In recent seasons, Saucony has become one of the standout brands, not only for its high-performance quality but also for its collaborations and reissues, perfectly crafted to merge style and comfort.
Saucony revival allows us to revisit some of its lesser-known stories.
Saucony: Since 1898
Though known for its performance-driven style, Saucony is a brand that originated in the 19th century in Pennsylvania. As the oldest active American sports brand, it’s one of the world’s most enduring names in the industry.
Saucony, Kutztown
Saucony was born in the town of Kutztown, in southeastern Pennsylvania—a small community with fewer than 2,000 residents in the late 19th century. The town’s most famous figure is Keith Haring, an artist associated with urban landscapes, whose foundation often collaborates with various brands.
The Origin of the Name Saucony
The name Saucony comes from the traditional spelling of a river now known as Sacony. It’s a word the Lenni Lenape Native Americans used to refer to the river, meaning “where two rivers meet”. This origin has led to frequent mispronunciations.
Saucony is Pronounced “sock-a-knee”
On April Fools’ Day 2023, Saucony played a joke based on its name’s pronunciation. Tired of the constant question, “How do you pronounce Saucony?” the brand announced it would officially change its name to “Sock-a-knee”.
Saucony’s Logo Inspired by a River
Not only is Saucony’s name inspired by a river, but so is its logo. The imagery reflects the river’s path, with the latest version featuring three stones, symbolizing the brand’s three pillars: heritage, innovation, and design.
Saucony and Hyde
In 1906, Abraham Hyde founded a footwear company in Cambridge, Pennsylvania, which grew alongside Saucony. In 1968, the two brands merged, unifying their logos but keeping the names separate—Saucony for running and Spot-Bilt for team sports.
Spot-Bilt: Saucony’s Basketball Brand
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Spot-Bilt was Hyde’s brand for team sports like baseball, football, and basketball, where it gained visibility with athletes like Xavier McDaniel, Reggie Miller, and Sam Vincent, especially with the recently reissued Sonic.
Saucony and Space
Edward White, of the Gemini IV space mission, was the first American to complete a spacewalk. On his feet, he wore custom boots made specifically for him by Hyde, Saucony’s parent company.
Saucony and Women
During the 1970s, Saucony grew thanks to jogging, which became a trend in the U.S. and later worldwide. From the beginning, Saucony designed specific models for women, making it a rarity among sports brands.
Saucony DXN Trainer
At the height of professional athletics, Saucony collaborated with New Zealand star runner Rod Dixon to design a shoe that helped him win the 1983 NY Marathon.
Saucony GRID: Inspired by Tennis
The technology in many Saucony sneakers is directly inspired by tennis rackets. The Ground Reaction Invertia Device (GRID) system is made of Hytrel™ filaments that provide superior cushioning and stability, helping stabilize the heel on impact.
Heritage and Performance
Saucony divides its collections into heritage, which revives classic models like the Jazz, Shadow, Shadow 2, Shadow 5000, Progrid Triumph 4, Progrid Omni 9, collaborations, and performance items that retain the brand’s athletic spirit.
