The ASICS PROTOBLAST Arrives in Two Futuristic Colourways

ASICS are having a huge year in 2022. Bolstered by the resurgence of Y2K aesthetics, the expansion of the ‘ASICS Collective’, and the expert tutelage of Bulgarian designer Kiko Kostadinov, the Japanese imprint don’t appear to be taking their foot off the gas, with two brand new colourways of the PROTOBLAST hitting shelves this week.

A fusion of both niche and popular performance models, the PROTOBLAST utilises a toe box from the underground GELHOOP V6 basketball shoe (yes, an ASICS hoops sneaker!), while the geometric midsole is derived from the modern NOVABLAST silhouette.

Originally conceived with the help of Kostadinov, the PROTOBLAST silhouette also embraces newer technology like the FLYTEFOAM BLAST compounds as opposed to GEL – although Kostadinov has of course adopted GEL previously.

Leveraging the Y2K vernacular popular in the sneaker zeitgeist in 2022 (ASICS’ GEL-Kayano 14 has dominated the market this year), the futuristic PROTOBLAST is manufactured with glossy synthetic and mesh uppers. Practical features are also included, such as large pull tabs on the tongues.

The ‘Ivory/Cream’ and ‘Deep Mars/Lagoon’ are available right now from ASICS. The retail price is $120.

For more on ASICS, make sure to check out the recent Sneaker Freaker x amos GEL-Lyte III ‘Alley Cats’ pop-up!