Saucony ProGrid Guide 3 Named "Shoe of the Year" by IRRA

LEXINGTON, MA (November 29, 2010) – For the third time in four years, Saucony, Inc. has been recognized with the “Shoe of the Year” award by the Independent Running Retailers Association (IRRA) for the Saucony® ProGridâ„¢ Guide 3−the brand’s flagship light stability trainer. The award was presented to Saucony at The Running Event, the fifth annual and largest specialty running trade show in America held November 17th in Austin, Texas. In 2009, the IRRA recognized the Saucony® ProGridâ„¢ Guide 2 with the industry’s prestigious award, and in 2007 the ProGrid Omni 6 took home the honors.
“Great product speaks volumes, and Saucony has demonstrated its commitment to the specialty run community with the Guide 3,” said Parker Karnan, executive director of the IRRA. “The market is flush with great product, and so to be singled out as the best by the retailers who live this business every day, is a genuine honor.”
“This latest edition of the Guide reflects the brand’s newest technologies while still maintaining the shoe’s signature fit and ride,” said Patrick O’Malley, senior vice president of global product for Saucony. “The whole Saucony team is once again extremely proud to be recognized by the IRRA − the backbone of our industry − as best-in-class. Together, we share a common goal: to inspire runners, both on the retail floor and on the run. We’re excited that the Guide continues to make that happen,” added O’Malley.
Designed to slow down mild overpronation, the ProGrid Guide 3 is a light stability running shoe featuring a dual density Impulse EVAâ„¢ midsole for greater durability and responsiveness under the arch. The ProGrid technology in the heel combines seamlessly with the SRC XTRA Forefoot Cushioning to ensure an efficient transition and a smooth ride. The ultra-plush Comfortrideâ„¢ Sockliner is constructed from an exclusive material to offer both wicking and antimicrobial properties, while providing responsive cushioning and additional comfort. (Sizes: men’s 7-13, 14 and 15, and women’s 5-12; MSRP: $95.00)
The IRRA award caps a prolific year of accolades for Saucony as the brand readies to unleash new innovative product designs for road, trail and track in 2011.
Product recognition for 2010 includes the following:
• Runner’s World magazine awarded the Kinvaraâ„¢ “Best Debut” (2010 Summer Shoe Buyer’s Guide)
• Outside magazine named the Kinvara “Gear of the Year” (Fall/Winter 2010 Outside Buyer’s Guide)
• Shape recognized the Omni 9 as “Best for Stability” (2010 Fall Shoe Review)
• Fitness magazine named the Echelon 2 “Neutral Category Winner” (2010 Fall Shoe Review)
International awards include:
• Runner’s World Brazil named the Kinvara “Best Launch” (2010 Fall Shoe Guide)
• Brazil’s Go Outside Buyers Guide awarded the Fastwitch 4 “Shoe of the Year,” Performance Category (2010 fall Shoe Review)
• Runner’s World UK selected the Omni 9 “Best Update” (Autumn/Winter 2010 Shoe Guide)
• The UK’s Running Fitness magazine named the Xodus 2 “Editor’s Choice” (2010 Fall Shoe Review)
• The UK’s Triathlon Plus magazine awarded the Hurricane 12 the “Gold” for “Best Overall Shoe” (2010 Winter Shoe Test)
For more information, please contact Sharon Barbano at Saucony (617-824-6126), sharon.barbano@saucony.com or Jeff Lawrence at Mullen (617-226-9945), 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 Flexion Plate™, ProGrid™, Arch-Lock®, and ViZiPRO™ apparel. For more information, go to www.saucony.com.

About Collective Brands, Inc.
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®, Champion® and designer collections Lela Rose for Payless, Christian Siriano for Payless and Isabel Toledo for Payless, among others; Collective Brands Performance + Lifestyle Group, focused on lifestyle and performance branded footwear sold primarily through wholesale and retail, with brands including Stride Rite®, Keds®, Sperry Top-Sider®, and Saucony®; 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®, Clinch Gearâ„¢, STRIKEFORCEâ„¢, Sims®, Lamar® and LTD®, World Snowboarding Championshipsâ„¢ and Hind®. Information about, and links for shopping on, each of the Collective Brand’s units can be found at www.collectivebrands.com.