I honesty hadn't owned a pair of trainers since college (8 years ago) until last September when I decided to join the gym. I wanted something stylish yet functional and didn't really look into what type of running and gym shoes to buy. I just saw these Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81 trainers online and bought them based on looks and a couple of amazon reviews.

Onitsuka Tiger Brand

Onitsuka Tiger is a Japanese company and one of the oldest shoe manufacturers in Japan, established in 1949. Their designs have always been made with sports in mind and as such they are a renowned brand. In 1977 they merged with ASICS whose motto is A Sound Mind in a Sound Body, the Onisuka Tiger shoe is still a stand-alone and popular product.

The Ultimate 81

This trainer was first released in 1981, as the name might suggest. It is said to be representative of 80's running shoes but in a modern day style. Onitsuka Tiger say the shoe 'focuses on stability and lightness. The main feature of the shoe is the cush-hole, the three vent holes put on the midsole of the heel area which enabled greater shock absorption'.

The Ultimate 81 trainers are available for both men and women and there is an unbelievably huge range of colours available for both! My trainers are an off white colour with the branded Onitsuka Tiger stripes in lime green and dark blue colours across either side of the trainer.

The trainer itself is composed of:

A textile and leather upper in an athletic style and a rounded toe
Lace up front and a padded collar and tongue
Fabric lining and a cushioned insole
Moulded external heel counter for stability
Two tone cushioning midsole
High traction rubber outsole.

My Experience

The Ultimate 81 Onitsuka Tiger trainer immediately grabbed my attention when I was looking for some gym shoes. I did not want a pair of huge and heavy trainers to wear, which I think a lot of the advertised and marketed trainers are. I was also thinking of my appearance too, as I would be traveling to and from the gym I was after something that would look good.

I had first seen these in Schuh and immediately set my hopes on getting a pair, however they were a fair amount above the price I wanted to pay (priced at £60 in the shop), so I decided to look online and find a bargain, no easy feat I have to say!

I eventually saw a pair on Amazon in nice colours and at a decent price; I got myself a pair for £33 delivered and was extremely happy when they arrived. I have been wearing these since September regularly at the gym and although I am no running trainer expert I have to say these are brilliant for my workouts. They are extremely lightweight which is important when your legs feel like lead and the textured sole of the shoe has excellent grip for me on the treadmill. They are not too bouncy, but extremely shock absorbing which save your knees from strains, which will be good for outdoor runners.

Not only are these trainers highly functional, they are very stylish and look great with skinny jeans which I guess is why they sell them in Office and Schuh! They are widely available and the great thing is that with all the new styles and colours coming in the shops they are often in the sales. I was not wanting to go over the £35 mark for my first pair of gym trainers and was lucky to get them for this price. They generally retail between £35 to £65 depending on the style and rarity. Absolutely Highly Recommended from me!