Now It's Time to Look at the 'Bottom' of Shoes, Tech Shoes Outsole Competition

Now's the time to look at somewhere different: instead of focusing on the outer part of the shoe, it's time to look at the 'bottom'. It's time to change up the experience everyone has had before, of suffering all day after wearing out a pair of newly bought shoes that was purchased just for its design.

If you've worn soft shoes and still felt uncomfortable, it's time to flip them over and check. Checking whether the soles of your shoes are too hard or slippery is a crucial step to prevent straining your ankles and calves, furthermore preventing yourself from a world of mind-boggling pain in your precious feet.

Specifically speaking, the 'bottom' of the shoe refers to the outsole, the part of a shoe that comes into contact with the ground when worn. The outsole can be considered to be the core part of footwear, where the technological prowess of a shoe is concentrated and demonstrated. The outsole, which were once considered important only by professional athletes or mountaineers, now transcends mere technology, and have become closely related to style whilst giving you a funcational reason to pay more attention to the bottom of your shoes.

Let's take a look at the evolution of outsole trends over time and the accompanying changes in footwear that have continuously advanced in both technology and style.

#2000s, Running Shoes Competition with Technology Providing the Same Feel as Professional Athletes

In the early 2000s, interest in lightweight shoes increased, leading to the release of products that applied special technologies developed for professional athletes. These products featured ultralight running shoes weighing less than 200g per foot, or used new materials, and involved ergonomic technologies to provide the same feel to general consumers as professional athletes.

Adidas's "Energy Boost" running shoes are a prime example of those. Energy Boost was popular among runners since its release, thanks to its technology developed in cooperation with BASF, the world's largest chemical company, which applied thousands of small TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer) capsules in the midsole for practicality. This technology has been applied to various subsequent series.

Meanwhile, Puma introduced the "Ignite" running shoes in 2015, fronted by the world-famous athlete Usain Bolt. Ignite was engineered for flexibility and cushioning, featuring Puma's newly developed "Ignite Foam" based on polyurethane (PU). The heel of the shoe employed Puma's proprietary material "ForeverFoam", which boasted an even higher durability than regular rubber.

#Coronavirus Increases Outdoor Popularity... 'Newbie Hikers' and the Popularity of Trail Shoes and Hiking Boots with Both Functionality and Design

During the COVID-19 era, the influx of the 2030 generation seeking untact leisure activities like hiking led to an increase in the demand for functional sneakers as people sought safe hiking experiences. At the same time, the demand for wearing hiking boots in everyday life also increased as the rough, rugged design, prioritizing grip and rebound for outdoor activities emerged as a stylish, gorpcore look.

The Canadian outdoor brand Arc'teryx, French brand Salomon, and the American urban outdoor brand Keen are representative examples of daily wear hiking shoes.

Keen's Jasper model is especially known for its rounded toe design, bold yet varying colors, and the company's proprietary technology, making it a popular, sell-out frenzy style that combines both design and functionality.

Here, Skechers has also expanded its range beyond walking shoes to performance running shoes and trail shoes. The "Max Cushioning Trail" shoes, in collaboration with Goodyear, one of the world's three major tire companies, are trail shoes that can be worn even on light hikes, featuring ULTRA GO™ cushioning and a rubber outsole completed with tire technology used in world-renowned cars for enhanced grip and durability.

#Post-Pandemic Increase in Hiking, Camping, and Other Outdoor Leisure... Emphasis on 'Wearing Sensation' Suitable for Light Outdoor Activities

Now at Post-pandemic, there has been an increase in the population engaging in entry-level leisure activities such as hiking, domestic travel, and camping using weekends or public holidays, leading to higher demand for functional sneakers that adhere to basic principles while being versatile for various everyday technologies.

Nepa introduced the "Whistlizer" hiking shoes this year, the first outdoor shoes to apply the exclusive "whistling® cushioning foam", offering comfortable wear for light outdoor activities such as easy hiking, long-distance travel, and hiking. The shoes boast an ultralight weight and Gore-Tex Invisible Fit for waterproof, windproof, and breathable functions, providing a snug fit that perfectly contours to the foot.

Nike's "ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low GORE-TEX" is a trail running shoe that too offers comfort even in harsh environments. Its ACG (All Condition Gear) name signifies readiness for any condition, boasting comfort and durability. The outsole, inspired by mountain bike tires, provides superior grip, and the insole features OrthoLite foam for breathability and cushioning, ensuring comfortable fitting even after long periods of wear.

Hoka's road racing shoes "Rocket X 2" feature Hoka's proprietary Meta-Rocker geometry, highlighting an improved upper and a changed lower foam, the elevated outsole, made of PEBA foam rubber material, boasting soft cushioning and providing a comfortable yet flexible wearing sensation. Additionally, the midsole of the said model is known to be composed of ProFlyX™, reinforced with Vibram Megagrip Litebase, offering stable grip and propulsion.

A Nepa representative stated, "After the pandemic, as the outdoor activity population enjoying hiking, domestic travel, and camping on weekends increases, interest in hiking shoes that can cover various outdoor activities is also increasing. The newly introduced Nepa Whistlizer, equipped with excellent cushioning as well as ergonomic technology that supports stable walking on wet rainy paths and rocky roads, has been receiving positive feedback since its launch, and we anticipate it becoming a new signature product for Nepa."