The GEL-NYC sneaker sources inspiration from the practice of recycling in Japan. It features a consistent shade of blue that references the color of the country's trash cans and garbage trucks throughout the design. Its upper construction features a woven material on the underlays that's formed using recycled PET and textiles. These elements are offset with a net-like mesh that appears on the overlays. Meanwhile, this shoe's hybrid design incorporates influences from the GEL-NIMBUS 3, GEL-MC PLUS V, and GEL-CUMULUS 16 shoes to reimagine the ASICS archive with a contemporary design approach.