IDSA and BusinessWeek Honor Timberland for Innovation in Footwear

New Timberland(R) PreciseFit(TM) system also selected for inclusion in 'Innovation' Exhibit

STRATHAM, N.H., July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Timberland Company has been awarded a 2006 Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) for the new Timberland PreciseFit(TM) system, launching this fall. The IDEA award, sponsored by The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and BusinessWeek, is given to companies that display superior industrial design and creative solutions in today's marketplace. The jury awarded 27 Golds, 39 Silvers and 42 Bronzes, for a total of 108 awards. These were selected from nearly 1,500 entries.

Catering to the 60% of men who are unable to get an optimal fit through traditional footwear -- and the 35% of men who have a half-size or greater difference between their left and right feet -- the new patent-pending Timberland PreciseFit(TM) system takes an entirely new approach to fit and could have a significant impact on the men's footwear market(1). By going beyond length and width to address forefoot volume using an innovative footbed insert system, Timberland PreciseFit(TM) technology delivers a perfect fit every time.

Extensive research involving 4,000 subjects by Timberland's Invention Factory revealed that the greatest dimensional differences exist in the volume of the forefoot, making it the primary driver of proper fit. Traditional fit paradigms focus on length and width rather than volume, forcing consumers to either cram their feet into shoes that are too tight, or trade up to longer shoes that leave a looser fit with gaps. In a separate survey, 50% of men questioned admitted to buying a pair of shoes even though they weren't comfortable or didn't fit properly(2).

The PreciseFit(TM) system allows consumers to customize their fit through a simple yet revolutionary system of forefoot inserts. Each pair of shoes comes with a set of inserts of varying thicknesses that lock on to a removable footbed, creating optimal volume in each shoe and allowing for differences between left and right feet. The thicker insert minimizes volume in the shoe, while the thinner insert adds volume. This tailored fit works in conjunction with the Timberland Smart Comfort system to give men an unparalleled experience in terms of fit and comfort.

The IDEA awards aim to generate awareness of the importance of superior industrial design and creative solutions. The intense judging is based on strict criteria, including if the design is new and unique, if the design solution benefits consumers, if the project is ecologically responsible and how the design improves business. Overall, the winning companies' products need to reflect IDSA's goal of advancing the quality and positive impact of design.

In addition, the PreciseFit(TM) system has been selected for inclusion in the new exhibit, Shoes: Innovation at Your Feet, opening in July at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Museum in Alexandria, Virginia. The exhibit was created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation (NIHFF), which runs the museum. The PreciseFit(TM) system was selected for its revolutionary approach to footwear and as an example of innovation in the industry.

"We're proud to be honored by such prestigious organizations as IDSA, Business Week and the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation," said Doug Clark, vice president, Timberland Invention Factory. "All three recognize companies that strive toward groundbreaking innovation -- a mission we take on every day here at the Invention Factory. We're thrilled to be recognized for the PreciseFit(TM) system, and look forward to bringing more new innovations to the marketplace in the months and years to come."

Each pair of PreciseFit(TM) shoes fits full and half sizes in narrow, medium and wide, delivering more than six sizes in one box for a truly customized fit (e.g., 9 NMW and 91/2 NMW, plus variances between right and left). The result is footwear that satisfies the hardest-to-fit-feet -- even if they are two different sizes.

PreciseFit(TM) technology will be featured in Timberland's new Outlier Series of men's footwear, debuting in August 2006. Available in rugged and refined styles in sizes 6/6.5 through 15/15.5, Outlier will be introduced across 17 skus at a suggested retail price ranging from $130 for oxfords to $140 for chukkas. It will be sold at better department stores and independent retailers nationwide, as well as at Timberland specialty retail stores and timberland.com. Consumers can also call 1-800-445-5545 to find their nearest retailer.

Timberland (NYSE: TBL - News) is a global leader in the design, engineering and marketing of premium-quality footwear, apparel and accessories for consumers who value the outdoors and their time in it. Timberland products are sold worldwide through leading department and specialty stores as well as Timberland retail stores. In 2003 the company launched the Timberland Invention Factory, a team dedicated to driving Timberland's rich tradition of invention, innovation and industry leadership. Timberland's dedication to making quality products is matched by the company's commitment to "doing well and doing good" -- forging powerful partnerships among employees, consumers and service partners to transform the communities in which they live and work. To learn more about Timberland, please visit http://www.timberland.com.

 (1)Statistics based on research conducted by the Timberland Invention

 Factory, which collected and analyzed data from 4,000 individuals on

 15 major areas of the foot and ankle.

 (2)Statistics based on an Omnibus survey of 510 men, 18 years or older,

 conducted by International Communications Research (ICR) on behalf of

 Timberland February 22-26, 2006.