Collaborations have become all too predictable in the oversaturated market we live in today, where collections drop seemingly every day and many without any substance or storytelling attached. The five year partnership between ASICS and acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma is an outlier — a series of shoes that not only visually causes double-takes, but is crafted in a way that looks to push the field of footwear to new heights.

Following several releases in 2019 and 2021, the latest Kuma x ASICS sneaker transforms the ASICS Archisite ORU silhouette using a delicate Japanese paper-like material that encases the label's Dyneema upper. "After tucking in the outer skin and taking a walk around your destination," says Kuma, "you can unfold the outer skin and relax inside the hotel...this is the kind of shoe that changes its outer skin to suit the various life situations required by a new lifestyle.​"

The sneaker is sustainably built using ASICS' FUJI LITE™ 2 sole and FF BLAST midsole, resulting in a lightweight comfortable fit. Rather than just look good online or on a shelf, the Archisite ORU by Kengo Kuma is begging to be worn and is available at ASICS' Japanese webstore for $218 USD.

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