There is a particular kind of quiet satisfaction that comes with being early. Not the loud, look-at-me kind of early, but the kind that comes from knowing you were right before the rest of the world caught up. That is exactly how a certain type of Singapore sneaker head feels about ASICS right now, as the Japanese brand enjoys what can only be described as a full-on global renaissance, the sort that has fashion editors in Paris tripping over themselves to write think pieces about a company that has been making performance shoes since before most of them were born.
The truth is that ASICS never really left. It just waited. While the hype machine churned out other brands, ASICS sat there with the patience of a Japanese craftsman, doing the work, refining the silhouettes, and trusting that the culture would eventually return to something that actually made sense on your feet. And now here we are in 2026, with the GEL-KAYANO 14 appearing in the same conversations as Kiko Kostadinov and A.P.C., with the GT-2160 being worn by the exact people who used to mock dad shoes, and with the GEL-NYC quietly becoming one of the most recognisable silhouettes on the streets of Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul all at once.
The GEL-KAYANO 14 is where you start. Originally debuting in 2008 as a serious performance shoe, the reissued version carries the same curved midsole, layered mesh panelling, and subtle metallic details that make it feel simultaneously retro and startlingly current. On the streets of Singapore it works with almost anything, loose-fit linen trousers on a Sunday at East Coast Park, technical cargo pants in the evening, or the kind of smart-casual office look that no longer requires a leather shoe. The GEL cushioning is still doing real work in your heel, the breathability holds up under our humidity, and the cultural credibility from collaborations with JJJJound, A.P.C., and the ZUTOMAYO bungee lace project means you are carrying serious fashion context on your feet. If you buy one ASICS sneaker this year, make it this one.
The GEL-NYC is the chunkier, more theatrical sibling. Where the Kayano leans slim and technical, the NYC announces itself before you do. It draws its design from three different ASICS heritage models, pulling the upper from the GEL-NIMBUS 3 and the sole from the GEL-CUMULUS 16, and the result is a shoe that recalls the early 2000s New York aesthetic that has aged so well it barely feels nostalgic anymore. The cream and glacier grey colourways are the sweet spot, and the mesh construction keeps the shoe breathable enough for a full afternoon spent walking from Bugis to the National Museum without regret.
The GT-2160 is the sleeper that everyone has now woken up to, and it is the pick for the quietly confident dresser who wants technical credibility without the volume. Slimmer than the NYC, lighter than the Kayano, it fits the person whose wardrobe runs more toward tailored and precise than oversized and loud. The Cream/Sheet Rock colourway has been consistently selling out, which is either a reason to move fast or a very good reason to check what SneakSurf currently has in stock.
For those who actually run, none of the above are the right answer. The GEL-NIMBUS 28 is. ASICS' most cushioned neutral shoe has topped independent testing lists for shock absorption, the PureGEL rear section absorbs impact without the dead, marshmallow feel that plagues lesser cushioned shoes, and the mesh upper breathes properly at 5am on the MacRitchie Reservoir circuit. It will not win you compliments at the kopitiam, but your legs will notice the difference at kilometre eight.
The honest reason ASICS is having this moment is that the culture was ready for substance again. Over seventy years of engineering history, collaborations chosen with genuine discipline, and silhouettes that were always good enough to outlast any trend cycle. Singapore, with its deep affinity for Japanese design and its practical need for breathable, cushioned footwear, was never going to be slow to recognise that. The rest of the world is simply catching up to what we already knew.
Explore the full ASICS collection at SneakSurf and find your next pair.
SneakSurf Singapore covers sneaker culture, street style, and lifestyle across the Lion City and beyond. Follow us at @sneaksurf.sg