Buying a new pair of trainers before going on a holiday is a rite of passage, one only indulged in if you’re feeling particularly flush that month. Cruising around Europe’s capital cities isn’t just about enjoying foreign culture, food and art – it’s also about showing off.
And ASICS – ASICKS – however you want to pronounce it, produce some of the finest holiday trabs known to man. Think about it… They’re highly comfortable, highly breathable and highly stylish. Perfect for the large volume of steps it takes to drag your girlfriend to some off-the-beaten-track restaurant you maybe heard Anthony Bourdain talk about on Parts Unknown once. We reckon wearing a pair of ASICS on holiday is always a good move, it lets the locals know you’re not just an average Western schmuck – you’re an average Western schmuck with a penchant for nice trainers.
So, if you’re planning on pottering around Europe’s side streets with an Aperol Spritz in one hand and Google Maps in the other this summer, you should probably take our advice and consider doing it in ASICS. If you don’t know which pair to pick, we’ve put a little guide below. All trainees courtesy of our friends at SEVEN STORE.
Now this is a handsome pair of ASICS. Great colourway, and we’re a big fan of the sole unit. Not only is that mesh upper going to keep your toes nice and cool in the high temperatures, but it’s also going to dry quickly. Very handy if you have a penchant for early afternoon beach bathing shuteye.
ASICS X SAN SAN GEAR Gel-Terrain
Like their name suggests, these ASICS X SAN SAN Gear Gel-Terrains aren’t for your everyday all-inclusiver. They’re for those who like adventure. The people whose first search term doesn’t relate to the best restaurants in the area, but instead the highest points. They want to explore the new-fangled landscapes, and they want comfortable footwear to do it. These collaboration ASICS are definitely more than suitable – speed toggle lacing system, chunky sole and ASICS FlyteFoam technology. They look pretty nice, too.
These ASICS Gel-NYC aren’t strictly for the region of their namesake; they’d look the part in Rome, Katowice, Prague, Budapest – just about anywhere, really. The monochrome colour palette means you don’t have to be too precious about them either. More than capable of sustaining a few spilt aperitifs.
The Gel-Kayano is an iconic piece of footwear many people swear by, and it has attained a cult following among those who only like to own one pair of shoes for all activities. It’s retro runner modelling means you can cover plenty of miles, and the robust construction means it’s not going to fall apart in the process.
Whereas the previous pair of Gel Kinetics were the base model, these are the Fluent version. So, if you’re looking to expand your linguistic abilities while on holiday, it’s a no-brainer which pair you should be picking. In all seriousness, we’ve got no clue what the addition of Fluent means – very good colourway though.
This is a very ASICS pair of ASICS in a very ASICS colourway. All kinds of mad plastics and meshes have been blended together here, and the result is a futuristic pair of footwear that looks like they could’ve been pulled out of Rick Deckard’s gym bag. If you’re heading to Neptune this summer, it’d be silly not to buy these for the trip.
Another relative of the Gel-Kayano here. Pretty similar to the other pair, but also quite different. The sole reminds us a bit of a crocodile, so if you’re going on holiday to somewhere that has those, maybe these are a good shout?
