ASICS x HAL Studio Set to Release Their Collaboration on the GEL-1130

At the end of 2021 going into the start of 2022, conversations started to swirl about whether 2022 could be ASICS’ year, and their recent collaboration with retailer Highs and Lows (HAL) certainly suggests this could be the case.

Highs and Lows is a retail store based in Australia stocking a variety of brands from streetwear, sneakers, and lifestyle products. Started in 2005, HAL describes itself as “More Than a Store”.

Not just a retailer, Highs and Lows features a variety of branches to the brand including its own radio station ‘HAL Radio’ as well as their own line of clothing, ‘HAL Studios’. Directed by John Bouquet, the sub-brand, if you can call it that after seeing its mainline success, was launched in 2021. 

A brand that focuses on investigation and development through experimentation, HAL Studios offers simplicity and quality in their first collection for SS22. Following on from its debut under a year ago, HAL Studios announced their first collaboration with sports footwear brand, ASICS.

Denim Tears x ASICS GEL-MC PLUS, 2021

While ASICS are yet to infiltrate the list of hype sneakers in the same way the likes of New Balance have been able to as of late, they have still been releasing some notable pairs with many people going for the Gel Kayano 5 as well as collaborations with the likes of Tremaine Emory of Denim Tears on the GEL MC PLUS, Helen Kirkum using the GEL-1090 as well as their ongoing partnership with Kiko Kostadinov on a variety of models. 

The upcoming project between HAL Studios and ASICS is taking another ‘GEL’ model, the GEL-1130 debuted by ASICS in 2008, and giving it a minimal twist. In an Instagram post last month, Bouquet reveals that HAL had approached ASICS two years ago to collaborate: 

“Almost 2 years ago we linked with [ASICS] to present our vision on a walking shoe that blurs the lines between performance wear and leisure. After months of sample development and multiple delays due to manufacturing difficulties throughout the pandemic we’re finally ready to deliver this product to your hands and I couldn’t be more proud of the final result”.

Using the moniker ‘Guided by Nature’, the HAL Studios x ASICS GEL-1130 takes the minimal earthy tones used within their clothing and utilises them to create the clean upper. Featuring a predominantly grey colour palette, large mesh panels are overlaid with hairy suede and touches of soft faux leather. Brown hairy suede is found around the toe and midpoint of the shoe while a deep navy variant is kept to the heel portion wrapping around the forefoot.

Sitting atop a thick white midsole showcasing the signature ASICS GEL cushioning in the heel and shank plate under the midfoot, the overall aesthetic provides a natural outdoor feel with its colourway while also allowing the wearer who may live in an urban environment to have them on foot, similar to the likes of Salomon. 

Thick white and blue laces tie the colours of the sneaker together while continuing to provide a rugged look. While the sneaker features eye-catching details that culminate on the upper, the branding does the opposite. 

A small ASICS logo can be found stitched onto the brown suede panel on the lateral side of the shoe with the only reference to HAL Studios being a small, slightly translucent, tag popping out of each heel.

With the ASICS x HAL Studios GEL-1130 set to release this week, images have already got onlookers excited for the collaboration, further begging the question - is 2022 the year of ASICS?