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The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 utilizes a traditional lace-up closure for an adjustable, snug fit. Its tongue and collar are not padded, retaining the original model’s classic design. Lastly, this shoe is available in both men and women's sizes.
The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 is designed to never go out of style no matter the latest trend. This kick's time-tested style has a rich history that could garner compliments from people of all ages. Its minimal and streamlined appeal offers a classy yet casual look that could be dressed up or down.
The gentlemen can pair it with jeans and shirt for a laidback casual day or chinos and a polo shirt for a dressier look. In the summer, matching your pair with walking shorts and a button-down tee is an option for a stylish yet comfortable outfit.
With more clothing options, the ladies can mix it up more. Try matching the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 shoes in women’s fun colorways with a flowy floral dress for a fun ensemble or opt for a more neutral colored kick you could match with your smart casual office clothes.
This kick's upper is made of full grain leather contrasted with a smooth suede T-toe construction and heel counter for added protection and durability. It also features a leather toecap overlay for extra protection from bumps and abrasions. A branded flap is strategically placed on the shoe's heel to serve as an aid in wearing it. The shoe also exhibits the brand’s signature stripe on its sides, while an X-shaped reinforcement is seen on the rear part for visual purposes and durability.
Design-wise, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 is notable for its iconic and recognizable aesthetic which had garnered a cult following throughout the years.
Onitsuka Tiger has been around since 1949 and is recognized as one of the earliest shoe companies in Japan. The brand’s first footwear design is a basketball shoe which went under trial and error until 1952 when they created an efficient shoe and helped catapult the brand’s popularity in the country.
A year after in 1953, the company switched to the sports of running and worked with several successful runners from that decade. It was also in the 50s when Bill Bowerman flew to Japan to convince the brand that they had a market in the US.
Mexico 66’s Story: Onitsuka Tiger’s Best-selling Model
Considered as the most iconic Onitsuka Tiger shoes, the Mexico 66 is once again made available in the market after a brief hiatus. It was first launched as a cutting-edge running sneaker during the pre-trials for the Mexico City Olympic games in 1966. The shoe was initially called the Limber UP Leather BK, and according to the brand's history of this kick, it is one of the first shoes to feature the Onitsuka Tiger stripe. Later on, the shoe was apparently renamed to a more notable moniker that signifies its origins - Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66.
In 1977, Onitsuka Tiger decided to change its name to Asics, which is an abbreviation for a Latin expression that goes "Anima Sana In Corpore Sano" meaning "a healthy mind in a healthy body." This was the company's core value that would be the basis for everything they do. But in the early 2000s, they brought back Onitsuka Tiger along with its iconic footwear. Since then, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 has been released in a steady stream of colorways and iterations enjoying a low-key yet consistent success. For the same reason, the shoe would sometimes be called the Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 or Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Mexico 66.
Some of the iconic moments that helped establish Mexico 66's reputation is when Bruce Lee was seen wearing it in the movie Game Of Death, and with Uma Thurman paying tribute to Bruce Lee by wearing it in the movie Kill Bill. Today, it is available in the market with uppers crafted from different textured materials and embellishments.
Personalities have also taken a liking on the sneaker. From being referred to as the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 classic running sneaker, the shoe’s visibility on the streets led the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 to be recognized as a fashion sneaker. Frequently seen wearing the kick out and about, some of the known public figures spotted with this shoe on were Emma Watson, Prince William of Wales, Michael Strahan, Adrian Grenier, Alex Meraz, and Pippa Middleton.
Colorways of the Mexico 66
With more than five decades of production, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 is inevitably available in an abundance of colorway options. Some of them are white/blue, white/black, white/white, birch/green, birch/Indian ink/latte, yellow/black, black/white, dark blue/vaporous grey, aluminum/birch, peacoat/honey ginger, coffee/feather grey, birch/taupe grey, Asics blue/black, rose water/grape, hiking green/safari khaki, gris blue/oatmeal, deep sapphire/white, and dark sepia/port royal.
Most significant colorways are the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 in yellow and black for its appearances in various movies and Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 in white and blue for its recognizable color combination.
Iterations of the Mexico 66
Throughout the sneaker’s existence, a number of style variations have been made available. The following are some of the latest versions out now. The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 SD is a ‘Super Deluxe’ model that’s made of the finest Japanese materials, while the Mexico 66 VIN (Vintage) is crafted from vintage leather for that stylishly used effect. The Mexico 66 Slip-on model is easily one of the most popular renditions of the classic 66 silhouette. Lastly, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Soft Marty is an eco-friendly iteration of the iconic running sneaker.
- The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66's insoles cannot be removed.
- The brand also released this kick in a pack called the "Mexico 66 Icon Pack" with a few detailed upgrades like a gold foil side logo and the Mexico 66 logo printed on the sockliner. The pack includes three colorways.
- Asics manufactured it, and this is why the sneaker is often called the Asics Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 sneaker.