Before Boost took over the sneaker scene in 2016, runners or more commonly known as trainers were reigning in the sneaker scene. Back in 2015, the Gel Lyte III silhouette from Asics celebrated its 15th Anniversary. The Gel Lyte III silhouette is arguably the favorite among runner collectors that Asics has to offer. Today, we will introduce to you some of the Gel Lyte III grails that were released and without delaying any further, let’s begin!
Asics Gel Lyte III x Hanon ‘Wildcat’
Asics collaborated with Hanon for this pair, with excellent execution of a colorway which consists of Orange and Red. This pair is inspired by their local running club. Resell price is around $1,000 – $1,200.
Asics Gel Lyte III x David Z ‘Vader’
When Ronnie Fieg was working for David Z back then as a designer, Asics approached David Z for a collaboration. Many people believe that the inspiration behind this collaboration is from Star Wars’ Darth Vader character. There are only 200 pairs worldwide. This pair is definitely one of the harder pairs to find in the market, with a resell price ranging from $500 – $1,000.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Navy Aqua’
One of Ronnie Fieg’s collaboration with Asics, where 252 pairs were only produced worldwide. This pair was only exclusive to David Z’s shop in Soho and online. A pair many collectors are not willing to let go that comes with a resell price tag of $900 to $1,500.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘East Coast Project’ Pack
Two pairs were released in this East Coast Project pack namely ‘Knicks’ and ‘Miami’. The ECP pack were released with apparels that match the colors of the sneakers. Rumor says that only 500 pairs were produced for each colorway. Resell price for each pair ranges from $300 – $600.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Nice Kicks
Nice Kicks collaborated with Asics twice, and both pairs are considered grails to Asics collector till to this day. The first released pair was in red while the second pair was released in a grey colorway which was a collaboration between KITH’s Ronnie Fieg with Nice Kicks. There are only 250 pairs of the red pair and 300 pairs of the grey colorway worldwide. Resell price of each range from $500 – $800.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Woei ‘Cervidae’
To commemorate the 5th Anniversary of Woei ‘Patta’s et Pret a Porter’, Woei collaborated with Asics on the Gel Lyte III silhouette which was inspired by distinct fur markings of a forest frolicking fawn. First 100 customers who attended the release of the Woei ‘Cervidae’ were given an exclusive matching t-shirt and a customized shoe box that complemented the shoe. Expect resell prices of $500 to $700 for this pair.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Culture Shoq x Ronnie Fieg/David Z
There were two parts of this collaboration, where the first one was a collaboration between Asics, Culture Shoq and David Z while the second one was a collaboration with Ronnie Fieg. The Culture Shoq 1.0 was released exclusively at David Z’s flagship store in Soho, New York and online with only 150 pairs worldwide while the Culture Shoq 2.0 was released only on David Z’s website with 190 pairs for men and 24 pairs for women worldwide. Resell prices are currently fluctuating from $500 to $750.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Alife Rivington Club
There isn’t much background story behind this pair but this collaboration resulted into two colorways for the Gel Lyte III silhouette, the curry and grey colorway. Each colorway is only limited to 216 pairs worldwide which makes it difficult for runner collectors to find. Expect resell prices from $400 – $550.
Asics Gel Lyte III x SoleFly ‘Night Haven’
SoleFly collaborates with Asics on the Gel Lyte III silhouette to pay homage to Miami nights as SoleFly is located in Miami. There are only 333 pairs produced worldwide and with premium materials, these definitely make it into the grail list for the collectors. Prepare around $600 – $700 if you are planning to cop a pair.
Asics Gel Lyte III 25th Anniversary ‘Made In Japan’
The Made In Japan (MIJ) is made using natural ‘Nume’ vegetable tanned leather on the uppers, calf-skin lining and waxed laces to complete the entire premium look. To celebrate the Gel Lyte III’s 25th Anniversary, Asics released only 255 pairs worldwide with a retail price of $500 which may seem high but once seen in person, justifies the price. The resell price currently ranges from $900 to $1,300.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Patta
A collaboration between Patta and Asics. This pair is definitely difficult to locate or even to find a pair in pristine condition. There is no news regarding its production quantity but if you ever see a pair for sale, your best bet is to buy first and to think later. This pair usually makes it in sneaker collector’s top 3 runner grails. Expect a resell price of $1,500 – $2,000.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Cove’
A collaboration between Asics with Ronnie Fieg when he was previously working at David Z. There are only 252 pairs produced worldwide which makes this pair a grail piece with its vibrant color. You should expect resell prices from $600 to $800.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Mint Leaf’
This pair was the last pair of Ronnie Fieg’s collaboration with Asics to be released in/with David Z. It is highly sought after for its colorway which is versatile with any outfit. Resellers are selling them for $600 to $750.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Slam Jam ‘5th Dimension’
Definitely one of the Top 5 all-time grails for Asics brand. There are only 96 pairs worldwide that come along with an Asics canvas bag with the similar design to the shoes and a piece of vinyl recording of the soundtrack of Slam Jam’s 5th Dimension video. Resell price is ranging from $1,200 – $1,500.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Salmon Toe 1.0’
Kith’s Ronnie Fieg released this grail during the grand opening of Kith with only 72 pairs available in-stores with special packaging, courtesy of Good Wood and MASCustoms. The remaining pairs were released online. Rumored that only 500 pairs were produced worldwide. The current resell price is ranging from $850 – $1,800.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Leatherback’
Another pair released by Asics in collaboration with Ronnie Fieg for Kith NYC’s grand opening. Only 40 pairs will be sold with limited edition lasered wooden boxes which are individually numbered while others were made available for purchase online. Resell price ranges from $800 – $1,100.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Super Green’
There were two different productions of the Super Green. One was earlier in 2013 and another was in 2016. The 2013 production pairs were given to the kids in Haiti as a charity program while the 2016 release was to commemorate Kith’s 5th Anniversary however, do take note that only the 2016 batch was released to public with a limited production of 700 pairs worldwide, each pair hand-made in Japan. Resell price ranges from $600 – $800.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Total Eclipse’
When Asics and Ronnie Fieg collaborates, we can always expect something good. For this collaboration, the colorway sports a half and half nubuck/leather equation, mixing both navy and black with the goal of recreating the visual sensation of an eclipse. With a colorway like this, it definitely deserves to be one of the grails from the Asics brand.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Zillion
Zillion is a Japanese shoelace brand if you were wondering and they collaborated with Asics in 2011. This grail uses a kimono-like fabric for their uppers which represents their Japanese roots that separates them from every other collaboration. Resell price ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. This pair is one of the tougher ones to find in the market and with its unique details, collectors are definitely not willing to let them go from their collection.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Ronnie Fieg ‘Flamingo’
Ronnie Fieg teased his fans with this pair for almost four years, finally releasing to the public at both Kith locations and online as well. Rumoured with a limited production of 500 pairs. The colorway of this pair is difficult to refrain from and has made it into the runners collectors grail list. Resell price is going for around $450 – $600.
Asics Gel Lyte III x Colette x LaMJC ‘Sold Out’
This collaboration is Asics first French collaboration and who else better to collaborate with other than Colette and LaMJC. The shoe is inspired by colors from late 80’s and early 90’s which makes the colorway acceptable for wear. There are only 100 pairs available worldwide. Resell price is ranging from $1,400 – $2,000.
That’s the end for now. Hope this list expands your taste in terms of variety. Runners almost always focus on concept and materials which makes collecting more fun than collecting a hype sneaker with no background story. Time to switch up!
(Photo Credits: @one_man_army.07, @don_shoela, @hafsham, @asics_team, Google)
