Cart

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

  1. Size Chart

    Don't see your size?

  2. Medium

  3. In Stock and Ready to Ship!

Free Shipping Both Ways

24/7 Customer Service

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.
View Zappos Glossary of Terms

Customer Feedback

Overall Rating:
  • (5 Stars) 80%
  • (4 Stars) 17%
  • (3 Stars) 1%
  • (2 Stars) 0%
  • (1 Stars) 0%
Customer Fit Survey:

Customers surveying this product said...

  • 55% "Felt a half size smaller than marked"
  • 94% "Felt true to width"
  • 83% "Moderate arch support"
Write a Review of This Product

Recent Customer Reviews - 490 Reviews Total

Posted: Jun 11, 2009
Reviewer: Benjamin T. from Arkansas
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These are some very stylish sneakers. They definitely aren't for serious sporting activity (they don't have much support) but they are great for just casual everyday wear. They are very lightweight and breathable also, so they are very comfortable (especially in hot summer weather).
Posted: May 23, 2009
Reviewer: from Las Vegas, NV
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
I have been completely in love with Ultimate 81s for about 5 years. Literally the only sneaker I've bought in that time frame (4 pairs). They're incredibly comfortable immediately, and only get better with age. They're light, flexible, and they last forever (my original pair is, though worse for wear, still intact and wearable). It's like you're barely wearing shoes at all. They're great for standing and walking tons, and I've even hiked in them. The colors are amazing, and I've always had tons of comments on them. I only wish I could customize them like Nike IDs.
Posted: May 22, 2009
Reviewer: Sara from Europe
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
I bought the green/white/silver version. The green looks lighter and more "forest"-like than in the photo. I am a little unsure about the quality. They are slightly larger than my Asics Gel Nimbus but I think one half-size down would be too small. A little more cushioning would have been nice.
Posted: May 21, 2009
Reviewer: JD from Seattle
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
These shoes are absolutely funky-looking, but lacking in support. Lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and awesome colors, but if you're accustomed to more support and/or plan on walking a lot in them, beware. If these were as supportive as Saucony Jazz, they'd be the greatest sneakers around. Add some cushioning, Asics, please.
Posted: May 13, 2009
Reviewer: Putermcgee from Chicago
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Give them a week and you'll never take them off - I got blisters on the backs of my heels in the first week of wearing these shoes, but it might not be entirely because of the shoes (it rained, so they got a bit wet and probably chafed). After they broke in a bit, they became super comfortable. I walked about a billion miles in them on vacation and they held up just fine. The size felt right, the colors were spot on, and they're really light. Several times now, I have gotten them fairly wet by accident, and since they are mesh on the top by the toes, my socks got wet immediately. However, they were quick to dry and they didn't get funky. The only reason I want to order new shoes so soon is not because they are worn out, but because there are so many awesome color variations available that I want another pair!
Read Additional Customer Reviews Below

