ISSUE 1451 DECEMBER 22, 2014 The Weekly Digital...

ISSUE 1451DECEMBER 22 2014

The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry

2 SGBWeeklycom | DECEMBER 22 2014

From Our Family To Yours

Wishes You a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Photo courtesy Crested Butte Mountain Resort ldquoSanta Ski and Crawlrdquo and Trent Bona Photography cbsantacrawlcom

DECEMBER 22 2014 | SGBWeeklycom 3

Copyright 2014 SportsOneSource LLC All rights reserved The opinions expressed by writers and contributors to SGB WEEKLY are not necessarily those of the editors or publishers SGB WEEKLY is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts photographs or artwork Articles appearing in SGB WEEKLY may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the publisher SGB WEEKLY is published weekly by SportsOneSource

Senior Business Editor

Thomas J Ryan

tryansportsonesourcecom

9173754699

Contributing Editors

Scott Boulbol Fernando J Delgado

Charlie Lunan

Editorial amp Creative Director

Teresa Hartford

teresasportsonesourcecom

Senior Graphic Designer

Camila Amortegui

camilasportsonesourcecom

Advertising Sales Account Managers

Buz Keenan

Northeast

buzsportsonesourcecom

2018875112

Katie ODonohue

SoutheastMidwest

katieosportsonesourcecom

8282443043

Circulation amp Subscriptions

subssportsonesourcecom

Group PublisherEditor In ChiefJames Hartford

jamessportsonesourcecom

3039977302

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DECEMBER 22 2014ISSUE 1451


MAKING NEWS4 Movers amp Shakers

Bolleacute Signs Tony Parker for Kids Sport Protective Line5 Dickrsquos Sporting Goods Partners With Carrie Underwood on

Fitness Collection6 Puma Names Rihanna its Global Ambassador

Reebok Signs MMA Stars 8 MampA Blotter

Nikes Q2 Sales Jump 15 Percent Finish Line Lowers Full Year Guidance on Q3 Shortfall

OUTDOOR TRENDS 201510 Boots Battle the Weather

Athletic Styling Versatility and Fashion Continue to Inspire Innovation in Boot Design for Fall 2015

20 SnowshoesDramatic Innovations in Materials Binding and Frame Design

10

ON THE COVER Photo courtesy Crescent Moon Snowshoes

Photo courtesy Timberland

BowTech Archery said John Hernandez has assumed the new position of Director of Vertical Bows and Sheila Gallagher was appointed Director of Sales

Crocs named veteran footwear and apparel industry executive Gregg Ribatt as its CEO Ribatt most recently served as President and CEO of Collective Brands Performance amp Lifestyle Group

Deckers Brands appointed Nelson Chan formerly CEO of Magellan to the companys board of directors Maureen Conners will step down

Hudsons Bay Co appointed Gerald (Jerry) Storch who formerly ran Toys Rrsquo Us as CEO effective January 6 Storch will be responsible for Hudsons Bay Lord amp Taylor Saks Fifth Avenue Saks OFF 5TH Home Outfitters and HBC Digital

Johnson Outdoors announced that Joel Abrahamsson joined Johnson Outdoors Watercraft as a Pro-Staffer

NSGA said David Feherty the former professional golfer and renowned announcer will speak at its 51st Annual NSGA Management Conference amp Team Dealer Summit in Austin TX

Sunice appointed Marc Gagnier formerly VP at Convergence at Cossette as its VP of Marketing Gagnier will be responsible for all of the global marketing activities for the Sunice AUR and Tommy Hilfiger Golf brands

The Tommy Hilfiger Group signed internationally renowned tennis star Rafael Nadal as global brand ambassador for its underwear and Tommy Hilfiger Tailored collections

Under Armour is set to sign Andy Murray the British tennis star to an endorsement deal according to reports in the UK press

MOVERS amp SHAKERS


BOlleacute SIGNS TONY PARKER FOR KIDS SPORT

PROTECTIVE LINE

Bolleacute part of Bushnell Eyewear named basketball champion and MVP Tony Parker as the official spokesperson for its new Sport Protective eyewear line for kids Bolleacute said younger athletes have an array of devices available to protect their heads legs and arms but far too many eye injuries have become attributable to failure to wear protective prescription eyewear or ndash worse ndash no protective eyewear at all

Bill Yerby VP of sales and marketing pointed to the surprisingly high rates of eye injuries among kids playing sports according to the Blindness Awareness Center during a New York City media event In most cases the injury is caused by the speed of balls Among sports the highest speed can come from badmin-ton with a shuttlecock moving as fast as 183 miles per hour But other sports arenrsquot far behind with tennis balls reaching a top speed of 155 mph baseball 124 mph lacrosse 106 mph and soccer 93 mph In sports such as basketball and football fingers or elbows become can cause eye injuries

Parker who is French has a long history with Bolleacute In 2012 however he scratched his left cornea in a nightclub brawl and was forced to wear black Bolleacute goggles to play in the London Olympics for France by his NBA team the San Antonio Spurs He initially feared he would lose his eye as a result of the injury and has since become an advocate around eye protection ldquoIrsquom proud to support the Bolleacute Sport Protective program because young people who wear prescrip-tion eyewear need the best possible eye protection in order to focus on the game completely and to enjoy itrdquo said Parker

Bolleacutersquos Sport Protective collection features patented scratch resistant and anti-fog technology SAS Shock Absorption System and a new polycarbonate grade delivering flexibility for comfort combined with a high level of impact resis-tance It stands out for being the first full line of athletic eyewear for kids to be certified to rigorous American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z871-2010 and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) F803 standards

There are five styles in the initial Bolleacute Sport Protective collection - Coverage Crunch Swag Dominance and Baller All models will be available with plano and Rx lenses with retail prices set at $128 for the former and $160 for the latter

ldquoWith a well-established reputation as a provider of high-quality sport and lifestyle eyewear and as a major supplier for the safety and the military indus-tries Bolleacute Sport Protective could have entered the market in an already strong positionrdquo said Yerby ldquoGoing the extra mile to build the only products in this segment certified to the highest relevant standards sends the message that we have the best products and will quickly become a leader in the categoryrdquo

Swag

Baller

Coverage

POWER VERSATILITYLIGHT

ORDER NOW WWWCOGHLANSCOM

SGBweeklySept2014indd 1 8262014 41704 PM

DiCkrsquoS SpORTiNG GOODSPARTNERS WITH CARRIE UNDERWOOD ON

FITNESS COLLECTION

Dickrsquos Sporting Goods and six-time Grammy Award winner Carrie Underwood unveiled at a press event in New York City Calia by Carrie Underwood a fitness lifestyle apparel brand to be sold exclusively at Dickrsquos Sporting Goods stores beginning March 2015

The singer and mom-to-be told reporters that she wanted to create the affordable collection because she herself faced challenges finding working clothes that she could wear in the gym and that were also fashionable

I noticed that if it works its not attractive and if youre gonna wear it outside its just cute and thats all so there needed to be something that could bridge that gap said Underwood who was interviewed by E News host Alicia Quarles alongside Dickrsquos Sporting Goods designer Alycia Scott

The collection features feminine details such as a signature floral print rose gold accents ruching and sexy straps but also incorporates functional details and performance-driven fabrics to handle workouts Underwood said the lines inspiration is strong women and that the quality of her products was a top priority for her since her name was attached to the line ldquoThe inspiration for this line came from my desire to have clothes that seamlessly take me from workouts to errands to rehearsals and beyond As someone who is passionate about health and fitness Irsquom excited to offer women a wardrobe that will move with them and encourage them to stay the path of leading an active lifestylerdquo said Underwood

ldquoWe are proud to be working with Carrie on this exciting new linerdquo said Lauren Hobart SVP and chief marketing officer Dickrsquos Sporting Goods ldquoFrom the very beginning of our partnership we aligned with Carrie around a vision to provide fitness apparel and accessories that are as ver-satile as they are functional The result is a collection that will truly fit the incredibly busy lives of active womenrdquo

Dickrsquos Sporting Goods also created a caliastudiocom website for con-sumers to sign up for more information on the collection and timing of product launches

Carrie Underwood and Dicks Sporting Goods designer Alycia Scott unveil Calia by Carrie Underwood


pUMA NAMES RIHANNA ITS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

Puma announced a multi-year partnership with pop star and fashion icon Rihanna to become its global ambassador for Womens Training Rihanna will also serve as Puma womens creative director

Rihanna will be the face of Pumas Womens Training category and play a starring role in Pumas brand campaign Forever Faster and be featured along with many of Pumas world-class athletes such as Usain Bolt and Sergio Aguero Puma and Rihanna will launch several fan activations throughout the partner-ship around the world such as consumer and retail events training and fitness-related social media content and product programs

As womens creative director she will directly influence product collections as early as 2015 and work in partnership with Pumas Internal Product Creation team She will work with Puma to design and customize classic Puma styles as well as create new styles to add to the Puma product portfolio Its great to find a brand that celebrates strength and individuality said Rihanna I couldnt think of a more perfect partner to collaborate with as a creative director Im excited for you to see what Puma and I come up with

