Bandit is taking off. Since starting in 2020, the Brooklyn running brand’s rise can only be described as meteoric as its continues to win the hearts and minds of runners (and GQ editors) everywhere with striking designs and down-for-the-hard-work pieces. But now the brand is entering the big leagues, doing a Dragonball Z-like fusion dance with Asics to create one hell of a striking collaboration: A Bandit-ified version of the Novablast 5.
Tyler Chin
Tyler Chin
First teased a few weeks ago through the brand’s close friends feature on Instagram (the brand’s big on community so it likes to lean into that), the Bandit Novablast takes one of the most reliable daily trainers in the game and rockets the design features into the stratosphere and out of this world. A space-theme design, as highlighted in the 2001: A Space Odyssey-inspired visuals, is the primary motif for the shoe, alongside the “sculptural sensibility” of Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi. Contrasting sheer and translucent elements of Bandit’s logo flow through the upper of the shoe, accented by vibrant red detailing on the eyelets and heel. Finishing it off is a Satisfy Running-esque tag (yet another IYKYK running brand), woven into the laces, that tucks into the toe box of the shoe for all to see.
Tyler Chin
Tyler Chin
This isn’t the first collaboration between the brands. The two joined forces during the NYC marathon for a glitzy capsule collection that featured some of the same elements featured here. And, as if a shoe wasn’t enough, Bandit’s also releasing a handful of apparel to go alongside the shoes, including a jacket, a matching colorway of their Grid Knit socks (a personal favorite), tanks, half tights, and more.
The Novablast is a great choice for the collaboration, a tried and true trainer that’s light, cushy, and responsive enough to add a spring to the step of any runner, but infused with the design ethos that’s made Bandit the epitome of cool in the running world. And while we can’t help but wonder what an eventual Bandit running shoe may look like, this is a giant leap forward for the brand. A shoe collaboration this splashy signifies Bandit’s here to stay. Retailing at $150, it’s only a Hamilton more than the standard version of the Novablast. Members get a first crack at pairs on Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern ahead of a wider release on Friday. May your mouse clicks be as quick as your latest PR; we anticipate these to go fast.