JJJJound’s Next 2000s-Era Asics Collab Comes Out on Halloween
More from Footwear News
Update: Oct. 16, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. ET:
While many sneaker brands are going all-in on Halloween themes for the spooky season holiday, JJJJound and Asics have two shoes coming out that veer away from the usual flair and spectacle found on footwear collaborations.
First teased by JJJJound in September, the Tumblr-turned-minimalist menswear brand fully revealed its second Asics collaboration on Monday. Made up of two colorways of the popular Asics GT-2160 sneaker, the looks blend “sleek design with visibility-enhancing features,” according to JJJJound.
A White/Black pair uses white mesh with gray overlays and reflective accents with added high-vis coming from Safety Yellow detailing. The second style is a nearly tonal Black/Pure Silver which features the addition of a reflective mesh material at the heel. Both shoes don carbon fiber-like overlays and come packaged with alternate two-tone shoelaces.
The first collaboration between JJJJound and Asics, which featured two styles of the Gel-Kayano 14, was one of 2022’s most popular releases. Both pairs helped generate buzz around the retro model, which remains one of the most in-demand 2000s-era designs of the moment. In comparison, the GT-2160 is more pared down with less emphasis on tech.
Although some social media commenters deride the design’s simplicity, JJJJound seems to have landed on a recipe for success. The label’s various footwear projects regularly sell out quickly and resell for inflated premiums on the secondary market.
Also in October, Asics will release a Gel-Terrain collaboration with Japanese brand Nonnative. Meanwhile, JJJJound is expected to launch a New Balance 993 collab before the end of the year.
Retail pricing for the JJJJound x Asics GT-2160 has not yet been announced, but based on other Asics GT-2160 collaborations, readers can expect them to be around $150 each. The pairs will be available from jjjjound.com on Thursday, Oct. 31. A wider release has not been confirmed.
What We Originally Reported on Sept. 30, 2024
Montreal-based design studio JJJJound will soon release a follow-up to one of 2022’s most coveted sneaker collaborations.
Resuming its work with Asics, JJJJound previewed Monday two new styles of the GT-2160 model set to release during fall 2024. Like many of JJJJound’s designs, the looks are pared down, stripping away much of the flair and flash that is often associated with sneaker collaborations. Yet despite their simplicity, both of the upcoming JJJJound x Asics GT-2160s feature elevated detailing which separates them from standard pairs.
One colorway uses a white mesh base with synthetic gray overlays and small hits of neon yellow around the tongue and heel branding. The second look is even more reduced and uses a mostly black upper with reflective overlays. Both pairs make use of carbon fiber-textured synthetics with wide-micron mesh materials.
Cushioned with Asics’ proprietary Gel technology, the GT-2160 is inspired by the brand’s 2010s-era running shoes, namely the GT-2000. Introduced to retail in 2023, the Asics GT-2160 has already seen a number of notable releases and collaborations including projects with Cecilie Bahnsen, Ronnie Fieg’s Kith and Gallery Dept.
JJJJound and Asics first collaborated together on the Gel-Kayano 14 silhouette, which was released in two colorways during August ’22.
Other recent JJJJound collaborations of note include the brand’s work on the classic Timberland 6-Inch Premium Waterproof Boot, which saw the addition of Gore-Tex membranes and Vibram outsoles. Looking forward, the design studio has also teased a New Balance 993 sneaker collaboration which is expected to be launched soon.
Although an exact release date has not been announced, the JJJJound x Asics GT-2160 pack will be released this fall. Retail pricing for in-line GT-2160 styles ranges from $120 to $130 with most collaborations priced between $140 and $150, so readers can likely expect a figure closer to the latter.
Best of Footwear News
Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.