Bandit Running Is Teaming Up With Asics for Its First-Ever Sneaker Collaboration
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Bandit Running has garnered a dedicated following for its sophisticated athletic apparel, but never before has it it touched a pair of sneakers. That changes this week, as the Brooklyn-based label has linked up with Asics for its debut footwear collaboration.
The Bandit Running x Asics Novablast 5 takes inspiration from the Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi in its tasteful approach to the daily runner. Rendered predominantly in white, the knit upper features no-sew translucent overlays that riff on Bandit’s logo. A text-heavy tag hangs over the toe but is actually affixed to the laces, and the heel pull has been replaced by a smaller hangtag with Japanese text. Pleats bring texture to the tongue, and bursts of red come from the looped eyelets, dual-logo on the lateral toe, and a small portion of the heel amid a speckled midsole intended to represent the “grit” of New York City.
On the insole, you’ll find a custom graphic playing on the Japanese flag. That same mark then appears on a ripstop drawstring bag with translucent tag carrier.
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Anyone familiar with Bandit’s apparel, which is both high-performance and highly stylish, will be pleased with the industrial sense of minimalism that’s now carrying over to its first running shoe collab. They’ll also be expecting a rapid sellout, as the brand’s garms often come and go as quickly as a streetwear drop. Where Bandit’s status symbol territory stopped at the socks, it now has a head-to-toe claim on those looking to flex at their run club.
The Novablast 5 is a bouncy daily runner that makes use of Asics‘ Flyfoam Blast Max cushioning .Wing construction helps to reduce tongue movement while improving fit, and the outsole is modeled after trampolines and opts for Ahar Lo traction. Asics also touts the sneaker as having a 17 percent lower carbon footprint than the industry average.
The Bandit Running x Asics Novblast 5 will release first for Bandit members Thursday on its website. A wider release for the general public will open Friday on Bandit’s site, and the brand is hosting a giveaway for one of three special pairs that’s open now.
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