The ASICS Innovation Summit has moved to virtual reality for the announcement of the shoe brand’s ‘three most advanced performance shoes yet’. ASICS has announced three new shoes:
- The METARACER advanced racing shoe for long distances;
- The METARISE volleyball shoe; and
- The spikeless METASPRINT track shoe for elite sprinters.
Originally planning to announce its new shoes at an ASICS Innovation Summit in Tokyo, the company has taken its shoe innovation into virtual reality, for ASICS’s first product preview in VR. The company adds that ‘Media, athletes and shoppers around the world can experience the three new shoes up close and personal – in the virtual innovation lab of the ASICS Institute of Sport Science.’
The Institute is the home of ASICS innovation in Kobe, Japan, with ‘scientists, engineers and designers constantly working to develop technology that helps athletes to safely perform to the best of their abilities.’
The three new shoes are being unveiled in a Sunrise Red colour scheme. According to ASICS, this is a symbol of athletes’ hope, passion and dedication, and celebrates the city of Tokyo.
“The three new shoes keep with the best ASICS tradition: they help athletes to perform better, but also keep them safe at the same time,” said Kenichi Harano, Executive Officer and Senior General Manager at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science.
“Innovation has been at the core of the ASICS DNA since 1949, when our founder Kihachiro Onitsuka decided the power of sports could help transform the lives of children in war-torn Japan.
“Ever since, whether it was an elite competition year or not, ASICS has continuously innovated to equip athletes of all abilities with the gear they need to reach their peak performance – but to do so safely. That’s the true spirit of ASICS.”
Yasuhito Hirota, President & Chief Operating Officer of ASICS, said “We believe that now, more than ever, it’s really important to remember the positive impact of sport for individuals and society: exercise uplifts people, so they achieve a sound mind through a sound body. And what better way to showcase ASICS innovation than taking people to a virtual innovation lab that brings our technology to life.”
All three new shoes will be available in limited quantities from ASICS online stores, starting with the METARACER in Japan from April 17th and followed globally from June 26th. The METASPRINT will also launch starting on April 17th and the METARISE from June 12th.
ASICS notes that in the current Coronavirus crisis… ‘We consider the health and wellbeing of our athletes, customers and staff as our top priority, and we took the decision several weeks ago to close our retail stores and offices in affected markets around the world.’
With an SRP of £180, the ASICS METARACER combines GUIDESOLE technology with a carbon plate to give runners more stability. The shoe has an improved toe-spring shape that claims to reduce the load on the calf muscle by up to 20% for better energy efficiency. The shoe also claims to help athletes to stay fresh, thanks to a lightweight but supportive ENGINEERED MESH upper that keeps feet cool in hot and humid weather.
