The first GEL-QUANTUM model burst onto the scene in 2015. It was the GEL-QUANTUM 360, and it was to become one of the brand’s most iconic models.
Eight years on from its first release, the GEL-QUANTUM fleet has seen a few iterations, including the GEL-QUANTUM 360 6, as well as the GEL-QUANTUM 180 and 90 lineups. The latest star of the pack is the GEL-QUANTUM 360 VII, and JD Sports is set to release some of the year’s hottest colourways on July 28.
The origins of the GEL-QUANTUM 360
Engineering the original GEL-QUANTUM 360 was a process that took over three years. ASICS was looking to push and materialise the idea of ‘visible’ technology—something that only the hailed GEL-KINSEI models of the 2000s had been doing prior to 2015.
The creative direction for the model was ‘Something New/Wow’. Words that guided the creative process were ‘Bone & Meat’—with ‘Bone’ broadly referring to creating a shoe that centred stability, and ‘Meat’ denoting a shoe that featured plush cushioning.
The result was what would become the key features of the original and current 360 models—the combination of visible GEL and Trusstic technology in the midsole construction. The visible GEL component achieved the goal of creating a shoe that provided exceptional comfortability and shock absorption, while simultaneously lending an unparalleled aesthetic quality to the shoe. It was paired with Trusstic technology, creating a structure that ensured maximum stability.
So what does the GEL-QUANTUM 360 VII have on offer?
Plenty. It builds on all the tech we all know and love about the 360 range, with some new additions. The GEL-QUANTUM 360 VII introduces Scutoid GEL technology, that has improved the 3D geometry of the GEL component, creating more efficient shock absorption than previous models. The silhouette also features ASICS’ FF Blast technology—a cornerstone of ASICS’ running collections—re-tuned specifically for the 360 VII to make it more suitable for everyday purposes, and bolstering the shock absorption provided by the GEL. The Trusstic technology has gone nowhere, and the addition of an external heel counter improves the overall fit of the shoe by providing a better foothold.
As far as design goes, the designer behind the shoe is Yasuyuki Takada, a footwear designer at ASICS who has been heavily involved in the collaborative work between ASICS and the ASICS Institute of Sports Science. All the new tech additions still align with the concept that is perhaps most integral to ASICS’ DNA—conflating performance with style. A sleeker design adds more versatility when it comes to styling, and the 3D print on the upper serves to improve stability, while giving the shoe a futuristic finish.
By now, you’re probably wondering where you can cop them. The ‘Undisputed King of Trainers’, JD Sports, has just released two global, exclusive colourways that you can now find online and in stores.
