Kengo Kuma and ASICS' Metaride AMU Salutes Traditional Japanese Bamboo Knitting
And boasts a colorway inspired by the Sahara Desert.
Esteemed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and ASICS have reunited for a second iteration of their popular Metaride AMU collaboration. Boasting a unique upper that draws from traditional Japanese bamboo knitting and a sandy color scheme inspired by Kuma’s lifelong love of the Sahara Desert, the new style serves as an apt follow-up to the two’s inagural Metaride AMU project from 2019.
The shoe’s socklike knit upper provides a flexible, breathable fit and is cocooned in layered leather strips. Apart from supplying a latticed look that nods to traditional bamboo weaving with its bending, crossing shapes, this assemblage provides extra structure and even forms an ASICS Tiger stripe on the lateral and medial sides. A toggle lacing system often seen on hiking footwear is spread across the top of the foot for a customizable fit, and co-branded cork insoles supply a hidden dash of flair.
Sail-colored heel tabs are made of Japanse washi thread, and boast Metaride AMU branding to contrast the ASICS hit on the aforementioned overlays. Down below, the midsole is split into two main pieces — one with a wood grain-like finish that’s made of Flytefoam, the other with uses a standard white shade and Flytefoam Propel tech. A thin layer of GEL is sandwiched in between these materials on the heel, and a cored-out midfoot cuts weight for a finishing touch of style.
Look for Kengo Kuma and ASICS’ Metaride AMU to release via ASICS Japan on March 12 and again come March 19. The MSRP is set at a tax-included ¥39,600 JPY (approximately $374 USD).
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