Hispanics Lead America's Love Affair with Athletic Shoes

Boulder, CO, September 21, 2006 --(PR.com)-- Hispanics* lead all Americans in their love affair with athletic shoes, according to recent findings published by Leisure Trends Group, the foremost authority on the way America plays.

Athletic shoes have become as ubiquitous as blue jeans in America. Leisure Trends recently released nationwide survey results found 96 percent of all Americans age 16 and older own at least one pair of athletic shoes, even though just 58 percent of the population participates in sports and recreation in any three-month period.

The average American buys 2.7 pairs of athletic shoes a year and spends just over $150 a year on their collection. According to the recently released LeisureTRAK® report, Hispanics are the most avid consumers of athletic footwear. On average annually, Hispanics purchase four pairs of athletic shoes and spend $196, contrasted with African Americans who purchase 3.5 pairs and spend $190, and Caucasians who purchase 2.5 pairs and spend just under $150.

“Seventy-five percent of all Americans assert that fashion trumps comfort, performance and durability when determining which athletic shoe to buy,” said Jim Spring, founder and president of Leisure Trends. Style determines which shoe is purchased for 86 percent of Hispanics; 85 percent of African Americans; and 73 percent of Caucasians.

A profusion of styles and shoe types have replaced the generic sneaker, led by hiking boots and shoes. Nearly half of Americans own hiking shoes. The hiking shoe and running jogging shoe tie at 45% as Hispanics favorite athletic shoe, followed by tennis shoes (35%), sport walking shoes (34%), and basketball shoes (30%).

Leisure Trends’ most recent issue of the widely acclaimed LeisureTRAK® includes more insights into America’s love affair with athletic footwear including who’s buying which shoes and where, shoe preferences by leisure type, and which types of athletic shoes are gaining traction over more traditional styles.

The absolute authority on leisure in America, Leisure Trends is renowned as the leading expert for research into the changing habits of America at leisure and the implications to business. To obtain a copy of this or past issues of LeisureTRAK contact Leisure Trends at 303.786.7900. For other marketing insights into the way America plays, visit Leisure Trends.com

* LeisureTRAK only represents Hispanics in the country who either are bilingual or English only, it does not represent Spanish speaking Hispanics.

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