April 12, 2022

Highs and Lows’ HAL STUDIOS® Strips Back the ASICS GEL-1130

After dropping impressive collabs with Helen Kirkum and Tremaine Emory’s Denim Tears and bringing Kiko Kostadinov and his design team on board, ASICS continues on its upward streak, debuting a new collaborative shoe with HAL STUDIOS, the in-house line of retailer Highs and Lows.

Together, HAL STUDIOS and ASICS tackle the Gel-1130 model with an appreciation for the great outdoors, all the while making sure the shoe passes the vibe check during indoor settings.

The HAL STUDIOS x ASICS Gel-1130 reminds me of the SSENSE’s recent New Balance 2002R, following a similar natural color scheme of brown, white, and forest green. Oh, and I can’t forget the pop of blue on the GEL heel.

Aside from its solid colorway, another thing I appreciate about the shoe is the play on textures, as brown fuzzy suede overlaps mesh on the upper. At the same time, faux leather takes over the paneling – another nod to nature and its varying tactile components like rugged trees and smooth leaves.

Co-branding is kept so quiet on the HAL STUDIOS x ASICS Gel-1130 that I almost forgot this was a collab for a moment. Subtle “HAL” and “STUDIOS” tabs stick out on the heel of each shoe, while ASICS’ logos do most of the talking on the upper.

Sure enough, HAL STUDIOS x ASICS Gel-1130 is still a collab at the end of the day (a good one, at that). While ASICS still pumps a sleeper brand status, I think HAL STUDIOS may wake the people up with this one.

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