Saucony(R) Launches Groundbreaking “Geometry Of Strong(TM)”

Brand’s Breakthrough 8mm Heel-to-Toe Offset Makes the World’s Best Running Shoes Even Better, Allowing for a Revolutionary Ride with a More Powerful Stride

LEXINGTON, MA (November 1, 2011) – Delivering the brand’s biggest product initiative ever, Saucony®, Inc., a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear and apparel, announced today the much anticipated launch of its Geometry of Strong™ technology, a groundbreaking advancement for runners everywhere. The Geometry of Strong™ platformintroduces a completely redesigned heel-to-toe offset on three of the brand’s best-selling models: the Triumph 9, Guide 5 and Hurricane 14.  Reducing the offset on these top-selling styles from the average 12mm to 8mm allows for a lower impact strike and a more powerful running stride. The Geometry of Strong™ collection hits the ground running today at the New York City Marathon Expo with the unveiling of the new Triumph 9 and Guide 5. The Hurricane 14 is slated to launch in Spring 2012.

“With this revolutionary breakthrough, we’re now making the world’s best running shoes even better,” said Patrick O’Malley, Saucony’s senior vice president of global product. “Combining insight from the brand’s community of runners with the latest research from our state-of-the-art Human Performance and Innovation Lab, we discovered that engineering an 8mm heel-to-toe offset in our best-loved running shoes would offer great control, alignment and suspension. This simple approach delivers a revolutionary ride; we can’t wait for runners to feel the incredible difference that 8mm can make,” added O’Malley.

“In the process of creating the award-winning Kinvara® with a 4mm offset, our eyes were opened to the possibility of literally challenging the foundation of our traditional running shoes by reengineering their lasts to an 8mm offset,” said Spencer White, vice president and head of the Saucony Human Performance and Innovation Lab. “This new angle positions the runner’s foot during impact in a way that creates a greater range of motion for the Gastrocnemius-Soleus-Achilles tendon system, allowing for a more powerful running stride. We now have a range of shoes that offers runners a choice between 0mm, 4mm, 8mm and 12mm offset,” added White.

The newly released Geometry of Strong collection includes the Triumph 9, the brand’s premier neutral cushioned training shoe, and the Guide 5 and Hurricane 14, both light stability shoes. Both the Triumph and Hurricane feature three of the brand’s most advanced technologies: POWERGRID™, IBR+ Outsole™ and SAUC-FIT™.

Award-Winning Technology Delivers Optimal Cushioning and Responsiveness

In 1991 the brand’s GRID™ technology was introduced to the performance running category, forever changing the future of Saucony footwear. This innovation delivered a cushioned, responsive ride and became the foundation for ProGrid™, ProGrid LITE™ and now POWERGRID™.

POWERGRID™ is a combination of Saucony’s award-winning GRID® technology and the brand’s new proprietary POWERfoam™, providing unparalleled cushioning and responsiveness with every stride. More resilient and cushioned than traditional EVA, POWERfoam™ reduces layers, while providing an exceptionally plush ride.

IBR+ Outsole™

Proprietary Compound Provides Remarkable Road Feel

Working in harmony with POWERGRID™, Saucony’s new injection-blown rubber

compound is 33 percent lighter in weight than traditional blown rubber. IBR+ is also proven to absorb twice as much energy than traditionally blown rubber, providing amazing and long-lasting forefoot cushioning.

SAUC-FIT™

Dynamic Fit System Ensures an Ultra-Secure Ride

Securing the foot to the midsole platform is Saucony®’s unique SAUC-FIT™ technology,

an advanced fit system in the upper that not only locks the midfoot onto the platform, but also keeps the heel secure and comfortable. SAUC-FIT™ was designed to allow the upper of the shoe to actively adjust to the runner’s foot shape, delivering a better fit while reducing unwanted motion. SAUC-FIT™ also offers the runner additional lacing options to dial in the perfect fit for the individual foot.

All three shoes feature a Comfortride+ Sockliner and SRC Impact Zone. The superior open cell foam sockliner not only wicks moisture away from the foot, but a soft memory foam layer conforms to the foot when stepping into the shoe, delivering exceptional comfort and performance. The SRC Impact Zone provides shock attenuation and sets the foot up for a smooth transition from heel to toe-off.

Pricing & Availability
The Triumph 9, now available at participating running specialty retailers, comes in men’s sizes 7-13, 14 and 15, and women’s sizes 5-12. The Triumph 9 is available in widths. The suggested retail price of the Triumph 9 is $130.00.

The Guide 5, now available at participating running specialty retailers, comes in men’s
sizes 7-13, 14, 15, and 16 and women’s sizes 5-12. The Guide 5 is available in widths. The suggested retail price of the Guide 5 is $100.00.

The Hurricane 14, available February 1, 2012 at participating running specialty retailers, will come in men’s sizes 7-13, 14 and 15 and women’s sizes 5-12. The Hurricane 14 will be available in widths. The suggested retail price of the Hurricane 14 is $140.00.

To find a retailer near you, please call 1.800.365.4933 or visit file:///\\MAFS1\N-Drive\Local%20Settings\Local%20Settings\Temporary%20Internet%20Files\OLK16\www.saucony.com.

For more information, please contact Sharon Barbano at Saucony® (617-824-6126), sharon.barbano@saucony.com or Jeff Lawrence at Mullen (617-226-9945), file:///\\MAFS1\N-Drive\Client%20Space\Saucony\Events\Fall%202008%20Press%20Kit\jeff.lawrence@mullen.com.

About Saucony, Inc.:
Saucony, Inc., a subsidiary of Collective Brands, Inc., is a leading global running lifestyle brand that fuses performance, innovation and style to create compelling footwear and apparel with its widely recognized brands Saucony and Saucony Originals.  Founded in 1898, Saucony continues to inspire runners everywhere with its award winning innovations, including ProGrid™, PowerGrid™ and ViZiPRO™ apparel. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.
Collective Brands, Inc. (NYSE: PSS) is a leader in bringing compelling lifestyle, fashion and performance brands for footwear and related accessories to consumers worldwide. The company operates three strategic units covering a powerful brand portfolio, as well as multiple price points and selling channels including retail, wholesale, ecommerce and licensing. Collective Brands, Inc. includes Payless ShoeSource, focused on democratizing fashion and design in footwear and accessories through its nearly 4,500-store retail chain, with its brands Airwalk®, Dexter® and Champion® and designer collections by fashion designers Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Isabel Toledo and Silvia Tcherassi; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance branded footwear and high-quality children's footwear sold primarily through wholesaling, with its brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider® Robeez®, and Saucony®, among others; and Collective Licensing International, the brand development, management and global licensing unit, with such youth lifestyle brands as Airwalk®, Above The Rim®, Vision Street Wear®, STRIKEFORCE™, Clinch Gear™, Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®, World Snowboarding Championships™ and Hind®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand's units can be found at http://www.collectivebrands.com/.