Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom
Alibaba
1 / 2

Every shoe is better as a slip-on. It's true for Salomon, it's true for HOKA, it's definitely true for ASICS, which just made its GEL-Kahana 8 sneaker into a trekkable slip-on, of sorts.

To be clear, the ASICS GEL-Kahana 8 FL isn't a true slip-on shoe in the sense that you just ease your foot in but it's perhaps even better.

This new iteration of ASICS' existing GEL-Kahana 8 shoe ditches conventional laces for ASICS' special Fast Lace system, which is basically just an easily-adjustable elastic and pull cord set-up that allows the wearer to slip into the sneaker, tighten, and go.

ASICS' Fast Lace upgrade is easy to use and don't change the fact that the GEL-Kahana 8 still looks good. What more could you ask for?

Especially as an old man who craves borderline orthopedic dad shoes, I appreciate any sneaker company making its shoes easier to slip on and the GEL-Kahana 8 FL does just that. It's a slip-on in the sense that you don't have to lace anything, which I think counts.

It's the same kinda effortless tech that makes Salomon's Quicklace-fitted sneakers so appealing, just with a high-vis ASICS spin that nicely complements the new Y2K-looking GEL-Kahana 8 colorways, nice vivid looks for the otherwise sold-out trail runner.

Unfortunately, ASICS is currently only offering its Fast Lace-fitted GEL-Kahana 8 sneakers in the Chinese sneaker market for now — yours for just over $101 via ASICS' official Alibaba web store — but I'd love to see the shoes cross the ocean and head West.

Oh well, perhaps in due time. At least there are other excellent tech-y ASICS shoes dropping seemingly every week, including some with their own easy-on lacing systems.

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Not that we're lacking retro ASICS runners that lean heavy on technical uppers but would it be so much for sportswear companies to pare back their old-school sneakers to strip away the laces or at least make the laces extra easy to tighten?

It's always an improvement in my book. Ordinary laces are never superior.

We Recommend
  • A Japanese Rock Band Created a Shockingly Fire ASICS Slip-On
    • Sneakers
  • The North Face's Laceless Trekking Shoe Is a Beauty & Beast
    • Sneakers
  • SAN SAN GEAR Turns up the Tech on ASICS’ Outdoor Sneaker
    • Sneakers
  • This Ultra-Tough HOKA Shoe Is Secretly a Slip-On Sneaker
    • Sneakers
  • The Broken Arm Stitched-Up a Sexy Salomon Slip-On
    • Sneakers
What To Read Next
  • SOAR & norda Prove Two Pioneering Running Brands Is Better Than One
    • Style
  • From HOKA to Salomon, Browse This Week’s Best Sneaker Releases
    • Sneakers
  • Urban Summit: Kathmandu Wants You To Reach Your Personal Peak
    • Style
    • sponsored
  • Teoni’s Debut Solo Exhibition Responds to the Pretentious Art World
    • Art & Design
  • These Four Artists Put The Google Pixel 9 Pro To The Test
    • Art & Design
    • sponsored
  • adidas’ Spruced-Up Superstar Gets Extra Sophisticated
    • Sneakers