Product Overview The GEL-Burz 1 in the "Birch" colorway is an absolute milestone in modern footwear history. Released during the Spring/Summer 2018 season, this was the inaugural collaboration between the Bulgarian designer and ASICS. It single-handedly shifted the landscape of sneaker culture, bridging the gap between avant-garde runway design and utilitarian "Gorpcore" tech-running silhouettes.
Key Design Elements
Hybrid Construction: The silhouette famously merges the trail-ready upper of the GEL-Venture 6 with the advanced performance tooling and midsole of the GEL-Nimbus 20.
Signature Rubber Overlays: The defining visual feature is the thin, semi-translucent PU rubber film layered over the woven textile mesh. This gives the shoe an industrial, almost "shrink-wrapped" look while adding structural support.
The "Birch" Palette: Often referred to as First-Gen Grey, it is a complex, muted blend of light grey, pale beige, and off-white. This earthy, brutalist palette became a defining hallmark of Kiko’s design language.
Performance Technology: It remains a true running shoe at its core, equipped with ASICS's signature FlyteFoam midsole and visible GEL™ cushioning inserts, making it exceptionally comfortable for all-day wear.
Sizing & Fit Profile
Tagged Size: 40 (EU).
Fit Note: The GEL-Burz 1 generally fits true to size (TTS). However, due to the somewhat rigid nature of the rubber overlays on the upper, the toe box and midfoot can feel slightly snug. A size 40 typically accommodates a standard US 7 or 7.5 perfectly.
