BAIT x Asics Gel Lyte III BASICS Program: Enter the Vanquish

When it comes to collaborative efforts, Cali retailer BAIT has been as prolific as anyone over the last few months. After a slow start to the year, they unleashed a barrage of special projects to finish out 2013 with a bang. A few months after their Bruce Lee-honoring Onitsuka Tiger box set, they returned with their “Snake” edition of the Reebok Question in early August. From there it was on to the widely acclaimed “Phantom Lagoons” Gel Saga followed by another Onitsuka Tiger co-collab with Akomplice, and then the Vegan-friendly “CruelWorld” Saucony Shadow Original last month.

Now with the year coming to a close, BAIT still has a last bit of firepower up their sleeves as they introduce a new Asics capsule that will kick off this month and then expand into the early part of 2014. Known as the BASICS program, Bait and Asics have teamed up for a three-pronged Gel Lyte III collection that will fuse together traditional sneaker design components with some lesser explored materials and graphic concepts to create some bold, but very wearable new looks for the legendary silhouette.

First up is BASICS Model-001, also known as the “Vanquish”. The idea behind the design was to create a shoe for the “everyday battles” in life, appropriately outfitting the Gel Lyte III in a custom jacquard camouflage developed in-house by the BAIT team. From there, the GL3 gets perhaps its most rugged make-up ever with the use of a rough textured nailhead suede on the upper and actual

metal wire mesh on the mid-panels and heel and toe accents for structural reinforcements, not to mention a very cool look. Some tasteful hits of red and gold finish off the color palette with the choice of black or red waxed rope laces offering the option to blend in or stick out while fending off your day to day obstacles.

While camo sneakers still seem to be popping up everywhere we look, BAIT’s Vanquish edition brings it to a classic shoe that hasn’t seen much of the popular pattern, giving it an uncharacteristically mean and battle-ready aesthetic. The first BASICS Program installment will release later this week along with an accompanying apparel collection through an online registration/raffle process, so

check out the full info here and don’t delay if you’re interested in scooping a pair. There will also be a special Philippines Relief Charity Bundle available, as well as “Vanquish” camo socks with proceeds from both going to aid in the recovery from super typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.

The BAIT x Asics Gel Lyte III “Basics Model-001 Vanquish” Philippines Relief Charity Bundle will be $190 with $40 of that purchase being donated to the Philippines relief effort to assist in the recovery from super typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. Check out the full info here.

The bundle includes the following:

1) BAIT x Asics Gel Lyte III “BASICS Model-001 Vanquish” shoe
2) 1 of 3 limited-edition BAIT for Philippines Relief tee (white, heather grey, or black)
3) BAIT “Vanquish” camo socks

The BAIT “Vanquish” camo socks will also be available separately both online and at BAIT stores for $10. All $10 will go towards the Philippines relief effort. You can purchase the socks here.