Takashi Kumagai’s WIND AND SEA has been a firm presence in Japanese streetwear since its inception, and is slowly infiltrating the radars of the international community, due in part to its globally-recognised collaborative partners — NBA, Thrasher, and even the finger lickin’ KFC. Despite WIND AND SEA’s heavy weight in the apparel category, it is less common for them to indulge in sneaker collaborations. Though when they do, it’s oft with an instantly recognisable silhouette. In June, they had a simple co-branded revamp of Vans.  Now, as the year draws to a close, WIND AND SEA is bringing their moniker’s summery shine to the Asics GEL-Nimbus 9, imbuing the Y2K industrial shoe with a contemporaneity that’s effortlessly cool.

The Asics GEL-NIMBUS 9 was initially crafted for distance, such that every run is well-supported and comfortable. As a runner released in ’07, it carries the markings of sports shoes in the Y2K era: industrial, performance features on display with bold contrasts and color blocking. WIND AND SEA retains the core elements of the GEL-NIMBUS 9, but washes it with trendy colorways.

The first of which is a White/Pure Silver mix that is pure aestheticism of our times. While performance mesh makes the base, it is barely noticeable below the futuristic silver overlays and off-white leather panels. The cherry on top is the gradient that complements the streaking lines, making it seem like the shoe gently gradients from white to a black at the mudguard. On the lateral side near the heel is “SEA” branded below GEL-NIMBUS as well as on one of the insoles. This subtle branding adds on the chic look of the WIND AND SEA x Asics collaboration.

If you prefer pops of color in your rotation, WIND AND SEA has got you covered too. Adding on to the previous colorway, pops of cool blues coat the gellish parts. The off-white layers are swapped out for yellowed creams. As such, the shoe carries futuristic silver elements but is outlined by an “aged” color, giving the silhouette a contradictory, retrofuturistic look that has swept current trends (another notable example would be New Balance’s 1906R).

Both WIND AND SEA x Asics GEL-NIMBUS 9 will be made available on 22 Oct 2022 at Asics’ web shop and select retailers. It will retail for AU$240 (~US$218).

In other Asics collaborations, check out this Chelsea Boot that has been overhauled by TAKAHIROMIYASHITA The Soloist.