The Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 OG in “Black / Silver” is the kind of shoe people would have shrugged off ten years ago and now find themselves waitlisted for. Chunky runner, plenty of layers, plenty of silver. If you’re wondering whether it’s for you, that mostly depends on what’s hanging in your closet.
What you’re looking at
The upper is made from black mesh, built up with multiple layers featuring different hole patterns. On top sit silver, metallic-looking overlays that run across the sides like bands, with a large silver Saucony logo as the focal point. The laces are gray, the tongue is black mesh, and there’s a silver heel element at the back with a cutout in it.
Underneath, things get serious: a tall midsole in gray and dark gray, with “SRC” in the rubber, and a black outsole with light gray sections. The whole shoe builds up significantly at the heel. This isn’t a flat sneaker you can hide under a slim pair of pants.
What it works with
This kind of volume calls for pants that can sit over the top of the shoe. Cargos are the most obvious choice: the fabric falls over the shoe, the silver overlays peek out underneath, and you get exactly the proportions this sneaker was designed for. Wide, straight-leg jeans do the same job. Track pants with a slightly wider leg work too.
Where it falls apart is with slim fit. Tight pants over a chunky sole make the lower half look bottom-heavy, throwing off the silhouette. The same goes for shorts: this isn’t a shoe you want to leave fully exposed.
I’d keep things understated up top. Black and silver are already two strong elements, so a gray hoodie, black overshirt or simple dark jacket is all you need. If you want to dress it up, go for something with a technical edge — a shell jacket works better with this shoe than a wool coat.
What it means in practice
This is a model originally built as a running shoe, and you can tell: it has cushioning and a solid sole. That’s a win for long days on your feet. The downside of all that mesh and those overlays is that cleaning it is trickier than with smooth leather — dirt gets into the seams between the layers.
The ProGrid Omni 9 still ranks low on our Hypescore, which is good news for buyers rather than bad. While the popular models sell out in every size immediately, this pair is still sitting on the shelves at plenty of retailers. Saucony simply gets less attention than the brands everyone is waiting for, and that saves you money.
If you’re looking for a chunky runner that isn’t on every tram carriage, this is a great place to start. Just check which retailer has your size at the best price: the gap between sellers is fairly significant with this pair.