Next Tuesday at 10am (CET), our Triple A Sneakers finally drop. Ready to clock up the miles, they’re built to last and be comfortable in the process. If you’re into Italian leather and durability, this is the pair for you.
Solid Foundation
We recently walked you through the details of our Triple A Sneakers. If you missed it, here’s a quick refresher:
Curious to know more? Check out the October 25th article in our journal. But if you’re short on time, here’s a video that’ll give you a flavour for what’s been cooking.
80s Nostalgia, Revamped
The Triple A design draws from the golden age of 80s sneakers. Remember when kicks first made it off the training field? That’s what we wanted to emulate: comfort, style, and a retro touch.
To refine this design, we put several brains to work. Our product team, of course, but also Germain. Germain is a consultant specialising in sneakers, and we borrowed his nous to perfect the shape of our one.
We wanted harmonious, universal lines, but also a remarkable design. We wanted the 80s feel to shine through, without resorting to a lazy replica of a pair from yesteryear. We wanted the comfort of sporty tennis shoes and the solidity of a fine leather shoe. In other words, we wanted to have our cake and eat it. And here’s what they looked like when we called on Germain's services.
Maximum comfort, retro-inspired but not overdone. An upper that follows the natural line of the foot without constricting it. A cosy, welcoming fit that’s as close as you’ll get to the natural shape of the foot.
The icing on the cake
It's not just the devil that's in the detail. Take a look at the Triple A label Exclusively designed by art director Clément Johanet who was commissioned to come up with a logo that captures the shoe’s spirit. We weren't disappointed.
The font and general aesthetic are directly inspired by the visual codes of the 80s while making the most of Asphalte's visual identity. In keeping with our love of modernised vintage, this original creation embodies our vision of a contemporary wardrobe that honours the best of yesterday by making it the best of tomorrow.
This Triple A logo says one thing: A very good pair of trainers that’re happy to run fast as long as they can last a long time.
Just an excellent pair of trainers
Just like the clothing industry, footwear has completely lost its way. Between sneakers that go for 1,000s and are never even worn, and those that cost nothing and barely last an afternoon, you’ve got to wonder where all this is heading.
So we've gone back to basics.
You wanted shoes that were hard-wearing. We glued and sewed durable soles to a solid upper. A Strobel assembly for those of you who have been with us for a while.
You wanted characterful without being flashy, so we drew inspiration from the 80s to create an original, timeless pair.
You wanted something comfortable. We chose a supple cowhide and lined it entirely with an ultra-soft mesh-lined foam.
You wanted a neat construction. We chose the craftsmen of the Portuguese factory Rilix to ensure the perfect finish.
You wanted extra transparency. We've traced every stage in the production chain and laid it all out on the product page ready for you to inspect.
You wanted a decent price. We've halved the market price you would normally expect to pay for this quality, all thanks to our preorder model.
You wanted Sneakers with an S on their chest, so we came up with Triple A Sneakers.
Triple A are real sneakers, for real people to be used in real life. They’re made with care, from the finest materials, just a few hundred miles from you. Sustainable, welcoming, and comfortable. Sneakers that look good, and that you won't have to throw away in 9 months.
But let’s not overdo it. They’re just an excellent pair of sneakers.
3 versions to choose from
Even better, they come in three variations.
The first is the most versatile: all-white, 100% smooth leather, with a navy insert on the heel. Simple and effective.
The second is a little more atypical, with its base in off-white smooth leather, beige suede inserts and navy heel. Bolder, but works just as well.
The third and final version plays with texture and colour. It features a smooth off-white leather upper, forest green suede inserts alongside a navy heel.
We'll let you choose sides.
It's the home stretch
Believe it or not, the Triple A Sneakers will be available to preorder from next Tuesday at 10 am (CET), at the exceptional price of 119€. For kicks made from quality Italian leather, a comfortable mesh-lined foam, an indestructible Strobel assembly and Portuguese production, this is simply unheard of.
We're really proud to be able to offer them at such a fair price, as it's at the heart of the mission we set ourselves when we launched Asphalte in 2016.
For the first time in 8 years, we're stepping into the world of sneakers with the Triple A, and we hope we’ve done them justice.
The first preordered pairs will be delivered at the end of January 2025, and if you miss the preorder they might be available for 159€ in a stock sale at some point.
Need to know anything else? Drop it in the comments below or check our international Instagram page for the answer. Possibly.
Until then,
The Asphalte Team
PS: One final clarification before we leave you: If you're between sizes, we recommend that you go one size up. It's better to have too much space than not enough, and you can always compensate with a sole or thicker socks.