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Shoe Technology

Saucony has spent over one hundred years looking at runners, and specifically at runners feet. After all this time we've got a good idea of what people need. From the GRID cushioning system through Custom Ride Management to dual density midsoles, all Saucony's technologies are based on concepts which have been tried and tested over many years. Furthermore all are conceived from sound principals, based on extensive biomechanical research and development. Saucony are committed to producing shoes offering the very latest technology to tailor a solution for each individual runner.

o Shoe Lasts
o Grid Technology
o Different GRID Technologies
o Flexion Plate
o Ionic Cushioning System
o HRC - High Rebound Compound
o HRC Strobel Board
o SRC - Super Rebound Compound
o Impulse EVA
o Dual and Triple Density Midsole
o B/CR - Blown and Carbon Rubber
o Arch-Lock™
o Impact Interface™
o Comfortemp®
o Ortholite®
o Outsole Fabrics


Shoe Technology
 
 
Shoe Lasts
As you may realize every single person has different shapes of feet that´s why Saucony has built several different shapes for their shoes. Women and men have different last as an example. Saucony recognise that feet can be different shapes, and our shoes need to reflect this.

Standard Last:
Saucony's classic semi-curved last, "the classic Saucony fit". Some characteristics are that these shoes are wide in the forefoot, narrow in the heel able for every single runner.

Contour Last:
Saucony's semi-curved last. The Contour Last offers a tapered and sculpted profile which provides an anatomically correct representation of the foot.

Modified Contour Last:
Saucony's newest last. With all new technology for better grip and offering an anatomically shape to adapt to your feet.

Straight Last:
Saucony's straight last is designed for runners with flatter feet while maintaining the fit and feel for which Saucony is known. Primarily found in Motion Control shoes that are designed to address extreme foot pronation.

Performance Last:
A curved last which allows fastest possible heel-to-toe transition.
 
 
 
 
Grid Technology
The Grid technology is a woven configuration of Hytrel™ filaments which provide superior cushioning and stability by centring the heel when impacting the floor.

Saucony uses the GRID system because unlike other cushioning systems seen in technical running shoes, it offers stable cushioning. If you notice that when running the first part of the foot hitting the ground is the heel, so this is vital to the health of a runner due to the fact that when the heel touches the ground a force of up to three times body weight (3G) is generated. This force acts not only in the heel but also it is transmitted up the lower leg and into the back, affecting the ankle, knee and hip joints.

The GRID cassette fits into the rearfoot section of the midsole (as shown on picture oppostie), as the impact occurs, the interwoven Hytrel strands bend to the shape of the heel, while the midsole compresses, thus providing cushioning.

Which lets this technology be one of the best for running is that the actual user is more in control of the cushioning movement. "GRID Technology = Controlled Cushioning"
Grid Technology

 
 
 
 
Different Grid Technologies
GRID: The Grid technology was introduced in 1991, a whole generation of runners has become addicted to this kind of shoes. It uses woven Hytrel™ filaments.The physics work a bit like a tennis racquet for a runner's foot, absorbing and deflecting impacts and protecting the body from the force of the road.

PROGRID: The latest of all GRID techs, built closer to the foot, it provides greater cushioning without compromising support and durability. ProGrid is created with Respon-Tek™, our latest impact deflection technology, which is made from a blend of foams and synthetic rubbers.

3D GRID: Soft grade Hytrel™ filaments wrapped around the midsole form a platform for heel strike cushioning and shock absorption. On the 3D Grid Hurricane, the lateral strands of the 3D Grid are angled at 30° to optimize heel strike cushioning and reduce the rate of pronation. 90° strands on the medial side provide structural support and limit over-pronation.

I-GRID: The difference with this one is that is built with EVA. I-Grid is a super-lightweight cushioning system used in our lightest racing shoes.

