There are some people who base their personal view regarding another individual's personality on the type and style of shoes they wear. Although this is not a generally accepted practice, it is extremely common for people to reach a conclusion solely based on the appearance of the apparel another individual selects to wear. The truth is that, as any element of a person's appearance, shoes do actually contribute to the conception others share and do classify people to the right or wrong category. Regardless if this kind of immediate generalization is right or wrong, shoes can enhance or destroy an otherwise good image. Thus, as different human practices develop, shoe-fashion has gone through great transformation over the years. In addition to colors and styles, evolutionary materials and improved design patterns have drawn people's attention to the actual fit of the shoes they are about to buy. As the shoe market continues to increase, and more diverse needs have to be met, shoe manufacturers are constantly researching in order to satisfy all those demanding markets, like that of athletic shoes.
It is really unknowing to leave a shoe store after spending a week's salary on the latest "hot" release of athletic shoes endorsed by a world-wide famous player, only to discover that they really hurt when you attempt to play or run. In fact, very few people take under consideration anything else except their athletic shoes good looks while they check out the promoted models of their favorite sports shoes brands. Considering that about 25% of the US population needs some type of specialized shoe due to their foot structure (flat-footed, pronators, or very high arches), people should be paying great attention to the athletic shoe design that best matches their foot type.
Foot and shoe experts recognize five basic categories of shoe types. One should be familiar with all of them, as preferring to buy one instead of another is directly related to the foot type a person has and the type of exercise he or she is interested in performing. Take for instance the motion-control shoes. Rigid and durable, this type of athletic shoes is control-oriented and known to limit people's inclination to assume a prone position. It is also a good choice for people that suffer from flat feet. But providing the right cushioning and support is also a matter of good shoe stability. Although someone might not suffer from any severe feet problem, like pronation or supination, it is always wise to buy shoes that durable and provide the needed support. People with high foot arches for example, should select cushioned shoes, or if you have no motion-control problems select lightweight training/running type of shoes. Trail shoes are best if you are practicing a sport like off-road running, or have to compete in inclement weather conditions and need extra traction.
Now that you have a rough idea of what kind of athletic shoes you should be looking for, it is best if you visit your shoes store when you do not absolutely need to do so. This way, you can spend more time with the sales person and ask questions for the shoe types, features, brands, or just to compare prices. If you are not in a hurry to get out, you will be able to enjoy the fact that each different shoe type description can give you knew ideas on when, where or how to wear them. Additionally, performing some elementary online research can further assist your decision and probably by the end of the week you will be able to go back to the store well-informed. With 2 to 4 pairs in mind to try out you will be able then to concentrate on the fun stuff, like the shoes' colors and sole footprint. Just remember that shopping athletic shoes when you are well-informed will save you time and money. It's like when you visit the supermarket; never go in there "hungry."
Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including Kids And Teens, Society, and Employment
http://ezinearticles.com/?Getting-Your-Next-Athletic-Pair-Of-Shoes&id=334151
Monday, May 28, 2007
The Importance Of The Bicycle Clothes While You Enjoy The Ride
In the retro years bicycle was considered to be the ‘Human Powered Vehicle”. The bi-cycling scenario bloomed in the end of the 18th century.Then bicycle was considered to be a mere mode of transportation has now come a long way due to stalwarts like Lance Armstrongand his well-renowned triumph at the ’Tour de France’. This evolution has been witnessed by the annual growth that is 5.5% of jobs generated in Canada due to bicycles. Germany gains up to $580 million per annum.It deliberately improve the employment, cash in flow, productivity and trade. This has a multiplier impact on the growth of the economy. It has opened newer avenues for the sports clothing industry.
The unisexual bicycling apparel includes shorts, tights, knickers, suits and jerseys. The jerseys are made up of characteristic fabric with UV reflective properties and low wind resistance.There are elite, classic and professional shorts which are wearable for any cool Sunday afternoon and out for a barbeque. The tights are best suited for a cold day made with super Roubaix Lycra and offer a great deal of comfort and warmth.
