In the wide world of running shoes, there are bigger names than Saucony. But few go back even half as far. The brand was founded in 1898 — more than 60 years before Phil Knight put the wheels in motion for a little company called Nike.
A century later, Saucony is still kicking, mostly sticking to running-focused footwear like the excellent Endorphin Elite super shoe. However, the ever-evolving Progrid Omni 9 proves the brand can hold its own in the performance-meets-lifestyle space, too.
Armored up
Originally released in the early 2010s as stability-focused trainer, the shoe just resurfaced in a new military-inspired trim called the Progrid Omni 9 Armor that follows up on a one-off collab with the French retailer Starcow in 2024.
On the outside of the shoe, burly bits of TPU replace the leather overlays found on other variants of the Progrid Omni 9 (the inside logo remains as-is), while the breathable mesh makes way for a durable knit fabric promising more water and wear resistance.
