ASICS SportStyle has launched the GEL-KAYANO LEGACY sneaker, as part of celebration on the 30th anniversary of the GEL-KAYANO series and the technology advancements that propelled the series into what it is today.
Toshikazu Kayano started designing footwear at ASICS in the late 1980s before creating the GEL-KAYANO series in 1993. Since its inception, this trainer has been steeped in protection-focused technologies that mirror a stag beetle’s armor-like characteristics. This philosophy continues to be a definitive trait that’s still prevalent for the stability running shoe 30 years later. Kayano-san would go on to create the first 13 silhouettes within the series before passing the torch in 2008.
Toshikazu Kayano stated, “When I first started designing the GEL-KAYANO series for running, I never would’ve imagined that there would be 30 different models across a 30-year timeframe—let alone reach the sneaker space. It’s exciting how shoe designs that were originally intended for performance have developed a cross-over into various lifestyle realms.
The ASICS SportStyle design team revisited the series’ 30-year legacy and pulled inspiration from the milestones that evolved the shoe into one of the most storied stability trainers. This project began with the GEL-KAYANO 14 as the foundation and took key design influences from eight other iterations within the GEL-KAYANO series, including: the GEL-KAYANO TRAINER, GEL-KAYANO 5, GEL-KAYANO 6, GEL-KAYANO 10, GEL-KAYANO 12, GEL-KAYANO 18, and GEL-KAYANO 20.
Each colorway in the collection draws influence from the core colors that have appeared throughout the GEL-KAYANO series since its inception. The first colorway features a primarily white base that’s offset with blue, red, and black undertones. Its asymmetric coloring helps to highlight the mashup effect and tech features that are conveyed through the different GEL-KAYANO components. The other colorway pays homage to the series’ frequent use of silver during the mid and late 2000s.
The GEL-KAYANO LEGACY sneaker is made available for purchase on CROSSOVER Malaysia’s online store and in select stores Atmos stores (KLCC, Sunway Pyramid & Mid Valley) for RM749.