The knickers are especially designed to keep away the cold for the knee .The suits compromise Aero nylon or the Lycra are apt for a cross country or a winter day racing. The other inclusions are jackets, vests, warmers, recumbent, Nordic skiing, rain hoods, bib shorts, thermal jackets are all wind proof and relatively water resistant. According to the sources from the U.S. Army the apparel vents perspiration.Thre are the sources for vapor–transmission and keeping the dermis healthy by rejuvenating the skin with constant inflow of air due to the micro pores in the gears. The fabric is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which is supposed to be oil-resistant.
Women's Bicycle Clothes
The women’s’ apparel includes ranges from 2--28 (XS-4X) these are sleek and comfort-oriented. The fabric is light-weight, nylon fiber and with a polyurethane coating which prevents the water to get in. Some of the famous brands are the All Terrain, Be as You Are, Bell weather, Boll`e, Burley, Cannari, Craft etc. the costs of these respective brands might be over the top but the question of durability and long-lasting couture is answered only by them. So splurge on your favorites!
Alastair Hamilton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like the above article at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com A focused website that offers the best articles on bike clothing and cycling accessories, read more at bicycle clothes
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-Of-The-Bicycle-Clothes-While-You-Enjoy-The-Ride&id=335729
The unisexual bicycling apparel includes shorts, tights, knickers, suits and jerseys. The jerseys are made up of characteristic fabric with UV reflective properties and low wind resistance.There are elite, classic and professional shorts which are wearable for any cool Sunday afternoon and out for a barbeque. The tights are best suited for a cold day made with super Roubaix Lycra and offer a great deal of comfort and warmth.
The knickers are especially designed to keep away the cold for the knee .The suits compromise Aero nylon or the Lycra are apt for a cross country or a winter day racing. The other inclusions are jackets, vests, warmers, recumbent, Nordic skiing, rain hoods, bib shorts, thermal jackets are all wind proof and relatively water resistant. According to the sources from the U.S. Army the apparel vents perspiration.Thre are the sources for vapor–transmission and keeping the dermis healthy by rejuvenating the skin with constant inflow of air due to the micro pores in the gears. The fabric is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) which is supposed to be oil-resistant.
Women's Bicycle Clothes
The women’s’ apparel includes ranges from 2--28 (XS-4X) these are sleek and comfort-oriented. The fabric is light-weight, nylon fiber and with a polyurethane coating which prevents the water to get in. Some of the famous brands are the All Terrain, Be as You Are, Bell weather, Boll`e, Burley, Cannari, Craft etc. the costs of these respective brands might be over the top but the question of durability and long-lasting couture is answered only by them. So splurge on your favorites!
Alastair Hamilton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like the above article at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com A focused website that offers the best articles on bike clothing and cycling accessories, read more at bicycle clothes
http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Importance-Of-The-Bicycle-Clothes-While-You-Enjoy-The-Ride&id=335729
Bausch & Lomb Among Wall Street Movers
Stocks that were moving substantially or trading heavily Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
NYSE
Bausch & Lomb Inc., up $3.76 at $70.21; Advanced Medical Optics Inc., down $1.34 at $41.10.
Advanced Medical Optics confirmed it launched a takeover bid for Bausch & Lomb. Last week, Bausch & Lomb agreed to be acquired by Warburg Pincus for about $3.67 billion.
New York & Co., down $1.41 at $12.10.
The women's apparel retailer lowered its fiscal-year earnings forecast, indicating it expects additional losses from its JasmineSola brand.
Mylan Laboratories Inc., down 41 cents at $19.83.
The pharmaceutical company posted a fiscal fourth-quarter loss after it was hurt by costs tied to its takeover of Matrix Laboratories Ltd.
NASDAQ
Network Appliance Inc., down $6.30 at $31.76.
The storage technology company reported a slowdown in March will cause it to report weaker-than-expected results for the second quarter.
Hot Topic Inc., down 88 cents at $10.73.
The teen clothing retailer warned it expects to post a fiscal second-quarter loss between 2 cents and 4 cents per share amid a decline in same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year.
Komag Inc., down $4.36 at $23.18.
