Above The Clouds weaves the ASICS GEL-SD-LYTE in black

Above The Clouds and ASICS are teaming up again, and this time the ASICS GEL-SD-LYTE takes centre stage. The Australian boutique gives the ASICS GEL-SD-LYTE an upper made of woven leather strips in Black/Gunmetal.

ASICS / Above The Clouds

Where the GEL-SD-LYTE usually relies on mesh, this pair switches to woven leather. The strips overlap and leave small gaps, giving the shoe a handmade look. Darker panels on the toe, around the eyestays and at the heel frame the weave. On both sides, the ASICS stripes blend into the woven structure, so you only really spot them up close. Underneath, the model's familiar tooling stays in place.

ASICS / Above The Clouds

The idea behind it? A nod to weaving as a craft, passed from hand to hand and from city to city. Above The Clouds presents it as a tribute to communities of makers and designers.

A growing partnership

So who is Above The Clouds? Dimitri Calligeros and John Paul Wager founded the boutique around fifteen years ago in Sydney's Surry Hills neighbourhood. In 2025, a second store opened in Melbourne. The range mixes sneakers from brands such as ASICS, Nike and Salomon with clothing from labels like Marni and Casablanca.

This ASICS GEL-SD-LYTE isn't the duo's first joint release. Above The Clouds and ASICS previously put out their takes on the GEL-Quantum 360, GT-2160, GEL-1090 and Skycourt. The GEL-SD-LYTE itself has drawn extra attention lately, partly thanks to versions by Comme des Garçons and Kiko Kostadinov.

The release kicks off in Australia: on 25 September at Above The Clouds' stores in Sydney and Melbourne, followed by an online drop a day later. According to several sources, a wider release through ASICS and select retailers follows afterwards. As soon as ASICS confirms the EU release date, you'll find it in our release calendar.

Want to browse in the meantime? Check out the ASICS GEL-SD-LYTE line at ASICS.