ASICS Announce Upcoming JJJJound Collaboration

2022 has already given us a selection of contenders for the top spot as sneaker of the year despite not being halfway through, and the newly announced JJJJound x ASICS collaboration is another addition to the heady mix.

At this point, JJJJound has become a household name within the sneaker and streetwear industry following from its humble beginnings as what was effectively a mood board of images set against a clean white background. 

Since then, the Montreal based brand founded by Justin R. Saunders has come a long way. While the brand is now doing far different projects than creating a visual journey via their website, they have kept their stripped back, minimal approach to their work.

JJJJound x Vans Old Skool LX, 2017

Long term fans will remember their 2017 collaboration with Vans on the Old Skool LX featuring a three-pack of tonal colourways including green, brown and off white. However, the footwear collaboration that kickstarted their respectable catalogue was a brand called Victory Sportswear on their ‘Trail Sneaker’. Acting as a way to show what JJJJound were looking to do with future footwear collaborations, the partnership quickly led them to their first collaboration with New Balance on the 990 V3 just two years later which pushed the brand, along with their minimal design ethos, into the spotlight. 

OG ASICS GEL Kayano, 1999

Now, 16 years after their conception, JJJJound are set to release their first collaboration with ASICS on the GEL Kayano 14. A silhouette originally released in 1999 to be the optimum running shoe featuring ASICS GEL technology - the GEL Kayano series has been a popular choice for what was before an almost cult following of ASICS.

Despite a range of high-grade collaborations with KITH in 2019 and their ongoing partnership with Kiko Kostadinov, 2022 seems to be set to be the year ASICS finally makes its long-overdue debut into the limelight, following in the footsteps of brands like New Balance who, while not providing the latest and greatest in ‘hype’ footwear, provide excellent projects with brands and individuals that carry a narrative as well as quality. 

JJJJound x New Balance 990 V3, 2022

Hot off the heels of their collaboration with New Balance on the 990 V3, providing a fresh mint green take on the classic silhouette with another, more tonal colourway, due to be released later in the year, JJJJound seems to be unstoppable. While little is currently known about the official release date or rollout of the sneaker - the upcoming ASICS release is set to feature two eye-catching silver colourways. 

Each pair is similar in its appearance featuring bright silver overlays surrounding the toebox and foot arch. Sitting atop a cream midsole, the usual JJJJound aesthetic is kept throughout the pack. As with past collaborations that the Montreal brand has released, the branding is incredibly minimal with an ‘if you know you know’ sense to the shoe with the ‘JJJJound’ logo being reinterpreted as the ‘GEL Kayano’ on the heel and ASICS branding on the tongue as standard. 

Following the announcement of their collaboration with JJJJound, as well as their recent collaboration with HAL Studios on the GEL-1130, it looks like ASICS is about to disrupt the sneaker space in a big way, taking the attention away from the brands we’re used to and making way for refreshing collaborations and releases. 

For the latest on the JJJJound x ASICS GEL Kayano 14, as well as future ASICS collaborations, keep it locked in with Kick Game.