ASICS has decided to bring back one of its most iconic silhouettes, the GEL-CUMULUS 16, and it’s doing so with an unexpected partner: Canadian chef and restaurateur Matty Matheson. We remember him from The Bear, where he plays Fak—one of the most iconic characters in the American series set in Chicago. Matheson has a style all his own, in tune with his tattoos and strong personal identity. That same attitude is what ASICS chose to breathe new life into a sneaker born in 2014, but still perfectly in step with the times.

The new GEL-CUMULUS 16 retains all the performance DNA of the original version, but adds a visual reinterpretation with a nod to contemporary streetwear. Available in two colorways, as seen on Matty Matheson, “Cloud Grey” and “Cream,” the shoe strikes a balance between clean lines and bold details. The first relies on a monochromatic and minimal look, while the second warms things up with softer tones. Breaking the neutrality are the accents: neon green and pink on one pair, touches of blue on the other. These are details that don’t shout, but still stand out.

The mesh upper has been redesigned to offer a more current aesthetic, but it’s in the sole where the technical heart of the project lies: ASICS’s iconic GEL technology, synonymous with comfort and cushioning. There’s no nostalgia in this revival, only a renewed awareness of the past. It’s a comeback that doesn’t just look backward, but revisits the archive with the irony and energy of someone who feels just as at home in a kitchen as on a photo set.