OR Winter Market: Boots Pushing Minimalism in Construction and Feel

The trend was proved out at retail as well as light hikers proved not to be “light” enough for consumers, fueling significant growth in the approach and outdoor crosstraining categories in 2010.  Based on retail point-of-sale data compiled by SportScanInfo for OIA VantagePoint, retail sales of product in the approach and outdoor crosstraining categories are up in strong double-digits for the 51-week year-to-date period, while light hiking was up in high-single-digits and technical hiking in mid-single-digits.

The trend to “fast and light” seen in backs and bags over the last few years, coupled with the trend to minimalism in many footwear categories, is creating new construction challenges and opportunities for brands.

Brian Moore. VP, global men's footwear at The Timberland Co., believes his company has come out with the first 'minimal' boot. In boot terms, he defines minimal as limiting the materials and construction to “strip away everything that you don't need” to create a more breathable and less “stiff” boot.

The LiteTrace multi-sport boot (MSRP: $155) features a single-layer waterproof upper (no membrane here, the boot is the membrane) using no-sew construction and minimal seam-sealing. Instead of the chunks of rubber on the base of a traditional hiker, the bottom features a thin TPU plate with rubber only on the traction areas.

Its Green Rubber outsole features a lightweight Pebax foam heel insert.
Timberland believes it’s the first brand to use Pebax foam in a multi-sport boot, which is 20% lighter than EVA, more durable and responds better to temperature fluctuations.

“What you get is a 12.5 oz. seamless shoe that's incredibly lightweight, a lot more flexible, a lot more breathable and just as waterproof,” said Moore. “So it's not barefoot, it's not flat to the ground, you don't have to change your gait, etc. It's just that everything we did in constructing it had a very different point of view.”

But the lightweight trend is also continuing to be driven by consumers looking to use their footwear for multiple-purposes. While construction, fit, warmth and other performance features continue to resonate with the core outdoor enthusiast, the strength in the light hiker category shows that people are looking to boots for more casual reasons that the traditionally bulky boot can't provide. With people going on less multi-day trips, the lighter hiker also works more for the core enthusiasts as well. Comfort is said to have become even more critical with boots becoming many people's everyday shoe.

The look of the boot is also becoming more important, with men particularly seeking on more athletic takes in boots. On the women's side, the red-hot trend is leather casual boots of all lengths as well as women's insulated or shearling-lined après boots have driven the women's side. Many boot makers at the show could be seen taking their own take on the UGG and Sorel phenomenon.

 

Ahnu: The Tahoe winter boot for women (MSRP: $220) boasts eVent Waterproofing, 200grams of Thinsulate insulation, Vibram tooling and a ‘down feather’ nylon tongue for added comfort.

Asolo: The Glance, part of Asolo's Escape collection, features highly fashionable uppers in quality leathers and suedes while Gore-Tex Performance Comfort liners maximize external water protection and internal breathability. Vibram outsoles provide secure grip in conjunction with the comfortable EVA midsoles.

Chaco: Marking its entry into the boot category, Chaco's women's Arbora Wool Boot (MSRP $200) features a waterproof membrane construction, full grain leather/wool upper and wool lined shaft, resolable Vibram Burly outsole and Chaco's ADDSTRIDE midsole.

Columbia Sportswear: The BugaBoot Max Electric (MSRP: $425) is fully equipped with Omni-Heat Electric to provide instant battery-powered warmth at the push of a button. Lightweight and sporty, the boot is designed for hardcore winter adventures.

Also featuring Omni-Heat technologies along with Omni-Shield advanced repellency, the Heather Canyon mid-calf winter ($300) for women is made of plush, water-resistant quilted textile and rich suede to suit the streets of Park City as well as the slopes of Aspen.

Garmont: The Momentum Ice Lock GTX ($179.95) can handle sub-zero temperatures with 600g of Thinsulate and Gore-Tex Koala fleece lining. A new Hypergrip outsole provides traction in all conditions.

Hi-Tec: The Capri 200 WP for men (MSRP: $100) features a waterproof suede upper, 200g Thinsulate insulated construction, Comfort-Tec sockliner and MDT carbon rubber outsole.