Signing Rihanna is a fantastic step for Puma said Puma CEO Bjoslashrn Gulden Her global profile her charisma and individuality her ambition - all these things make her a perfect ambassador for our brand She also aligns perfectly with the values Puma strives for - to be Confident Brave Determined and Joyful With a strong portfolio in football running and motorsport finding an inspiring partner for womens training was very important Rihanna was a natural choice for us

Gulden joined Puma in April 2013 and has since worked to refocus the com-panyrsquos strategy and image back to its sports heritage This year Puma launched its biggest marketing campaign under a new slogan ldquoForever Fasterrdquo and also

replaced US rival Nike as uniform supplier for the English soccer club ArsenalGulden told the Wall Street Journal that Puma originally planned to sponsor

a female athlete but found ldquofew [female] athletes with global appealrdquo That led to exploring someone in the entertainment industry who he considers ldquoan icon for the global youthrdquo

Rihanna brings joy to audiences around the world but also ignites and awes Puma admires her for never waiting for the next big thing but more so for driv-ing what happens next - in fashion style music and soon to be ndash sportsrdquo added Adam Petrick global brand and marketing director for Puma ldquoWe cant wait to empower women worldwide with Rihanna - she demonstrates a body confi-dence and determination that is the exact representation of the Puma Woman

ReeBOk SIGNS MMA STARS

Reebok announced partnerships with two of the top Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes in the world UFC World Champions Jon Jones and Ronda Rousey The signings of Jones and Rousey follow the recent announcement of Reebokrsquos part-nership with UFC the worldrsquos leading mixed martial arts organization

Jones the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Rousey the UFC Womenrsquos Bantamweight Champion will be working closely with Reebok to develop and launch the brandrsquos new range of UFC apparel as well as a new col-lection of footwear and apparel specifically created for the more than 35 million people worldwide who participate in combat training to stay fit

ldquoNot only are Ronda and Jon admired by millions of UFC fans but they also are among the fittest most disciplined athletes in the world and an in-spiration to the millions of people around the globe who train like fightersrdquo said Matt OrsquoToole president Reebok ldquoWersquore looking forward to working with each of them and tapping into their insight and expertise to create world-class training products and fight gearrdquo

On December 2 it was announced that starting in 2015 Reebok would be the exclusive authentic global outfitter of UFC As part of its long-term part-nership with UFC Reebok is creating for the first time UFC lsquoFight Week gearrsquo and lsquoFight Night Kitsrsquo for all UFC athletes as well as an apparel collec-tion for millions of UFC fans around the world

Jones and Rousey join UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis and former UFC Welterweight Champion Johnny Hendricks as part of Reebokrsquos growing roster of UFC athletes

DECEMBER 22 2014 | SGBWeeklycom 7SportScanInfocom

A Service of The SportsOneSource Group

Achieve Your GoAls

SportScanInfo is the only weekly retail sales trend reporting solution for the active lifestyle market

To learn more call 3039977302 or SportScanSportsOneSourcecom

BREADTh Of DATA DEpTh Of DATA TIMElINESS Of DATA

Bass pro Group agreed to acquire Fishing Holdings a manufacturer of fishing boats that include Ranger Boats and the Stratos and Triton boat brands from Platinum Equity Following the closing of the transaction Fishing Holdings will continue operating independently under its existing management at its headquarters in Flippin AR located a short distance from Bass Pro Shopsrsquo headquarters in Springfield Bass Pro also owns Tracker Marine Group

Brown Shoe sold Shoescom to SHOemeca the parent of OnlineShoescom and SHOemeca for an undisclosed amount Brown said it decided to sell Shoescom which it owned since 2000 to focus more attention on Famouscom and its branded wholesale e-commerce sites that include Naturalizercom SamEdelmancom and ViaSpigacom For SHOEme the acquisition follows Hardy Capitals acquisition of OnlineShoescom and SHOEmeca for an undisclosed amount in July 2014

Fox Factory Holding Corp entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of the Race Face and easton Cycling businesses formerly Race Face Performance Products Inc and 0999324 BC Ltd Race FaceEaston designs manufactures and distributes high-performance mountain and road bike wheels and other high-performance cycling components

Hamilton Beach Brands inc acquired Weston products llC from Highgate Capital LLC

O2COOl llC a leader in battery operated fans misting fans and misting drinking bottles acquired the assets of Florida-based Better Things llC maker of consumer products for use around the home patio pool and beach

Varsity Brands the parent of BSN Sports was acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners and Partners Group With combined sales in excess of $12 billion Varsity Brands three businesses ndash Herff Jones Varsity Spirit and BSN Sports ndash include the largest K-through-College sales force with more than 1000 sales professionals dedicated to providing products and services to the school and institutional markets

MampA BLOTTER FINANCIALS

NikeS Q2 SALES JUMP 15 PERCENT

Nike Inc reported earnings rose 227 percent in the second quarter ended November 30 to $655 million or 74 cents a share exceeding Wall Streets consensus estimate of 70 cents The earnings gain was primarily due to gross margin expansion which more than offset higher SGampA investments in Nike Inc brands and business capabilities

Revenues grew 148 percent to $738 billion Revenues for the Nike Brand were $70 billion up 17 percent on a currency-neutral basis

with growth in every product type geography and key category except Golf Revenues for Converse were $434 million up 24 percent on a currency- neutral basis driven by continu-ing growth in existing direct distribution markets as well as market conversions in Europe and Asia

Gross margin increased 120 basis points to 451 percent attributable to a shift in mix to higher margin products continued growth in the higher-margin Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) business and a modest benefit from foreign exchange These positive factors were partially offset by higher product input costs

As of the end of the quarter worldwide futures orders for Nike Brand athletic footwear and apparel scheduled for delivery from December 2014 through April 2015 were 7 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year Excluding currency changes reported orders would have increased 11 percent

ldquoOur strong second quarter results once again demonstrate Nike is a growth companyrdquo said Mark Parker president and CEO of Nike Inc ldquoThe power of our portfolio continues to unlock growth as we keep a laser focus on our biggest opportunities The breadth and depth of that portfolio has helped us consistently deliver strong results ndash quarter after quarter year after yearrdquo

FiNiSH liNe LOWERS FY GUIDANCE ON Q3 SHORTFALL

The Finish Line Inc lowered its guidance for the year as margin pressure led it to miss third-quarter forecasts Excluding non-recurring items the company showed a loss of two cents a share in the period ended November 29 far short of Wall Streets consensus estimate of 11 cents

With the aid of a one-time tax benefit earnings in the quarter rose 112 percent to $26 million from $23 million Earnings-per-share were five cents in each period reflecting fewer shares in the current period

Revenues rose 86 percent to $3958 million Finish Line comparable store sales increased 45 percent

ldquoThird quarter comparable sales rebounded from second quarter trends however mer-chandise margin pressure kept us from achieving our profitability planrdquo said Glenn Lyon chairman and CEO ldquoWe remain confident in the strategic course we have set for the compa-ny and wersquoll continue to invest in the omnichannel initiatives focused on delivering the long-term financial goals we have previously outlined That said we are adjusting our near-term capital spending plans and creating a more flexible expense structure to protect profitability until stronger full-price selling trends reemergerdquo

The company now expects non-GAAP diluted earnings-per-share to be flat for its fiscal year ending February 28 2015 and Finish Line comparable store sales to increase low to mid-single- digits Previously it expected Finish Line comparable store sales to be up mid-single-digits and earnings per share to increase in the high-single to low double-digit range



ANALYSIS I RETAIL

Y O U R E S P O N D T O

T H E T E R R A I N S O

S H O U L D Y O U R S H O E

E C C O B I O M T R A I L F L G T X

Flexibility and responsiveness BIOM technology for a natural running feel

Waterproof GORE-TEXreg upper Low pro le construction and outstanding grip for

maximum responsiveness on any surface

O U T D O O Reccousacom


By Thomas J Ryan

Boots Battle the Weather

Athletic styling versatility and fashion continue to inspire innovation in boot

design for Fall 2015

OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015


oots have experienced a wide range of trends working in their favor Many are driven by the athletic trend leading to ever-

lighter weights and more flexible styles Consumers also continue to look for boots that serve multiple purposes including not only being able to work on the trail and the mountain but also working casually - and sometimes as a fashion statement

Following running footwear trends some boot manufacturers are seeing a return to cushioning But comfort protection and grip continue to serve as the backbone of the boot category and some manufacturers even see a greater emphasis going back to durability following the lightweight trend -which may have led to a few less than sturdy boots sold at retail

Function and fashion trends aside boot retailers and manufac-turers continue to count on favorable weather conditions Last year retailers ordered conservatively following two tough preceding win-ter seasons After a cold winter that extended into much of the US well into spring sell-outs happened early and the boot industry was left scrambling to fill orders - much of that coming from the Pacific Northwest which saw a much milder winter than expected

For both manufacturers and retailers inventory micromanage-ment and closer partnerships to handle over-and-under-buying have become more critical in managing the boot business

ldquoWeather is tricky but retailers are always willing to take more risk after a good season versus a poor onerdquo said David Orr VP of US sales at Keen ldquoBased on good initial boot selling right now and a forecasted cold winter in most spots around the country we feel ad-justments will be made on the upside this winter ndash and likely next Keen is betting on cold weather and retailers seem to be toordquo

