Irish Setter Supports Breast Cancer Research With Women’s Hunting Boots

RED WING, MN (July 2008) —Irish Setter has developed a women’s specific Ladyhawk hunting boot line that benefits women in several ways. Irish Setter will donate a portion of each Ladyhawk boot purchase to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®. The boots not only benefit a worthy cause – they also aim to improve the fit, comfort and performance of the sportswoman with its unique design and fit.

 Irish Setter has developed a shoe mold that is shaped and detailed to provide superior fit for women. From a lower volume heel cup, to adjusted arch support to a more accommodating collar, the detail in these boots is geared toward higher performance and comfort for the serious sportswoman.   “Irish Setter’s pink camouflage boots will benefit a great cause that affects so many women and adds style and fun to this category.  But our entire women’s’ endeavor is much more complex than taking a boot, making it pink and saying it’s for women.  We completely refit an entire line so that it’s shaped uniquely for a woman’s foot as well as added features that will increase the performance of women in the sport” says Sarah Pitts, Marketing Manager for Irish Setter. 

Irish Setter’s limited edition Pink Camouflage Ladyhawk features abrasion-resistant pink camo and brown leather with a camo-wrapped EVA midsole. This fashionable boot also includes functional components like an UltraDry waterproof membrane and 400 grams of Thinsulate Insulation. The limited edition Pink Ladyhawks will be available mid-August for $119.

The inclusion of a pink hunting boot in the new women’s line up follows recent style trends in the hunting category.  Several hunting companies have introduced pink equipment for women. Gander Mountain is one retailer that’s jumped on the pink trend and is carrying Remington pink shotguns and Taurus pink semi-automatic pistols. Mossy Oak has developed a women’s apparel line including chocolate/pink camo tops.

A women’s specific design and style addresses a significant gap in the current marketplace.  According to the US Fish & Wildlife’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 1.2 million women in the United States participate in hunting. Nine percent of the US hunters are women.

While the pink boots may be a bit of a fashion novelty, Irish Setter is introducing an entire women’s hunting boot line, the Ladyhawks, in standard finishes. While most women’s hunting boots are nothing more than modified men’s boots, these Irish Setter Ladyhawks have been specifically created for women.

The Irish Setter Ladyhawk series consists of three 7” boots with ScentBan and UltraDry waterproof membranes. The Ladyhawk #3885 is non-insulated and features Realtree All-Purpose HD nylon with brown leather. The Ladyhawk #3886 features 600 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation and brown on brown leather/nylon uppers. For hunters who need more insulation, the Ladyhawk #3887 contains 1000 grams of Thinsulate Ultra insulation in a Mossy Oak Break Up Camo/Brown leather package. The camo versions include a camo-wrapped EVA midsole. The boots are available in women’s sizes Medium 5-11.

Women will appreciate the streamlined silhouette, design details and proven performance features of the Irish Setter Ladyhawk line. “We wanted to create a women’s boot line that lives up to Irish Setter’s reputation of fit and performance.  These boots live up to that reputation and, while they meet our high standards for field performance, they also have styling to appeal to women,” explained Irish Setter Product Manager, Kyle Rackiewicz.

Five dollars from the sale of each Irish Setter Pink Camo boot and two percent of profits from the rest of the Ladyhawk line will be donated to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The new Ladyhawk boots will be available in July 2008 at leading outdoor retailers. Visit www.irishsetterboots.com for the retailer nearest you.

Based in Red Wing, MN, Irish Setter is a division of the Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc. that includes a full line of performance hunting boots, fishing shoes and outdoor casuals. Irish Setter continues to use leading technologies and the finest materials to provide customers the best quality outdoor footwear. For more information about Irish Setter’s heritage, products and retailers, visit www.irishsetterboots.com.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and translational research. The Foundation supports scientists at top universities and academic medical centers worldwide conducting the most advanced and promising breast cancer research that will lead to prevention and a cure in our lifetime. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. In October 2007, $32 million was awarded to 151 scientists across the United States and in Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, and throughout Europe. Money magazine named BCRF one of America’s eight top charities. And for the seventh consecutive year, BCRF received Charity Navigator’s highest rating, four stars, thus outperforming over 99% of the evaluated charities, while the American Institute of Philanthropy has awarded BCRF its highest possible rating of A+. BCRF is the only breast cancer organization in the U.S. to receive these accolades. For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.

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