It was recently reported that Stanford University will be reinstating all 11 sports it rashly considered eliminating during the pandemic. At the same time both William and Mary and Dartmouth reported they intended to remove planned cuts to varsity sports programs.

The summer of 2021 is a time of rebirth and re-opening for America and, thankfully, for the team sports business as well. As more state and local governments and agencies give the go-ahead for a full reopening, the team market is enthusiastically ramping back up to full strength.

A dozen companies participated in our Altered States coverage, with execs taking time out of their busy days (“hectic” was often used to describe workday schedules) to respond to our questions. Here’s what they had to say about new ways of conducting business, while missing face-to-face experiences.

When it comes to Spring ’22 trends, shoppers and shoemakers alike are ready to break out with fresh looks ready to take on the world. We asked brands to share the trends they’re most excited about for the upcoming season, and they really delivered.

For the most part, independent running specialty retailers are content and satisfied with the state of their businesses today. The run business is strong. But, there is more than a whiff of concern in the air from coast-to-coast.

The origins of clothing sizes dates back to the 1800s with military uniforms for men, and slowly evolved into the domestic market. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ushered in the next wave of sizing reform with a yearlong study titled Women’s Measurements for Garment and...

Lightweight, eco-conscious and thoughtfully designed. The latest outdoor apparel offerings are dialed in on performance for all. Here are some new products and initiatives to take note of.

New products & initiatives in the spotlight; Turtle Fur, Dometic, Tifosi, Quiksilver, Gordini, CEP, and more.

We often think of ergonomics in terms of creating a more compatible computer keyboard or office chair so that these items fit the people who use them in the workplace.

Wellness is defined as the state of being in good health. It is complete physical, mental, and social well-being. For shoe brands, wellness starts in the feet.

Warm weather means cool styles, and for spring ’22, brands are bringing the heat with sandal options for all tastes.

Shoe brands are working wonders when it comes to sustainability by using natural and recyclable materials. We take a closer look at sustainability stories from brands such as Twisted X, Timberland, Vionic, Sanuk, Kodiak, Simple and more.

More than 1 million hula hoops sold last year and a new category of jump rope influencers took Instagram by storm. Walks around the neighborhood replaced crowded boutique fitness classes and bike racks were back ordered for six months.

There’s nothing like getting help from the top, and for high school football that means partnering with the National Football League (NFL), which in 2020 took an unprecedented leap forward and officially agreed to get more involved in supporting the work of the NFHS.

Never have socks been more important in the world of team sports — not because navigating the ever-changing landscape brought on by COVID-19 has been so difficult, but because this simple staple of a player’s uniform seems to offer a sense of stability and reliability.

Amy Watts’ journey in team sales began in 1995 in Wichita, KS, working for Athletic Attic Team Sales. Over a span of 10 years she sold team, licensed and corporate apparel prior to her division being sold to Nebraska Sports Industries.

These brands are putting their own spin on the running apparel category. Already established as a leader in running hydration, storage and visibility, Nathan now has its sights set on becoming a leader in performance apparel, too.

In the same way that the right (or wrong) shoes can make or break a run, so can a sports bra. That’s why brands have thrown a significant amount of effort into research and development in the category.

Contributing editor Suzanne Blecher highlights five brands with USA-made collections that tell a compelling material story for products targeting activities such as hunting, golf and hiking.

As the textile industry pushes toward circularity and away from the conventional linear system, consumers are becoming the newest link in a modern supply chain. We feature companies creatively engaging a contemporary consumer audience.

What if someone said to you, “When we meet to go plogging, let’s talk about SBTi, SDG, and the Savory Institute regen ag program and later we can click & collect for the weekend.” A gold star to you, if you can explain that sentence. But if you can’t, you are not alone.

As temperatures warm and days get longer, retailers are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. But after a year filled with shutdowns, supply chain disruption and unprecedented uncertainty, independent footwear shops say they’re also trying to prepare for what the new retail normal looks like.

There’s no doubt about it: We are all ready for a bit of a shake-up. After a year where comfort and athletic footwear carried the day — it is time to flash a bit more flair.

Ready for takeoff: There’s something for everyone in the latest performance running shoe launches. Whether they’re made for elite level runners, everyday trail adventurers or pavement pounding newbies, this season’s styles all have innovation in their DNA.

As summer approaches, running shops across the U.S. are feeling like things are rolling forward. After the stress, strain and extraordinary adaptability required of independent shops over the past year, running store owners are bringing...

Before the pandemic hit, women’s team sports were thriving — and with that growth came new business opportunities for team dealers as demand for high-quality uniforms and equipment rose. Then came the contagion.

Do fathers know what their daughters want and need for their team sports? Team Insight went to the source and asked five dads around the country how they feel about the products they buy for their young athletes — and if they even have a say in that purchase.

Team Insight has been the voice of America’s team dealers ever since our first issue 15 years ago. There have been some significant changes in the world of team sports since then – even before a pandemic changed the entire world...