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Sometimes, too many cooks in the kitchen just means the meal has a little more flavor. In an unprecedented 8-way collaboration, Asics teamed up with seven of the industry’s most important sneaker boutiques that make up the “Tomo” (Japanese for “friend”) exclusive program, for a new Gel-Cumulus 16.
Lapstone & Hammer, Extra Butter, Somewhere DC, Concepts, A Ma Maniére, Feature, and Sneaker Politics formed like Voltron, working with Asics designers in Boston to design the Gel-Cumulus 16 collaboration, and came out with silver and grey mesh. Hey, sometimes the superstars are superstars because they know how to play the hits. The upper is a classic blend of grey mesh and shiny silver stability panels, with a green and purple gradient flashing across the massive side panel logo inspired by color-changing mood rings. If a mood ring turns green, it indicates calm and relaxation, and if it turns purple, it suggests excited happiness. The Gel pods in the midsole get a hit of color with green in the forefoot and purple in the heel, plus purple tongue logos, featuring Asics branding on the right and “Tomo” in Japanese on the left.
Asics has dropped limited-edition Tomo sneakers in the past through the seven boutique partners, but this is the first time the brands have all come together for a joint collaboration.
“It’s very unusual to see them bring everyone together for a common cause,” Concepts’ Deon Point said.
“No one really took a lead on anything,” Feature’s Kim Johnson said. “It was kind of shoulder-to-shoulder, and I really appreciated that.”
The Asics Gel-Cumulus 16 Tomo will be released on September 27, 2025, exclusively through the collaborative retailers in the Tomo network, in-store and online. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $170. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Zach Harris is a writer based in Philadelphia. His work has appeared in Rolling Stone, Vice, Complex, High Times, and more. He is obsessed with skateboarding and bowling. He is still looking for his first 300. For tips, reviews, and anything in size 10.5 - zach.h@soleretriever.com