Thanks to some early cold weather this year many boot manu-facturers are optimistic that the category will again outperform ex-pectations in 2015

ldquoThe harsh winters are great for the boot businessrdquo said Sean OBrien director of footwear for Muck Boots ldquoLast year Muck

Boots enjoyed record sales and a lot of that was thanks to the record snowfall and extreme temperatures in many parts of the country When planning for FallWinter inventory we plan for success each year anticipating strong weath-er As such retailers and distributors are always fully stockedrdquo

ldquoInsulated boots are selling well and for Adidas Outdoor insulated winter boots for kids are on firerdquo added Greg Thomsen managing director Adidas Outdoor USA rdquoWeather has always been a big factor for the outdoor sports market Maybe we will see the next weather pattern for colder harsher winters help drive outdoor product sales to new levels But working with strong vendors who stock inventory and working closely with their retail partners is the most reliable way to manage the ups and downs of unpredictable weather patterns Good partners who work together will thrive in any weather conditionsrdquo

Brian Hall director of product development at Vasque footwear said Vasque is seeing retailers consolidate their lines in insulated boots based on the irregularities in winter He added ldquoIt is also apparent after last year that winter isnrsquot over after the pre-holiday sales Holding onto some stock into January and February isnrsquot a terrible thingrdquo

Chaco general manager Chip Coe said retailers are being smart by bringing in styles that can move from outside to inside wear ndash and then chasing the true winter or rain boot business as the season allows ldquoVendors are expected to carry deeper stock in these styles that are truly weather-dependent to allow retailers to chase this businessrdquo said Coe ldquoWe have been dealing with weather uncertainty since the beginning of time It is a reality but it should not become an excuse Poor planning and supply chain execution cause more damage than weather pat-ternsrdquo

Josh Fairchilds VP of development and manufacturing Oboz also cautioned that itrsquos important to remember that last winterrsquos cold weather was mostly an east coast phenomenon ldquoIn fact the Sierras in California had one of their worst snow-packs in historyrdquo said Fairchilds ldquoI think retailers are adapting to the uncertainty of weather patterns in the same way they have been adapting to the ever-changing whims of consumers - carrying less inventory choosing brands that support them (and donrsquot compete against them) and carrying products that align best with their core users-choosing fewer outliersrdquo

B


Peter Sachs general manager for Lowa Boots believes the boot catego-ry overall is also being helped by an improving economy and the related pickup in consumer spending as well as an early cold snap in many parts of the country including the repeat of the polar vortex this past November Lowa is already seeing reorders this year but with dealers again ordering somewhat cautiously Added Sachs rdquoRetailers have long memories so they didnrsquot order too deeprdquo

Still Sachs said much depends on the region of the country and he also lamented about the challenges his California accounts are facing ldquoThey are really at a national disaster level just for their everyday living and only epic snows could help at this pointrdquo said Sachs ldquoBusiness is very difficult on the coast in outdoor Nationally this is balancedrdquo

With more unpredictable winters Gregg Duffy senior director of out-door Timberland sees a stronger need for versatility

ldquoFor Fall 2015 wersquore focused on the versatility that you need every day to be lsquoready for anythingrsquo mdash wherever you are whatever yoursquore doing no matter the weatherrdquo said Duffy ldquoYoursquoll see wersquove taken more winter boot silhouettes and merged them with trail capable outsoles For example the Schazzberg High Insulated $200 features premium leather and Pendleton upper 400 grams of PrimaLoft insulation and a Vibram EcoStep outsole that provides extra trac-tion and grip on any surface Climapath technology vents moisture out of the boot to help feet stay drier whether it is navigating slushy winter streets going to the office or trekking through snow on the trailrdquo

Timberlandrsquos design approach also continues to be influenced by a push toward more athletic silhouettes partly driven by the controversial mini-malist barefoot movement ldquoWhile we have evolved our product to rep-resent a sleeker more refined look from a style sense we have remained true to our heritage and core DNA by continuing to develop the rugged performance that makes our products versatile comfortable and weather-

readyrdquo said Duffy ldquoStaying true to our brand has provided the consistency and authenticity our consumers have come to expectrdquo

A prime example of this for Fall 2015 is Timberlandrsquos Menrsquos Heston Collection $170 offering premium full-grain waterproof leather and Sen-sorflex technology A waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membrane keeps feet dry with an exclusive Pendleton wool pattern fora classic warm touch ldquoWersquore seeing a lot of rich warm browns and uses of textilestextures in the market that provide a stylish aes-thetic for everyone to enjoy and this collection delivers on thatrdquo said Duffy

The Britton Hill 6-inch leather and fabric boot $170 mixes premium full-grain leather and contrast stitching in Harris Tweed wool Available in brown and black the Britton marries refine-ment with rugged styling Exclusive Anti-Fatigue and SensorFlex comfort technology provides all-day comfort

Columbia Sportswear will offer the Bugaboot Plus III Titanium Omni-Heat collection $170 featuring an

OutDry waterproof breathable mem-brane for the first time Columbia will also include a full-length Techlite shell and midsole for comfort cushioning and high energy return as well as an Omni-Heat lining for warmth A unique feature is its Omni-Grip traction lugs that harden in freezing temperatures for added traction according to Todd Lewis footwear director at Columbia

For women looking for winter style Minx already Columbiarsquos largest win-ter collection will expand further with new colors styles and silhouettes Highlights include the Nocca $85 a waterproof lux ankle boot suitable for fall through winter that mixes woven synthetic textile and suede with a faux-fur collar and tongue lining suede up-

per with nylon and suede with canvas Trail ready Fire Tall Omni-Heat Waterproof $120 is mid-height insulated and waterproof boot also with a faux-fur collar and tongue lining

Lewis said that the styles enable wom-en to wear the line ldquofor longer periods of the yearrdquo before the snow falls While the Minx collection packs Omni-Heat Om-ni-Grip Omni-Tech and other Columbia technologies Lewis said itrsquos the looks that offer the initial appeal Said Lewis ldquoWhen the season turns this meets her perfor-mance needs but also her style needsrdquo

From Ecco the BIOM Terrain Akka Boa GTX $240 is designed to inspire longer hikes with a better fit A custom Boa Closure System delivers a secure and individual fit system The direct-injected boot features full-grain yak leather upper Gore-Tex construction and a warm lined collar for winter readiness

Zuzanna Asztemborska Eccorsquos head of product ndash outdoor said the Danish shoe manufacturer sees natural motion as an

ongoing trend driven by the consumersrsquo interest in a healthy lifestyle which includes being more aligned with nature and having increased body and mind awareness She added ldquoCustomers are looking for products that guarantee the freedom of natural movement and offer only minimum sup-port and guidancerdquo

Inspired by the outdoors but made for more urban living the Whistler $230 inte-grates the technical features of an outdoor product with the versatile style of a casual boot Designed to keep feet comfortable year-round the boot features Gore-Tex lining Nubuck leather and direct-injected PU midsole

ldquoOutdoor consumers are increasingly participating in multiple and different

Left to Right Timberland

Schazzberg Heston Collection

and Britton Hill

Columbia Sportswear Bugaboot Plus III

Columbia Sportswear

Nocca

Columbia Sportswear Fire Tall Omni-Heat Waterproof

Ecco BIOM Terrain Akka

Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler


activities ndash sometimes even over the course of a single weekend ndash rather than specializingrdquo said Asztemborska ldquoThese customers donrsquot want to be limited by their footwear so we are focusing on designing versatile products that can work in many different situationsrdquo

At Asolo the Avalon $260 gets an upgrade for Fall 2015 with the ad-dition of a molded EVA midsole for shock absorption and comfort The Duo-Asoflex lasting board combines a stiff material for anti-torsion and anti-pronation with a softer material that offers shock absorption when walking Comfort and support is enhanced with a PU protective cover a molded EVA heel insert to protect and support the heel strike and an Asolo rubber outsole

ldquoThe market is starting to shift back to footwear that offers more pro-tection and support and Asolo has always developed boots that can go through tough terrainrdquo said Henry Barber Asolorsquos head of sales ldquoWith the addition of the EVA midsole combined with the Duo-Asoflex Avalon is a boot that can go all day with a heavy pack and offer support and comfortrdquo

The Shiraz $300 has a new womenrsquos fit for 2015 The all mountain hiking and ap-proach boot uses a Schoeller upper for warmth abrasion resistance and flexibility without making it bulky The Vibram sole is low profile and aggressive for kicking steps in scree and snow and a full rubber rand protects the boot from wear and tear in tough terrain Strap crampons enable the wearer to cross a snowfield and scramble up class four boulders Said Barber ldquoThis is the

ultimate peak bagging alpine all-mountain bootrdquoAlso from Asolo the Womenrsquos Tacoma and Menrsquos Triumph $230 are

light hikers that pack Gore-Tex and a Vibram soles but stand out with a suede finish ldquoAs more people have kindled an interest in hiking we saw the need for a lighter less intimidating boot that still provides excellent support and protectionrdquo said Barber ldquoThis line of boots easily transfers from work to trail with comfort and ease

