Asics Gel-Lyte III

The Asics Gel Lyte 3 is a running shoe first introduced in 1990. Designed by Shigeyuki

The Asics Gel Lyte 3 is a running shoe first introduced in 1990. Designed by Shigeyuki Mitsui, the Gel-Lyte III is known as one of the most popular running shoes in the history of the Japanese brand. It is an absolute classic. A model with an elaborate design in which every element is in its place.

Asics' first running shoe appeared in the early 1950s. Since then, running has become one of the brand's main focus areas, with specialized running shoes forming an important part of the Asics product line. By the early 80's, Asics was among the leaders in the industry. The manufacturer was constantly improving design and technology as the shoes evolved from season to season. In 1984, the Japanese company's design team was joined by Shigeyuki Mitsui, a young Niigata specialist. At a time when the company was working intensively on the development of GEL cushioning, Mitsui-san became the team's assistant.

In 1985, Asics opened its headquarters in Kobe. Construction of the company's own research and development institute began in the same city. As a member of the GEL design team, Mitsui participated in the development of the first sneakers based on the new padding. In 1986, the model was published. In the U.S. market, it is sold as the GT-II, while in the Japanese market it is called FREAKSα (FREAKS Alpha). In 1987, Mitsui and the team introduced the first Gel-Lyte sneaker, followed by the second generation of the series in 1989.

The Gel-Lyte sneaker changed the notion of comfort for the sportsman. After several successful outings, the management of Asics entrusted Shigeyuki Mitsui with a personal project - the third Gel Lyte sneaker. As for the management's idea, the Asics Gel-Lyte 3 sneakers are supposed to combine the company's most advanced designs. The model promised to be the flagship of the current collection and set the direction for future Asics sneakers.

Asics became known for innovation, and high performance was the brand's main advantage over its competitors' products. When designing the Gel Lyte 3, Shigeyuki Mitsui was inspired by the existing models in its arsenal - the LD-Racer sneakers and previous generations of Gel Lyte . Borrowing elements from their design, Mitsui makes the most advanced Asics sneakers in terms of performance.

The upper part of the Asics Gel-Lyte 3 is made with slit tongue technology. This element first appeared on the LD-Racer model in 1989. The split tongue ensures a comfortable fit regardless of the width of the foot, it does not move during running and it is even easier to put on sneakers. There are 3M reflective inserts on the sides and back. The outsole of the Gel Lyte 3 is made with GEL cushioning in the heel area, but unlike previous models, it features a new triple density foam. The material was developed during the design of Gel Lyte 3. At first it was not going to be used in production, but it turned out so good that the Asics did everything they could to create the new formula.

The first edition of Asics Gel Lyte III was released in 1990. Shigeyuki Mitsui succeeded in bringing to life a sneaker in which every detail was thought out and fulfilled a specific function. The new sole with unique foam and GEL technology was a real breakthrough for the Asics and the running community of the 1990s. The unconventional upper with many details and the slit tongue marked the beginning of a new era in the design of the Japanese brand. The Gel-Lyte 3 received rave reviews from leading publications, these sneakers were just as in demand on the treadmill as they were in everyday life.

The second birth of the Asics Gel-Lyte III took place in the mid-2000s, when retrospective re-editions of the model began to be published. At that time, the sneaker craze spread to more and more people and the Gel-Lyte 3 became the basis of the Asics Lifestyle collection. The silhouette was adopted by designers and fashion brands, with the Gel-Lyte III sneaker becoming the main platform for Asics collaborations. Asics' most successful collaborations have all been designed around Gel Lyte 3.
The first collaboration inspired by Gel-Lyte III took place in 2007. The iconic Patta store in Amsterdam was invited to collaborate.

Next, Asics presents a new version - with the brand name ALIFE. Then designer Ronnie Feig comes in, followed by the world's most famous sports shoe stores, including Solebox and Pick Your Shoes, HANON and Woei. The most unusual Gel Lyte 3 came out of the hands of Ronnie Feig, for whom these sneakers are special - as a child, the designer received a pair of Gel Lyte 3 as a gift from his mother.

In 2020, the Asics celebrates the 30th anniversary of the first edition of Gel Lyte 3. To mark the occasion, the model has been reissued in the original "Citrus" color. According to the brand's strategy - for the last time. In three decades, the Asics Gel Lyte 3 has earned the title of style icon. These sneakers have become a symbol of Asics and are an integral part of the Japanese brand's heritage.