Asics Tarther Japan 'Tokyo Marathon'
Colorway: Peacoat/Grey Floss · Style code: 1013A097-400 · Release date: October 2018 · Price: $2682 · Availability: Available now
The Tarther name goes back decades in Japanese distance running, where it served as an all-purpose shoe that athletes both trained and raced in. ASICS glosses the name as “tiger racer,” and the racing shape has been recognisable since the 1980s.
The Japan version is the line at its most traditional. It is built in Japan (overlays and foam included), which sets it apart from the brand's mass-market models, and it weighs somewhere near 220 to 230 grams with a 10mm drop. What distinguishes it underfoot is the outsole: polyurethane contact points in the forefoot give it strong traction through toe-off, and a plastic bridge under the midfoot stabilises the arch. Together they make it feel racier than the heavier Japanese trainers it shares a shelf with.
The upper is roomier than the racing weight suggests. Three widths were offered, and the fit suits lower arches and broader feet, which is part of why Japanese runners logged training miles in it rather than saving it for race day.
This Tokyo Marathon edition is dated October 2018 and pairs Peacoat with Grey Floss, a restrained scheme for a race-day make-up, at a price that reflects its Japanese build.