The magnetic disk storage company warned second-quarter revenue would fall below its forecast amid weaker sales volumes and lower selling prices.
http://www.townhall.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?contentGUID=011b59ff-5a00-4045-9cf6-459e8da25750
NYSE
Bausch & Lomb Inc., up $3.76 at $70.21; Advanced Medical Optics Inc., down $1.34 at $41.10.
Advanced Medical Optics confirmed it launched a takeover bid for Bausch & Lomb. Last week, Bausch & Lomb agreed to be acquired by Warburg Pincus for about $3.67 billion.
New York & Co., down $1.41 at $12.10.
The women's apparel retailer lowered its fiscal-year earnings forecast, indicating it expects additional losses from its JasmineSola brand.
Mylan Laboratories Inc., down 41 cents at $19.83.
The pharmaceutical company posted a fiscal fourth-quarter loss after it was hurt by costs tied to its takeover of Matrix Laboratories Ltd.
NASDAQ
Network Appliance Inc., down $6.30 at $31.76.
The storage technology company reported a slowdown in March will cause it to report weaker-than-expected results for the second quarter.
Hot Topic Inc., down 88 cents at $10.73.
The teen clothing retailer warned it expects to post a fiscal second-quarter loss between 2 cents and 4 cents per share amid a decline in same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year.
Komag Inc., down $4.36 at $23.18.
The magnetic disk storage company warned second-quarter revenue would fall below its forecast amid weaker sales volumes and lower selling prices.
http://www.townhall.com/News/NewsArticle.aspx?contentGUID=011b59ff-5a00-4045-9cf6-459e8da25750
Burdens of operating a century-old brand
They may carry BlackBerrys instead of fountain pens, but many executives still sport the suit label their great-grandpas wore: Hart Schaffner Marx.
Founded in Chicago in 1887, Hartmarx Corp. has a longstanding reputation for high-quality tailoring that has helped it grow from a single, family-owned clothing store into a $600-million company that is the largest suit maker in America.
Hartmarx makes suits under 14 labels it owns or licenses, including Hart Schaffner Marx, a classic line that retails for upwards of $700 in stores like Macy's, and Hickey Freeman, a luxury line aimed at CEOs that sells for $1,200 at Neiman Marcus.
But maintaining a century-old brand has burdens, too. "Every 10 or 20 years, you have to make some dramatic changes," CEO Homi Patel, 57, says. "If you get stuck in what you did before and are not constantly evolving, it can be a problem."
This company is #90 on Crain's 2007 list of the Chicago's largest public companies. The full list is available online in HTML, PDF and Excel spreadsheet format.
In 1982, Hartmarx branched into men's sportswear, manufacturing golf apparel by Jack Nicklaus and polo shirts and slacks for British label Ted Baker. More recently, it embraced women's apparel. Through acquisitions, it owns 10 womenswear lines, a division that has grown from 8% of business in 2004 to 25% today.
One advantage Hartmarx has over competitors trolling for women's brands is a reputation for giving designers creative freedom, says Gary Giblen, an analyst with Brean Murray Carret & Co. in New York. "Most other companies centralize everything and make it hard for an entrepreneur to stay on," he says.
That's an important edge as Hartmarx continues to diversify its clothing lines, a strategy that has become crucial as more companies relax their office dress codes. In the early 1980s, 95% of company revenues came from suit sales. Today, it's 48%.
Last year, Hartmarx took a hit on its suit lines when department stores Marshall Field's and Saks Fifth Avenue changed hands. The new owners pared the higher-end brands and pushed their own private labels, causing Hartmarx's net earnings to plunge 69% year-on-year to $7.3 million. To compensate, Hartmarx is boosting production of its luxury brands and looking for new customers abroad.
Last December, it licensed the Hart Schaffner Marx name to Youngor Group Co. Ltd., the largest men's apparel manufacturer and retailer in China. The agreement calls for 400 stores across China in 20 years. Six of those stores are scheduled to open in the Shanghai area this fall.
Hartmarx is seeking similar partners in India and Vietnam. If all goes well, Asian businessmen won't just be buying a suit; they'll be starting a family tradition.
http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=27819
Founded in Chicago in 1887, Hartmarx Corp. has a longstanding reputation for high-quality tailoring that has helped it grow from a single, family-owned clothing store into a $600-million company that is the largest suit maker in America.
