Today, it’s all about a brand that many sometimes brush over in favor of the huge brands they know. Mind you, Asics isn’t a small brand by all means. However, it remains underrated in comparison to brands like Nike, Jordan, Adidas, etc… Now, if we take a look at the state of the sneaker and resale market, we can notice a shift. And well, this shift left places for things like Asics sneakers to shine. So, let’s jump into the history of the brand, and how it’s slowly but steadily becoming more relevant by the day!
Asics – A Quick History
Before the brand became Asics as we know it today, there was Onitsuka Tiger. In 1949, Kihachiro Onitsuka founded the Onitsuka Co. four years after returning from the war. From there on, the brand slowly but surely started to drop new silhouettes for different performance purposes. Now, this was all good and dandy, but the brand was still kinda local to Japan. It wasn’t until 1964 that the Onitsuka Tiger got into the USA market. And that was also the start of Nike’s story with the iconic Cortez that both brands claim as their own.
Anyway, that’s a story for another day, because now our focus is on Asics. You see, a decade later, in 1977 specifically, Onitsuka Tiger became the Asics of today! Now, Asics isn’t just a random word. It’s actually an acronym for the Latin phrase Anima Sana In Corpore Sano. This roughly translates to “a sound mind in a sound body”. It’s a pretty inspiring motto if you ask us, don’t you think?
Why Do People Like Asics Sneakers?
Honestly, the main reason people love Asics sneakers is simply because they are very comfortable. And well, these babies look pretty decent and are of good quality. So all in all, you have the perfect recipe for the perfect shoe. Now, in recent years, Asics slowly but surely started to gain momentum, as it seems like the current market shift fell in its favor. In fact, the brand’s share on the resale market grew a whopping 589%+! You see, the brand isn’t new to cool collabs, but it’s been turning heads in the last few years.
Our Favorite Collaborative Asics Sneakers
Sometimes, less is more, and Asics’ partnerships are generally just that! The brand collaborated with important stores and designers throughout the years. And while most of the kicks are simple, all collaborators managed to leave their mark. So, here are our favorite three collabs, but we always keep an open mind. After all, the industry is very much alive, and the brand is definitely in constant evolution!
Should You Invest in Asics?
From a wear and tear perspective? Heck yes. But from a resale perspective? You gotta know which pair to invest in. Just like any other brand, some Asics sneakers are worth more than others. Whether it’s because of the design, exclusivity, or even the associated name, there’s a lot that goes on. But before you decide that, make sure you know what makes a pair of hype kicks. In the meantime, keep an eye out for upcoming collabs, because it seems like Kith’s Ronnie Fieg is cooking up a hot drop! Mind you, he’s not the only one on the Asics roster throughout 2024. So, if you wanna keep up with the kicks, make sure you check out our blog. Godspeed!