For men Kamikrsquos Conqueror $230 is manufactured using a technically advanced process called over-molding that creates a seamless bond be-tween the full grain leather upper and synthetic rubber bottom

Walnut is the new neutral for women for Fall 2015 while eggplant is a hot color coming from the runways Said St-Denis ldquoFor prints a marbled pattern is on trend for FallWinter 2015 so Kamik created the marble rain boot style available in a selection of colorsrdquo For men brown and black also pulled from the FallWinter 2015 runways dominate the Kamik menrsquos collection for the season and can be found in styles such as the Apex and Conqueror

Yahn Lebo product line manager for workoutdoor Wolverine said consumers overall are continuing to push for color ldquoThis has been hap-pening in athletic and outdoors for years and now the work consumer is also appreciating some of that color pop as seen in the Overman and the Extreme Edgerdquo said Lebo ldquoWhat wersquove learned from our research on Millennials is that they want more for their money ndash they are looking for a versatile product that is highly functional and multi-use (waterproof in-sulated light weight great traction)rdquo

The Overman $180 introduces Wolverine CarbonMAX one of the first safety toe boots that uses nano-technology for protection and light-weight comfort CarbonMAX meets ASTM standards F2413-11 M I75 C75 EH The Overman also features Wolverinersquos Contour Welt technology contoured to the shape of the foot for arch support and allows the boot to flex at essential points

The Edge Extreme Hunting Boot $230 is a lightweight athletic boot featuring Nubuck and 900 Denier Polyester upper with a Gore-Tex waterproof breathable membrane and a moisture managing mesh lining NXT odor control helps stop odors with organic odor-eating enzymes and 600 gram 3M Thinsulate Ultra Insulation provides just the right amount of warmth for cold days and active hunts Compression molded EVA midsole

and removable open-cell polyurethane footbed offer support and cushion An aggressive Vibram rubber lug outsole provides reliable traction

For the Fall 2015 Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection Wolverine remains focused on archival patterns while exploring unique leathers meaning-ful color and functional updates An example is the Evans Boot $400 which Carrie Hill senior product de-signer and developer said ldquooriginates

from the Original 1000 Mile Boot pattern with a rich blue Horween leather upper and the outsole features a Vibram rubber forepart for added func-tionality for winter wearrdquo The Evans boot is handcrafted in the USA with the finest materials including Horween Chromexcel leathers and time-tested Goodyear Welt construction

Asolo Shiraz

Asolo Tacoma (left) and Triumph

(right)

Wolverine Overman (top)

and Extreme Edge (left)

Kamik known for its rugged and durable snow boots will add Polartec into its Winter 2015 boot line with the Horizon Boot $150 for a light-weight waterproof breathable and warm package These include Pol-artecrsquos super-breathable fabric and its Alpha insulation that eliminates the need of shedding or adding layers while on the move

ldquoPolartec is becoming trendy mostly in apparel at present and Kamik is thrilled to be able to expand this trend into footwearrdquo said Annie St-Denis product manager

But warmth and comfort are essential and Kamik delivers on this de-mand with exclusive technologies such as LockFIT Zylex and RubberHe that are found in styles like the Coldcreek and Shelter said Davide Degano another Kamik product manager

Wolverine Evans


ldquoColor is a vital part of the Heritage collection for Fall 2015rdquo added Hill ldquoThrough-out the line yoursquoll see intense blues bright reds and hints of metallics Premium suedes in classic base colors such as brown and grey popped with brushes of metallic across the surfacerdquo

Sister company Sperry Top-Sider will intro-duce the Boatyard Chukka $140 which com-bines the urban styling of the Chukka boot with the rugged lugged outsole of the Boat-yard in the Boatyard Chukka Adaptive Wave-Siping in the outsole disperses water for stable footing on decks docks or rocky coastlines while waterproof leather and mesh on the uppers keeps feet dry and comfortable Also from Sperry Top-Sider the Winter Harbor $130 gets an update with enhanced stability traction and protection With its ultra-light-weight and waterproof design Winter Harbor infuses SON-R Technology into a versatile and sporty design

Chaco has also seen a trend toward fashion-able functionality in boots ldquoWomen in par-ticular are looking for beautiful boots that also perform in FallWinter conditionsrdquo said Coe ldquoReasonable weather protection and quality outsoles are a must We also see a strong swing toward durable natural materials ndash luxurious leathers boiled and tufted wools traditional metal trims Women are buying across the range from full length over-the-knee styles to chukka heights Versatility and style is keyrdquo

By contrast Coe said men ldquoremain happy with fit and function yet menrsquos boots must go from outside to inside without the need of a changeover so taller boots remain a challenge for menrdquo

from snowshoeing to hiking to trail runningrdquo said Platto ldquoLook for features like winter traction

outsoles waterproofbreathable membranes lightweight construc-tion and snowshoe compatibility Our Ultra Extreme II GTX embod-ies all of these traits and is a great go-to boot for any winter pursuitrdquo

Platto expects lifestyle boots to continue to be the dominant silhouette for Fall 2015 ldquoLook for womens boots to come down in height to the ankle Well still see hardware detail and equestrian influencerdquo said Plato ldquoColors are fun with brights and graphic print details contrasted on dark neu-tral bodies For men classic styling and versatility will be impor-tant Enough protection to keep you warm and dry coupled with styling that can take you from the street to the office Look for in-teresting takes on brown in some cases lighter than the traditional Both genders will see mixed materials complimenting each other like leathersuedetextile combos For women look at our Purna and ThermoBall collections and for men check out the Ballard and Chilkat families Within these collections youll find functional comfortable styles in on-trend silhouettes and colorsrdquo

Five Ten sees a continuation in the trend for light durable sup-portive footwear ldquoThe demand for our Stealth rubber continues to grow at a high raterdquo said Wally Barker Five Tenrsquos global managing director ldquoThis is probably because we are now the top-selling flat-pedal shoe and one of two top-selling clipless shoes As more bike

Sperry Top-Sider Boatyard Chukka (top) and Winter

Harbor (left)

Chaco Barbary (left)

and Jaeger (right)

The North Face Ultra Extreme II

GTX

Photo courtesy Keen

To answer these needs the Barbary $150 for women features variegated wool and waterproof full-grain leather upper with a fold-down collar A removable pigskin-lined Luvseat PU footbed with EVA layer offers instant comfort while a mountain lifestyle outsole with 3mm lugs and non-marking EcoTread light rub-ber with 15 percent recycled content provides traction For men the Jaeger $140 features a removable knit-lined Luvseat PU footbed EcoTread light rubber and waterproof full grain leather upper with woven textile around collar and tongue

Following on the successful launch of its Ultra series The North Face will introduce the Ultra Extreme II GTX $150 featuring a waterproof breathable Gore-Tex membrane with Duratherm insulation and a grippy Vibram Icetrek outsole

Carey Platto The North Facersquos footwear director said that outdoor participation levels are up in the US which is carrying over into winter and as such winter traction outsoles waterproofbreathable membranes lightweight construction and snowshoe compatibility are all essential needs in technical footwear ldquoOutdoor enthusiasts need technical footwear that is comfortable and protective for winter pursuits that range


riders depend on Five Ten Stealth for perfor-mance they are turning to our shoes for casual and walking wearrdquo

Five Ten is also seeing a significant uptick in its new Gore-Tex footwear For 2015 Five Ten is building on that momentum with the launch of the Camp Four GTX $180 Camp Four Mid GTX $210 and Guide Tennis GTX Mid $180

From Salomon Quest Origins GTX $250 takes the lightweight stability and fit of the original Quest and adds a full-grain leather up-per combined with retro-style Features include a Gore-Tex lining molded EVA midsole and Contagrip outsole

A high-top winter work boot the Utility Pro TS CS WP $180 from Salomon blends retro cool looks with Salomon technology and winter warmth Features include a Nubuck Leather upper Climashield waterproof membrane Thinsulate 200 grams and synthetic fur lining and non-marking Contagrip outsole

Mammut the Swiss brand will introduce the Nordwand 21 High GTX $700 its top-of-the-line climb-ing and mountaineer-ing boot Itrsquos a highly technical lightweight boot featuring an in-ner boot protected by a watertight zippered linergaiter offering a snug fit with a power strap The boot also features a Thinsulate 200B waterproof lining and Vibram Teton sole

Long known for its top-end boots for high altitude mountaineering and cold weather ice climbing La Sportiva will introduce its two premium mountain boots to solidify its mar-ket position in the category Featuring an inte-grated gaiter the Trango Ice Cube GTX $550 is designed for steep ice climbing and techni-cal climbing while the G2 SM $790 is a high-altitude mountaineering double boot In both

boots the carbon honeycomb insulation under-foot in the midsole keeps feet warmer while re-ducing the weight of the boot overall

Bogs got its start in 2002 by providing Oregon farmers with the functional shoes to weather the harsh conditions of the Pacific Northwest but re-cently gained significant traction extending that comfort and protection into the active lifestyle and outdoor markets

From top to bottom Five Ten Camp Four GTX Camp Four Mid GTX and Guide Tennis GTX Mid