Hartmarx makes suits under 14 labels it owns or licenses, including Hart Schaffner Marx, a classic line that retails for upwards of $700 in stores like Macy's, and Hickey Freeman, a luxury line aimed at CEOs that sells for $1,200 at Neiman Marcus.
But maintaining a century-old brand has burdens, too. "Every 10 or 20 years, you have to make some dramatic changes," CEO Homi Patel, 57, says. "If you get stuck in what you did before and are not constantly evolving, it can be a problem."
This company is #90 on Crain's 2007 list of the Chicago's largest public companies. The full list is available online in HTML, PDF and Excel spreadsheet format.
In 1982, Hartmarx branched into men's sportswear, manufacturing golf apparel by Jack Nicklaus and polo shirts and slacks for British label Ted Baker. More recently, it embraced women's apparel. Through acquisitions, it owns 10 womenswear lines, a division that has grown from 8% of business in 2004 to 25% today.
One advantage Hartmarx has over competitors trolling for women's brands is a reputation for giving designers creative freedom, says Gary Giblen, an analyst with Brean Murray Carret & Co. in New York. "Most other companies centralize everything and make it hard for an entrepreneur to stay on," he says.
That's an important edge as Hartmarx continues to diversify its clothing lines, a strategy that has become crucial as more companies relax their office dress codes. In the early 1980s, 95% of company revenues came from suit sales. Today, it's 48%.
Last year, Hartmarx took a hit on its suit lines when department stores Marshall Field's and Saks Fifth Avenue changed hands. The new owners pared the higher-end brands and pushed their own private labels, causing Hartmarx's net earnings to plunge 69% year-on-year to $7.3 million. To compensate, Hartmarx is boosting production of its luxury brands and looking for new customers abroad.
Last December, it licensed the Hart Schaffner Marx name to Youngor Group Co. Ltd., the largest men's apparel manufacturer and retailer in China. The agreement calls for 400 stores across China in 20 years. Six of those stores are scheduled to open in the Shanghai area this fall.
Hartmarx is seeking similar partners in India and Vietnam. If all goes well, Asian businessmen won't just be buying a suit; they'll be starting a family tradition.
http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=27819
Wholesale Apparel - Apparel Photo
The wholesale apparel segment has revolutionized the apparel market by making the apparel more cost effective for the consumers. The wholesaler buys the apparels from different manufacturers and sells it to the retailers who in turn sell it to the individual customers. Apparel photo has come to stay as an important tool to reach out to potential customers through fashion magazines and online apparel stores.
Wholesale Apparel
Wholesale apparel has reduced the costs of the apparels significantly ever since the concept of mass production and mass marketing techniques were introduced in the 19th century. Wholesaling usually involves, selling in larger quantity and at significantly lower costs than the average retail price. Apparel encompasses children clothing, women clothing and men clothing. It can also extend to include garments such as riding or sport apparel. Wholesale apparel is all about selling of goods in large quantities at low and affordable prices to shops and businesses, rather than selling them directly to individual customers in the shops. It proves to be cost-effective if you are buying apparel in bulk.
Wouldn’t we all like to sport the trendiest of outfits and yet not pay exorbitantly for them? When talking about clothing apparel, wholesale apparel caters to all kind of tastes ranging from casuals like T-shirts, sports shirts, fleece, outwear, active wear, and casual dress shirts to office formals like business suits and its accessories. For men, it includes a wide range of designer tops like graphic tees, knits, polo and shirts for both casual wear and formal business wear. They also include shorts, jeans and pants in the bottoms section. Women can choose from tops including graphic tees, tanks, knits, shirts and sweaters. Bottoms can include shorts, skirts, jeans and formal pants. Outerwear such as jackets and fleece as well as other styling accessories also find favor with fashion aficionados.
Even intimate clothing can come under this category. Whether it a sleeveless tee, a tank top, a cool athletic trunk suit or a business formal, wholesale apparel caters to all shapes and sizes. Wholesale apparel stores are just the place to shop for your child and baby clothing. Wholesale sports apparel can also be bought at bargain prices from wholesalers.
