As the hybrid athletic footwear trend evolves from slip-on sneaker loafers to more engineered mash-ups, Asics is preparing to deliver a new model which combines its technical underfoot tooling with a dressy yet sporty upper.
The upcoming Asics Gel-Kinetic SP combines the high-tech midsole of the Gel-Quantum Kinetic with an all-new premium leather upper. According to Asics, the new design is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, a concept which translates to “change for better” and is rooted in the idea of continuous improvement.
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With a mesh base, leather covers a majority of the shoe with details that merge sport and dress shoes. Highlights include a perforated Asics “A” at the toe, a metal “A” near the heel and mesh cut outs with TPU for structure and style.
The shoe’s futuristic Gel-Kinetic sole was produced with insight from Asics’ Institute of Sport Science, which has developed some of the brand’s most innovative and enduring technologies. According to Asics, the cushioning’s Scutoid Gel technology features “closely packed 3D geometry and an off-axis structure” which the brand says makes it well-suited for city commutes and standing for long durations.
To formally introduce the new Gel-Kinetic SP model, Asics launched a social media campaign based around the “relationship between tradition and future through human connection” by highlighting grandparents, grandchildren, parents and children in their day-to-day lives.
Despite the sneaker loafer hybrid trend making its way to numerous designer and athletic brands, Asics has yet to adopt the look. Its Kiko Kostadinov-designed Gel-Styrax model blends sport influence with a slip-on mule construction, but the new Gel-Kinetic SP is more of a full-on melding of inspirations.
Asics confirmed Sunday that the Gel-Kinetic SP will be released globally on Dec. 5. Coming in java brown (style code 1203B056-200) and black (style code 1203B056-001) colorways, the new model is set to retail for 250 euros.