Salomon Quest Origins GTX (top) and Utility Pro TS CS WP

Mammut Nordwand 21 High GTX

La Sportiva Trango Ice Cube GTX (top) and G2 SM (bottom)

Bogs Sidney Lace Plaid

For climbing approaches scrambling and day hiking in rough and wet terrain the Camp Four features a super-sticky Stealth S1 outsole with increased lug height that gives hikers the confidence necessary for the steepest and most technical approaches The Gore-Tex waterproofbreathable liner keeps feet comfortable and dry It also features reduced seams a compression-molded EVA midsole Ortholite sock liner and fast-lace closure with locking eye stays

For multi-day trips or long approaches with heavy loads and hikes in wet and rough conditions the Guide Tennis GTX Mid features a Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable liner ergonomic last with athletic-fitting heel and form-fitting shape com-pression-molded EVA midsole DWR-treated Nubuck leather upper mid-level ankle support for stability and lace closure

ldquoOur hiking shoes have always been favorites for adventurer athletesrdquo said Barker ldquoFor years wersquove been asked to produce a water-proofbreathable shoe Our partnership with Gore Tex allows us to do just that

For Fall 2105 the Womens Sidney Lace Plaid $120 has 5mm of Neo-Tech Lit insulation for warmth down to 5degF This versatile 100 percent waterproof boot offers two different lace colors to mix up your street style A rebound cushioning system in the outsole provides lasting comfort

Part of Bogs continuing extension into the leather boot market the Kristina Chelsea Boot $150 is crafted with seam-sealed waterproof full-grain leather but rebound cushioning in the outsole promises to makes it ultra comfortable As Bogs continues to expand on our popular waterproof leather collection we look at how to provide both functionality and style for our consumersrdquo said Kelly Santos VP of product with Bogs ldquoBased on their feedback we set out to ensure that our promise of comfort is


delivered regardless of the style Our unique shapes and lines are inspired by nature Bogs materials ndash from natural rubber to our double-face shearling - are honest real and authentic

For kids Bogs will offer the Prairie collection $120 Crafted with a water-proof suede shaft and rubber foot the boots provide protection from the ele-

ments while the 100 percent wool shearling on the inside keeps feet warm and comfortable

From Hi-Tec Sports the Terra Trail Mid 200 i WP $120 is a sleek looking boot with waterproof leather upper and durable canvas I-shield repels dirt and water and a Dri-Tec mem-brane provides a waterproof shield Thermo-Dri waterproof insulation traps heat and an OrthoLite sockliner provides cushioning while a Vibram rubber outsole delivers durability and traction

Designed and developed in the US the Sonorous Mid II WP $90 is ideal for trek-king through snow with an edgier look Suede and mesh upper provides comfort and breathability It likewise includes a Dri-Tec membrane Vibram rubber out-sole EVA footbed and midsole for cush-ioning and impact absorption

Stylish features and a faux fur lining make the St Moritz Lite 200 i WP $100

ideal for everyday use in winter A Thermo-Dri waterproof insulation is warm on the coldest days and a Dri-Tec membrane and i-shield repels water and dirt An EVA midsole absorbs impact and a steel shank provides stability

ldquoObviously an early winter has an up-lift on outdoor sales generallyrdquo said Ian Little director of marketing and e-com-merce of Hi-Tec Sports ldquoWe are seeing a large increase in the sales of winter boots across men women and children This is different from last winter when we only saw a spurt in January Also work boots are selling better earlier in the Fall As far as trends go the tough rugged look for men is proving popularrdquo added Little ldquoFor women winter boots with color pops are again selling wellrdquo

Adidas Outdoorrsquos Thomsen believes the current trend in boots toward lighter weight better grip and greater comfort is continuing and is be-coming more important as more consumers are exposed to the new tech-nologies and materials that makes it possible ldquoNew trends take time to mature into the new standard but once enough people have a chance to experience these innovations it is impossible to go back to heavy leather boots that take miles to break in with slippery rubber lug soles and stiff foam cushioningrdquo said Thomsen

For Fall 2015 Adidas Outdoor is upping the ante by launching its proprietary Boost rebound technology in both hiking and trail running

Bogs Kristina Chelsea Boot

Hi-Tec Sports Terra Trail Mid 200 i WP

Hi-Tec Sports Sonorous Mid II WP

Hi-Tec Sports St Moritz Lite 200 i WP

boots The technology was suc-cessfully added to Adidasrsquo Outdoor trail running line for Spring 2014 and will further expand in that cat-egory for 2015 The hiking styles will continue to play up the superi-or grip from Continental Rubbers mountain bike tire technology

ldquoThese new styles offer the best traction cushioning support and energy return ever seen in a trail bootrdquo said Thomsen ldquoThis trend will certainly grow as more people get a chance to experience this fast and light freedom The overall trend in brighter more fun colors also continues to grow especially driven by a new generation of out-door athletesrdquo Highlights include the Terrex Ultimate Boost CH $200 a waterproof winter boot with a Boost midsole and a Continental Rubber outsole that featuring PrimaLoft insulation and snowskirt ankle con-struction to seal out harsh weather along with a Climaproof membrane for dry feet

For endless energy for hiking trails and streets the Boost Urban Hiker $180 is a hip casual boot that makes comfort and warmth easy with Boost energy return and PrimaLoft 100g insulation in the upper for more warmth

Fastshell Mid CH $150 is softshell mid-cut athletic outdoor shoe featuring grippy Continental rubber PrimaLoft insulation an Adiprene shock-absorbing midsole and sealed seams to keep water out Speed lacing makes for a quick snug fit

Thomsen believes the influence of fun colors are resonating more with the younger consumer in the out-door space Said Thomsen ldquoBoost will certainly add a spark to tradi-tional hiking boots in much the same way Boost changed the road running world There is a wide range of consumers but our target market of young next generation outdoor athletes are clearly looking for next generation products Lighter faster comfortable performance boots with a healthy dose of funrdquo

From Lowa modern styling makes the Melrose GTX Mid $225 a versatile four-season casual everyday boot with climate comfort technologies The classic lace-up is constructed of full grain leather with a Gore-Tex lining and Partelana woolpolyester blend fleece insulation Featuring Lowarsquos lightweight and low profile injected sneaker winter sole that is stable slip resistant and supportive the boot protects feet in snow and slush and will

not hold snow and ice Lowarsquos Sachs said better product has sold well this year ldquoI think the message of

long lasting enduring product is resonating with customersrdquoldquoItrsquos a better investment value itrsquos better for the environment and itrsquos

better comfort and performance Americans want good experiences not

Adidas Outdoorrsquos Terrex Ultimate Boost CH (top) and Boost Urban Hiker

Adidas Outdoorrsquos Fastshell Mid CH

Lowa Melrose GTX Mid


bad ones Suffering with wet cold feet twisted ankles soreness blis-ters and so on is not in our DNArdquo

For hunters Lowarsquos Innox GTX Mid for men $215 features a lightweight synthetic upper while injected PU sole technology and Monowrap construction offers support and stability The boot also

features a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex lining NXT sole for trac-tion and durability and closed loops for spreading lace tension ldquoHunt continues to drive high-end product in the big game western marketsrdquo said Sachs ldquoThese sportsmen need product that performs when they are in the backcountry for extended periods with heavy loads (they hope) on the way out We will introduce some new product for the younger cus-tomer in this market who likes to move fastrdquo

Rocky Boots is re-launching its BroadHead footwear collection with more features for the hunter Weighing just 2275 ounces per boot the BroadHead collection $175 to $180 features an aggressive but lightweight

rubber skin outsole and a ripstop fabric upper The boots cement construction for extreme flexibility is 100 percent water-proof Styles are available with 400 grams or 800 grams of 3M Thinsulate Ultra Insu-lation and all feature Realtree Xtra cam-ouflage

ldquoFrom the outsole up these Broad-Head boots are the definition of toughrdquo said Jordan Gottke marketing director

for Rocky Boots ldquoThe BroadHead collection does it all while remaining comfortable and lightweightrdquo

From Vasque the Sundowner GTX $220 combines the look and feel of the Italian original with modern technology The updated model has a molded PU midsole with a TPU shank and a Pyrenees Vibram outsole based

on the original Sundowner outsole With Red Wing leather tanned in Vasquersquos hometown of Red Wing MN its seamless upper will repel water effortlessly

Like a puffy jacket for your feet Vasquersquos Pow Pow II $150 is a performance winter boot combin-ing the warmth of 400 grams of

Thinsulate a shearling liner and Vasquersquos technologically advanced Cold Hold Compound outsole Designed for tackling gnarly winter trails it has a quilted nylon and suede waterproof upper with a molded EVA midsole and TPU shank ldquoAthletic silhouettes and materials continue to make boots lighter and more comfortable out of the boxrdquo said Vasquersquos Hall ldquoAestheti-cally we see a trend towards heritage revival of our earlier classic stylesrdquo

From Oboz the Menrsquos Sphinx Mid Bdry $150 is suited for all-day use Textile and Nubuck construction with BDry lining is waterproof and

breathable and stability comes from Obozrsquo BFit Deluxe insole generous lugs and supportive mid-cut design

