Matt Varga For ASICS, the GEL-Kayano 14 still reigns supreme as their foremost collaborative canvas, but their catalog of tech runners outside of the GK14 is steadily giving it a run for its money. The latest to enter their canon of international collaborators is Bangkok’s Carnival, bringing their talents to the criminally underrated ASICS GT-2160.
Though they’re far from New York City, the imprint’s guiding light for this design is the “Concrete Jungle,” promotional imagery posted in the lead-up hitting on the concept of a “flower growing through the cracks.” The warring worlds of nature and urban life are pretty plainly seen on the shoe’s upper. Emerald metallics and naturalistic green mesh meets chrome leather in between, creating some natural contrast without detracting from the overall complementary profile.
City life makes a more unconventional appearance on the sockliner, tilting its hardware for a grid-like texture. A prerequisite on any link-up collection, co-branded accents close out the design, Carnival’s name appearing at the heel counter, matched by a jeweled orange ASICS logo at the very heel of this GT-2160.
The Concrete x ASICS GT-2160 is slated to release via a Concrete app raffle- registration opens on August 29th. Check in to this page as that release draws closer; we’ll update with more concrete launch info as it emerges, including a potential wide ASICS drop down the line.
