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Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Ultimate 81® SKU #7170383(View on Zappos.com Classic)

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Product Information:
  • Video Description View the Video Description for this product! (Please note that the color shown in the video may no longer be available.)
  • A retro technical running shoe from 1981 with a focus on heel stability.
  • Lightweight and durable.
  • Mesh uppers offer great breathability.
  • EVA midsole provides cushioning and support.
  • Rubber outsole for great traction.
  • 11.00 oz.
  • Product measurements were taken using size Men's 9, Women's 10.5. Please note that measurements may vary by size.
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Customer Feedback

Overall Rating:
  • (5 Stars) 80%
  • (4 Stars) 20%
  • (3 Stars) 0%
  • (2 Stars) 0%
  • (1 Stars) 0%
Customer Fit Survey:

Customers surveying this product said...

  • 59% "Felt a half size smaller than marked"
  • 94% "Felt true to width"
  • 86% "Moderate arch support"
Write a Review of This Product

Recent Customer Reviews - 534 Reviews Total

Posted: Nov 5, 2009
Reviewer: Kayleigh C from Wyoming

Overall: (5 Stars)

Comfort: (5 Stars)

Style: (5 Stars)

I absolutely love these shoes! I now have two pairs and they are totally worth it. Very comfortable, fit well, and great for working out in. I love the shiny silver shoes when I work out, it makes it way more fun. I would absolutely recommend these shoes to anyone who wants a fun, comfortable workout shoe or just some great shoes for walking around!
Posted: Nov 5, 2009
Reviewer: from Blacksburg, Va

Overall: (5 Stars)

Comfort: (5 Stars)

Style: (5 Stars)

I purchased the "Leaf Green/White" Ultimate 81 by Onitsuka Tiger about a month ago. The shoes are great, comfortable, good looking too, but just FYI the photo on Zappos of the "Leaf Green/White" looks grey. I wanted a grey pair of shoes, but am surprised how much I like the "Leaf Green/White" color. Depending on the lighting the shoes look grey or green.
Posted: Nov 4, 2009
Reviewer: from St. Louis

Overall: (4 Stars)

Comfort: (4 Stars)

Style: (4 Stars)

Love these shoes! So cute! I wear them to work, school, out, really wherever. They go with just about everything and they are comfortable.
Posted: Oct 30, 2009
Reviewer: Robert R from Chicago

Overall: (5 Stars)

Comfort: (5 Stars)

Style: (5 Stars)

Aside from the looks of this amazing shoe, it is also comfortale. I have waited for the Black/Stone Grey version to come out in my size for over 2 years. It was well worth the wait. These shoes have my approval and will be looking to buying another pair soon.
Posted: Oct 28, 2009
Reviewer: from New York

Overall: (5 Stars)

Comfort: (5 Stars)

Style: (4 Stars)

Almost perfect. The first pair of these shoes I tried on were 2 sizes smaller than my regular shoe size, a 10 instead of 12. My foot felt very snug in them, but not pained at all. I later found a size 11 and I was in love at first fitting. The fabric these shoes are made of is very stretchy, I have rather wide feet and these shoes fit/feel better than any other I have ever owned! I can not say enough about my new found love for these shoes. Not the best in rainy weather due to the fact they are mostly fabric, your feet may get wet. They are very lightweight and the tread of the shoe is great, very slip resistant. I wear these every day and dread wearing any other shoe I own. I will definitely be buying these shoes again when the time comes.
Read Additional Customer Reviews Below

Additional Brand Information

The history of Onitsuka Tiger™ shoes began with the establishment of Onitsuka Co. Ltd. in 1949. Based on the philosophy of bringing up sound youth through sports, the company has maintained the tradition of specializing in the manufacturing of sports shoes and clothing using original ideas and applying epoch-making techniques.

As the Japanese people recovered from the second world war and began to appreciate the benefits of sports, Onitsuka Tiger™ shoes were on their feet. The first basketball shoes in Japan had a tiger face design on the arch of the foot and this became Onitsuka's trademark. In the 1960's, Onitsuka Tiger™ shoes were worn not only by the Japanese, but also by top foreign athletes.

In 2001, ASICS America Corporation quietly resurrected the Onitsuka Tiger™ brand with original models of Onitsuka shoes and Onitsuka clothing updated in today's flavorful colors. Over the past few years, the Onitsuka Tiger™ brand has been enjoying a growing number of new, dedicated shoe followers along with a steady desire for Onitsuka clothing and Onitsuka bags, realized today on Zappos.com. Through sometimes secretive grassroots marketing efforts, ASICS® has been able to spread this word about this authentic comeback for Onitsuka Tiger™.

Now that the secret is out... Onitsuka Tiger™ is a growing and highly sought after brand with its ever-growing lineup of Onitsuka Tiger™ shoes, Onitsuka Tigerclothing and Onitsuka Tigerbags. There are more Onitsuka Tiger™ mens’s and Onitsuka Tiger™ women’s models just sitting in the ASICS® vault waiting to be re-released. The future is what this retro brand has to look forward to. Because ASICS® knows that there are people out there who don't need to run fast...they just want to look good.

