Japanese Label Ballaholic Brings Streetball Vibes To This Asics EX89

Published December 6, 2022

A burgeoning streetwear label hailing from Japan, Ballaholic has had the luxury of garnering wider recognition through a series of collaborations with fellow native Japanese footwear label Asics in 2022, however, it looks like there’s another entry in this collaborative chapter. Utilizing the EX89 silhouette recently seen through a collaboration with NYC-based Kith and its founder Ronnie Fieg, Ballaholic is bringing streetball vibes to the oft-forgotten Asics model.

Like their previous capsule with Asics and the brand's ethos, this EX89 comes inspired by Japanese streetball and takes on an off-white leather upper with tonal stitching details seen throughout. Perforations land along the toebox and via the Asics stripes on the quarter panel while the off-white hue continues onto the lace set and tongue tag that features split Ballaholics and Asics branding between the right and left shoe respectively. Breaking up the almost-monochromatic look is the grey mesh tongue, sockliner, and insole with the latter of the three hosting more split branding details. Back on the heel, another pop of grey is visible above the heel overlay while this location also hosts our final hit of branding - once again featuring both brands split between the sneakers. Rounding out the design is a two-tone off-white and grey GEL cushioned midsole paired with a grey and black rubber outsole.

The Ballaholic x Asics EX89 is set to release on December 9th, 2022 through select EU retailers like NakedCPH with a wider release still up in the air at the moment. Releasing in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $140. Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.