The Zermatt 200 HPi for women (MSRP: $125) features a suede supper with a faux fur lining. It also features ion-mask protection, 200g Thinsulate insulated construction and a removable, contoured EVA sockliner.

Keen: The Revel winter boot (MSRP: $140) combines KEEN.WARM Trapolater underfoot insulation with 200g KEEN.WARM insulation for 360 degrees of warmth and a siped ice-traction outsole. Metal speed hook lacing and a gator hook is included to handle snowy trails.
The men’s and women’s Gypsum ($130) nubuck leather boot boasts a wide, 4mm lugged outsole, a KEEN.ZORB and a KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane which deliver stability, comfort and moisture management.

La Sportiva: With wildland firefighting features, The Glacier WLF mountain boot (MSRP: $275) features a heat resistant sole with a Vibram rubber compound that is resistant to 300 degrees Celsius and a specially formulated glue compound that is resistant to 100 degrees Celsius. A minimum 8 inch height meets federal standards for wildland firefighting.

Lowa: The Couloir GTX snow boot (MSRP: $270) features split-leather, Nubuck and CORDURA upper with a GORE-TEX Partalana fleece lining to keep the boot warm, waterproof, abrasion-resistant, and comfortable. Lowa’s new G3 sole with Monowrap PU injection midsole and frame offers stability and provides maximum grip on snow and ice.
Merrell: In honor of its 30th anniversary, Merrell brought back its Wilderness Canyon hiking boot (MSRP: $200) with electric blue laces. The new version, however, cuts back on the weight by 25 percent (to 2 lbs, 2 oz) and incorporates earth-friendly materials such as 20 percent recycled midsole components.

The Wilderness Remix (MSRP: $200) retro lace-up hiking boot features removable legwarmers made of 200 grams Merrell Opti-Warm insulation.

The North Face: The Chilkat II for men (MSRP: $100) is a highly versatile, all-purpose winter boot with PrimaLoft Eco insulation, warmth to -25°F and an strong grip on frozen surfaces.
The TNF men's Back-To-Berkeley 68 winter boot (MSRP: $120.00) features HydroSeal waterproof protection and IcePick lugs with throwback styling.

Baffled, over the calf boots with convenient bungee lacing and cozy down fill insulation, the Gotham High-Rise (MSRP: $120.00) provides lightweight warmth for the city streets or the après-ski deck.

Oboz: The Wind River full height backpacking boot (MSRP: $165) features signature Oboz features – including a three-dimensionally molded external heel counter and a triple-density footbed. Waterproof/breathable BDRY lines the Nubuck leather and textile upper. Oboz configured the midsole with dual density EVA, polyurethane, and a nylon shank – all atop an aggressive non-marking high friction outsole that sports a contour map of the Wind River range.

The Yellowstone II hiking boot (MSRP: $145) has a waterproof nubuck leather upper, with Oboz’ BDry waterproof/breathable membrane.  The Sawtooth outsole package has non-marking rubber with deep lugs, dual density EVA midsole and a nylon midfoot shank. 

Patagonia: The Das (for Dead Air Space) Boot Pull On for men (MSRP: $170) includes Tec-Tuff leather uppers for extra durability and protection and PrimaLoft Eco and Polartex 200 lining for warmth.

Scarpa: Fusing fashion and function, Scarpa's Lech for women (MSRP: $189) combines nylon and suede exterior construction, a Vibram sole, synthetic insulation and a shearling wool lining into a package that offers warmth and weather protection for any winter condition.
Building on its award-winning freeride boot, Scarpa's Hurricane Pro (MSRP: $739) features a taller cuff, stiffer flex, alpine-style Intuition liners, an active power strap, and harmonized steel forefoot straps for precision forefoot closure.

Tecnica: The Cyclone Thermic GTX has an all leather upper, a nubuk rand, and a Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable membrane.  Tecnica’s TRS technology – featuring an oversized roll zone with approximately 2/3 in the rear that is flat and 1/3 in the front that is the rolling rocker – adds stability and grip.