Both nations share a particular friendship and appreciation for distance running. To honour this historical desire to compete with the best, Karhu releases two special colourways of the Ikoni Ortix and Synchron Ortix in the “Nippon Pack.”
Karhu designed both models based on a growing database of over 1.5 million 3D foot scans taken at their running retail partners. The foot scans show that by building a shoe that follows the contour of the foot, a runner is better aligned within the shoe. This is why the Ikoni features an anatomical lacing structure and the Synchron showcases an asymmetrical lace across the toe box. As a result, the Ikoni and Synchron provide a custom-like fit straight out of the box.
The Ikoni works for many types of runners ranging from the casual fitness enthusiast to the runner putting in longer distances. The Synchron is ideal for those seeking maximal cushioning and more guidance through the gait cycle. The combination of plush AeroFoam Nova underfoot makes the Synchron ideal for longer efforts, recovery days, or extended periods of time on foot.
In order to capture the look and feel of Finland and Japan, the Nippon Pack is coloured to link the two nations with blue hues and creamy white mesh accented with bright pops of red. The accompanying photoshoot features “Kirogoshi,” a Japanese woodworking technique that utilizes the nature of wood to achieve a perfect joint with no gap.
