ASICS GEL-LYTE OG: BACK TO THE BLUEPRINT

ASICS’ GEL-Lyte series has been a favourite for sneakerheads the world over for a while now, however, the split-tongued III and sock-fit V have often stolen the limelight from other designs. Now, the Japanese brand is taking it back to the beginning with a rework of the shoe that kick-started one of the most famous footwear families going: the GEL-Lyte OG. 

As the name suggests, the GEL-Lyte series was created to offer superior, lightweight performance combined with cushioning that moulded around your foot. But while the tech specs are still impressive, it’s in later life that these trainers really found fame. Collab king Ronnie Fieg can be credited with reintroducing the III – and later the V – with a string of carefully crafted colourways that showed just how good a vintage runner can look today. 

So, with its older cousins firmly back on the map, it seems only right that ASICS has honoured the original blueprint by unearthing the GEL-Lyte, complete with a new nickname – ‘Ichiban’, meaning the first. The OG features many of the good looks that made successors such big hits, like the reflective cat-eyes on the toe box, a smooth nylon build with leather and suede overlays, and that bold signature shade of orange. We’re welcoming this one back with open arms.