With the release of its latest offering, the GEL-KAYANO 14 “Pre-Worn,” ASICS is showing that it is fully leaning into the aged or weathered aesthetic that has gripped the sneaker community as of late.
While we’ve seen aged or vintage offerings from brands like Nike with the recent Awake NY x Jordan Air Ship, adidas with the JJJJound Samba and New Balance with the inline “Reimagined” 550. However, like its collaborative release with Foxtrot Uniform, ASICS seems to be taking a more exaggerated step into the neo-vintage category, with obvious distressing and discoloration of the midsole.
While vintage might have been the initial approach with this particular design, it also gives off a futuristic and somewhat dystopian vibe — think DUNE, Blade Runner, Mad Max, etc. The performance-based running shoe is finished with a base layer of dark “cold moss” decorated with a top layer of scuffed and aged metallic gold, accentuating the “Pre-Worn” aesthetic.
Additionally, the shoe features touches of off-white or cream coloring at the liner of the shoe, laces and midsole. The outsole of the ASICS GEL-KAYANO 14 “Pre-Worn” ties it all together and is finished in the very same “cold moss” as the upper. At the time of writing, details like price and specific release dates have yet to be announced, however, the shoes are expected to be released this year.
