ASICS Takes Human-Centric Design to Next Level; Launches 2 New Shoes

ASICS has announced not one but two high-performance running shoes that take the power of human-centric design to the next level.

In an industry first, METASPEED Sky and METASPEED Edge have each been scientifically designed with a distinct type of running style in mind. The new racing shoes help elite athletes to reach the top of their game because they don’t have to adjust their running style to fit the shoe anymore; instead, ASICS is giving them high-performance shoes that support their running style.

METASPEED Sky and METASPEED Edge see ASICS set the standard for human-centric design in 2021.

The unique design story behind the two new shoes centers on a crucial insight by scientists at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS). They recognized that the type of shoes powering the world’s fastest were only favoring one type of runner, STRIDE runners, those with a long-loping gait with large periods spent airborne who increase their speed by extending their stride length. The sports scientists at the ISS were able to measure that athletes perform better when running in shoes that are optimized for their running style. Addressing the challenge, ASICS has created the METASPEED Sky for STRIDE runners and METASPEED Edge for those with a CADENCE style, both specially optimized and proven to improve runner performance for each of the two major running styles.

The launch of METASPEED Sky and METASPEED Edge means that runners will no longer be having to adjust their running style to suit the shoe they’re wearing. With initial tests from ASICS already showing the METASPEED innovation could help reduce the number of steps for a runner to finish a marathon by over 1.2%, it will give all elite runners the opportunity to reach peak performance.

Kenichi Harano, Executive Officer and Senior General Manager at the ASICS Institute of Sport Science, said, “The METASPEED journey began with the simple insight that athletes run faster in shoes are that specially tailored for them. From here - we got to work. Following a lengthy, meticulous research and development process, METASPEED Sky and METASPEED Edge were born. Optimized for the two most prevalent running styles in elite runners, they are both at the very pinnacle of running innovation. Our initial tests are already showing them to have an impact on the times of the elite runners’ we’ve been working with. That's why we're so excited to be unveiling them to the world today.”

Yasuhito Hirota, President & Chief Operating Officer, ASICS, stated, “At ASICS we are driven by our founding principle: we want to help everyone achieve a sound mind in a sound body through sport. At the heart of this philosophy is an unwavering belief in the power of human-centric design to create products that deliver the perfect balance of peak performance and protection for every kind of athlete. With the pandemic placing huge restrictions on competitive sport across the globe, this longstanding obsession of ours has become supercharged for 2021. This year's launch of METASPEED™ stands as a symbol of our continued commitment to help elite athletes achieve their potential while cementing ASICS’ status as a pioneer of innovation in the running sector.”

Rajat Khurana, Managing Director, ASICS India and South Asia, added, “The world as we know it, has changed in the last few years and technology has become a nerve centre for both people to connect and products to perform. Our brand is hugely committed to bringing about change in the lives of consumers through the transformative power of sports. Innovation is the core essence of driving this change, demonstrated adequately in our performance category products which not only help the runners leverage their inner potential but also enhance their individual style and potential on the field. Our futuristic approach to design helps us build products that weave scientific insight into its solutions and then give a superior edge to our range. We hope to continue shaping the future of performance and sports in the coming years by being committed to this vision.”

The METASPEED Sky will be available globally via the ASICS website and selected specialty retail stores. Both shoes will retail for Rs 21,999.