History
ASICS shoe company was formed by Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka when he began making basketball shoes in his living room in Japan in 1949. He chose the name ASICS for his company in 1977, based on a famous Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano”, which means of “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.” His main goal was to promote total health and fitness.
ASICS were introduced to the United States in 1977 and brought with them an incredible story of athletic performance and technical superiority that still holds true to this day.
ASICS Mission
The mission for ASICS is a simple one that takes into account body and soul. Taken from their website:
“Our mission is to become the number one brand for the sports enthusiast. To accomplish this, we pledge to continue to make the best product; striving to build upon our technological advances and pushing the limits on what we can learn from the body and its needs in athletic gear. We pledge to bring harmony to the body and soul.”
ASICS Athletic Shoes for Men
ASICS is known mainly for their top selling running shoes that you’ll see on athletes and weekend warriors every day. The Gel-Kayano is a top of the line running shoe that dominates the running landcape along with the Gel-Nimbus and the new Gel Blur 33.
They also sell a ton of the retro Ultimate 81 which was long considered to be the absolute in technical running shoes in the ’80s, the from Onitsuka Tiger. It makes a comeback with a modern style that’s is a huge seller in the casual shoe arena. Retro is king!
ASICS have also had a toe hold in the little known wrestling shoe market, making superior shoes to the competition.