ASICS Gel Lyte 3 Runovation

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.

The 'Runovation Pack' takes the best of both worlds. While some runners from nearly 20 years ago look timeless, more recent efforts can be a little too space age - good for the tracks, but a little remedial with jeans. Though ASICS models like the Gel Noosa Tri 25th were some of the most experimental and innovative pieces we've seen in a while in terms of materials and colour it's difficult to chuck it on without fear of sectioning. This collection mixes it up, taking the technical fabrics and patterns from contemporary running designs as defiantly performance-orientated as the Nimbus 10, Gel Kayano and Cumulus 10, and placing them on classic creations. As a whole, it defeats any number of heavy handed chopshop jobs in letting its reference points shine- the tactility and stealthy placements on the panels is something that warrants a closer inspection. Finished with more traditional premium materials, allowing for a spot of extra convention, these Gel Lyte IIIs use the beloved early 1990 design to bring out the best of both worlds.