The ASICS GEL-1130 has completed the quintessential modern fashion arc. Originally released in the 2000s as a budget-friendly, entry-level runner, it spent years as a staple of suburban utility before being reclaimed by the "dad shoe" movement. By last year, it was the best-selling silhouette on the resale platform StockX, a testament to the industry's ongoing fixation with the aesthetics of the mundane.
Now, ASICS is leaning further into this geriatric irony. For its Summer 2026 collection, the brand is introducing the GEL-1130 CV, a hybrid model that strips the sneaker down into an orthopedic-style sandal. By retaining the signature chunky, cushioned sole of the original while adding double straps, an open toe, and heel cutouts, the design moves past the "chunky runner" trend and into the realm of high-concept leisure wear.
This evolution mirrors a broader shift in luxury and streetwear, where brands like visvim and Balenciaga have long found success by elevating traditionally "unfashionable" footwear. By embracing the silhouette of a poolside slide or a backyard barbecue sandal, ASICS is betting that the consumer's appetite for comfort—and the subversive thrill of wearing something intentionally "ugly"—has yet to peak.
With reporting from Highsnobiety.
Source · Highsnobiety
