SSince the relaunch of the Asics Gel-Kayano 14 sneakers three years ago, this early 2000s running shoe has received widespread acclaim. Its popularity is easy to understand in today’s saturated market of retro performance sneakers, where the Kayano 14 maintains a dominant presence both online and in real life. Yet Japanese sportswear giant Asics refuses to rest on its laurels. Another archival gem from the recent past, the Asics GT-2160 shifts its marketing focus to a new silhouette and looks ready to make waves in this new year.
Introduced by Asics in the 1990s as part of the structured running category, the GT-2000 line was intended to provide better support for overpronators at more affordable prices compared to the flagship Gel-Kayano series. Just like the Kayano 14, the GT-2160 is a special running shoe. When it first hit shelves in 2011, it was immediately recognized “rock-solid stability” And “soft cushioning,” named it the best shoe in the world that same year.
Ten years later, when Asics headquarters were considering reviving the GT-2160, the brand was already witnessing a surge of interest in what it calls “vintage tech” models, according to Asics Global Product Line Manager. AJ Vander Woude. The GT-2160 seemed like a fitting successor to the Kayano 14, and the marketing team devised a strategy to anoint it. In 2023, Asics discreetly enlisted collaborators from the fashion world to incorporate their unique perspectives into the silhouette, mirroring the approach that brought the Kayano 14 to the forefront of menswear discussions.
Collaborators like Kiko Kostadinov, Justin SaundersAnd Cecile Bahnsen, based in Copenhagen, played a crucial role. For example, Bahnsen transformed the shoe by replacing the laces with floral Velcro closures, creating one of 2023’s standout interpretations. Other collaborators, such as Montreal-based Dime and Los Angeles-based Gallery Dept., contributed their distinctive touches and showcased the GT-2160’s versatility.
Predictably, these collaborations were fleeting, but if the trajectory of the Kayano 14 is any indication, they are just the tip of the iceberg. At the end of 2023, Asics introduced a variety of general release options with coveted colorways, including the brand’s signature mesh-silver mix. Even the less hyped versions of the Asics GT-2160 sneakers are flying off the shelves, a clear indication that the silhouette will be a prominent presence in 2024.
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