Gel-1130

A classic running shoe

Throughout the 2000s, ASICS was known for producing outstanding athletic footwear for everyone from the top professionals to the casual hobbyist. The brand’s running shoes were particularly successful as they pushed the boundaries of innovation with performance-enhancing technologies like the Impact Guidance System and the Solyte midsole. These helped the flagship Gel-Kayano and the next-generation Gel-Kinsei, amongst others, to become popular items of sportswear, alongside which ASICS established the Gel-1000 series. Designed to provide high-quality entry-level options for runners of all levels and styles, the series of stability shoes reached its 9th iteration in 2008: the Gel-1130. With its supportive features and classic Y2K-era aesthetic, it became a popular running silhouette, but held little interest outside of its sporting use. At the time, ASICS had little traction within the lifestyle market, but more than a decade later, things were very different, and the Gel-1130 had just the right look to make a stunning comeback.

Changing trends

By the late 2010s, the normcore fashion trend, whose followers prioritised function over style, had really taken hold, and so-called ‘dad shoes’ were in vogue. Chunky soles and breathable uppers were preferred to the sleeker designs that had been popular earlier in the decade, with running shoes from the 90s and 2000s being especially sought-after. Many ASICS silhouettes from this period were worn as lifestyle sneakers rather than for their athletic prowess, and the brand leaned into this shift in styles, repurposing or rereleasing heritage models, in particular those from the beloved Gel-Kayano range. Rival footwear companies often used collaborations to generate hype around new releases, so in 2017, ASICS approached Bulgarian fashion designer Kiko Kostadinov to help boost its own launches.

A promising designer

Kostadinov graduated from Central Saint Martins – a London Arts University – in 2016, by which time he had already become known within the industry for his work with American fashion house Stüssy. With funding from the British Fashion Council, he released his first collection of finely crafted attire in January 2017, and before the year was out, he had been appointed creative director of raincoat design company Mackintosh 0001. Kostadinov’s focus on stylish but functional clothing caught the attention of ASICS’ executives, who asked him to be the brand’s very first collaborative designer. The pair struck gold with their debut release, the Gel-Burz 1, its minimalist aesthetic and supportive features making it a great option both in terms of style and comfort.

A productive partnership

Following this initial success, ASICS partnered with Kiko Kostadinov and his growing team, which included renowned designer twins and fellow Central Saint Martins alumni Laura and Deanna Fanning. Over the next couple of years, they worked on various heritage and original silhouettes, such as the women’s exclusive Gel-Korika, the offbeat Gel-Sokat, the stripey Gel-Delva 1 and the suave Gel-Burz 2. The partnership was so effective that in October 2020, Kostadinov was made a permanent consultant at the head of the ASICS SportStyle division. In this role, he worked more closely with the brand, advising its footwear designers on wider creative choices and curating entire ranges.

A solid foundation

The first silhouette to come out of this bold creative endeavour was the UB1-S Gel-Kayano 14. Kostadinov’s design studio created three colourways based on the premium running shoe from 2008, which ASICS put out as a general retro release at the end of 2020. The captivating look of the UB1-S garnered a huge amount of attention, giving both it and the classic model a strong start that eventually paved the way for dozens of new SportStyle sneakers. It was upon this strong foundation that the Gel-1130 was brought back in 2021 with an updated design which nevertheless honoured the aesthetic of the original.

A host of functional features

Influenced by the Gel-Kayano 14, the Gel-1130 was made from modern materials such as suede and synthetic leather, which were used to form durable overlays across the breathable mesh upper. The panelling had an off-kilter arrangement forged by the curved overlay on the lateral flank that swept from the rear of the shoe to the forefoot, and the contorted heel overlay below it. Lopsided Gel text decorated the back of the foot, while equally wonky ASICS Gel-1130 branding adorned the tongue. The familiar ASICS logo appeared over each sidewall, with the brand’s oval-shaped symbol at the bottom of the eyestay. Plush foam padding in the midsole provided excellent underfoot support alongside the shock-absorbing Gel-cushioning in the heel. The original 1130 had been built as a stability shoe, and that was reflected in the 2021 version through the use of the ASICS Trusstic system. This consisted of a rigid shank below the arch of the foot that helped the wearer to maintain excellent stability and balance by reducing torsion through the midfoot. Durable rubber was used on the outsole, whose surface was marked with complex tread patterns and deep flex grooves for excellent traction and freedom of movement.

A stylish remix

All of this made the Gel-1130 a great everyday shoe with the versatility to support light exercise as well. Features like the sockliner were manufactured using eco-friendly methods that used less water and produced fewer carbon emissions, making it a sustainable option as well. On top of this, the shoe’s retro look appealed to a large fanbase as it fit in with the ‘dad shoe’ revival of the time, but it was Kiko Kostadinov’s UB2-S model that really launched the success of the ASICS Gel-1130. Taking inspiration from the Gel-Trail Attack 7, which itself was over a decade old at the time, the UB2-S was said to be “remixed for everyday functionality”. It was covered in a tight-knit mesh with the sidewall logos, protective toe cap, heel overlay and eyestay placed over the top and the rest of the panelling concealed beneath, giving the shoe a captivating aesthetic. Technologically, it matched the general release, so it delivered as much comfort as it did style. Lastly, its tongue patch extended into a looping pull tab – a distinctive feature common to many of Kostadinov’s designs.

