Japanese furniture maker Karimoku has teamed up with sportswear giant ASICS to transform surplus footwear into a limited furniture collection, converting unsold sneaker stock into high-end lounge pieces.
The Karimoku x ASICS Edition introduces three furniture designs, led by the modular Castor Lobby Sofa and the Polar Lounge Chair, offered in two sizes. Each piece features seat cushions made from recycled ASICS shoes, positioning sportswear waste as a new material resource for contemporary interiors.
At the core of the collection is a hybrid cushioning system created by dismantling, shredding and re-sorting inventory and sample sneakers. EVA foam extracted from the shoes is recombined with cotton padding and compressed foam boards to form layered seats that balance softness, rebound and durability — extending the lifecycle of materials while translating athletic performance technology into domestic comfort.
The Castor Lobby Sofa is designed as a freely configurable system, allowing users to assemble lounge settings for both residential and commercial environments. Meanwhile, the Polar Lounge Chairs offer a more relaxed silhouette, conceived as compact resting pieces for hospitality spaces and informal work settings.
The collaboration brings together Karimoku’s expertise in woodworking and ergonomics with ASICS’ material engineering know-how. Inside each cushion, cotton filling is paired with granulated EVA foam and structural foam panels, creating a mixed-density construction intended to deliver long-term resilience alongside immediate comfort.
Upholstery options were developed in partnership with Danish textile brand Kvadrat, resulting in a range of fabrics that retain a subtle athletic character while maintaining a restrained, modern aesthetic. Every item is finished with a bespoke embroidered label carrying both ASICS and Karimoku New Standard branding, underscoring the shared focus on innovation, sustainability and design integrity.
By repurposing surplus footwear into furniture components, the project foregrounds circular-economy principles — reframing industrial waste as a design asset rather than a liability.
The Karimoku x ASICS Edition is now available via Karimoku’s online store and selected global retailers, with prices ranging from US$1,414 to US$1,680.
Source: 77 Global Furnishings Media
