By 1951, however, things changed. Inspired by an octopus dinner, Onitsuka released a basketball shoe fitted with dimpled soles that mimicked suction cups. With some refinement — and testing on real athletes — the design was refined to give players increased control over starting and stopping movements.
Next up? The Marathon Tabi sneaker, specifically designed for marathon runners. Soon came the launch of the Marup (short for Marathon Up), which was an improvement on the running shoe design. This model was so popular that it stuck around until 1981, when it was finally replaced with the Sortie series.
What's in a Name?
Right around that time, a friend of Onitsuka’s offers some friendly advice, in the form of a Roman proverb, and the company is reborn. That advice? “Anima Sana in Corpore Sano," roughly translated as “pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body.” And the acronym, ASICS, became the brand’s new name and motto.
Great Wisdom, Elevated Play
In the years that followed, ASICS design innovation skyrocketed. New shoe models, such as the Tiger Gel and Gel-Kayano hit the market. Then, in 1999, the Gel-Nimbus is released, reinventing the men’s and women’s shoe market in the distance running category.
Over two decades later, the Gel-Nimbus is still one of ASICS' most popular styles. Slip into the Gel-Nimbus 20, with its adaptive upper fit, serious support, and FlyteFoam technology for a cushioned and responsive midsole.
Check out the Gel-Nimbus 21 for all the best features of previous models, plus a new knit-mesh upper that feels like a sock but holds feet like a sneaker. Looking for the latest? Just grab the Gel-Nimbus 22 and take off, thanks to lighter Gel technology that doesn’t sacrifice one ounce of cushioning. It’s basically magic, in sneaker form.
