ASICS launched the Voyager pack in partnership with Jarryd Saifoloi, who is based out of New Zealand and is of Samoan descent. The rugby boot acknowledges the impact Pasifika players have on the game of rugby and is paying homage to all Pacific Islanders who have helped impact the sport we love to watch! In the rugby boot, it highlights the Fijian, Tongan, Māori, and Samoan cultures. There are 5 panels in the design encompassing the Samoan Tatau, Fjian Masi, Māori Whakairo and Tukutuku, and Tongan Ngatu (Kupesi). All of the designs are interwoven together to tell a beautiful story of how Pacific Islanders travelled the world for thousands of years hence – “The Voyage.”
“WHOEVER IS WEARING THESE BOOTS, THEY’RE LIVING THE HISTORY AND THE LEGACY STARTED FROM OUR ANCESTORS WHILE AT THE SAME TIME CREATING THEIR OWN AND LEADING THE WAY FOR THOSE AFTER THEM.”
– JARRYD SAIFOLOI
(SAMOAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER FROM NEW ZEALAND)
The boot was released on March 22, 2024 and it gives honor to the past, celebrates the present, and ignites inspiration for the future generation. We are excited to see how this step of representation pioneers for more big named brands to collaborate with more Pasifika athletes and other sports dominated by Pacific Islanders across the globe.
WHAT DOES THE BOOT REPRESENT?
Samoan Tatau: The patterns are inspired from the Samoan tatau, and tells the story of the great voyages the ancestors embarked on. The designs and motifs in this pattern represent not only the tools and resources that the ancestors used during these voyages, but also the qualities and values needed that were passed down from past generations.
Fijian Masi: The patterns in these panels portray the environments that the ancestors were surrounded with while on their voyage. The Fijian masi speaks to the the various landscapes/mountains (ulunivanua) and the importance of the sun (siga), with the combination of the 2 signifying the dawn of a new day (sun rising over the mountains). Every new day was a reminder to their commitment to their family and community.
Tongan Ngatu: The designs and motifs depicts the quality of bravery. the ancestors had when navigating the great seas, represented by the tokelau feletoa (cross section of the tuna fish), as well as reinforcing the values of family, community, & service through the representation of the fata’o’ tui tonga (sennit beam) which portrays the idea of the ancestors duty to carry his family and community in good light.
Maori Whakairo and Tukutuku: The patterns is inspired from the maori art forms of whakairo (carving) and tukutuku (traditional woven art) and speaks to the importance of tradition, and how we must honour those traditions appropriately and respectfully
(source: @asics)
“Our ancestors voyaged the world in boats, now it’s time to take on the world in these boots.”
– ARDIE SAVEA
