The footwear brand is relaunching DresSport, a product that looks like a dress shoe but is built to offer the same support as a running shoe. The original DresSport collection was developed by Rockport in 1983.
The DresSport 2.0 range will be released in November and is made from leather with athletic rubber soles. A limited edition shoe will be available in selected Rockport stores to commemorate the relaunch, along with the rest of the DresSport collection.
Each style from the DresSport 2.0 collection weighs less than the average running shoe and Rockport CEO and President, Michael Rupp, nominated the overhauled range as one of the most comfortable and lightweight dress shoe collections on the market.
The shoe's original release was marked by unusual marketing efforts including Rockport's Vice President at the time, Tony Post, wearing a pair of DresSports to complete the 1990 New York City marathon. The relaunch will build on this history as seven international athletes complete the 2009 marathon wearing the new generation of shoe.
DresSport 2.0 will retail from $270.