For women the Phoenix Mid Bdry $150 is a light mid-cut textile and Nu-buck leather hiker with deep lugs for se-cure footing a top quality footbed and waterproof breathable upper

Obozrsquos Fairchilds believes that in-creased discussions around mitigating your carbon footprint will put a greater

emphasis on boots that last ldquoA boot needs to have a classic enough look that it endures well beyond the latest fad chasing the lsquocoolestrsquo fashion or latest midsole thickness isnrsquot the way to make sure customers get a full life out of a shoe or bootrdquo said Fairchilds ldquoAnd of course a boot has to fit well for full service from day one until its last day otherwise it sits in the closet From a manufacturing standpoint making boots endure requires attention to de-tail that focuses on durability including selecting materials and construction methodsrdquo

For Fall 2015 Muck Boots will introduce the sleekly styled Arc-tic Excursion Lace $160 in whatrsquos expected to be another strong year for full rubber boots and ankle style slip-onrsquos The menrsquos boot features full rubber coverage a fleece lining and rugged outsole The 5mm of neo-prene insulation provides comfort 100 percent waterproof protection and a temperature rating of -40 de-grees With consumers also looking for customization the boot features non-functional laces that will come in two color choicesrdquo

Arctic Sport II $170 is a rugged but sleek outdoor boot for wom-en ldquoAbove all else the consumer is looking for a boot that is light-weight comfortable and can be worn throughout the dayrdquo said Muck Bootsrsquo s OBrien ldquoMuckrsquos signature neoprene material makes it one of the lightest and most comfortable boots on the marketrdquo

From Merrell the Capra $170 is a hoof-inspired hiker taking its cues from the Capra mountain goat Vibram MegaGrip outsole and Merrell UniFly tapered midsole cling to challenging terrain The new leather additions amplify protection warmth and durability

Vasque Sundowner GTX

Vasque Pow Pow II

Oboz Menrsquos Sphinx Mid Bdry

Oboz Phoenix Mid Bdry

Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid

Rocky Boots BroadHead

Muck Boots Arctic Excursion Lace (right) and Arctic Sport II (bottom)


At Ahnu which is gaining traction among boot fans this year with the stylish yet sturdy Sugarpine and Montana models a highlight for Fall 2015 is the West Portal $185 Featuring seam-sealed waterproof construction full grain leather uppers with reptile embossing and blown rubber out-sole the boot offers all day comfort with a soft jersey lining

Part of Keenrsquos American Built Perfor-mance Series the Durand Polar $200 fea-tures Keenrsquos proprietary direct-inject poly-urethane (PU) that resists compaction offers a durable midsole and maintains its cushioning qualities from the first step to the millionth A TPU shank improves stabil-ity and an integrated heel cushion maximizes step-in comfort and shock absorption A new snow and ice grip outsole material offers a high level of traction in freezing tempera-

tures It also fea-tures a Thermal Heat Shield Footbed and KEENDry water-proof breathable membrane

The Logan Mid $60 also made in the US features an integrated heel cushion with step-in comfort and maximizes shock absorption Featuring a lightweight synthetic upper

Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n

and KEENDry waterproof breathable membrane the boot has a Smart Lace-Plate designed to evenly distribute lace pressure across the mid-foot for comfort on longer treks and a solid rubber high-traction outsole

Offering a casual youthful take on a traditional rain boot the Elsa

Boot WP $130 includes an on-trend ankle height and Sherpa lin-ing With 100 grams of KEENWarm insulation the Elsa protects from the cold while a high-traction outsole performs easily on wet and slippery surfaces ldquoWith some of our womenrsquos casual footwear wersquore instilling patterns influenced by Mesoamerica with earthy hues and a pop of bright saturation thatrsquos evident in the womens Elsa winter boot collectionrdquo noted Johanna Koeberle Keenrsquos se-nior merchandising manager ldquoThe focus is on fun style and func-tion in creating a boot that can be worn with everything and isnrsquot bulky

ldquoThe outdoor lifestyle is also trendingrdquo added Koeberle ldquoHigh couturersquo - the lsquorunwayrsquo- is taking cues from the outdoor industry and fusing it with high fashionrdquo added Koeberle ldquoThis hybrid combination is evident in our menrsquos BLVD line with the Tumalo collection ndash a fusion of hiking and lifestyle ndash using high-quality full-grain leather and vulcanized construc-tion creating a street sneaker with style thatrsquos inspired by the mountainsrdquo


In products with thousands of years of history innovations often come at a snailrsquos pace But snowshoes despite very little evolution over most of their existence have improved immensely in the last two decades with dramatic innovations in materials binding and frame

design and to a lesser extent shape

By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS

Jake Thamm Founder of Crescent Moon Snowshoes

OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015


he snowshoe industry is not [the most] technically driven category ndash not like bikes or skis or even boots ndash but what technical applications

have been introduced over the last 20 years have been modestly embraced by the industryrdquo said snowshoe innovator and Founder of Crescent Moon Snowshoes Jake Thamm But he suggested the industry is more quickly adapting innovations and trends from other industries now

It is true innovations over the last few years and continuing with the 2015 lines have been more robust with most of the big playersrsquo lines featuring new technologies in various areas

Jeff Oster Atlas marketing coordinator said ldquoSnowshoe engineers have been asking themselves a few key questions - What important qualities does the intended user need in a pair of snowshoes (trail walker mountain hiker snowboarder) How can we make the snowshoe binding faster to get in and out of How can we make the snowshoe lighter while maintain-ing the integrity and reliability of the constructionrdquo

The answers have benefited all areas of these products Bindings ndash which have long frustrated designers (and consumers) with often bulky cluttered confusing systems ndash have seen the most radical and beneficial innovations Designers have had to address a wide range of challenges with bindings ndash straps and buckles have to fit a wide range of shoe shapes and sizes while remaining secure and micro-adjust-able and easy to use even with gloves on all in snowy and icy conditions

Most of todayrsquos designs have overcome these issues For instance with innovations like the Boa dial-closure systems first used by Louis Garneau a relative newcomer to the industry bindings are much less clut-tered and more quickly and easily adjust-able than just a few years ago Tubbs is also now using Boa for its current line while other brands have as well streamlined their binding systems dramatically with other technologies

Another area that has seen relatively little evolution until today is con-struction material - from decking to crampons and especially frames which were made from wood almost exclusively for thousands of years and mostly aluminum with modern snowshoes (and to a lesser extent steel) Northern Lights experimented with alternative materials in the early 90rsquos using titanium for its frames but aluminum has continued to utterly dominate the industry Until now Crescent Moon is about to blow that notion apart with its introduction of the first-ever production-model carbon fiber snowshoe frame on its new Rocket model While carbon has been around in skiing and cycling for some time this is the first produc-tion model available with the feather-light yet incredibly strong material We expect many more brands to follow up with their own models in the

next couple years pending much-anticipated feedback about the Rocket Meanwhile aluminum and carbon-steel continue to rule the industry while titanium and lightweight plastics are also gaining ground

Suspended bindings and articulating frames have also received consider-able traction lately These innovations supposedly help ease workload and fatigue Suspending the binding provides the ankle to flex naturally while the frame can tilt or flex around it ldquoSuspension straps allow the ankle to have lateral articulation on uneven terrain This technology is best displayed on side hills when traversing across a steep sloperdquo explained Oster

Plus the foot and toe crampons may be able to sink further into the snow for better traction especially in loose snow Articulating and flexible frames also allow the shoe to adjust to changing terrain ndash like off-camber trails for instance ndash so the ankle doesnrsquot have to compensate And heel lifts ndash similar to those in backcountry ski bindings ndash have been added to many models to ease stress on calves during steep ascents

Finally decking has also seen considerable improvement recently as well as the way in which decking is secured to the frames Again carbon fiber enters the equation here with carbon composite materials reducing weight and maintaining integrity while increasing strength Combined with suspension this provides lightweight strength and comfort ldquoCarbon decking is very lightweight and also very durablerdquo said Rich Packer brand marketing manager for Easton ldquoThe decking does not stretch like stan-dard decking so it is enhanced by the special design of the flexible framerdquo

Other fabrics and plastics are addressing the same issues with similar success MSR even offers an extension to some new models where an extra section of tail decking and frame can be easily added for changing terrain

TSL OUTDOORFrench snowshoe brand TSL Outdoor has been around for over 30 years and in 2013 they introduced the Symbioz Elite $300 which may represent the most radical innovation in the industry since wood and hides were abandoned for metal plastic and fabric And for this season theyrsquove expanded the line to include the slightly lower-end Expert $260 Plus both models of these relatively short hourglass-shaped ultra-flexible backcountry shoes are now offered in three size options - 205rdquo 235rdquo and 27rdquo -with weights ranging from 38lbs per pair to 48lbs Overall theyrsquore almost identical in construction but the Elite decking is a carbon-reinforced plastic adding spring to shoe when coming out of a step while the Expert uses fiberglass-based Texalium as its reinforcement

ldquoT

Jeff Oster Atlas marketing coordinator

TSL Outdoor Symbioz Elite


Either way both offer extremely impressive traction due to their unique range of flex and rotation - although this can also limit floatation in soft snow They say the shoes will rotate up to 40 degrees to maintain full contact on seriously steep terrain plus they flex with your foot more naturally on more gentle slopes Along with the materials even the crampons and bindings are

quite different than most shoes ndash bi-directional plas-tic and replaceable stain-less steel crampons are all independently attached like so many spikes so the deck is free to bend and the crampons will fol-low and still dig in And small tabs are cut into the perimeter of the deck like teeth which add flex with the deck and add grip on side slopes as well

