Onitsuka Tiger GSM review

Who should buy the Onitsuka Tiger GSM

The customizable fit of the Onitsuka Tiger GSM:

• Tongue slips to the side.
• Track and field.
• A sneaker that takes less effort to match with various casual clothing is what you prefer.

Who should not buy the Onitsuka Tiger GSM

Who should not buy the Onitsuka Tiger GSM updated Mar 7, 2023 could be a suitable alternative. Also, wide-footed wearers might want to have a look at the Onitsuka Tiger Alvarado for a more well-fitting experience.

Adequate breathability

The perforated front and sides deliver added breathability and keep the feet cool inside, state some people.

The Onitsuka Tiger GSM's cozy fit

A couple of reviewers think that the Onitsuka Tiger GSM is underrated yet it’s classy and comfortable.

Sturdy for everyday use

Some have noted that the nubuck suede material used on this sneaker is of premium quality. Moreover, several consumers have shared their happiness that this sneaker lasts a long time which makes these Who should not buy the Onitsuka Tiger GSM perfect for everyday use.

Unruly tongue

It has been reported that the tongue of the Onitsuka Tiger GSM slips to the side all the time.

Supple underside

It has been reported that the rubber outsole of this Onitsuka pair offers a good amount of flexibility.

Eye-catching and versatile style

New trends emerge every season, but one style persists to have a continual positive effect on consumers. It’s the vintage look. The spending public nowadays has become accustomed to seeing obscure designs, particularly in sneakers, resurfacing with a splash of modernity. This phenomenon is greatly observed in the Onitsuka Tiger GSM, a reflection of the 1982 Lawnship Prestige tennis sneaker.

The strict dress code in tennis during the 1980s pushed brands to adhere to the standard all-white tennis shoe, free of any colored embellishments. Such a modest look is replicated in the Onitsuka Tiger GSM where its colors are made in monochrome or dual-tone. This recalibrated mold is cloaked with layers of leather or suede or both. Some of its varieties are made with white soles while the rest took advantage of a grippy gum sole.

Styling up with this vintage shoe is uncomplicated as there are over two dozen of color combinations available. As with any classic court style sneaker, this one puts a classy tone to a pair of straight, cropped, or tapered denim harmonized with crisp polo, monochromatic tees, or turtleneck top. Its strong palette options are suitable for spring, fall, and winter seasons.

Easy to match with a casual garb some buyers have opted to include this in their sneaker rotation.

Restrictive confines

Wide-footed wearers of the Onitsuka Tiger GSM find the width dimension of the shoe quite restrictive. 

A worthwhile investment

Given the comfiness, durability, and appeal of this shoe, many reviewers have given a five-star rating to this sneaker as it is good value for money. Retailed at $110 a pair, the GSM is even more wallet-friendly than other Who should not buy the Onitsuka Tiger GSM such as the Delegation EX ($170). 

The customizable fit of the Onitsuka Tiger GSM

The low-top Onitsuka Tiger GSM is built with a customary lace-up feature with eyelets forming a unique wavy stroke. The flat laces can be loosened or tightened up depending on one’s desired fit.

Onitsuka Tiger GSM History

Onitsuka Tiger is one of the top-of-the-line brands when it comes to performance footwear since it stepped into the game in 1949, founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka. Onitsuka Tiger’s products, which echoed high-quality Japanese workmanship, was adored not only by local athletes but by professional sportsmen from neighboring Asian countries and across the Pacific as well.

In the 1970s, Onitsuka Tiger grew larger and transformed into ASICS Corporation. The grander enterprise, particularly formed in 1977, is an amalgamation of Onitsuka Co., Ltd., sportswear label GTO Co., Ltd., and knitwear maker Jelenk Co., Ltd. ASICS continues to embody the brand’s philosophy and rich heritage by producing technical footwear that matches the specifications and needs of athletes from various categories.

The demand for the familiar vintage cuts pushed the brand to re-launch the Onitsuka Tiger back in 2002, with a greater concentration of its products leaning towards fashion footwear, while the active performance line was left with the ASICS brand.

Classic silhouettes were refashioned and retooled, which paved the way for the reintroduction of its most recognizable models utilizing new materials, colors, textures, and cuts. Recently, Onitsuka Tiger revisited its 1980s archives, pulled out inspiration from its vintage match court classic, and retailored it into fashionable footwear to address the desires of the brand’s loyal supporters.

The tiger continues to roar

The completely overhauled model, branded as the Onitsuka Tiger GSM (short for Game Set Match), looks smart and fresh using modern niceties while maintaining hints of an authentic old-school tennis shoe.

The reimagined version was drawn from the innovative Lawnship Prestige tennis veteran from 1982, which had a cup-shaped toe and heel and supportive cushioning on the arch. This was the first tennis shoe in the Onitsuka Tiger’s vault that received an EVA foam for its midsole.

In reference to its tennis roots, the low-top Onitsuka Tiger GSM preserves the original version’s modest DNA with a few tweaks to it that make it more useful for everyday wear. Its façade is made of different hues which are not too showy and flamboyant, conserving its authentic classic form using Nubuck and leather.

In 2016, Onitsuka Tiger and Packer collaborated for the launch of Onitsuka Tiger x Packer GSM. This sneaker, which is a throwback of the vintage court classic Lawnship, was unveiled in time for the 2016 US Open Tennis Championship.

The Japanese sneaker brand teamed up with Copenhagen retailer for the launch of Onitsuka Tiger x Naked GSM “Cotton Candy” in 2016. This refreshing feminine sneaker is covered in light pink and white fabric with a touch of the 1980s summer vibe.