Stride Rite to Appoint Edward Larsen to Board of Directors; CFO of Talbots Will Chair Audit Committee

The Stride Rite Corporation (NYSE: SRR) today announced
that following its 2006 annual meeting of shareholders it will appoint
Edward L. Larsen to the Company's Board of Directors. He will also
serve as the Chairman of the Audit Committee and qualifies as the
"audit committee financial expert" under SEC rules and related NYSE
rules.
   Mr. Larsen will bring extensive public company retail experience
to Stride Rite's Board. Since 1991, he has been Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Talbots Inc., a $1.8 billion
specialty retailer and cataloger of apparel and accessories with over
1,000 stores. He was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Lillian Vernon Corporation from 1989 to 1991, and from 1977 to 1988
had held various positions with General Mills, Inc., including Vice
President and Group Controller of the Specialty Retailing Group.
   "We are delighted that Ed Larsen has agreed to serve on our Board
of Directors. With his broad retail background, financial expertise
and strategic insights, Ed will be a superb addition to our Board,"
said David Chamberlain, Chairman and CEO of Stride Rite.
   Immediately following Stride Rite's 2006 annual meeting of
shareholders on April 6, the Board of Directors will appoint Mr.
Larsen as a Class III director to serve until the 2008 annual meeting
of shareholders.
   Mr. Larsen will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of
current Audit Committee Chairman Bruce Van Saun, who as previously
announced will leave the Board at the time of the 2006 annual meeting
due to other business obligations.

   COMPANY OVERVIEW

   The Stride Rite Corporation markets the leading brand of high
quality children's shoes in the United States. Other footwear products
for children and adults are marketed by the Company under well-known
brand names, including Keds, Sperry Top-Sider, Tommy Hilfiger,
Saucony, Grasshoppers, Munchkin, Spot-bilt and Hind. Apparel products
are marketed by the Company under the Saucony and Hind brand names.
Information about the Company is available on our website -
www.strideritecorp.com. Information about the Company's brands and
product lines is available at www.striderite.com, www.keds.com,
www.sperrytopsider.com and www.saucony.com.