Moving Architecture: ASICS Combines Running with Bamboo Weaving
Architecture and sneakers are probably two things you don’t think about together. But that might change when you see ASICS' new partnership with Japanese Architect Kengo Kum. 
Applied to the brand’s Metaride running shoe, Kengo Kum added a supportive system to the shoe that’s inspired by Japanese Yatara Bamboo Weaving. While it may seem random, each strap is strategically placed to hold the foot steady, binding with the shoe’s innovative Flytefoam base that uses cellulose nanofiber. And what's cellulose nanofiber? It's a strong and lightweight wood-pulp derived material that's being researched and explored in Japan. It truly is ‘Moving Architecture’ from Japan. 
The age-old technique of Yatara Bamboo Weaving is functional as well as beautiful. The synthetic straps wrap all around the shoe’s upper, securing your foot in place. But what the straps also do is create the ASICS stripe logo pattern on the side, combining branding with Yatara in a truly innovative way.
The base is two-fold, with a brown midsole that breaks the all-white shoe’s design, and a white outsole at the bottom. The brown midsole is made from Flytefoam which uses cellulose nanofiber for strength and durability, while also remaining ecologically friendly. Completing the Metaride is a ‘Flytefoam Propel’ gel pad on the heel to give you that bounce! 
The special ASICS Metaride AMU releases exclusively in Japan for about R4799 ($330) on 20 December. No news on a global release date but hopefully we will be seeing a local release too!