Onitsuka Tiger shoes

Check out our selection of Asics Onitsuka Tiger. One of the oldest Asics models, the Asics Onitsuka Tiger collection is online at Sneakin.

A sneaker available in different colours, materials and sizes. Discover our wide selection of Asics Sneakers at the best price!

The history of the Onitsuka Tiger sports shoe brand

After returning from the war in 1945, Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka founded ONITSUKA Shokai in Kobe in 1949. In the same year, the company was reorganized as ONITSUKA Co.

Later, the company name was changed to ASICS, an acronym for the Latin phrase "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" ("You should pray for a healthy mind in a healthy body"), and these words made a deep impression on Mr. Onitsuka, inspiring his dedication to the manufacture of athletic footwear with the goal of nurturing healthy youth through sport.

The first sports shoes manufactured by ONITSUKA Co. were basketball shoes.

At the time, basketball shoes were considered the most difficult sports shoes to make, but Mr. Onitsuka believed that "if he could overcome one high hurdle at the beginning, he could continue to overcome other hurdles as well.

Mr. Onitsuka gave prototypes of his shoes to the players of one of the biggest basketball clubs of the time, where the shoes were tested and perfected several times, until the first model was released in the spring of 1950.

The year 1953 saw the release of the ONITSUKA Marathon TABI, based on the traditional indoor shoe "tabi" which is still commonly worn at sports events in Japan. The Marathon Tabi has the features required for marathon running, including rubber soles and an upper with durable material and a suspension band.

In the same year, the MARUP shoe, designed specifically for marathon relay races, was launched. This shoe is adapted to the marathon running style, which requires speed and endurance. The shoe is designed to reduce fatigue during long distance running. The upper is made of vinylon, a material that is three times stronger than cotton and prevents feet from sweating, and the shoe has a sponge in the heel.

A wide variety of sports shoes are being developed for global expansion

In addition to marathon and wrestling shoes, several other categories of sports shoes are being developed, including gymnastics shoes, football cleats, fencing shoes and volleyball shoes, and many athletes are slowly starting to adopt them. ONITSUKA marathon shoes were worn by several medal-winning athletes at the International Marathon (in 1964).

The Mexico line appears on Onitsuka Tiger shoes

In 1966, after an internal design competition, the Mexico line (today's ASICS stripes) was introduced. Later, this design would come to represent ONITSUKA TIGER, ASICSTIGER, and all ASICS shoes.

Onitsuka Tiger's iconic trainers: the Mexico 66 shoe

Japanese footwear pioneer Kihachiro Onitsuka created the brand's most iconic model, the MEXICO 66™ over 50 years ago. Becoming a cult favorite upon its launch, and now for decades, the MEXICO 66 shoe is one of Onitsuka Tiger's most popular models. The MEXICO 66 SLIP-ON's lightweight styling and versatile design make it ideal for all day activities. Now younger children can sport athleisure style to compete with the older kids as smaller sizes designed for smaller feet have been created. The Mexico City shoe separates from the traditional laces in favour of an elastic instep band, which is an advantage for the energetic little ones, who can now quickly put it on and take it off. The Ortholite® footbed provides all-day support and ventilation.

Like the TIGER SERRANO™, the MEXICO 66™ is the most famous model in our Onitsuka Tiger collection.

There are single-coloured as well as multi-coloured models of the Mexico 66. You will be able to match this trendy trainer to your different styles. This model is a traditional shoe but has been adapted to have a modern look, preserving all its quality. You will find the classic heel flap and a thin, flexible sole that offers unlimited freedom of movement on both the MEXICO 66™ SD and the original MEXICO 66™, giving them a contemporary look.

Over time, the different models of the Mexico 66 have gained in flexibility, comfort and durability. The MEXICO 66™ is timeless, allowing for an evolution beyond its origins while taking into account the heritage of this trendy trainer.