The ASICS GEL has been the backbone of the brand for decades, and continues to extend its impact on street culture. Fresh off the back of the most recent GEL release, the HAL STUDIOS x ASICS GEL-NYC, ASICS has launched a spring-ready collection, which has been inspired by the ethereal beauty of the aurora borealis. The ASICS Aurora Pack is a mix of ethereal design and performance innovation, featuring three lifestyle sneakers for the drop.
The range reimagines the brand’s iconic silhouettes, modernising them through a Sportstyle lens. These sneakers were designed for fluid, everyday movement, in line with ASICS standards, with each silhouette capturing the spirit of the season: light, dynamic and effortlessly elevated.
The headliner for the Aurora Pack is the collection is the GEL-CUMULUS™ 16. It is a refreshed take on the 2014 original. With its updated features such as a striking TPU cage construction, glossy synthetic leather overlays, and seamless no-sew film detailing for a sleek, all gives it a contemporary finish. It’s inspired by the iconic GEL-NYC™ tooling, which combines rearfoot and forefoot GEL™ technology, including FLUIDRIDE, SOLYTE, and high-rebound SPEVA foams, to deliver exceptional cushioning, shock absorption, to give it that all-day comfort.
The two other sneakers included in the pack in support of the GEL-CUMULUS 16 are the GEL-KINETIC FLUENT™ and GEL-NUNOBIKI™ sneakers. Both of these merge archival inspiration with advanced cushioning systems.
The GEL-KINETIC FLUENT™ features ASICS’ heritage running aesthetics and includes technical welding details inspired by 2010s designs. Additionally, its midsole integrates the FF BLAST™ PLUS cushioning and scutoid GEL™ technology for a responsive, energised ride.
Lastly, the GEL-NUNOBIKI™ sneaker is inspired by the rugged terrain of the Nunobiki Falls trail in Kobe. From here, it echoes the visual language of early 2000s trail footwear, which includes the GEL-KAHANA™ 3. Its base is the matte and semi-gloss construction, which creates a modern urban trail aesthetic. This is then supported by a lugged outsole and a combination of AMPLIFOAM™ and GEL™ cushioning for stability and comfort.
To bring the campaign to life, ASICS has turned to the global dance sensation, Avantgardey, to be the face of the “Band Girls” campaign. The ladies are known for their mesmerising synchronisation and signature bobbed hairstyles. They rose to international fame as finalists on America’s Got Talent in 2023, as well as performing with renowned DJ Steve Aoki. Avantgardey embodies the expressive, otherworldly spirit of the Aurora Pack collection.
The sneakers in the Aurora Pack will be available, in various releases, at Lemkus, Shelflife, Sportscene, Superbalist, and Archive. The GEL-CUMULUS™ 16 retails for R2,999.99, the GEL-KINETIC FLUENT at R3,999.99 and the GEL-NUNOBIKI for R2,999.99.
