Brooks Sports Inc has launched a new Kids’ footwear line designed to stand up to the scurried activity and biomechanical needs of young feet. The new Kids’ collection features award-winning footwear technologies similar to those in Brooks’ adult running shoes. Brooks has opened its collection with two distinct shoes—the Kids’ Adrenaline GTS and the Kids’ Defyance. Both will offer styles for boys and girls.
“Making sure kids have the right shoes early helps them grow up to be as smart about footwear as their parents,” said Fritz Taylor, Senior Vice President of Footwear for Brooks. “Whether they are playing hopscotch or Kick the Can, running gym class apaches or around the block, kids want fun, and there’s nothing fun about kids’ shoes if they’re harmful to growing feet. That’s why we’ve taken great care to create the best possible styles that feel good, look great, and offer parents a way to invest in their kids’ health.”
Similar to its award-winning parent, the Kids’ Adrenaline GTS features Brooks’ proprietary Diagonal Rollbar, a support device that prevents inward rolling of the feet. Retailing for US$60, the Kids’ Adrenaline GTS is available in sizes 1 to 7. The Kids’ Defyance is a neutral shoe made for smaller feet still taking shape. Modelled after the all new adult-sized Defyance that garnered Runner’s World’s coveted Editor’s Choice award in the June 2008 issue, the kids’ version retails for US$55 and ranges from size 10.5 – which fits an average four-year-old child – to size 7.
In recent years the sporting goods industry has reported increased demand for kids’ running shoes. According to Sportscan, sales of kids’ running shoes experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23% between 2005 and 2007. Additionally, the average retail price of kids’ running shoes has increased from US$37.70 in 2005, to US$46.64 in 2007, to US$49.25 year to date for 2008.
Brooks’ Kids’ line will be available for purchase at Brooks Sports retailers nationwide across the US and at www.brooksrunning.com.