The bindings also have notable innovations First on both models the heel and toe are attached with a telescoping plastic tab This is a ldquoset and forgetrdquo buckle so you donrsquot have to adjust it each time And the Elite

features TSL Outdoorrsquos Memory Lock System in front ndash the user simply slips a shoe into the open pre-set clamp and closes the lever with no need to adjust (the Expert uses a traditional ratchet buckle in front) On both models the binding heel houses the lift bar so itrsquos more easily de-ployed with a downward push of your thumb or even a pole than typical lifts that require the user to reach down to the decking and pull it upward

CRESCENT MOONFor the 201415 Season however the small Colorado-based Crescent Moon enters in with the most drastic innovation with the introduction of the worldrsquos first carbon composite snowshoe Their new Rocket $400 28lbs 24rdquo features not only composite tubing but also decking Known for its incredible strength-to-weight ratio the carbon fiber gives the teardrop-shaped Rocket its excellent speed and agility but the inclusion of fiberglass and other materials allows for more flexibility in the frame and underfoot While itrsquos not the lightest shoe on the market itrsquos still under three pounds Itrsquos also super sexy and should enjoy an instant following simply because hellip wellhellip itrsquos carbon The outer decking

is directly integrated into the frame rather than secured with tabs so the structure should be much stronger in this often-vulnerable junction With no gaps for snow to get through this will improve floatation The shoes come with their minimalist Single Pull System binding or for an even more pared-down option they are also offered with direct-mount integration saving an additional 6oz Or for those who prefer both options the binding can easily be removed to allow for direct shoe mounting

This is clearly a top-end racing modeland will probably appeal mostly to elite athletes (and per-haps a few well-heeled tech geeks) but the indi-cations for future shoes are substantial If this shoe proves successful the industry will have to quickly adapt ndash at least at the top-end ndash because carbon is so much lighter and thus faster

The other exciting option offered by Crescent Moon for 201415 is the Design-Your-Own pro-gram Consumers can customize their shoes $230 to $280 weights and sizes vary for their exact needs with type size andor color op-tions for frame decking binding and traction For instance a buyer may want a lighter smaller frame but with slightly heavier steel crampons with extra traverse tread for added durability and traction andor a more burly binding sys-tem for added security Or vice versa of course

And who wouldnrsquot want to customize the color with multiple frame deck and binding options

LOUIS GARNEAUAnother highly significant innovation in the in-dustry is the use of Boarsquos dial closure systems in bindings First used by Louis Garneau in 2013 this simple-to-use clasp ndash already ubiquitous in footwear across many sports ndash has stream-lined lightened and simplified their bindings considerably Most of the mid- and upper-end shoes feature the Boa dials including the new ultralight Transition 723 $200 21lbs 285rdquo designed specifically for running and racing Nothing can match the simple (even on-the-fly) micro-adjustability of the dial closure even with gloves on or in deep snow The streamlined frame shape with a contoured waist and lightweight aluminum frame al-lows for a natural stride with the cutaway providing room for a nested foot landing plus the binding is suspended for more natu-ral ankle articulation Itrsquos also among the lightest shoes on the market

For those more inclined to grind up a mountain in the backcountry the Black Everest available in 822 and 827 models $185 41lbs 323rdquo and 47lbs 326rdquo is designed for steep ascents and access to summits The sturdy

TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es


polymer-molded deck has a sharp front edge that provides great snow shedding and high carbon steel crampons give maximum traction including at the perimeter for side hills The suspended binding features a single Boa closure for easy secure fit in the front with a separate rubber strap across the heel And the heel raiser gives a more natural position and reduces calf fatigue on steep ascents

EASTON Easton has made a big name in cycling among other activities for its high-end carbon and alu-minum wheels and accessories And while they donrsquot yet offer a carbon snowshoe they do incor-porate carbon fiber into their decking for great strength-to-weight combined with top-quality 7075 aluminum frames in shoes like the VO2 Racing model sold without bindings for direct-

mount only $300 25lbs 21rdquo Unlike many brands the frame is made from two separate tubes connected at tip and tail with slightly flexible joints for added articulation They also use an innovative split toe crampon for bet-ter forefoot feel on the trail And the turned-up tail means less drag on the snow when finishing a stride

Eastonrsquos menrsquos and womenrsquos Hike $140 for the more casual snowshoe enthusiast also features the dual-tube design and ar-ticulating joints Menrsquos come in 25rdquo and 29rdquo (47lbs 52lbs) for ideal fit across a wide range and womenrsquos come in 25rdquo (47lbs) They all feature one-pull binding closures plus heel lifts for steep terrain And a con-toured inside shape allows for better ldquonest-ingrdquo - more room for the rear leg to land so the usersrsquo stance can be less wide and more natural The womenrsquos model has increased contouring

ATLASThe newest member of the Atlas backcoun-try collection the Endeavor is available in 24rdquo and 28rdquo $220 4lbs 45lbs and breaks the typical mold of using only soft or only composite decking by blending

a traditional foredeck with a composite aft Combined with their V-frame design ndash which they say allows for better tracking because a smaller v-shaped tail keeps its line through the snow and doesnrsquot drag as much ndash the composite tail allows for better soft-snow float Plus the Spring-Loaded Suspen-sion (SLS) means the bind-ing is mounted on flexible free-floating straps that can

stretch below the frame for deeper crampon penetration and can twist for ankle articulation This means consistent performance in varied condi-tions

And Atlasrsquo redesigned 8 comes in two sizes 25rdquo and 30rdquo $140 33lbs 37lbs as does the womenrsquos Elektra 8 with 23rdquo and 27rdquo options $140 3lbs 34lbs All feature Atlasrsquo new Light-Ride Suspension a version of the SLS on the Endeavor with lighter construction for less weight and added sus-pension They also updated the crampons by adding side knobs for im-proved traction in varied terrain And the binding even provides molded arch support and comes with gender-specific lasts

TUBBSThe venerable granddaddy of American snowshoe companies is over 100 years old but that doesnrsquot mean Tubbs is afraid to innovate as is clear with their redesigned Flex VRT available in 22rdquo (womenrsquos) 24rdquo and 28rdquo $250 4lbs 45lbs 5lbs This full composite backcountry shoe offers high floatation and now incorporates a new Boa closure system allowing for less weight and hassle without compromising a secure fit for varied shoes Their Flex Tail design allows the tail to bend on landing softening the impact made even more cushioned with a softer heel area And the structure is just soft enough to allow some torsional twist for better ar-ticulation in varied terrain A heel lift and perimeter crampons complete the package for summit-bagging and off-piste exploration

Louis Garneau Transition 723

Easton VO2 Racing

Atlas Endeavor (left) and Elektra 8 (right)

Tubbs Flex VRT

For slightly less adventurous outings the Flex RDG available in 24rdquo menrsquos and womenrsquos 22rdquo options $190 39lbs 35lbs is designed to tackle a wide variety of all-mountain terrain It features Tubbsrsquo easiest-to-use one-button binding The top and heel straps are integrated so one twist of the new Boa dial secures the entire shoe although the heel has an additional set-and-forget adjustment to accommodate a variety of sizes These have the same Flex Tail features as the VRT along with heel lifts and perimeter crampons


MOUNTAIN SAFETY RESEARCH (MSR) With the name Mountain Safety Research yoursquod expect MSR to excel at serious backcountry snowshoes and yoursquod be right While perhaps not the lightest shoes like the new Revo Ascent available in 22rdquo and 25rdquo $240 39lbs 43lbs are some of the most rugged in the industry But what really sets these shoes apart is the option to add an additional 5rdquo of tail length ndash just clip on the Modular Floatation tail and the float is improved con-siderably for changing conditions Full injection-molded plastic decking offers great durability and float torsional flex for better purchase in var-ied terrain plus heel lifts for serious inclines And a burley combination of steel perimeter crampons under-heel plastic crampons and two rows of teeth underfoot gives outstanding traction ndash they even feature reinforced toes for kick stepping in extreme conditions

Their Revo Trail also offered in 22rdquo and 25rdquo options $180 34lbs 38lbs pro-

vide a slightly lighter option for more all-around use in less severe c o n d i t i o n s But they still offer the clever Modular Floata-tion tail for versatility and much of the same rugged features of the Ascent with injection-molded plastic decking and steel crampons all around (but only one row of teeth under toe) The traditional rubber-strap bindings are a bit less burly but still offers solid security easy slip-in and freeze-proof performance