Apparel Photo
Photo apparel is generally used to refer to photographs printed on your favorite T-shirts and sweatshirts or for that matter on any of your clothing apparel. You can choose your favorite image and get your photo apparel ready in less than 5 minutes. These photo T-shirts and photo sweatshirts are available in S, M, L, XL and XXL sizes.
Photos of apparel usually help to advertise the products of the company. So you can actually see and visualize how your product will look in reality. Photographs of apparel are used in shopping catalogs to entice buyers with attractive merchandise. They enable users to click on a photograph of the product to change it to another hue or pattern thus enabling the client to customize the product.
Photos of apparel will enable customers to make better purchasing decisions. A picture says more than a thousand words it is said and how accurate it is with apparel sales. Being discerning buyers, women would like to examine the apparel photograph so as to get a clearer picture of its look and style. An apparel photo will go a long way in clinching a sale.
http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/wholesale-apparel.html
Wholesale Apparel
Wholesale apparel has reduced the costs of the apparels significantly ever since the concept of mass production and mass marketing techniques were introduced in the 19th century. Wholesaling usually involves, selling in larger quantity and at significantly lower costs than the average retail price. Apparel encompasses children clothing, women clothing and men clothing. It can also extend to include garments such as riding or sport apparel. Wholesale apparel is all about selling of goods in large quantities at low and affordable prices to shops and businesses, rather than selling them directly to individual customers in the shops. It proves to be cost-effective if you are buying apparel in bulk.
Wouldn’t we all like to sport the trendiest of outfits and yet not pay exorbitantly for them? When talking about clothing apparel, wholesale apparel caters to all kind of tastes ranging from casuals like T-shirts, sports shirts, fleece, outwear, active wear, and casual dress shirts to office formals like business suits and its accessories. For men, it includes a wide range of designer tops like graphic tees, knits, polo and shirts for both casual wear and formal business wear. They also include shorts, jeans and pants in the bottoms section. Women can choose from tops including graphic tees, tanks, knits, shirts and sweaters. Bottoms can include shorts, skirts, jeans and formal pants. Outerwear such as jackets and fleece as well as other styling accessories also find favor with fashion aficionados.
Even intimate clothing can come under this category. Whether it a sleeveless tee, a tank top, a cool athletic trunk suit or a business formal, wholesale apparel caters to all shapes and sizes. Wholesale apparel stores are just the place to shop for your child and baby clothing. Wholesale sports apparel can also be bought at bargain prices from wholesalers.
Apparel Photo
Photo apparel is generally used to refer to photographs printed on your favorite T-shirts and sweatshirts or for that matter on any of your clothing apparel. You can choose your favorite image and get your photo apparel ready in less than 5 minutes. These photo T-shirts and photo sweatshirts are available in S, M, L, XL and XXL sizes.
Photos of apparel usually help to advertise the products of the company. So you can actually see and visualize how your product will look in reality. Photographs of apparel are used in shopping catalogs to entice buyers with attractive merchandise. They enable users to click on a photograph of the product to change it to another hue or pattern thus enabling the client to customize the product.
Photos of apparel will enable customers to make better purchasing decisions. A picture says more than a thousand words it is said and how accurate it is with apparel sales. Being discerning buyers, women would like to examine the apparel photograph so as to get a clearer picture of its look and style. An apparel photo will go a long way in clinching a sale.
http://www.clearleadinc.com/site/wholesale-apparel.html
Female First Responders Require Women's-Specific Footwear
An Overlooked Consumer
Throughout footwear history, the comfort of women has been no less than ignored. The painful, lace-up boots of 18th Century and constant trend toward high heels have implied to women that comfort is not a priority. Such was the case in uniform footwear, as well. Until recently, uniform footwear was essentially designed for men. So-called "women''s styles" were simply smaller men''s styles made available to women.
This unisex trend overlooked a valuable market which is demonstrating consistent growth. Women make up 15 percent of public safety personnel, up 50 percent from 10 years ago, with an even higher percentage in the emergency medical field.
