Our History
The Story Begins with a River
In 1898, alongside a small creek named "Saucony" in the town of Kutztown, Pennsylvania, four young men established a footwear manufacturing company on the high banks of the river. They named their new venture after this ceaselessly flowing creek; the brand's logo—a winding curve accompanied by three dots—serves as an abstraction of the stream itself and a symbol of the stones within its waters, conveying the beautiful imagery of "two rivers converging." Derived from the Native American word "saconk" (meaning "where two rivers meet"), this name marked the beginning of Saucony's legendary journey—a saga spanning more than a century. In its early days, Saucony primarily manufactured non-slip boots for local miners, as well as children's footwear; by 1910, the company had already achieved a production capacity of 800 pairs of shoes per day.
From Earthly Tracks to the Vast Cosmos
In the 1950s, the sport of running began to flourish across the United States. In 1958, Saucony introduced its first pair of specialized running shoes crafted from lightweight kangaroo leather—the "7446 Spike" track shoe—establishing itself as one of the pioneers in running shoe development. The moment that truly etched Saucony into the annals of history took place in space: on June 3, 1965, American astronaut Edward White, wearing custom-made Saucony boots, completed the first spacewalk in American history. Four years later, on July 21, 1969, Saucony soles stepped onto the lunar surface alongside Neil Armstrong, leaving humanity's very first footprint in the vastness of the cosmos. This extraordinary "moon landing" experience earned Saucony the prestigious reputation of being the "Rolls-Royce of running shoes," while also leaving an indelible mark on the narrative of technology and courage.
A Leader in Running Shoe Innovation
In the 1970s—fueled by the rise of the American running boom (a trend significantly catalyzed by Frank Shorter's marathon victory at the 1972 Munich Olympics)—Saucony entered a golden era of rapid growth and expansion. In 1977, Saucony running shoes were awarded the "Best Quality" distinction by *Consumer Reports* magazine, thereby receiving authoritative validation of their quality. Born in 1981, the Saucony Jazz—a retro running shoe—became one of the brand's most popular and best-selling classic models in history, thanks to its streamlined design and exceptional comfort. In 1991, Saucony introduced the revolutionary GRID cushioning system—the world's first midsole technology to simultaneously provide both cushioning and stability—marking a significant milestone in the history of running shoe technology.
Entering the 21st century, Saucony has continued to innovate, constantly advancing its EVERUN long-lasting rebound technology and PWRRUN foam material series. The brand has also taken significant strides in sustainability, introducing eco-friendly outsoles derived from sugarcane. Today, Saucony is a subsidiary of Wolverine World Wide; from its humble origins by a creek in a small Pennsylvania town to the feet of runners across the globe, its century-long dedication to craftsmanship has never ceased.
🇸🇰 Saucony in Slovakia
For running enthusiasts in Slovakia, Saucony is becoming increasingly close to home. As a vital component of the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) market, Slovakia has emerged as a key region where Saucony continues to deepen its presence. In recent years, Saucony has undertaken an active transformation and expansion within the European market; its sales figures have consistently climbed, surpassing €533 million in fiscal year 2025—a year-over-year increase of over 31%.
In Slovakia, running is fast becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice. Data indicates that approximately 42% of Slovak runners purchase a pair of running shoes at least once a year, signaling a steady rise in running culture throughout the country. Through its online e-commerce channels—including direct shipping services from its official website—Saucony offers Slovak consumers a convenient and seamless purchasing experience. Concurrently, the brand's EMEA-wide "Run It Local" support initiative, along with its community-centric marketing strategies (such as the Saucony 10K race series, which has attracted over 20,000 runners to a single event), have created new opportunities for connection and interaction among local running clubs and retailers in Slovakia. Whether you are enjoying a morning run along the banks of the Danube in Bratislava or challenging yourself on the mountain trails of the High Tatras, Saucony stands by your side with every stride—backed by a century of heritage, technology, and craftsmanship. Originating from the confluence of two rivers, Saucony surges forward, flowing directly to the feet of runners across Slovakia.