Engineered Garments × Saucony | Shadow Original Velcro

The iconic Saucony Shadow Original has been updated once again by Engineered Garments.

Engineered Garments director Daiki Suzuki spoke about the design process:

"I think it all started with a simple fact: when I was a child, I remember being fascinated by a new kind of sneaker I saw at the time that used Velcro instead of laces. Since then, I’ve owned and worn several sneakers that used two-strap or three-strap Velcro closures."

The simple upper design uses leather and nylon mesh, making the shoe breathable and practical as well as visually uncluttered.

"Unlike regular shoelaces, sneakers without laces look visually cleaner and smarter, and I think they are a very effective design from a fashion perspective. With that in mind, I had been wondering if there might be a new way to use Velcro.

That’s when I came across the Jazz Hook & Loop in Saucony’s kids' line. Normally, this would likely have been a typical two-strap Velcro design, but because it was made for kids, the two straps were combined into a single U-shaped strap, which I found very interesting."

This unique Velcro strap was probably developed for children, but I thought it might work just as well if used for adults as it is. That was the initial idea. The end result, I think, is a very mature, simple, elegant, and sleek design."

This U-shaped Velcro grip has more impact than I initially imagined, yet it still maintains a smart and simple style — it has a very nice sense of balance."

The Engineered Garments × Saucony Shadow Original Velcro will be released in black and white colourways on Friday 10th April online and in store at Nepenthes London.