Magnum answers the call
For over 15 years, Magnum has been the leader in offering unsurpassed comfort, technology and value in uniform footwear used by law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical agencies around the world. With its long history of addressing the needs of the tactical and service footwear markets, it was the natural progression for Magnum to be the first footwear brand to develop and market a unique collection of footwear that address the needs of women. The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection, introduced last year, addresses the specific requirements of women in uniform with enhanced fit, comfort and performance features.
Women''s vs. men''s requirements
Research has shown that women demand footwear that is much different from men due to anatomical differences in a woman''s calf muscle and foot. The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection is made on a women''s-specific last, so the footbed fits the shape of a woman''s foot. The women''s last is narrower and tapered in the heel for a better fit and wider in the forefoot for added comfort. Additionally, the collar is cut lower to accommodate the lower calf muscles of a woman.
The lightweight, slip-resistant outsole is lower in profile to accommodate lighter weight personnel, and the women''s-specific 3D2 tri-density insole features a slightly softer foam base for additional comfort and protection.
Marion Reed, a first responder from Sacramento, CA, sang the praises of her women''s boots in a recent letter to Magnum. She wrote, "I just purchased a pair of Magnum [Women''s] Midnite Plus boots. I work on my feet up to 12 hours a day and was having a lot of pain as a result. Inside a week of my purchase the pain was gone. I just wanted to send my appreciation."
Current styles
The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection features five styles: Stealth, Stealth Safety Toe, Stealth Side-Zip, Storm and Midnite Plus.
The Magnum Stealth is the #1 selling uniform boot worldwide. The new Stealth is an update of the original Magnum boot, the 1152 Magnum. Building upon the success of the popular 1152 style, Magnum USA worked in conjunction with focus groups of American uniformed personnel and with European designers to achieve top-quality global style, features and benefits.
The Stealth''s increased surface area of the proprietary Friction+ outsole design exceeds industry slip-resistance standards ASTM F 1677. Additional full-grain leather material creates a more polishable area and a sturdier boot, while quarter panels of 1150 denier nylon allow for increased breathability. For exceptional comfort, designers opted for a Cambrelle® moisture wicking lining to draw moisture away from the foot. A women''s 3D2 contoured insole utilizes three layers of impact-absorbing materials, including elastomer shockpads to cushion the foot.
The new Stealth Side-Zip features the added convenience of a flexible, lockable zipper. The Stealth Steel Toe features the added protection of an ANSI-approved steel toe.
The waterproof Storm is a mid-cut lightweight boot featuring a full grain leather and 1150 denier nylon upper. For added protection from moisture, the Storm features a waterproof, breathable Sympatex® membrane and a Dri-Lex® moisture wicking lining.
The multi-functional, mid-cut Midnite Plus features a leather and 1150 denier nylon upper. The athletic tread pattern of its outsole is bike pedal friendly, allowing the wearer to react quickly in pursuit situations.
Past and future performance
According to Paul Brooks, CEO of Hi-Tec Sports USA/Magnum USA, new styles are introduced in men''s versions, and only the most popular styles go on to be produced for the women''s collection. Still, Brooks sees the Women''s Collection growing in the near future.
Though the women''s collection only accounts for 10% of Magnum''s sales, the demand for women''s-specific uniform footwear is substantial. The introduction of the Women''s Stealth Side Zip proved successful, generating a 100% increase in sales from 2001 to 2002.
Annette Cotton, a reserve patrol captain in Tennessee, explains, "Personally I use and swear by [women''s] Magnums. I wear them for street work, search and rescue and with my dress uniform. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and they wear [age] well."
For more information on the 2004 Magnum Uniform Footwear Collection or to find a local dealer, visit the Magnum website at www.magnumboots.com.
http://www.jems.com/products/apparel/articles/11696/
Throughout footwear history, the comfort of women has been no less than ignored. The painful, lace-up boots of 18th Century and constant trend toward high heels have implied to women that comfort is not a priority. Such was the case in uniform footwear, as well. Until recently, uniform footwear was essentially designed for men. So-called "women''s styles" were simply smaller men''s styles made available to women.
