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Merrell reports barefoot progress
One million pairs shipped to US in first season and new developments in barefoot market driving growth
Footwear brand Merrell said it has seen strong growth in its barefoot collection, and will continue to develop its range to meet the needs of the market.
Speaking at outdoor industry tradeshow OutDoor last month, UK marketing manager Jonathan Pennington said it is set to ship one million pairs of barefoot shoes into the US in its first full season; a ‘phenomenal success’ in the spiritual home of barefoot running.
To support this success, Pennington said Merrell has grown its barefoot range to suit the widening market for the shoes, including the Bare Access range, which offers zero heel-to-toe drop but with greater cushioning.
“This acts as a progression from cushioned shoes that people are used to into true barefoot running,” he said. “Some people are scared of going truly barefoot so want a level of cushioning, coupled with the zero heel-to-toe drop that is the hallmark of barefoot running.”
Merrell has also developed a shoe using Gore-Tex, a first in the barefoot running market according to Pennington, and children’s barefoot shoes, which he described as a ‘natural progression’. “Children love to take their shoes off and run barefoot, so they are an obvious market to target when it comes to barefoot shoes.”
