A monumental Asics designer is retiring after 32 years, and to send him out, the company has created a special edition of the sneaker that constitutes his most impactful contribution.
The Asics Gel-Lyte III 07 Remastered “Shigeyuki Mitsui” will release this week with a coral-themed colorway honoring its namesake. Japanese wordplay drives the concept, as the model just hit its 35th anniversary last year, and the “san-go” pronunciation of the number can also mean “coral.”
Pops of coral blue appear throughout the sneaker, including a shaggy suede toe tip and heel counter, with beige and white elements allowing the two colors to standout. Mitsui’s signature is embroidered onto the split tongue for which he’s responsible, and the insole features a special graphic of coral.
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Crucially, this release uses the popular Gel-Lyte III construction that debuted in 2007 and is known for a chunkier toe shape and more padding in its collar.
Originally released as a running shoe in 1990, the Gel-Lyte III would go on to become Asics‘ biggest lifestyle hit from the next decade onward. The novel split-tongue design was a response to runners who complained about tongues moving side to side during wear, and its triple-density midsole featured one more layer than Asics had been using prior.
Ronnie Fieg chose the Gel-Lyte III for Kith’s first sneaker collaboration in 2011, and prior to that he designed versions of the sneaker for David Z as well. The wider list of collaborators over the years also includes Colette, Beams, Atmos and Patta.
In an interview with GOAT for the Gel-Lyte III’s 30th anniversary, Mitsui said he sees the shoe like his daughter, adding: “I think the Gel-Lyte III that I originally created was an ‘ordinary’ girl, but then with the help of wonderful designers and producers, she became a star. Also, a sneakerhead who wears the Gel-Lyte III is like my daughter’s boyfriend. If he feels great when wearing the Gel-Lyte III then that means my daughter is also pleased.”
The Asics Gel-Lyte III 07 Remastered “Shigeyuki Mitsui” will release Friday through Asics’ website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $160.
