Asics Gel Kinsei Blast LE 'Shocking Orange'
Colorway: Shocking Orange/Shocking Orange · Style code: 1011B332-800 · Release date: April 29, 2022 · Price: $2682 · Availability: Available now
More colorways: Asics Gel Kinsei Blast LE 'Lake Drive Hazard Green' (1011B332-400) · Asics Gel Kinsei Blast LE 2 'Island Blue' (1011B592-400) · Asics Wmns Gel Kinsei Blast LE 'Clear Blue' (1012B178-401) · Asics Gel Kinsei Blast LE 2 'Lime Zest' (1011B592-300) · Asics Gel Kinsei Blast LE 2 'Olive Oil' (1011B592-301)
ASICS introduced the GEL-Kinsei in 2006 after a long development program, and it looked like nothing the brand had built before: three visible GEL sections stacked through the rear of the midsole, held by a rigid heel plate that steadied the transition onto the ground. Designer Hisanori Fujita took his cues from samurai armour and the curve of a katana, chasing protection that still let the foot move freely. The point of the exercise was to hold cushioning and stability together, two qualities that usually pull against each other.
The Blast generation arrived in 2021 and kept that maximal brief while re-engineering everything under it. FlyteFoam Blast Plus replaced the older foams, a Pebax propulsion plate was added to redirect energy forward at toe-off, and the outsole rubber was redistributed for durability. It remains heavy by modern standards (comfortably over ten ounces), and it is happiest on recovery days and long weekend efforts rather than at race pace.
This pair takes that platform and removes every contrast panel, running the same orange from the toe bumper to the heel clip.