HIDDEN.NY and ASICS Log on to the Past With the Gel-Kinetic 2.0
The curatorial powerhouse pivots from modern design tools to early computing software for a heavily engineered walking shoe alongside a couple of apparel pieces.
Summary
HIDDEN NY has reunited with ASICS to launch the collaborative GEL-KINETIC™ 2.0 sneaker capsule
Shifting from the modern creator tools that inspired their previous GEL-NYC, the new shoe honors early digital art software and vintage hardware
Engineered exclusively as a dedicated lifestyle walking shoe, the model incorporates advanced Scutoid GEL™ and FF BLAST™ PLUS tech
Global curation platform and publishing imprint HIDDEN.NY has officially joined forces with ASICS SportStyle yet again to debut the HIDDEN GEL-KINETIC™ 2.0. Acting as the spiritual successor to their highly coveted GEL-NYC partnership, this latest joint venture takes a nostalgic step backward—moving away from the modern software suites utilized by today’s digital designers to draw visual inspiration from the dawn of digital art and early computing hardware.
Unlike traditional athletic partnerships focused on performance benchmarks, the GEL-KINETIC™ 2.0 has been intentionally built from the ground up specifically for intentional walking rather than running or high-intensity interval training. The structural silhouette represents a highly futuristic expression of lifestyle footwear, developed in direct tandem with the ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS). By leveraging advanced biomechanical foot pressure data, the design team calculated the exact layout of the independent underfoot pods to optimize impact dispersion during casual, everyday wear.
The mechanical architecture underfoot features a heavily reconstructed application of Scutoid GEL™ Technology. The physical shape of the GEL compound is noticeably more twisted and angular to encourage better flexibility, while the component itself has been turned completely upside down to distribute pressure evenly and ease the burden on any localized area of the foot. This system is paired with a cloud-like FF BLAST™ PLUS foam midsole, safely encapsulated within a rigid, precision-engineered TPU cage to strike an identical balance between soft cushioning and reliable lifestyle stability.
“HIDDEN approaches design the way a curator approaches a room: methodically, with reverence, and with a willingness to elevate the overlooked. A designer’s brand, not a designer brand.”
This hardware-heavy approach is further optimized by a unique, modular two-layer heel construction. The specialized counter is split into dual sheets to dynamically adapt to any natural heel shape, guaranteeing a locked-in, secure fit whether the wearer prefers their lacing system tied tight for steady movement or loose for an effortless slip-on look. The silhouette will be distributed across two separate color stories: a General Release dressed in a clean “White/Castle Rock” palette that highlights HIDDEN’s signature green tones, and a highly restrictive Limited Edition rendered in “Light Gray/Castle Rock” to directly mirror the faded beige, ivory, and slate components of vintage retro computer hardware.
The ASICS x HIDDEN GEL-KINETIC™ 2.0 unisex sneaker collection is available for purchase directly via HIDDEN.NY‘s distribution portals. Both the General Release and Limited Edition iterations are priced at $270 USD retail, spanning an inclusive unisex sizing range from US 3.5 through 14.
