Nature. It’s something that unites us all. It keeps us grounded and connected.
Full of organic texture and beauty, it’s the perfect place to look for inspiration.
With its rugged DNA, The Grounder is no stranger to nature. Originally created for military expeditions, this outdoorsy sneaker is the perfect choice for reconnecting with the Earth.
With its legacy of adventure-ready design, we wanted to create a version of this iconic shoe that puts nature first. Teaming up with Saeed Ferguson, a frog-inspired take on our classic low-top took root.
Grounded In Nature
The Philadelphia-based designer is known for blending creativity with local culture. His work is personal and expressive, incorporating organic elements and typography. This special-edition of The Grounder reflects that influence, drawing inspiration from Philly’s Wissahickon Valley Park.
“That’s like one of my favorite parks in Philly,” the artist shares in a video on his YouTube channel. “I will take hikes and just tap into nature, create some peace around me.”
“It’s such a sacred spot in Philadelphia that I feel like is not really taken advantage of by people in this city.”
A frog-filled respite in a bustling city, the scenic woodland escape offers a sense of tranquility that we wanted to capture with this limited-edition collection. Full of grounding embroidery, earthy tones, and special collab-exclusive elements, this unique take on our Grounder silhouette centers itself on the beauty and peacefulness of the Earth.
Taking after the calm creatures’ natural texture, the low-top shoe is crafted from frog canvas in a rich brown tone. Bold orange stitching, smooth tan foxing, muted green eyelets, and a ribbed toe bumper all contribute to the tactile or amphibian-inspired look. Swappable laces in orange and black add interest, allowing the wearer to customize their sneaker. The back features a matching orange heel strip and a distinctive frog logo version of our retro heel plate.
These purposeful details make this collaboration truly one-of-a-kind. It’s a creative, down-to-earth take on one of our most popular shoes.
Inside the shoe, a special edition of our Posture Foundation insole keeps things comfortable. Ergonomically molded for stability and support, our signature cushioning system is made to absorb impact and reduce foot fatigue. The special frog feet version reminds the wearer to “Find your footing” and “Plant your roots.” It’s a subtle accent to celebrate the story behind the design. Plus, our insoles are made from recycled rubber, helping contribute to a cleaner planet.
The exclusive collaboration also comes with its own customized packaging. A special tissue paper design showcases the lush landscape of the Wissahickon Valley. The topographical map illustrates the serene trails of the tree-lined park. Meanwhile, a special hangtag further reflects the collaborative spirit between the Pennsylvania artist and our heritage American brand. With the cheerful cartoon style of vintage advertising, it’s a throwback to our legacy.
Shop P.F. Flyers X Saeed Ferguson
Positive Reminders
Moreover, this special low-top sneaker features mindful mantras throughout its design. Inspirational affirmations are embroidered on the side of the shoe as a reminder to move with intention while embracing change.
The vision for this grounded approach stems from the poised fearlessness of the frog. Unafraid to take leaps, they center themselves in their environments and propel forward without looking back. The motivating quotes throughout the design are there to carry this focused mindset to the wearer.
Careful stitching reads out, “Stay grounded in nature and rise with every step,” to help embrace a positive outlook and encourage openness to adapting to your surroundings.
Shop P.F. Flyers X Saeed Ferguson
For a behind-the-scenes look at how the careful design came together, watch this video of the designer unpacking the final sample:
Q&A With Saeed Ferguson
In honor of this exciting launch, we asked Saeed for some exclusive insights about the collection. Explaining the intention behind the low-top’s design, the artist reveals what the process of crafting the collaboration was like and why he chose to work with P.F. Flyers.
Q: Why was embracing nature so important for this collection? How does it relate to your perspective as a designer?
A: To celebrate our planet, we decided to join forces to appreciate Earth and what it means to us. A lot of my personal work and philosophy revolves around the inspiration of nature, it being the source of life and a place to find one’s self.
Q: What inspired the theme of “grounding”? How does this idea reflect both your identity and the brand’s heritage?
A: In nature, you can feel grounded, and that’s the idea that really stuck with me, especially after finding out that P.F. Flyers named one of their shoes The “Grounder,” that immediately let me know we were on the same page, and the path became apparent.
Q: You’re known for your out-of-the-box creativity and authentic expression. What drew you to working with P.F. Flyers?
A: Teaming up with PF Flyers made sense to me on an emotional level, and that’s how I make a lot of my decisions. After meeting the team and understanding their history and products, it aligned with how I saw the world, and I could see how we could meaningfully collaborate. They believed in me and what I’ve been able to do in my career and gave me free range to create pretty much anything I could dream of within their manufacturing capabilities. That level of trust and alignment is hard to find, so for me it was a no-brainer to partner with P.F. Flyers, and I’m sure they could say the same!
Q: You’re from Philadelphia, a city renowned for its arts community. How has the city of brotherly love been integral to this collection?
A: This collaboration involves not only ourselves but the community of Philadelphia. We have hired local creatives to bring the shoe to life with the photos and videos. We have also partnered with a local store, Ace Outpost, to launch this project with. The stories and reference points are mostly based in Philadelphia, and it means a lot to me to do something meaningful in the town I'm from.
Q: This collection draws significant inspiration from organic beauty. How does that spirit present itself through the shoe’s design? Are there any features of the sneaker you want to highlight?
A: We created a Grounder Low-Top that resembles and reflects nature. The textured canvas appears to look like tree bark. The insoles have frog feet printed in them, allowing you to step into the shoes of a frog. The colors, the materials, the details, they are all inspired by nature - showing appreciation for the best designer in the world, Mother Earth.
Q: What do you most hope wearers will take away from the collaboration?
A: To appreciate our planet.
Shop The Grounder By Saeed Ferguson
This brown canvas version of our low-top shoe blends Saeed Ferguson’s down-to-earth point of view with the structure, support, and steady wear of The Grounder. An embodiment of our shared commitment to originality and innovative design, this comfortable sneaker is a unique take on natural inspiration.
Taking after the ambitious attitude that empowers frogs to take leaps, we hope this collaboration will instill wearers with the confidence to make every step count. Grounded in earthy tones and optimistic outlooks, it’s a sneaker made for meaningful moments.
Durable soles and our signature support keep this low-top sneaker rooted in our timeless outdoor style, while pops of bold, frog-inspired color, intentional embroidery, and playful texture elevate the design into something entirely new. It’s a mix of familiarity and adventure, making it the ideal choice for grounded journeys.
With tributes to the designer’s roots, our footwear legacy, and the planet that connects us, it’s an everyday shoe made with intention.
Saeed explains his perspective surrounding the collection, expressing, “Every day should be Earth Day.”
We hope this special launch will encourage wearers to be mindful of their surroundings and bold enough to try new things. Lace up with these balanced low-tops, take a walk outdoors, and set aside a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
Join us in celebrating the serenity of nature by shopping this limited-edition collaboration.
