Asics is a sports shoe maker from Kobe, Japan. Its roots are in a shoe business started by Kihachiro Onitsuka in 1949, with basketball shoes as its first product. The name Asics is an acronym of the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano, which the company interprets as a healthy soul in a healthy body. The brand is best known for running shoes, especially the GEL cushioned lines such as GEL-KAYANO and GEL-NIMBUS. On the lifestyle side, older designs like the Mexico 66 with its distinctive crossing stripes, as well as vintage running models, are in demand again. For secondhand buyers, this long history means there are many generations of models, each with a different character and different material age.
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Kihachiro Onitsuka founded Onitsuka Shokai in Kobe in 1949. That same year the business was reorganized as Onitsuka Co., Ltd. with two employees. Its first model, a basketball shoe, came out in 1950. After that the range expanded to running, wrestling, volleyball, and other sports. In 1966 a design with crossing stripes appeared, called the Mexico Line. The stripes later became a visual marker of Onitsuka Tiger and Asics shoes. The martial arts actor Bruce Lee also helped introduce the shoes outside Japan.
In the 1960s, Onitsuka worked with Blue Ribbon Sports, the company of Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman that later became Nike, as its distributor in the United States. The relationship soured in the early 1970s. On 21 July 1977, Onitsuka merged with GTO and Jelenk to form ASICS Corporation. The ASICS and ASICS Tiger brands were introduced at that time.
Afterward, Asics focused on research. Its Institute of Sport Science was founded in 1985. A year later, running shoes with silicone-based GEL cushioning went on sale. The GEL-KAYANO and GT-2000 series were born in 1993, followed by GEL-NIMBUS in 1999. In 2002, Onitsuka Tiger was revived with older models such as the Mexico 66, Ultimate 81, and Nippon 60 as lifestyle shoes. In 2016 the lightweight FlyteFoam midsole foam arrived.
- Mexico 66: An Onitsuka design with the distinctive crossing stripes that made the brand widely known, and which now lives on in the Onitsuka Tiger line.
- GEL-KAYANO: A running series first released in 1993 that carries the surname of its designer, Toshikazu Kayano.
- GEL-NIMBUS: A running series with GEL cushioning, launched in 1999.
- GT-2000: A performance shoe series born in 1993 that has lasted a long time in Asics's running range.
- METASPEED SKY and EDGE: Carbon-plated racing shoes from 2021, designed for different running styles, namely long stride or high cadence.
What we check before listing
We usually start with the midsole, because the foam in older running shoes can harden, crack, or crumble with age even if the shoes were rarely worn. Then we look at the outsole, especially the heel and forefoot areas, to gauge how much wear is left. The stripes or logo on the side of the shoe should be neat, symmetrical between left and right, and not peeling. We also compare the size label and production code on the inside of the tongue or wall of the shoe with the model it is said to be. Last, we check the glue where the sole meets the upper, as well as insoles that are thin or smell.
Caring for it
Dry the shoes in a shaded place with air circulation. Do not leave them in direct sun or near a heat source, because the foam and glue can be damaged. Clean the mesh upper with a soft brush, water, and mild soap, and avoid the washing machine. Store them somewhere dry, and leave a day between wears so the cushioning has time to recover.
FAQ
What is the relationship between Asics and Onitsuka Tiger?
Onitsuka Co., Ltd. was the forerunner of Asics. The company merged with GTO and Jelenk in 1977 to become ASICS Corporation. Onitsuka Tiger is now one of the brands under Asics, with older models such as the Mexico 66 reissued since 2002.
What does the name Asics mean?
Asics is an acronym of the Latin phrase anima sana in corpore sano. The company translates it as a healthy soul in a healthy body.
Where does the name GEL-KAYANO come from?
The name comes from the surname of Toshikazu Kayano, the Asics employee who designed the first model. The first GEL-KAYANO Trainer was released in 1993.
Is a secondhand Asics running shoe safe to run in?
It depends on the condition of the cushioning and the outsole. Shoes whose foam has hardened or cracked, or whose outsole is badly worn, are better kept as casual shoes. That is why we note the condition of the midsole and outsole on every pair.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).