ASICS Gel-Kayano 14

GEL-KAYANO 14

The ASICS Gel-Kayano is a series of performance running shoes originating in 1993. In the 2020s, having long been popular among runners, changing fashion trends saw archival models like the Gel-Kayano 14 return as beloved sneakers. Originally released in 2008, the 14 was the first Gel-Kayano not designed by founder Toshikazu Kayano, but his legacy of working principles guided his successor, Hidenori Yamashita.

Yamashita developed a strong design story around the concept of ‘flash’, resulting in the ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 dynamic look, with a breathable mesh upper, durable leather overlays and a supportive sole unit built around a “Structured Cushioning” system. Made to provide lightweight stability, this combined a midfoot Trusstic shank with large Gel inserts and Solyte foam for shock absorption and comfort.

The Gel-Kayano 14 was a big success, and just over a decade later, it returned as part of the fashion trend for heritage mesh running shoes. ASICS initially identified the 13th iteration for a retro release, but Bulgarian menswear designer and trusted brand consultant Kiko Kostadinov had other ideas, convincing them to choose the Gel-Kayano 14 for its captivating futuristic esthetic, which evoked a feeling of speed.

Yamashita updated the original silhouette with contemporary materials and refined its upper for a more secure and comfortable fit. Visually, it retained the classic Y2K esthetic, giving it an on-trend retro look that appealed to casual fans and sneaker enthusiasts. Meanwhile, Kostadinov crafted the distinctive UB1-S variant. He experimented with different combinations of materials and tones across four striking colorways, developing a fashion-forward look that helped the ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 transcend its sporting past and become a charismatic 2020s fashion icon.

The silhouette was soon involved in collaborations, beginning with Awake NY founder Angelo Baque and his ‘Rebirth of Cool’ edition. Partnerships with clothing brands like Ice Studios and BEAMS followed, while the elegant two-pack crafted by Canadian design studio JJJJound in 2022 elevated the ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 to greater levels of success. Collaborations with lifestyle boutiques like Kith, atmos and Unaffected further extended its reach within the fashion industry, and influential celebrities like model Hailey Bieber were pictured in the sneaker, making it known to a wider audience.

ASICS celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Gel-Kayano with the Legacy silhouette – a stunning amalgamation of key features from past models whose use of the 14’s powerful sole unit showed the silhouette’s importance to the brand. Over the next few years more Gel-Kayano 14 colorways and collaborations came out, including with South Korean clothing brand The Museum Visitor, Brazilian menswear label P. Andrade, influential stylist Juliana Salazar, French luxury clothing label A.P.C and Los Angeles boutique Sneaker Politics. This incredible run culminated in another sophisticated two-pack from JJJJound, proving the silhouette’s enduring popularity.

While the ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 started out as a performance running shoe, its nostalgic charm and outstanding technological features have made it one of the most fashionable and iconic sneakers of the modern era.