Politics teams up with Saucony once again, this time drawing inspiration straight from Southern Louisiana and the outdoor culture that defines it. With the Politics x Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’, we wanted to celebrate the land, the wildlife, and the everyday rituals that come with growing up surrounded by water, trees, and open space. This project is rooted in early mornings outside, long days spent moving through nature, and our deep respect for the environment that shapes life in the South.

The name says it all. Louisiana has long been known as Sportsman’s Paradise, a place where fishing, hunting, and time outdoors are simply part of life. From quiet marshes to winding bayous, the region is full of life, texture, and contrast. We pulled from the colors and materials you see across the landscape rather than dressing them up. Earthy tones reference clay-rich riverbanks, while greens move through the upper like moss-covered trees lining the water’s edge.

The details on the shoe tell their own story. The mesh panels draw from the fishing and crabbing nets that have been used along the coast for generations. Hairy suede panels nod to Spanish moss draped from cypress and oak trees, soft in movement but tough enough to handle the heat, humidity, and time that define the South. Subtle pink hits on the tongue and heel come from the roseate spoonbill, a striking bird native to the region whose color comes straight from the seafood-rich wetlands it calls home.

At its core, the ProGrid Omni 9 is a silhouette built with purpose. First released in 2010, it blends performance roots with a layered aesthetic that has aged naturally into today’s retro landscape. Its structure, comfort, and durability made it more than just a running shoe, allowing it to cross over into everyday wear without losing its identity. That balance made it the perfect canvas for a project inspired by Southern Louisiana’s environment, wildlife, and traditions.

‘Sportsman’s Paradise’ is less about a single activity and more about a way of life. It celebrates time spent outside, the connection to land and water, and the traditions that have shaped our community for generations. With the ProGrid Omni 9, we captured that spirit in a shoe that honors the people, the wildlife, and the landscapes that make Southern Louisiana so unique.