Asics has released its latest do-it-all sneaker, the HyperGel Kenzen, and it debuts brand new technology.
Exclusive to Foot Locker, Inc., the HyperGel Kenzen is designed to provide the comfort of a performance runner with the style of a street sneaker in order to create a shoe you can wear all day and all night. The shoe has been road tested by world famous DJ Steve Aoki over the past several months; it’s been on his feet for daily CrossFit workout sessions and his hyper-active nighttime shows.
“People want one shoe that they can use for everything — that’s been going on for decades and nobody’s ever nailed it,” Gene McCarthy, President and CEO of Asics America told WearTesters. “So what we tried to was take the best running technology that we have right now, GEL, and take it to a different place, HyperGEL. Can you run ten miles in it? Absolutely. Can you just go to the gym in it? Absolutely.”
What makes the HyperGel Kenzen a bold new step for Asics is the midsole it rides atop. According to the brand, all previous Asics shoes that used GEL cushioning contained at least two cushioning units. Now, the HyperGel midsole utilizes GEL beads randomly interspersed within the eTPU midsole to create a one-piece unit that is completely unique. Expect this technology to be combined with heritage Asics product in the near future.
The HyperGel Kenzen features a circular knit with a slip-on construction that is completely laceless. Reflective kanji symbols at the heels showcase the Asics company philosophy with “sound mind” on the left shoe and “sound body” on the right shoe (the kanji also appears on the sockliners).
“I am excited to be the face of HYPERGEL,” said Steve Aoki in a statement. “I really like the futuristic look of the shoe. Whether I am in the gym, working in the studio or performing on stage, they are always on.”
The Asics HyperGel Kenzen is available now across Foot Locker, Inc. stores like Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, and Eastbay. The shoe is available now in four colorways for $130 at Eastbay.com. Make sure to go up half a size, and if you’re a widefooter (like myself) I recommend going up a full size.
You can check out photos from the launch yesterday in New York below. Be sure to share your thoughts on the new shoe in the comments.
Featured image via / Photography by Stanley Tse, exclusively for WearTesters
The GEL beads of the midsole reminds of the Adidas boost pellets. But if you look closely at the Hypergel midsole, the Gel beads are loosely bunched, unlike in Adidas boost midsole, it is tight and compact.