Five eye-catching colourways

In total, three men’s and two women’s editions of the Kiko Kostadinov x UB2-S Gel-1130 were released. Of the former, one was decorated in a rich shade of burgundy known as Deep Mars with Graphite Grey highlights, another came in a sleek charcoal hue called Asphalt with striking Pure Silver accents on the logos and heel panel, and the third featured a smokey grey Metropolis upper alongside a pale blue Lichen Rock midsole. Meanwhile, the women’s designs were both generally brighter in tone, the first being a Wasabi and Aquatic colourway blending various shades of teal and turquoise with subtle hints of pink, and the second coated in a sandy beige called Lamb Wool with flashes of Pure Silver on its panelling.

An inspiring launch campaign

Alongside Kostadinov’s designs, ASICS released the classic Gel-1130 in various elegant colourways which were showcased in a release campaign involving two other creative entities: Tokyo-based culture magazine, Sabukaru, and Thuan Tran’s multidisciplinary team of digital creators, Onlunchbreak. The campaign demonstrated how each group harnessed the unifying effects of shared experiences to connect with people and grow their communities, which encapsulated the ethos of the Gel-1130. A short movie was produced for each organisation, with Onlunchbreak being depicted in a humorous classroom scene and Sabukaru showing its writers navigating the bustling city of Tokyo in the ‘White Electric Red’ colourway as they uncovered the intimate stories of its inhabitants. These inspirational videos emphasised the power of community and how people can come together around shared passions such as an interest in fashion, with ASICS describing the sneaker as “a long-standing classic” that “rallies people together and uplifts peers and communities.” Ultimately, the message was one of positivity, and it drew many fans to the ASICS Gel-1130 when it first came out.

Captivating partnerships

As a result of the inventive launch campaign and the charismatic design innovation of the Kiko Kostadinov Studio, it wasn’t long before other fashion labels took an interest in the Gel-1130. In the spring of 2022, ASICS partnered with multifaceted creative house and serial collaborators HAL Studios to craft the first of several colourways with rustic tones and textures inspired by nature. Towards the end of the summer, a vibrant version was designed with women’s activewear brand P.E Nation and an elegant edition created by women’s sneaker boutique NAKED Copenhagen. This last model featured a white and sage green outer made using recycled and vegan-friendly materials for a sustainable, ethical shoe that reflected the idea of “living uplifted with ASICS”. Kiko Kostadinov also returned with a new take on the 1130 known as the UB4-S, this time placing a netted shroud over the sidewall logos, adding a dynamic forefoot overlay and giving the panelling a smooth, glossy finish. Three colourways of this futuristic-looking sneaker were released, two in deep shades of brown with richly toned highlights of purple and yellow respectively, the other covered in white mesh with a sky blue shade beneath and silver highlights over the top.

A sought-after fashion item

Alongside these distinctive collaborative sneakers, ASICS brought out a range of stylish general release colourways, and by 2023, the Gel-1130 could be seen on the feet of fashionistas from London to New York. Early in the year, Danish luxury clothing brand Cecilie Bahnsen showcased the shoe on the Paris runway as part of its FW23 collection, giving it high-fashion appeal. The silhouette achieved more widespread acclaim on social media, where the collaboration with NAKED Copenhagen was particularly well-liked. Then, in the autumn, American model Kaia Gerber was pictured wearing a classy white colourway while out and about in Los Angeles, showing that the Gel-1130 had begun to gain traction amongst celebrities. During this time, yet more collaborations were released, including Kith’s ‘Vintage Tech Pack’, which appropriately included a Gel-Kayano 14 as well. Artsy Los Angeles clothing label Gallery Dept. produced an exclusive design featuring hand-stenciled details, and Japanese streetwear boutique atmos joined up with South Korean fashion brand OJOS to create a powerfully ethereal sneaker.

Unique collaborations

The popularity of the ASICS Gel-1130 only grew further in 2024, and the brand released the new NS variant. Built using tough ripstop fabrics and reinforced with no-sew elements instead of mesh, the NS offered a sturdier option with a more space-age look generated by its smooth outer and bold colour-blocking. Meanwhile, Kith returned for another collaboration, this time bringing in Marvel to create a colourway inspired by the famous X-Men character Magneto in celebration of 85 years of Marvel Comics. ASICS also honoured the city where the company is headquartered by making two colourways for the Vissel Kobe football team with the tones of both their home and away kits. However, perhaps the most unique of all Gel-1130 collaborations came courtesy of Canadian brand BENTGABLENITS. Known for crafting one-of-one fashion items by upcycling old materials, BGN harnessed its extensive archive of vintage Cracker Jack trinkets, which appeared in packs of the American snack food throughout the 20th century, to create bespoke versions of the Gel-1130. The so-called “Toy Surprises” were hung on a chain or string around the collar of each of the 200 pairs that were produced, making every single shoe a one-of-a-kind. Those containing the rarest and most collectible trinkets came in a special box handcrafted by Milan-based prop-making studio Edith Di Monda, thus adding further authenticity to the strong retro vibes of the ‘A Prize In Every Box’ collection.

An iconic silhouette

The ASICS Gel-1130 started out as an entry-level running shoe, but over a decade after it was first released, a Kiko-Kostadinov-inspired comeback saw it become one of the most sought-after lifestyle sneakers of its time. During its 2021 reissue, it was referred to as a “classic” that “sits at the intersection of timeless design, the idea of crew unity, and storytelling through shared experiences”. This reveals ASICS’ aim to create an iconic silhouette that could draw communities together, which is what many consider the Gel-1130 to be. Since then, its compelling retrofuturist style, versatile functionality and powerful design narrative have made it remarkably popular around the world.