This unisex trend overlooked a valuable market which is demonstrating consistent growth. Women make up 15 percent of public safety personnel, up 50 percent from 10 years ago, with an even higher percentage in the emergency medical field.
Magnum answers the call
For over 15 years, Magnum has been the leader in offering unsurpassed comfort, technology and value in uniform footwear used by law enforcement, fire/rescue and emergency medical agencies around the world. With its long history of addressing the needs of the tactical and service footwear markets, it was the natural progression for Magnum to be the first footwear brand to develop and market a unique collection of footwear that address the needs of women. The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection, introduced last year, addresses the specific requirements of women in uniform with enhanced fit, comfort and performance features.
Women''s vs. men''s requirements
Research has shown that women demand footwear that is much different from men due to anatomical differences in a woman''s calf muscle and foot. The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection is made on a women''s-specific last, so the footbed fits the shape of a woman''s foot. The women''s last is narrower and tapered in the heel for a better fit and wider in the forefoot for added comfort. Additionally, the collar is cut lower to accommodate the lower calf muscles of a woman.
The lightweight, slip-resistant outsole is lower in profile to accommodate lighter weight personnel, and the women''s-specific 3D2 tri-density insole features a slightly softer foam base for additional comfort and protection.
Marion Reed, a first responder from Sacramento, CA, sang the praises of her women''s boots in a recent letter to Magnum. She wrote, "I just purchased a pair of Magnum [Women''s] Midnite Plus boots. I work on my feet up to 12 hours a day and was having a lot of pain as a result. Inside a week of my purchase the pain was gone. I just wanted to send my appreciation."
Current styles
The Magnum Women''s Uniform Collection features five styles: Stealth, Stealth Safety Toe, Stealth Side-Zip, Storm and Midnite Plus.
The Magnum Stealth is the #1 selling uniform boot worldwide. The new Stealth is an update of the original Magnum boot, the 1152 Magnum. Building upon the success of the popular 1152 style, Magnum USA worked in conjunction with focus groups of American uniformed personnel and with European designers to achieve top-quality global style, features and benefits.
The Stealth''s increased surface area of the proprietary Friction+ outsole design exceeds industry slip-resistance standards ASTM F 1677. Additional full-grain leather material creates a more polishable area and a sturdier boot, while quarter panels of 1150 denier nylon allow for increased breathability. For exceptional comfort, designers opted for a Cambrelle® moisture wicking lining to draw moisture away from the foot. A women''s 3D2 contoured insole utilizes three layers of impact-absorbing materials, including elastomer shockpads to cushion the foot.
The new Stealth Side-Zip features the added convenience of a flexible, lockable zipper. The Stealth Steel Toe features the added protection of an ANSI-approved steel toe.
The waterproof Storm is a mid-cut lightweight boot featuring a full grain leather and 1150 denier nylon upper. For added protection from moisture, the Storm features a waterproof, breathable Sympatex® membrane and a Dri-Lex® moisture wicking lining.
The multi-functional, mid-cut Midnite Plus features a leather and 1150 denier nylon upper. The athletic tread pattern of its outsole is bike pedal friendly, allowing the wearer to react quickly in pursuit situations.
Past and future performance
According to Paul Brooks, CEO of Hi-Tec Sports USA/Magnum USA, new styles are introduced in men''s versions, and only the most popular styles go on to be produced for the women''s collection. Still, Brooks sees the Women''s Collection growing in the near future.
Though the women''s collection only accounts for 10% of Magnum''s sales, the demand for women''s-specific uniform footwear is substantial. The introduction of the Women''s Stealth Side Zip proved successful, generating a 100% increase in sales from 2001 to 2002.
Annette Cotton, a reserve patrol captain in Tennessee, explains, "Personally I use and swear by [women''s] Magnums. I wear them for street work, search and rescue and with my dress uniform. They are the most comfortable boots I have ever worn and they wear [age] well."
For more information on the 2004 Magnum Uniform Footwear Collection or to find a local dealer, visit the Magnum website at www.magnumboots.com.
http://www.jems.com/products/apparel/articles/11696/
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