ASICS has launched the Nature Bathing Collection. The new footwear and apparel collection is inspired by the Japanese phrase ‘shinrin-yoku’, which translates to ‘a visit to the forest for relaxation.’ ASICS adds that, in many cultures, this is widely known as forest or nature bathing.
The Nature Bathing Collection features ASICS’ most popular running shoes, such as the recently launched NOVABLAST 3, outfitted with the trail inspired ASICS LITE rubber outsole for added grip and durability.
The letters TR have been added to the product names, with ASICS noting that these functional hybrid shoes enable runners to easily transition between road and trail.
Linda van Aken, VP Running EMEA at ASICS, said “We see that more and more people are venturing beyond their city streets and are running in parks and local forests to experience the beauty and tranquillity of nature. So they need a shoe that is not just a pure road, neither a pure trail shoe.
“At ASICS, we want to help everybody experience the power of sport on body and mind; and running in nature can have an especially positive uplift. We decided to combine the best of both worlds and develop a series of shoes that combine the cushioning, stability and bounce of everyone’s favourite road running shoes with added toughness and increased off-road traction.”
The collection consists of four different shoes for both men and women, including the newest NOVABLAST 3 TR shoes, the GEL-NIMBUS 24 TR and GEL-CUMULUS 24 TR shoes as well as the GT-1000 11 TR trainers.
All of the shoes feature the ASICS LITE rubber outsole to be flexible for both on and off-road running. The colour palettes used throughout each shoe’s design are… ‘rendered with calming neutral hues that mirror the tones commonly found in outdoor environments. Additionally, the sock liners are contrasted with kanji characters that translate to the words, ‘tree’ and ‘forest’.’
An apparel collection is added to the shoes. As noted by ASICS, this is… ‘In line with ASICS’ ZERO DISTRACTION Apparel design concept. The collection is completed by head-to-toe looks for both men and women. The looks consist of a long-sleeve referencing the brand’s well-known FUJITRAIL inspiration.’
The top is an everyday performance item for road and trail running, and is light and quick-drying. The men’s look is completed by functional running shorts made of lightweight woven fabric, while the women’s look features a high-waist sprinter matching the footwear’s catchy outsole colour.
Both looks can be layered with the FUJITRAIL ANORAK, an all-season jacket designed to help protect against rain and wind, and featuring a ventilation system. All of the apparel items have been made with at least 50% recycled materials.
The Nature Bathing Collection is available from ASICS’ retail, online stores and specialist running outlets globally from September 2022.
