FITNESS Three Key Footwear Trends For Fitness Under Armour HOVR Phantom By Suzanne Blecher 1. Cycling Hybrids ing performance with high fashion. TIEM When it Beachbody’s Xspin range is for both cycle shoes are carried in more than 125 itness is en fuego for 2018 with comes indoor cycling and high-impact workouts. boutique fitness studios and retailers, brands fighting for a precious Having to bring two pair of shoes to the nationally and internationally. The Tiem piece of the category. The con- to Indoor gym to interchange during workouts can team has plans to launch new products F trolled environment of a studio be a pain, so the Xspin eliminates the for cycle, as well as other fitness areas, or gym calls for a different type of shoe Athletics, issue. These slimmed-down shoes tend to in the coming year. than the outdoors, with brands coming These fit better in the cycle cage than traditional Tiem’s Slipstream offers a running- through offering customized options. running shoes and allow for use in many inspired EVA molded paired with “the Indoor training “is the only sport where Shoes for different types of bikes (since gyms offer technical function of a cycling shoe you do the bulk of your movement later- Cycling, a wide variety of brands). With incompat- (hard cycling plate with a cleat), plus ally, so shoes have to be designed to ibilities in bikes being a problem, Datta the comfort of engineered mesh,” handle that movement, rather than land- Circuit- decided to not feature clips on the shoes. according to Tiem founder Tracey ing on the heel,” explains Killick Datta, The XSpin offers a one-piece sock McLeod. The Tiem team saw a chance to CEO of Global Brand Partners, licensee Training and construction for seamless comfort and break away from the traditional three- of the Beachbody footwear brand. Heel- Running adaptive support, full-length compres- Velcro closure cycling shoe pack (that control is less important here since the sion EVA foam for cushioning and a can sometimes be short on style) with gym surface is flat, he says. are Hot, skeletal blown rubber outsole for trac- the offering of something “fashionable With in-gym posing as a potentially Hot, Hot. tion. Both the Xspin Aero and Scope and functional. It looks amazing on and big piece of the market, offerings are offer the same, with a running-inspired is on trend with its marble plate details, ever-expanding. “If fitness was a sport, midsole and outsole profile. fun peony pink and merlot colorways,” it would be the most played sport on Footwear industry veteran and pas- says the exec. the planet, more than soccer,” says sionate amateur cyclist Tracey McLeod Datta, adding, “every athlete goes to the launched the Tiem footwear brand as 2. Circuit-Centric Trainers gym first.” a way to complement the recent explo- “We’re seeing a resurgence in natural Here are three of the top trends sion in boutique athletic fashion. Tiem trainers — shoes that minimize the Footwear Insight is seeing right now in entered the market in March 2016 with amount of material between you and the fitness. the Slipstream — a cycling shoe combin- ground. Trainers that are lighter weight 14 • Footwear Insight ~ March/April 2018 footwearinsight.com and less bulky, making you more agile “We kept that shoe, but what I need is forefront strong preference toward run-inspired when you’re running, jumping, or cut- hearing, ‘I love cushioning for box jumps or some light silhouettes, as the consumer views ting during a fitness routine,” says Erika this shoe and running,’ so we started with a consumer running footwear as providing comfort, Derylo, category management special- that shoe, but want and developed from there,” notes but they demand modern aesthetics ist for Merrell. The exec is getting more what I need Jim Monahan, president of 361 Degrees. and style that traditional running shoes requests for “holistic approaches to is forefront The Quest TR is built to lock the wearer haven’t always offered,” he explains. footwear,” meaning to train the whole, cushioning in from heel to midfoot, with added The Fresh Foam Cruz features a cush- and not the parts, so shoes must be for box jumps wiggle room in a more open toe box. The ioned ride and all-day comfort for more minimal and versatile. The Trail Glove or some light upper and laces are made with high abra- casual wear. 4 Knit is shaped liked a human foot and running,’ so we sion materials for added durability. Combining a throwback feel and has near-ground construction, which is started with a high performance, Ryka’s 90’s-inspired 3. Cushion+Tech a win-win for agility during boot camps consumer want Devotion XT Mid is fit for high-impact and circuit training. Both the Trail and developed Under Armour’s UA HOVR cushioning classes with ultimate cushioning, flex- Glove 4 Knit and Bare Access Flex Knit from there.” technology platform is being offered ibility and ease of movement. The (a cushioned trainer) incorporate 3D in the UA HOVR Sonic and Phantom midsole and outsole feature two layers knit construction for a “one-with-your- Jim Monahan, styles. The new cushioning system fea- of responsive cushioning with Re-Zorb 361 Degrees foot fit,” she says. tures an Energy Web containing a mesh and Re-Zorb Lite compounds, along Reebok is touting its Flexweave fabric that helps deliver responsive- with a Pivot Point on the outsole for technology for quick-burst activities ness and energy return, meaning that smooth and easy movement. The and drills. The Fast Flexweave shoe the shoe absorbs some of the impact website top-seller can be used for a features a figure-8 construction allow- that an athlete’s body would normally wide range of workouts, including ing for zones throughout the shoe for feel. The result is less overall fatigue. dance and group fitness classes. For front foot flexibility, midfoot stabiliza- The UA HOVR midsole is made of a Fall 2018, the Dynamic 3 training shoe tion and breathability. Puma’s Ignite proprietary foam compound created will feature new comfort and flex Flash features evoKNIT technology for in partnership with Dow Chemical. technologies. A seamless heel collar form-fitting comfort during long train- The shoes are available in connected wraps memory foam around the heel ings. Ignite foam provides a lightweight, versions, which allow users to track for extra cushioning and 3D printed cushioned feel, while a molded rubber performance stats. overlays maximize a lightweight and heel clip secures the heel. While technical is important – note flexible forefront. “Ryka is known for The Quest TR from 361 Degrees is New Balance’s laser engraved Fresh providing exceptional underfoot cush- positioned as a sneaker that can work Foam Lazr – NB Strategic Business Unit ioning and our brand will continue to for both a hard-hitting circuit session Manager Kevin Fitzpatrick notes that maximize on the comfort we offer our or a laid-back session on the elliptical. cushion is also increasingly important consumer,” says Debra Krivelow, SVP “We kept hearing, ‘I love this shoe and for everyday wear. “We are seeing a and GM for Ryka. O Puma Ignite Flash Beachbody Insanity Breeze 361 Degrees Quest TR Merrell Trail Glove 4 Knit Tiem Slipstream Reebok Fast Flexweave New Balance Fresh Foam Lazr Ryka Devotion XT Under Armour HOVR Sonic footwearinsight.com March/April 2018 ~ Footwear Insight • 15.