Saucony Jazz Low Pro Vegan (Shoe) Review:

Saucony Jazz Low Pro Vegan Sneakers, Green

This is a review of Saucony Jazz Low Pro Vegan shoes.

Saucony currently makes three classic retro sneaker styles: the Saucony Jazz, Saucony Jazz Low Pro, and Saucony Bullet. All three are available in a variety of colors, and for both men and women. Of these shoes, only one, the Jazz Low Pro, is available in a vegan option. If you are looking at these three shoes on a website or in a catalog, the Bullet and Jazz Low Pro look more similar to each other; upon trying them on, however, you will realize that these two shoes are very different in their structure and the way they feel, and that the Jazz and Jazz Low Pro are more similar to each other.

Vegan vs. Non-Vegan:

If you're scratching your head at the concept of a vegan shoe, the reason that this distinction is important is a lot simpler than you may think. Most Saucony shoes, and indeed, most shoes, contain leather. The Vegan Low Pro, however, is made with canvas and hemp uppers, with the same rubber sole.

Compared to the leather version, the vegan shoe has a much coarser texture, a lot like canvas or burlap. I have seen claims and reviews on the internet that the vegan shoes do not hold up as well as their leather counterparts, and that they fade more easily. So far, however, I have noticed no difference in wear; to me, the shoe has seemed extremely durable. The upperparts of the regular (non-Vegan) shoe have a few fabric spots which are not the most durable either, so keep this in mind when people remark that the vegan shoe wears easily.

I have, however, noticed that the Vegan shoes breathe more easily, and dry out more quickly when wet, whereas the non-Vegan ones are considerably warmer in the winter, and are slower to dry out.

What is "Low Pro"? Saucony Jazz vs. Jazz Low Pro:

"Low pro" stands for "Low Profile", which refers to the fact that the heel of these shoes is lower than in the regular Saucony Jazz shoes. How much lower? It's actually quite a big difference. The Jazz Low Pro shoes have a basically flat sole, with the heel about 3/4 inch off the ground, and the front of the shoe 5/8 inch, tapering to 1/2 inch at the toe.

I strongly prefer and strongly recommend the low pro shoes. The regular Saucony Jazz sneakers have a more elevated heel, like most running shoes. The effect when walking around casually is that the shoes feel clunky and blocky, as if I am standing on a large wedge. When running, the elevated heel makes the heel more likely to strike the ground first, which I think is not healthy for the foot. The Saucony Jazz low pro sneakers, on the other hand, feel much more natural to me.

I also think these sneakers look more attractive, both on men or women. There is something slightly awkward-looking about the large, elevated heel on these otherwise stylish-looking shoes.

What are these shoes good for?

I have found these shoes to be very good all-purpose shoes:

• Very comfortable for walking long distances. These are actually my preferred shoes for walking long distances. They are also relatively comfortable to run in as well (although I'm not a serious runner). I actually find these shoes more comfy to run in than most modern "running" shoes, which I think are bad for the feet.
• Walking on rough terrain - The Saucony Jazz and Jazz Low Pro tend towards the hard-soled side, as casual sneakers go. Although they are less sturdy than hiking boots or work boots, they tend a bit in this direction, while retaining some flexibility. I find this makes them very good for walking on rough terrain, such as rocks and coarse gravel, broken up sidewalks and construction areas in cities, and other irregular surfaces.
• Highly breathable. The shoes are cool and breathe very well. I have worn them on the hottest days of summer, 100 degree weather and humid, and my feet stayed cool and dry.

What are these shoes not good for?

These shoes are not good for:

• Rain. They soak right through very quickly. The only upside is that they tend to dry out relatively quickly as well.
• Winter. These are summer shoes; even on a dry day, these shoes let the cold air right through and, unless you're wearing warm socks, your feet will be cold on a cold winter day.
• Wear from above (snags). The soles of these shoes are very durable, but the upperparts are less so. I recommend avoiding any activity (gardening, hiking in the woods, walking in denser vegetation) that could snag or tear the uppers of the shoe, or otherwise expose the upperpart of the shoes to wear. The same is true of the non-vegan version: the uppers are made of a relatively thin fabric. Thorn patches and sharp branches can quickly start scraping away at these shoes to where they fall apart. Contrast with New Balance Classics, a similar shoe which I find have more durable uppers, much less likely to snag.

Similar Shoes:

If you want to find similar shoes to the Saucony Jazz Low Pro, consider the New Balance Classics. These shoes are similar in style, a classic retro sneaker available in a variety of colors. I have found that they have a softer (more flexible) sole and more durable uppers. They are slightly less comfortable for walking or running long distances.

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