As one of the most prominent Japanese clothing brands, BEAMS has collaborated with countless labels rooted in its native East Asian homeland. Athletic shoemaker Asics is one of the many major names to keep a close relationship with BEAMS, and its latest collaboration looks to do away with ankle-biting from pesky summertime mosquitoes.
BEAMS took it upon itself to revamp the popular shoemaker’s GEL-KAYANO 14 silhouette, and it did so by adding a breathable and waterproof GORE-TEX membrane and a fastened mosquito net for optimized outdoor protection all around. The retro-style athletic look is in full swing with this upcoming release, as it’s rounded out with a smooth touch of synthetic leather and loads of breathable mesh, then made functional for trusty weatherized performance.
What stands out about the hiking-ready shoe is clearly its head-turning mosquito net, which is fastened using popper studs and adjustable clips finished off with red webbing. It’s worth noting that the GEL-KAYANO is an innovative shoe as it is, primarily thanks to Asics’ trademark GEL cushioning that provides incredible shock-absorbing capabilities. All things considered, these shoes are perfect whether you’re camping, running, or trying to avoid bugs in any scenario — just so long as you don’t mind a few strange looks at your feet from passers-by.
The Asics x BEAMS Bespoke GEL-KAYANO 14 GORE-TEX shoes are listed for ¥31,900 (~$232). The shoes are expected to arrive in late October, but you can get a better look at them now on Beams’ website.