Additional Brand Information

The history of Onitsuka Tigershoes 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 Tigershoes 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 Tigershoes 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 Tigershoes, 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: May 11, 2009
Reviewer: Paul from Seattle
Overall: (3 Stars) Comfort: (2 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great for looks, but needs more comfort - This shoe looks great, but is really only good for that. I was hoping for a comfortable and stylish shoe to wear to my work where I stand a lot. My feet were killing me before I put in some new insoles. Besides that, I love how light the Ultimate 81s are. They really wrap around your feet and don't feel clunky at all. Asics really does need to invest in a little more padding on the insoles. They do seem to run a half size smaller than I usually wear.
Posted: May 11, 2009
Reviewer: from Madison, Wisconsin
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (3 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Decent comfort for a good look - The shoe is not as comfortable as regular running shoe (obviously), and I found the arch supports to feel a little weird at first, but they do the job for walking. They're very light and a good look.
Posted: May 8, 2009
Reviewer: from Portland, Oregon
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great shoe, but for limited activities - If all you're interested in is a shoe to walk and stand around in, this shoe is great. It's almost like wearing slippers. Very light, flexible, and breathable. This is not like wearing a regular running or cross training shoe, nor is it like a heavy pair of skate shoes. I'm concerned it won't last very long because of how light it is, but time will tell. Overall very comfy and stylish for walking around town and driving, but don't even think about running or sports with these.
Posted: May 7, 2009
Reviewer: Kosei from Keene, NH
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Less support, but still a comfy shoe... Although this shoe doesn't offer as much support as most, it is still fairly comfortable... and you get used to the feel within a few wears... Obviously, these are ridiculously stylish pieces of footwear for the price; a Mondo-supreme investment!
Posted: May 6, 2009
Reviewer: Rich from Fort Gordon
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Fantastic shoe! I received the Zappos exclusive Ultimate 81 and have since worn it with just about everything. I mostly wear skinnier jeans and these fit wonderfully with that. They also went well with shorts. And it's from Asics, so comfort is a given.
Posted: May 6, 2009
Reviewer: Chris H from Kansas
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
This is my all time favorite shoe! This shoe has been on of my favorites for the past few years. As always Zappos has the best selection. The shoe is made very well and is a great everyday shoe.
Posted: May 3, 2009
Reviewer: from Maryland
Overall: (4 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
A slim lightweight shoe - I was looking for a lightweight sneaker with a minimal tread and a classic styling. I had looked at several Pumas but most are too narrow. These Onitsuka's are almost perfect. They don't have a lot of arch support so I will probably put some insoles in and I don't know how long they would last for someone with extreme over/underpronation since the uppers are mostly cloth. That said they are nice looking lightweight shoes that I use in the gym and walking around town with and have not had any issues.
Posted: May 3, 2009
Reviewer: from Bloomington, Illinois
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Very comfortable, great looking shoe! These shoes are very comfortable and wear very well. When I first tried them on I thought they were a size too small, but that didn't prove to be the case. I think my foot was just a bit swollen from the dress shoes I had been wearing all day. These shoes are a must have!
Posted: Apr 30, 2009
Reviewer: from Washington. D.C.
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (4 Stars)
Fresh feet - A clean cut classic shoe. My favorite Tigers after the GT. If you don't got them you better get them.
Posted: Apr 23, 2009
Reviewer: from Connecticut
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Power color shoes. I am a Manchester City fan and hardly ever wear the color red as that is the color of Salford United aka Manchester United. But these shoes were too dope to pass up. They are very comfortable and a little wider than the Mexico 66 models that I also love. I have feet like a monkey so I need a little width. I feel like the coolest bloke on my block when I wear these trainers. What better way to announce your presence with loud/bright shoes? Just ask Liam Gallagher what is important in life other than a top haircut and he would say a good pair of trainers. I love these sneakers and would love them more if they had them in Man City Blue. Tigers are the best sneakers I have ever bought. RECOGNIZE!!!!!!!
Posted: Apr 21, 2009
Reviewer: Chris L from Okinawa, Japan
Overall: (2 Stars) Comfort: (1 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Great looks and that is it. I have had mine for about 2 or 3 months now... took like 2 weeks to initially break in (they were horribly painful at first, even for 5 minute periods)... Just got back from 5 days in Tokyo, and I am probably going to throw these bricks away. I'm going back to my Adidas ZX's
Posted: Apr 15, 2009
Reviewer: from Cincinnati, OH
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
I got these in black/steel gray and they are SO cute! When I first tried them on, they were pinching my pinky toe on one foot and I was disappointed and almost sent them back. Then I realized that the tongue is very thin and it was folded under near my toe. Now I always straighten the tongue, and they are comfortable. I will probably buy more of these in the future--hopefully they will come out with some more girly colors.
Posted: Apr 12, 2009
Reviewer: Nick from Juneau, Alaska
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (4 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Beautiful shoes - I got these in red white and blue (best color for casual shoes), they are sharp! They feel great, support is fine, and water doesn't leak through really. I live in Juneau, AK and we get a ton of rain! These are great, I've even played some gym sports in them and they hold up fine. Gorgeous shoes. Absolutely floss'n.
Posted: Apr 11, 2009
Reviewer: from Texas
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
GREAT!!! This shoe is so comfortable. Since I have an arched foot, it really has a lot of support and it fits to my foot like a glove! I got these shoes in green and I've already gotten many compliments about them!
Posted: Apr 10, 2009
Reviewer: from Los Angeles, CA
Overall: (5 Stars) Comfort: (5 Stars) Style: (5 Stars)
Love my new kicks! And super comfortable, too. I was worried about that. The tongue goes up a bit higher than I'm used to, but they've already become my favorites. Love that they included an extra set of super cool orange laces, too.
Read Additional 470 Customer Reviews

Suggested Products:

The Zappos Culture

Learn about what inspires Zappos to provide the best service!

Zappos Core Values:
10 Values We Live By

Customer Testimonials:
Our Customers Connect

Enjoy Fun and
A Little Weirdness:

Check out Zappos Blogs

The Zappos Experience:
Share Your Zappos Videos

Unique Customers:
Zappos Furry Customers
Zappos Customers In Training

Become a Part
of Our Culture:

Careers at Zappos

Get Inspired:
Daily Inspiration From
Our Coach - Dr. Vik

Shop With Confidence

Shopping on Zappos is Safe and Secure. Guaranteed!

You'll pay nothing if unauthorized charges are made to your credit card as a result of shopping at Zappos.com.

Safe Shopping Guarantee

Better Business Bureau BizRate 2007

All information is encrypted and transmitted without risk using a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol.
Learn How We Protect Your Personal Data

Free Shipping
and Free Returns

If, for any reason, you are unsatisfied with your purchase, you may return it in its original condition within 365 days for a refund. We'll even pay for return shipping!
Read our Shipping
and Return Policies

Privacy Policy

Zappos.com respects your privacy. We don't rent or sell your personal information to anyone.
Read our Privacy Policy