Saucony Lights Up Fall 2012 with Next-Generation ViziPro Apparel Collection, release,

SAUCONY® LIGHTS UP FALL 2012 WITH NEXT-GENERATION ViZiPRO® APPAREL COLLECTION

Performance Running Brand Introduces Industry’s First Apparel-Integrated, Fully Rechargeable, USB-Powered LED Light Technology System; Sets New Standard For Runner Visibility In Low-Light Conditions

LEXINGTON, MA (October 25, 2012) – As sunrise comes later and sunset earlier, runners in autumn spend much of their time under the cover of darkness. Add to that the continued rise in distracted drivers and the need for runners to be highly visible is even more critical than ever before. That’s whySaucony®, a leading global performance running footwear and apparel brand, is encouraging runners to “find their strong” –in any season, in any light and at any time–with the brand’s revolutionary, next-generation ViZiPRO® collection of performance apparel and accessories, now available at select run specialty retailers. With 360 degrees of eye-catching functionality, the ViZiPRO® collection is setting new standards for runner conspicuity with the industry’s first apparel-integrated, rechargeable, USB­-powered LED light technologysystem.

“At night, research tells us that lights can do more than any other device to increase runner visibility,” said Patrick O’Malley, senior vice president of global product for Saucony.  “Our patent pending, rechargeable, USB-powered­ LED piping is an entirely new level of innovation and protection, allowing runners to be seen in total darkness without the need for a reflective light source. Best of all, the light system is eco-friendly, eliminating the need for batteries: Simply plug the garment’s detachable USB LED power unit into a computer’s USB port for a quick charge.

“Our mission is to inspire people to run. Recognizing that dedicated runners want to extend their ability to run confidently in the season’s reduced daylight, ViZiPRO® removes limitations, delivering both uncompromised performance and enhanced visibility for runners who share the road with an increasing amount of distracted drivers,” added O’Malley.

The newly designed ViZiPRO® Orange and ViZiPRO Pinkâ„¢ apparel products feature three critical performance attributes that provide 360 degrees of enhanced visibility for the runner: highly reflective fluorescent colored fabrics; reflectivity from 3Mâ„¢ Scotchliteâ„¢ trims and piping; and rechargeable, USB­-powered LED piping fully integrated into the garment.

ViZiPRO’s USB­-powered LED light technology delivers up to one hour of flashing light for one hour of charge time, with a total lifespan of up to 100,000 chargeable hours. The weatherproof lighting system can be run in a steady or flashing mode with just the click of a switch. The Sonic HDX ViZiPRO® Jacket is Saucony’s premier high-visibility outerwear piece for Fall 2012, offering all three of the collection’s visual performance elements, including the brand’s patent pending, rechargeable, USB­-powered LED piping running along the left front chest and across the jacket’s upper back.

The most recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report shows pedestrian fatalities across the nation rose by four percent in 2010. The report states that from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the hours when runners are most likely to be out on the roads, are the most dangerous times of the day for pedestrians. About seven in 10 pedestrian fatalities occurred during these times−when it is more difficult for drivers to see−especially if a person on foot is wearing dark clothing.

Both the ViZiPRO® Orange and ViZiPRO Pinkâ„¢ collections passed rigorous tests to ensure runners training in low-light conditions can be better seen, giving them a visual advantage when out on the roads. Saucony commissioned an independent test with a leading color science expert to qualify the luminosity of ViZiPRO® Orange and ViZiPRO Pinkâ„¢ using a measure called “reflectance factor.”

Reflectance factor is a measure of the extent to which a fabric surface will reflect (versus absorb) light. Colors that exceed a reflectance factor of 1.0 are considered fluorescents and reflect more light than they absorb. In general, colors with higher reflectance factor scores will appear more visible to the human eye than those with lower scores.

During testing, ViZiPRO® Orange and ViZiPRO Pink™ demonstrated a superior reflectance factor rating when compared to fluorescent colors such as neon green and neon yellow that are commonly used in high-visibility apparel.

The Fall 2012 ViZiPRO® apparel collection of performance apparel and accessories includes the following key products:

Sonic HDX ViZiPRO® Jacket (Men’s SRP: $110.00; Women’s SRP: $110.00)

Wind and water-resistant, featuring patent pending, rechargeable USB-powered LED piping on the left front chest and across the back for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions.

·          DWR coated

·          3Mâ„¢ Scotchliteâ„¢ reflective elements

·          Front zippered hand pockets

ViZiPRO® Nomad Jacket (Men’s SRP: $110.00; Women’s SRP: $100.00)

The perfect solution for running on a cold, windy day.

·          Windproof Viperlight front panel

·          Therma-regulating DryLete® on the back and arms

·          Mesh back panel for maximum ventilation

·          Printed zipper tape with SilkZip flap for greater insulation

·          Front hand pockets

ViZiPRO® Shadowlite Softshell Jacket (Men’s SRP: $160.00; Women’s SRP: $160.00)

Breathable and weatherproof softshell is built for running in cold and wet conditions.

·          Welded seams for improved weatherproofing

·          3Mâ„¢ Scotchliteâ„¢ reflective elements

·          Front zippered hand pockets

ViZiPRO DryLete® Sportop (Men’s SRP: $80.00; Women’s SRP: $75.00)

Features superior moisture transfer and warmth for next-to-skin comfort.

·          Removable USB-powered LED light unit on wrist

·          Invisible zip pocket on right side seam

·          3Mâ„¢ Scotchliteâ„¢ reflective on zipper and back

ViZiPRO® Omni LX Tight II (Men’s SRP: $65.00; Women’s SRP: $65.00)

Perfect for race day; Made from thermo-regulating DryLete® fabric.

·          3Mâ„¢ Scotchliteâ„¢ reflective piping on sides

·          Center back mesh storage pocket

·          Gripper elastics at ankles secure fit

ViZiPRO® Accessories

ViZiPRO® accessories offer dedicated runners a sense of security through performance gloves and hats integrated with Saucony’s reflective material and USB-powered LED light.

The ViZiPRO® Orange apparel line is available at select run specialty retailers in both men’s and women’s sizes. The ViZiPRO Pinkâ„¢ women’s performance apparel line is available at select run specialty retailers in women’s sizes only. To find a Saucony retailer near you, please call1.800.365.4933 or visit www.saucony.com.

As with all outdoor activities in low light conditions, runners must exercise caution.

For more information, please contact Sharon Barbano at Saucony (617-824-6126), [email protected] or Kerry McLaughlin at Saucony (617-824-6504),

kerry [email protected]

About Saucony: Saucony, a division of Wolverine World Wide, 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 the “Geometry of Strongâ„¢, ProGridâ„¢, PowerGridâ„¢ and ViZiPRO® and AMP PRO₂â„¢ apparel. At Saucony, a good day is when we get to run. A great day is when we inspire someone else to run. For more information, go towww.saucony.com.

3Mâ„¢ is a trademark of the 3M Company.