Active GRID Cushioning: Active Grid is a further development of Saucony's premier cushioning technology. The Hytrel strands are arranged in a Vector Shape which provides hinge-like compression whilst the softer material allows for shock attenuation. By gradiating the angle of the strands a smooth and controlled transition from heel strike is provided along with some gentle pronation control."
Different GRID Technologies

 
 
 
 
Flexion Plate
The Flexion Plate technology allows the runner to move from the heel to the forefoot efficiently. The Flexion Plate is a TPU based structure that guides the foot from heel strike to forefoot letting the runner up onto their toes as quickly as possible. The Flexion Plate creates a platform which cushions and controls but does not allow as much deflection into the midsole. By promoting forward direction, and disallowing injury-encouraging, energy wasting lateral motion, the transition to the forefoot occurs without using as much energy as a typical high cushion, low response running shoe.
FleXion Plate

 
 
 
 
ICS - Ionic Cushioning System
In some Saucony shoes, you'll find the famous Ionic Cushioning System, or I.C.S. Another important Saucony innovation that contributes substantially to comfort and control, it is composed of moulded triangular pillars at the rear of the midsole and provides additional cushioning for the heel-strike phase of each running stride.
 
 
 
 
HRC - High Rebound Compound
This is the premier Saucony Cushioning system, made of a responsive EVA/rubber compound which provides cushioning through the later stages of the gait cycle. Whilst Grid provides shock absorption in the rearfoot of the shoe, HRC is a dynamic compound which is used in the forefoot and/or the rearfoot. It is specifically designed to follow the centre of pressure beneath the metatarsal heads during toe off.

Some features of this techonology are:
- Shock Absorption
- Resist Compression
- Cushioning and flexibility
- Smooth toe-off
HRC – High Rebound Compound

 
 
 
 
HRC Strobel Board
A layer of HRC running the full length of the shoe, underneath the sockliner. HRC is used in the forefoot of almost all of Saucony technical running shoes.
 
 
 
 
SRC - Super Rebound Compound
Super Rebound Compound is an upgraded EVA which not only provides 15% more resilience but 10% greater durability too.
SRC – Super Rebound Compound

 
 
 
 
Impulse EVA
A upgraded high-end EVA with better compression set. Up to 15% more durable, which means that it returns to it's original shape. For this reason your cushioning system last longer.
 
 
 
 
Dual and Triple Density Midsole
The dual density midsole provides a firmer density of EVA located on the medial side of the shoes which slows the rate and controls the maximum angle of over-pronation. By reducing the moments of pronation, this kind of shoes reduces the rotation transmitted up the lower leg to help reduce the risk of injuries.
The triple density midsole provides further control and also take cares of the maximum angle of over-pronation when running.
 
 
 
 
B/CR - Blown and Carbon Rubber
This material combination created by Saucony is one of its best. This lightweight, flexible outsole material provides added cushioning while maintaining durability.
 
 
 
 
Arch-Lock™
The Saucony Arch-Locks are built in a simple but efficient manner that wraps around the midfoot area and keeps it snugly in position on the midsole keeping the arch where it belongs.
Arch-Lock™

 
 
 
 
Impact Interface™
Embedded between the EVA and the SRC™, the Impact Interface isolates and cushions heel-strike impact so the heel can compress without bottoming out, preventing some injuries that may occur when running long distances.
Impact Interface™

 
 
 
 
Comfortemp®
Technology which let the Saucony shoes monitors heat/cold to keep your feet at a comfortable temperature.
Comfortemp®

 
 
 
 
Ortholite®
The Ortholine sockliner is a breathable, moisture wicking, anti odor and anti-microbial Ortholite insole that provides improved step-in comfort with rebound properties.
 
 
 
 
Outsole Fabrics
XT-600: A carbon rubber outsole material which offers outstanding abrasion and traction properties.

XT-900: Saucony's carbon rubber outsole material which offers exceptional traction properties without sacrificing durability.

XT-1200: Saucony's exclusive Super-Abrasion carbon rubber outsole material which offers superior durability.
 
 


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