Rolling out in the fi rst few months of the year, the Hy- support, stability, breathability—and especially the light- percourt Supreme ($135) is the company’s hero model, ness—of Lotto’s Mirage 200 ($125), available with both clay- available in a wide variety of looks for aggressive men and and hard-court outsoles and available beginning February 1. women counting on technology to provide superior energy return and durability. The comfortable, lightweight and breathable Express Light Pickleball shoe for men and women ($100), with customized logo and sockliner, will also continue receiving new colorways throughout the year. Babolat New Balance babolat.com / 877-316-9435 newbalance.com / (800) 595-9138 The Jet Tere ($100) for men and women debuts this year. The 996v4 ($129.99) will be available in both sulphur yellow The lightweight, sleek performance shoe features high- and white versions that will be worn by Americans Coco quality foam within for comfort, a breathable mesh upper, Gau and Reilly Opelka in Melbourne. This light, respon- and the durable, Michelin-designed sole. While the Jet Tere sive shoe is an update of the lightweight knit 996v3, with a will be the company’s only completely new shoe, the Jet 2-ounce weight reduction, an updated knit upper, Fuel Cell Mach II ($140), Propulse Fury ($120) and SFX3 ($100) lines foam cushioning the interior (which proved its mettle dur- will have new colorways and other cosmetic tweaks avail- ing tests in the company’s running shoes), and additional able for both men and women. outsole features for durability. YONEX HEAD, K-SWISS, NEW BALANCE,BABOLAT, LOTTO, COURTESY 26 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2020 www.tennisindustrymag.com .