3M is introducing 3M-Specified Water Repellent Greige Yarn, a yarn specially crafted for the development of durable, moisture-managing fabrics, which the company says will allow  manufacturers to create dual-action water-repellent/moisture-wicking activewear and flyknit shoes that can perform in demanding outdoor settings. 3M-Specified Water Repellent Greige Yarn is pretreated with Scotchgard Protector, 3M’s highly durable DWR. This inherently repellent yarn brings greater efficiency to fabric manufacturing and dyeing processes when compared to padding on repellent, with 3M in-house testing indicating it can: save time and cost on production; increase throughput; minimize water and chemical waste on fabric; reduce chalk mark complaints; deliver easy, uniform color treatment; and eliminate the need for wet finishes on fabric. 

“With this new yarn, we’re helping mills overcome common challenges they face with regard to inconsistent treatment, namely investing extensive time and money in finding the right recipes for formulas for each fabric,” said Robert Polik, Senior Application Engineer at 3M. “Since conditions can differ from batch to batch, the mills typically obtain unstable outputs, but our treated yarn solves for this problem by simplifying the process and, in turn, providing greater ease and efficiency to fabric manufacturing.”

Darn Tough Vermont, manufacturer of performance outdoor and lifestyle socks, has unveiled the Knit to Give Collection, a program that will launch an online exclusive new sock style every quarter with all profits going to support neighbors in need via the Vermont Foodbank.

Knit to Give will feature styles created with overstock yarn, which is excess material from the knitting mills in Northfield and Waterbury, VT. Utilizing overstock yarn allows Darn Tough to give new life to these materials, taking a sustainable leap and turning socks into meals for the local community. Along with these quarterly releases, Darn Tough will continue its ongoing support of the Vermont Foodbank on Giving Tuesday each November.

Red Wing Shoe is aiming to make its work shoes more accessible to consumers with the launch of an online purchase capability for customers in a variety of industries including warehousing, manufacturing, energy, and construction. Companies and their workers can now purchase personal protective equipment (PPE)—350+ industry-specific footwear styles and workwear options--from Red Wing at 1,200+ Red Wing retailers, 170+ mobile stores or online 24/7. 

‍Foot Locker has named Andrew I. Gray, most recently EVP/Chief Commercial Officer, to EVP, Global Lockers and Champs Sports.