ASICS Asics X Mita Gel Lyte Speed

The gulf between heritage and performance footwear is pretty much the death knell for interesting shoes. It certainly played it's part in stemming the heavy flow of sneaker innovation to a percolator drip-drip, and while the walls are gradually crumbling, it's left to a brand with Teflon athletic credentials that go back to the Onitsuka origins and a more youthful retro division to do it right. ASICS have been giving the people what they want over the last four years or so, and evading the curse of over familiarity by quietly adding new product to the range to become a bit of a force to be reckoned with off-the tracks.

Japan's Mita Sneakers are the dual-brand project kings, having worked with pretty much every brand under the sun, from Nike to The North Face. These Gel Lyte Speeds use the increasingly cultish 1991 design to bring out the best of both worlds, with neutral shades and pop colours deployed to winning effect, maintaining the performance prestige of the shoe with a tropical feel that doesn't feel too excessive. Numbers are very limited, so act fast...