Originally launched in 2008, the GEL-KAYANO 14 was the fourteenth model to release in ASICS’ long-running GEL-KAYANO series. 

What makes this particular model unique is that it was the first in the series to be created by a designer other than its namesake Toshikazu Kayano. Kayano passed the baton to Hidenori Yamashita.

The inspiration for the sneaker was “flash”, Yamashita explains: “‘Flash’ for me references that burst of action where the runner lands at the heel and pushes away at the toes. Whether it’s the colour, the lines, the materials, the silhouette, or the texture all aspects of the GEL-KAYANO 14 are designed with that idea of ‘flash’ in mind.”

When it first released, the GEL-KAYANO 14 won the International Editor’s Choice prize in Runner’s World’s annual awards. 

The model remains a favourite among runners.