In celebration of another 66, from Onitsuka Tiger
Japanese footwear pioneer, Kihachiro Onitsuka, created his brand’s most iconic athletic shoe more than 50 years ago, the iconic Mexico 66.
Oct 28, 2021
The first model, designed exclusively for the Japanese sports team, started strictly as a sports shoe. Over the years it transformed into its modern shape, synonymous with a new era in cult footwear.
The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66’s silhouette and signature striping pattern has become synonymous globally with ultra-cool, ultra-comfortable, ultra-rugged athletic footwear.
For more than 50 years, Kihachiro Onitsuka’s most well-loved design has stayed true to itself as a product rich in Japanese history and intrinsically tied to the love of sport.
This history of the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 dates back to one of Japan’s most notable chapters of sporting history. The iconic design evolved and became the fashionable trainer we know today as the Mexico 66.
The silhouette of the shoe is one of the most famous designs in the Onitsuka Tiger collection. The signature ASICS strip that runs from the heel was designed over half a century ago and, says the company, has become an iconic salute to its commitment to innovation through integrity.
Mexico 66 trainers are available in single-colour shoes and ever-popular multiple-colourways, offering an extensive choice to suit anyone’s personal aesthetic. Over the years this heritage shoe has been brought into the present, sacrificing nothing in quality, while enhancing flexibility, comfort and durability.
Onitsuka Tiger says the shoe’s modern styling incorporates the classic heel flap and a thin, flexible sole that delivers unobstructed movement. In addition to this, the shape of the shoe itself is slimmer, giving it a more contemporary appearance.
The Mexico 66 design is truly timeless, allowing for an evolution that takes the heritage of this fashion sneaker and expands it beyond its origins. Through this evolution, the company has opened up a choice of variations, such as non-lace up versions like the Mexico 66 Paraty, Mexico 66 Sabot, and a wide range of Mexico 66 slip-ons.
Through experience and exploration, this globally lauded Japanese firm continues to push the design of a truly classic athletic shoe.