Rockport Components

The Rockport Shoe company has been recognized three times by the American Podiatric Medicine Association with a Seal of Acceptance for its shoe designs for men and women. Since its founding in 1971, the company has manufactured dress and casual footware designed for "Walkability," that is, footware that provides the wearer with both ease of walking and comfort. Rockport manufactures its products using innovative lightweight materials and bioengineered designs.

  1. History

    • Rockport Shoes was founded in Massachusetts in 1971 by the father-and-son team Ira and Brian Katz. In 1986 Rockport began marketing its ProWalker fitness walking shoe. A year later Outside Magazine described the ProWalker as "the Mercedes Benz of walking shoes," proof that the company had earned its reputation as an innovator with its bioengineered designs for walking shoes. Today Rockport Shoes is a subsidiary of the Adidas Group and sells its products in more than 30 countries.

    Types

    • Rockport makes product lines for both sexes. Its men's shoes include boat shoes, boots, casual, loafers and Oxfords. Its women's shoes include boat shoes, boots, dress, dress casual and flats. It also produces a line of lace-up sneakers. Its World Tour shoes have earned a "Best Walking Shoe" rating from Consumer Reports magazine.

    Components

    • Rockport Shoes' patented Walking Platform provides, according to its website, "a larger area of support for the heel and a forefoot that is more flexible." It enables the wearer to use a more natural gait when walking. Its Hydroshield lining wicks away moisture to keep feet dry while increasing the shoe's breathability, which helps wearers avoid blisters. Rockport's dynamic suspension footbed uses a cushion of air that activates with each step. Its padded collar and tongue and molded polyurethane insoles support feet and legs, reducing fatigue. A 1-inch-thick rubber outer sole provides traction and support on a variety of surfaces.

    Availability

    • Rockport retail prices range from $50 to $150 at the time of publication. It offers its current season's styles and discounted shoes on its website, rockport.com. Other shoe websites offer Rockports at comparable prices and accepting coupons that are sometimes available online or can be downloaded to a printer. Mail and phone orders are accepted.