Around 2020 – give or take a year or two – when I was just getting into writing about sneakers, I read about Dunkin’ collaborating with Saucony (an athletic footwear brand I had only just discovered), for a marathon in Boston. At the time, I wasn’t convinced that food and shoes, an odd pairing, could really find common ground for a collaboration. Nearly a decade later, Saucony finds itself in the middle of another food-themed partnership. This one is specific to China, but it’s likely to interest foodies and sneakerheads far beyond the region.
Saucony this time has teamed up with Lay’s to develop a trio of sneakers inspired by the potato chip brand’s three regional flavors. Since, the silhouettes are made exclusively for the Chinese market, it is not yet confirmed if the sneakers will be sold outside of the country. The interested collectors would have to look at the resale websites and markets for these pairs.
Designer: Saucony x Lay’s
Food-inspired sneakers are not only limited to a company per se. Over the years, we have seen many brands combine the two, at various occasions, to create surprisingly great results. These pairs either derive names for their colorway from tasty treats or are licensed to sell in collaboration with a food item or a restaurant. The iconic potato chip brand here finds room in the sneaker culture with the partnership.
The three sneakers launched in this collection include a Cohesion 2K, Grid Fusion, and the more globally recognized Trainer 80X. The first in the trio is the Saucony Cohesion 2K, which is inspired by the popular seaweed flavor. It features a grey mesh and suede upper with a few green accents all around, which includes the Saucony logos.
The next in the collection is the Grid Fusion, designed after the spicy crayfish. The essence of the spicy crayfish is exquisitely carried in this pair, which feature warm brown swede and dark mesh in the upper and hints of its in the midsole. The soft beige on the midsole and the other accents complete the look.
The third pair in the series is the Trainer 80X which is instinctively identifiable with its classic yellow of a Lay’s potato chip bag. It has a gum sole and a yellow leather and suede upper. What really ties the three pairs together at the playful chip bag-like hashtags and exclusive co-branding. There is no word on when these silhouettes will be available or how each one of them will be priced. But one thing we are sure of is that we can only admire these food-inspired sneakers, there is no way these are crossing the shores of China.