NORTHERN LITESOf course not every brand thinks newer is al-ways better especially with a product as tried-and-true as the traditional snowshoe So while incorporating many modern trends like ma-terials shaping and construction Northern Lites ndash always among the lightest and early on

considered one of the major innovators in the industry incorporating various metals into their products ndash now prefers to simply refine their minimalist designs rather than radically innovating ldquoMany snowshoe companies are chasing the next greatest binding or whateverrdquo said Brian Hallgren president and co-owner ldquoBut we continue to view snowshoeing as providing winter fun with tried-and-true easy-to-use snowshoes Ultimately snowshoers are just looking for snowshoes that work and work for many yearshelliprdquoThis is clear in their Backcountry Rescue (BCR) model $270 28lbs 30rdquo with its pared-down yet functional design ndash identical to the regular Backcountry model but with hi-vis rescue-orange decking Its long tear-drop frame with a widest section under the heel provides excellent float even in deep soft snow even though the weight is similar to many much smaller running snowshoes But the weight is what really sets these apart At under three pounds these are as light as some much smaller running snowshoes But that does not sacrifice their durability they say because they use a special aluminum alloy they claim is 40 percent stronger than the industry standard 6061 T6 framing however there are no perimeter crampons only toe and heel

The same trademark minimal design and ultralight weight is evident in their new Womenrsquos Elite 250 31lbs 25rdquo a full-sized mountaineering and backpacking snowshoe with an aggressive crampon system They claim itrsquos the lightest Womenrsquos specific snowshoe on the market The weatherproof rubber-strap binding system is clean secure and functional though there are four separate buckles to tighten

Tubbs Flex RDG

Mountain Safety Research (MSR)

Revo Ascent

Brian hallgren president and co-owner

Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Revo Trail

Northern Lites

Backcountry Rescue (BCR)

(top) and Womenrsquos

Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE

JANUARY 14-16 2015LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER bull LAS VEGAS NEVADA

The Sports Licensing and Tailgate Show is the 1 sports merchandise show in the US More than 350 exhibiting companies hold the licenses for professional collegiate and all other sports teams

and represent all product categoriesmdashfrom apparel and accessories to toys and souvenirs

This is where you should be to tap into the $222 billion worldwide sports licensing market It is the only place where buyers can see the latest products under one roof in just three days No matter what type of

retailer you aremdashsporting goods mass market general merchandise specialty or fan shopmdashyou are sure to find something new

REGISTER TODAYwwwSportsTailgateShowcom

The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014

Sports Licensing amp Tailgate Show Logo SHIELD LOGO ONLY OPTION

Sports Licensing amp Tailgate Show Logo LOCK-UP WITH DATES amp LOCATION

Sports Licensing amp Tailgate Show Logo STANDARD

SLTS

SPORTSSHOWLICENSINGampTAILGATE

JANUARY 14-16 2015 | LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER | WWWSPORTSTAILGATESHOWCOM

Products on Display Represent These Leagues and More


TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy

6-9 SfIA Sports Tech Conference amp Marketplace las Vegas NV

8-10 ATA Trade Show Indianapolis IN 8-10 Surf Expo Orlando fl

13-17 NBS Winter Market fort Worth TX

14-16 Sports licensing amp Tailgate Show las Vegas NV

16-18 Imprinted Sportswear Show long Beach CA

20-23 ShOT Show las Vegas NV

20 All Mountain Demo Day Solitude UT

21-24 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Salt lake City UT

29-feb 1 SIA Snow Show Denver CO

fEBRUARy

2-3 SIA On-Snow Demo Ski-Ride fest amp Nordic Demo Copper Mountain Resort CO

3-5 ffANy New york Ny

5-8 ISpO Munich Germany

8-12 Worldwide Spring Show Reno NV

18-21 Sports Inc Outdoor Show phoenix AZ

18-23 NBS Spring Semi-Annual Market fort Worth TX

MARCh

3-4 SfIA National health Through fitness Day Washington DC

13-15 Imprinted Sportswear Show Atlantic City NJ

MAy

3-6 NSGA Management conference and Team Dealer Summit Austin TX

Athletic Dealers of America1395 Highland AvenueMelbourne FL 32935t 3212540091f 3212427419athleticdealersofamericacom

National Shooting Sports FoundationFlintlock Ridge Office Center11 Mile Hill RoadNewtown CT 06470t 2034261320 f 2034261087nssforg

National Sporting Goods Association1601 Feehanville Drive Suite 300Mount Prospect IL 60056t 8472966742f 8473919827nsgaorg

Nationrsquos Best Sports4216 Hahn BlvdFt Worth TX 76117t 8177880034f 8177888542nbscom

Outdoor Industry Association4909 Pearl East Circle Suite 300Boulder CO 80301t 3034443353f 3034443284outdoorindustryorg

Sports amp Fitness Industry Association8505 Fenton St Suite 211Silver Spring MD 20910t 3014956321f 3014956322sfiaorg

Snow Sports Industries America8377-B Greensboro DriveMcLean VA 22102t 7035569020f 7038218276snowsportsorg

Sports Inc333 2nd Avenue NorthLewistown MT 59457t 4065383496f 4065382801sportsinccom

Sports Specialists Ltd590 Fishers Station Drive Suite 110Victor NY 14564t 5857421010f 5857422645sportsspecialistsltdcom

Team Athletic Goods629 Cepi DriveChesterfield MO 63005t 6365303710f 6365303711tag1com

Tennis Industry Association1 Corpus Christi Place Suite 117Hilton Head Island SC 29928t 8436863036f 8436863078tennisIndustryorg

Worldwide 8211 South 194thKent WA 98032t 2538728746f 2538727603wdi-wdicom

CALENDARFor full year calendar go to sportsonesourcecomevents

photo courtesy Timberland

1866YAKTRAX | WWWYAKTRAXCOM

WINTER TRACTION FOR ALL YOU DO

copy2014 Implus Corporation Yaktraxreg is a registered trademark of Implus Corporation 1214


GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA

GO FOR ITFind out more8008383906insoles-sorbothanecom



Take the demanding trail - Sorbothanereg Performance Insoles will be with you step after step bull Sorbothanereg Makes The Difference bull Actually cradling the foot in natural comfort bull Sorbothanereg protects the entire body by absorbing up to 947 of impact shock bull Recommended for over 30 yearsSorbothanereg insoles provide comfort and are your best defense against impact related pain and injury


From Our Family To Yours

Wishes You a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year

Photo courtesy Crested Butte Mountain Resort ldquoSanta Ski and Crawlrdquo and Trent Bona Photography cbsantacrawlcom




Thomas J Ryan


9173754699



Charlie Lunan


Teresa Hartford



Camila Amortegui



Buz Keenan

Northeast


2018875112

Katie ODonohue

SoutheastMidwest


8282443043





3039977302



















10












MOVERS amp SHAKERS



PROTECTIVE LINE







Swag

Baller

Coverage





FITNESS COLLECTION


























Achieve Your GoAls


























ANALYSIS I RETAIL










By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA








Thomas J Ryan


9173754699



Charlie Lunan


Teresa Hartford



Camila Amortegui



Buz Keenan

Northeast


2018875112

Katie ODonohue

SoutheastMidwest


8282443043





3039977302



















10












MOVERS amp SHAKERS



PROTECTIVE LINE







Swag

Baller

Coverage





FITNESS COLLECTION


























Achieve Your GoAls


























ANALYSIS I RETAIL










By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA














MOVERS amp SHAKERS



PROTECTIVE LINE







Swag

Baller

Coverage





FITNESS COLLECTION


























Achieve Your GoAls


























ANALYSIS I RETAIL










By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA









FITNESS COLLECTION


























Achieve Your GoAls


























ANALYSIS I RETAIL










By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA























Achieve Your GoAls


























ANALYSIS I RETAIL










By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA



























ANALYSIS I RETAIL










By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA






By Thomas J Ryan




OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA



















B






















and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA


























and Britton Hill


Columbia Sportswear

Nocca



Boa GTX

Ecco Whistler
















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA




















Asolo Shiraz


(right)






Wolverine Evans











Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA















Harbor (left)


and Jaeger (right)


GTX

Photo courtesy Keen







































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA








































































Vasque Pow Pow II



Merrell Capra

Lowa Innox GTX Mid








Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA










Ahnu West Portal

Keen Durand Polar

Keen Logan Mid

Keen Elsa Boot WP

pho

to c

our

tesy

kee

n








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA








By Scott Boulbol

SnowShoeS


OUTDOOR TRENDS 2015















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA



















ldquoT















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA

















TSL Outdoor Expert

Pho

to c

our

tesy

Cre

scen

t M

oo

n S

now

sho

es












Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA
















Easton VO2 Racing


Tubbs Flex VRT









Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA












Tubbs Flex RDG


Revo Ascent



Northern Lites



Elite (bottom)

DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA





DISCOVER VARIETYTHE







The

Lice

nsing

Let

ter S

ports

Lice

nsing

Rep

ort 2

014




SLTS





TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA






TR

AD

E A

SS

OC

IAT

ION

S |

BU

YIN

G G

RO

UP

SJANUARy










fEBRUARy







MARCh



MAy




















GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA









GO FOR IT

100 MADE IN USA





ISSUE 1451 DECEMBER 22, 2014 The Weekly Digital...

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Transcript of ISSUE 1451 DECEMBER 22, 2014 The Weekly Digital...