Additional Customer Reviews:

Posted: Oct 26, 2009
Reviewer: William C from San Francisco
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Per the ratings below, I really liked these shoes. I have worn them regularly since obtaining them and their style and comfort far surpasses what I had expected. The only complaint I have regarding ordering from Zappos was the time it took to receive the shoes. The shoes took roughly 1 - 1.5 weeks to arrive, when I had originally thought it would take 3 - 5 days. Also, I had purchased the shoes prior to a trip I took and the shoes almost did not arrive in time before I left. Luckily, they did, but it was at the last minute.
Posted: Oct 26, 2009
Reviewer: Cody b from billings, mt
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These shoes are great. They are very comfortable and look great. I've got many compliments.
Posted: Oct 25, 2009
Reviewer: from
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Initially I got these in 10, which is my normal size, but they felt too big. So I returned them and got the 9.5, but now they are just ever slightly so small. I didn't notice it at first, just thought they needed to be worn in some, but they are a little too snug. Other than that, I love the shoes. I just wish I had stuck with the ones that were too big.
Posted: Oct 24, 2009
Reviewer: Josue M from NYC
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These shoes feel true to size, look good with a pair of jeans, and are really comfortable. If I need to run somewhere because I'm running late, they're handy because they are running shoes as well. I'll probably be buying other color combinations later. Right now I have the fully black ones.
Posted: Oct 21, 2009
Reviewer: M. N from Chicago, IL
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These shoes are very comfortable. Most shoes I have to "break in" for a few days, but these fit snugly from day one. Highly recommended to anyone who likes "loud" shoes that really stand out!
Posted: Oct 21, 2009
Reviewer: Germs from Michigan
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great shoe, slightly bigger than my other pair of the same shoe. Excellent service and excellent shipping speed even for the basic shipping. Will shop again.
Posted: Oct 21, 2009
Reviewer: JT from Oklahoma
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
They are cool looking, but not so comfortable. Put new insoles in and that helped a little. I have several pair of this brand, though, and like them.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009
Reviewer: from Plantation, FL
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These sneakers are true to size. They are extremely comfortable. They are so light I wear them so often I don\'t even realize I have anything on. I just love them! I love the fact that they have them available in so many different colors. I totally recommend these!! I\'m working on getting my second pair in another color.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009
Reviewer: from oxford, MS
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (3 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Looks great but, it rubbed the skin off the back of my heels the first day I wore them. Other than that, they were pretty good, but I still prefer my old worn out shoes.
Posted: Oct 15, 2009
Reviewer: Phong l from Los Angeles
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These are probably the best shoes I have ever owned. Very comfortable and great looking. My only problem is the the insoles wore out in about a year. It might just be the way I walk, but the insoles just rubbed off. I'd still buy another pair of Ultimate 81s if I needed to.
Posted: Oct 14, 2009
Reviewer: Doug H from San Francisco, CA
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
I've had these for about 6 weeks now. I don't regret the purchase in the least. I don't own a car, so my feet are my main means of transportation. On any given day I walk at least 2 miles getting to/from work. So I need some comfortable shoes that will hold up well. These shoes are much more comfortable than I had originally thought they would be. They have a nice snug fit around the foot. The good kind of snug, not too tight. Another concern I had before getting them was the lack of traction on the bottom being slippery walking around. However, the footing is very sturdy, even when wet. Plus the Onitsuka design is hard to top. 5 stars all around. I foolishly got white ones which are a pain to keep clean. A little household cleaner and a good scrub with an old toothbrush will clean them right up though.
Posted: Oct 12, 2009
Reviewer: Dan M from Milwaukee, WI
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great shoes for the price. Very stylish, I've already had several very well dressed men compliment me on them, so you know they are good. The fit and support is about what you would expect from a shoe of this price and style. The size is the same as it is in my Nikes. I also like the tread on these shoes they don't seem to be wearing as fast as my Sauconys.
Posted: Oct 10, 2009
Reviewer: Tony G from Bangor, ME
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
I love these shoes! They're a comfortable fit, and are very stylish. I've already received several compliments on them. Highly recommended! On a side note, my order was upgraded for free to overnight shipping. I placed the order around 9:30 p.m., and the package was sitting on my porch at about 1 p.m. the following day. Amazing! That's what I call prompt service. Thanks Zappos!
Posted: Oct 10, 2009
Reviewer: ALLie from Cincinnati
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
I received these in the mail super quick and I love them! I get so many compliments on them every time I wear them out! Super happy with my purchase.
Posted: Oct 9, 2009
Reviewer: from Seattle, WA
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
I was in the market for Onitsuka Tiger Asics and found the most color combinations and sizes on Zappos. I ordered them with standard delivery and was told shortly thereafter that I was being upgraded to next day shipping and sure enough...I got them a day later. Unbelievable service! The shoes are great and are everything I expected them to be. The sizing is pretty standard which made it even easier to buy them online. I\'ll definitely be shopping with Zappos in the future.
Read Additional 514 Customer Reviews

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