Dive Brief:
- HandsFree Labs has signed a licensing partnership with New Balance to bring its patented hands-free shoe technology to the sneaker brand.
- The first products are slated to launch in 2027, according to an announcement emailed to Retail Dive.
- HandsFree Labs is the parent company of Kizik, known for its slip-in footwear. New Balance joins other licensees of HandsFree Labs, which also includes Nike.
Dive Insight:
The announcement follows New Balance reporting full-year global sales of $9.2 billion, up nearly 20% year over year. The results marked the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth and global market share gains.
Over the past couple of years, Kizik has expanded its selling platform through wholesale partnerships and branded brick-and-mortar stores. Kizik launched an experiential pop-up location in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City in early 2024. Permanent stores were opened later that year at the Mall of America in Minnesota and King of Prussia in Pennsylvania. Additional stores have since opened across Utah, Colorado, Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Kizik has also worked to expand its presence internationally to Japan and Canada through distribution partnerships with Marubeni Consumer Brands Inc. and Kanner Corporation.
The shoe brand brought on former Jordan Brand footwear creative director Andreas Harlow in 2024 to serve as senior vice president of design. Kizik brought on another footwear veteran last year by hiring Nike and Converse executive Gareth Hosford to be its new CEO, succeeding Monte Deere.
Kizik manages over 200 issued and pending patents globally covering hands-free footwear systems.
