Winter isn’t just cold, it’s dark: the LITE-SHOW collection by ASICS is designed with reflective details that “explode” under light, ensuring maximum visibility and safety for those who run in the evening or early morning.
- The real problem with winter: It’s not the cold, but the darkness. Running before dawn or after sunset becomes the norm, and safety (visibility) is paramount.
- The LITE-SHOW Philosophy: It’s designed to give runners the ability to run at any time and in any visibility condition.
- How it works: Garments and shoes feature advanced reflective details that are almost invisible by day, but at night, when hit by a light source (like car headlights), they “light up” and make you visible.
- The inspiration: The aesthetic is inspired by the neon nights of Tokyo and the “Akitsu” dragonfly, an ancient Japanese symbol of strength and protection.
- The Complete Collection: The technology is applied to both apparel (jackets, tops, tights) and ASICS “hero” shoes, such as the GT-2000 14, GEL-KAYANO 32, NOVABLAST 5, GEL-NIMBUS 27, and GEL-CUMULUS 27.
The Real Enemy Isn’t the Thermometer, But the Clock
For us runners, winter poses a problem that isn’t (just) the cold. The real problem is daylight hours. The days shorten ruthlessly. Finishing work at 6 PM means going out for a run in total darkness. Even the morning jog before the office starts and (probably) ends without seeing the sun.
This forces us into a compromise: either we give up training, or we run while becoming almost invisible. And being invisible on a busy road, or in a poorly lit park, is not a viable option.
This is where technology stops being a gadget and becomes a necessity. If winter training is a challenge, visibility is your first line of defense.
The LITE-SHOW Philosophy: Run Anytime
ASICS tackled this problem not as a detail, but as the heart, the starting point of its winter collection. The philosophy of the LITE-SHOW by ASICS line is as simple as it is useful: give runners the confidence and trust to be able to train whenever they want (or whenever they can), without darkness becoming a limit.
How? By transforming clothing and shoes into passive beacons.
LITE-SHOW technology is based on a series of reflective details positioned in strategic points. The fascinating thing is that they are designed to be discreet and integrated into the design by daylight; the garments have a technical, clean look. But as soon as evening falls and they are hit by a light source (car headlights, a street lamp), these inserts “explode,” light up, reflecting the light and making you immediately visible.
The Inspiration: Tokyo at Night and the Akitsu Dragonfly
But that’s not all, because this collection isn’t just functional; it’s steeped in culture. The visual aesthetic is inspired by the night streets of Tokyo, with their sharp contrasts between darkness and neon lights.
But the deeper inspiration comes from the apparel: the reflective details are inspired by the Akitsu, the ancient Japanese dragonfly. In Japanese history, the dragonfly is a symbol of strength, agility, and protection. It’s a unique style touch: wearing a LITE-SHOW garment becomes a way to carry a symbol of protection with you, a technical talisman watching over your run.
A Complete Collection for Safety
The beauty of the LITE-SHOW by ASICS collection is that it includes your entire winter “kit,” allowing you to be visible from head to toe.
- Abbigliamento: We find key layering pieces, like the ROAD LITE-SHOW PACKABLE JACKET by ASICS, the perfect shell to protect you from wind and make you visible, and the ROAD LITE-SHOW TIGHT by ASICS, which combine warmth and reflectivity.
- Scarpe: The technology is also integrated into ASICS’ flagship models, including the GT-2000 14, GEL-KAYANO 32, NOVABLAST 5, GEL-NIMBUS 27, and GEL-CUMULUS 27. This means you don’t have to choose between your favorite shoe and safety: you can have both.
When you run with the LITE-SHOW collection, you aren’t just wearing a technical garment. You are deciding not to let winter and darkness dictate your schedule. You are taking control of your training, and doing so in total safety.
