Those heading up the retro programme at Onitsuka Tiger and ASICS have been pretty shrewd with regards to releases. We're inclined to believe that heads aren't ready for the archive they've stockpiled, and while many running innovations have been missing in action for a while now, they're slowly drip-drip-dripping into the burgeoning heritage rollout.

There's a sense that the brand quietly had its head down, beavering away at creating functional footwear that, for the most part (and yes, there's a part of us that's hoping the more madcap early '90s technical experiments make their presence felt before too long) is totally ageless, not falling into the trap of dated gimmickry, dedicating themselves to those looking to actually run in their shoes instead of posing in them. And with cultural figureheads as diverse as Steve McQueen in otherwise mediocre 'The Hunter' getting his bounty hunt on and Lo Lifes looking to break necks with the offbeat tech-athletic pieces, their style credentials are Teflon too.

Copenhagen's Wood Wood just keep on impressing us on the shoe front. The clothing is a given, but their collaborations capture a mix of creativity and minimalism that's a zen-like polar opposite to frantic makeups that unwearably tumble over themselves in the urge to change each and every panel to capitalise on a collaboration opportunity. Wood Wood do things right. Their adidas, Converse and New Balance pieces have been phenomenal, and this take on the Onitsuka Tiger X-Caliber GT (formerly a carrier of the ASICS Tiger prefix) silhouette is no exception. Crucially, they've let a runner look like a runner should.

With an enduringly round shape, those 'air flex canals' on the rear and front of the midsole are some early visible technology, with the canals going all the way beneath your foot, dating back to '82, and offering some cushioning for the wearer, with an extra level of density on the medial side's application. We're unlikely to run in them, but it's visually appealing, and they're a comfortable shoe indeed for daily wear.

The bolstered forefoot and brilliantly named 'quadra lacing' system, reinforced beneath the lacestays are subtle extras, meaning this innocuous looking design packs its fair share of fancy features, and freshly reissued in some respectful, far-from-ruinous colourways, the beauty of this grey and blue creation, is that it camouflages itself perfectly into the original colours. Therein lies the restrained positives of a project like this.

After approaching the brand over a potential take on a modern ASICS runner, with the brand maintaining a strong rep amongst hardcore runners in Denmark, Copenhagen's finest were persuaded to work with an older model. Using the expertise and fandom of Frey Wilkinson, a fan of mesh, nylon and suede low-cut sneaker classicism who mans the flagship store, gaudy shades were never, ever on the cards.

That blast of blue cuts through the greyness on some ELO. 'Mr Blue Sky' steelo. There's rules and regulations with regards to extra branding, but that embroidered ace of clubs-style heel logo is a clover, representing for the three Wood Wood founders, and continuing a theme of doubles (think 'W' and 'W'), two 'A's on the footbed make up something that looks distinctly like two 'W's. It's a seemingly trivial touch, but it makes all the difference, with footbeds becoming something of a visual playground for them to get extra creative on reworkings without compromising the external appeal.

These hit select spots in limited numbers at the beginning of next month, and predictably, given the previous and current form of all involved, they get it very, very right.