Finally, ASICS Is Making Slip-On Dad Shoes
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.
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.
