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OUTLOOK   2021

FOOTWEAR Positive Reinforcement 2 Footwear manufacturers remain optimistic that the new year will bring more play, and the chance for more sales. By Kent Oswald

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et us whisper that 2021 might be a good year for the industry. The tours have returned to screens and streams. Public and private courts are reopening in fits and starts. LTennis and pickleball are proving great ways to exercise and engage with others outside the house through socially distanced play. And there is buzz of new and returning players. Among other things, more play 1 / 2 / translates to increased sales. adidas.com babolat.com While it has been a few years since 971-234-2300 877-316-9435 there were brick-and-mortar sales trends to celebrate—and a worldwide pandemic does little to turn that • Looking forward to riding the wave • Providing enhanced cross-surface around—retailers and manufacturers of positivity in both and agility, the Jet Mach 3 ($140) are increasingly successful meeting footwear, Adidas unveiled its lightest launched in January with a reengi- new demand for footwear through shoe yet, the Ubersonic 4 ($130), with neered and more responsive Michelin online strategies. new colors for both men and women, sole, a higher strength fabric upper, We won’t speak louder of these a more durable woven upper (from and additional cushioning and sup- hopes for fear of jinxing positive signs. fully sustainable, recyclable materi- port inside. The recently launched Still, reading through what manu- als) and new midsole compound for lightweight and breathable Jet Tere facturers are sharing so far does call greater comfort and responsiveness. ($110) will be adding new colorways to mind what happens immediately Among those slated to showcase for both men’s and women’s versions before a match begins. There are these new rides beginning in Australia in February. The same month will also introductions by the umpire, a pause, are Alexander Zverev, Stefanos see new hues the SFX3 ($100), a then, “Play!”—and that is when the Tsitsipas, Angelique Kerber and performance shoe emphasizing com-

real fun begins. Garbine Muguruza. fort and durability. K-SWISS FILA, , BABOLAT, ADIDAS, COURTESY

34 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com Tennis and pickleball are proving great ways to exercise and engage with others outside the house through socially distanced play. And there is buzz of new and returning players.

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3 /FILA 4 /HEAD 5 /K-SWISS fi la.com head.com kswiss.com 800-845-FILA 800-289-7366 800-938-8000

• The lightweight, fl exible Axilus 2 • Signing Marin Cilic as the lead global • The Ultrashot 3 ($145) debuted in Energized ($110) will feature new endorser for and will January, and while K-Swiss’s co- colorways at the Australian Open and heighten visibility for Head’s line, while design venture with Lucky in Love Roland Garros. Continuing the pattern new tweaks to the high-performance brings one type of attention, that of recent seasons, the shoes worn by series roll out in March and April. shouldn’t eclipse the attention to world No. 1 and Ameri- The Sprint SF ($159.95) gets a color technology built into this high-per- can No. 1 Sofi a Kenin, as well as John upgrade and more robust cushioning; formance shoe. The Ultrashot 3 o ers Isner and , will the Sprint 3.0 ($129.95) receives design an improved outsole for durability, coordinate with Fila clothes debut- tweaks on the outside; the Revolt 3.5 grip and traction, as well as enhanced ing themes for the two majors. 2021 ($119.95) features refreshed uppers and energy and support through the mid- will also see new colors adorning the a heel redesigned for more stability and sole. The line will also see colorways Zone ($110), the company’s shoe comfort; the Revolt Evo ($109.95) has unveiled during the year for the designed for the more frequent stop- exterior design enhancements, as does Hypercourt Supreme ($135) and start-stop-starts of pickleballers. the Revolt Pro Junior ($79.95). Express Light Pickleball shoe ($95).

www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 35 While it has been a few years since there were brick-and-mortar sales trends to celebrate— and a worldwide pandemic does little to turn that around—retailers and manufacturers are increasingly successful meeting new demand for footwear through online strategies.

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6 /LOTTO 7 /MIZUNO 8 / lotto.sportlife.us mizunousa.com newbalance.com 484-261-2100 800-392-9899 800-595-9138

• Claiming a sweetspot in the stability/ • Mizuno’s Wave Exceed Tour 4 AC • Plans are for a build in New Bal- durability/fl exibility balance, Lotto’s ($120) will be dropping new color- ance tennis product throughout the Mirage 300 ($99.95) for men and ways and increased cushioning onto year. The 996v4 ($130) will be worn women club players rolls out in new men’s and women’s platforms that by Coco Gau among other pros at colorways during the fi rst months of are built ultra-lightweight for agility the Australian Open and will feature the year. and acceleration. Using an expand- new colors. Promised for later in the ing distribution footprint, the new year are new features for the tennis year will be the inaugural season for line based on technology pioneered in the All Wave Exceed SL 2 AC ($105), other sports categories. a lightweight, plush and breathable shoe well-adapted for both tennis and pickleball play. COURTESY LOTTO, MIZUNO, NEW BALANCE, PRINCE, WILSON, NEW BALANCE, PRINCE, WILSON, MIZUNO, LOTTO, COURTESY

36 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY February 2021 www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com  

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9 /PRINCE 10 /WILSON 11 /YONEX princetennis.com wilson.com yonex.com 773-714-6400 424-201-4800

• The classic T22 ($99) for men, • Available at the Wilson.com website • To provide the highest level of women and juniors will arrive in new and select specialty retailers, the Kaos stability, the Eclipsion 3 ($155) fea- color combinations, but will continue Mirage ($169) takes over as headliner tures a graphite sheet inserted at mid- to provide comfort and durability for of the light and agile footwear series foot and a one-piece outsole. Focused club players. Tweaks to the technology beginning in March. New chassis on comfort, the Sonicage 2 ($120) has are expected in a summer rollout. construction technology provides a durable skin supporting agility and better arch support and lateral stabil- speed. Both are available in men’s ity. The men’s and women’s Rush Pro and women’s versions, as well as with 3.5 ($129) continues with its wider toe hard-court and clay-court soles. box even as it features a sleeker design and improved upper mesh for a more adaptable fi t. The Kaos Swift ($119) will allow new color options for both men and women.

www.tennisindustrymag.com www.tennisindustrymag.com February 2021 RACQUET SPORTS INDUSTRY 37