Posted: September 21, 2005

Athletics: Trail Runner Names Saucony Grid Omni 5 TR™ “Best In Dirt”

“A Meaty, Hardcore Trail Beast”

PEABODY, MA (September 21, 2005) – Saucony, a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear, apparel and accessories, today announced that the Saucony Grid Omni 5 TR has been named “Best In Dirt” in Trail Runner magazine’s fall trail running shoe review. The full review can be found in the November 2005 issue of Trail Runner magazine.

“Saucony eschews its successful road-running formula in favor of a meaty, hardcore trail beast,” said the Trail Runner editors in their review of the Grid Omni 5 TR. “Case in point: a tread with attitude, stability control, great cushioning and a bombproof upper. This shoe magically compares to the light weight of road runners,” they added. One tester agreed with the editors’ observations: “For a trail shoe, it was light on my feet, and had enough durability to handle rough terrain.”

“The entire team at Saucony is extremely proud to be recognized by Trail Runner magazine,” said Tom Carleo, vice president of marketing for Saucony. “The Omni 5 TR is the ‘go-to’ stability shoe for trail runners, offering the same fit and ride of the Omni 5 road shoe in addition to all the trail-specific features the off-road enthusiast desires,” added Carleo.

The Grid Omni 5 TR takes it’s DNA from the Grid Omni 5 road shoe, selected an “Editor’s Choice” by Runner’s World in the magazine’s September 2005 “Shoe Buyer’s Guide.” Like the Omni 5 road trainer, the Omni 5 trail version provides dual density compression molded EVA to limit moderate overpronation, an SRC (Super Rebound

Compound™) Impact Zone in the heel to provide increased shock attenuation, and an HRC® (High Rebound Compound) forefoot cushioning system for a smooth toe-off. A midfoot arch strap provides a snug midfoot fit.

The Omni 5 TR meets and exceeds the trail runner’s needs with a gusseted tongue to keep dirt and debris out, a tight weave mesh upper for durability and protection from the elements, and a multi-directional lug outsole for traction on all terrain and conditions. The Grid Omni 5 TR comes in men’s sizes 7-13 and 14, and women’s sizes 5-11 and 12. The suggested retail price of the Saucony Grid Omni 5 TR is $95.00.

About Saucony, Inc.:
Headquartered in Peabody, MA, Saucony, Inc., a division of The Stride Rite Corporation, is a leading global supplier of performance athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with its widely recognized brands Saucony, Saucony Originals, Hind and Spot-bilt. All Saucony, Inc. sports brands develop and manufacture technically advanced products that improve the performance of active sports participants. For more information go to www.saucony.com

In 2004, Saucony introduced The Saucony 26, a collection of twenty-six people and their stories from communities in and around the marathon racecourses in Los Angeles, Boston, and Chicago, who are chosen to symbolize each full mile of the race. The Saucony 26 celebrates the runners’ differences, as well as the running community’s collective and passionate love of the sport. To learn more or nominate a runner visit: www.saucony.com/saucony26/nominate.aspx

About Stride Rite:
Headquartered in Lexington, MA, The Stride Rite Corporation is an NYSE company with approximately $558 million in 2004 sales that markets the leading brand of high-quality, non-athletic children's shoes in the U.S. Other footwear products for children and adults are marketed by the Company under well-known brand names, including Stride Rite, Keds, PRO-Keds, Saucony, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger and Grasshoppers. Information about the Company is available at - www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the Company's brands and product lines is available at www.striderite.com, www.keds.com, www.saucony.com, and www.sperrytopsider.com.

About Trail Runner: Trail Runner, headquartered in Carbondale, CO, is the magazine that helps runners of all ages and abilities experience the outdoors and achieve a healthier lifestyle through off-road running. Trail Runner is published by Big Stone Publishing, which also produces Rock & Ice Magazine.