Louisiana's Sneaker Politics Wants You to Stop Buying Sneakers – Including Its New ASICS GEL-Kayano 14

Look, we at House of Heatº can only exist if you buy sneakers throughout some of our affiliate links. And yet, it's important to remind you to be mindful of your spending habits. New footwear is nice (trust us, we know), but it shouldn't (and can't) replace a quality life filled with meaningful relationships and conscientious behavior. For its collaboration with ASICS, famed Louisiana-based retailer Sneaker Politics has taken a moment to remind the world of just that, announcing a GEL-Kayano 14 project with the phrase "Politics wants you to stop buying sneakers."

While contradictory to the retailer's business model, the message is rooted in benevolence for the welfare of the general public. Reminiscent of Patagonia's "Don't Buy this Jacket" ad from 2011, Sneaker Politics' latest campaign promotes the notion of it being important to say "no" to buying certain sneakers in order to reflect on oneself and not fall victim to empty trends. Peer pressure in-person and across social media is a very real thing, and it's plagued countless consumers, pushing them to spend their (or their loved ones') hard-earned money on sneakers they won't get the complete value out of.

It's important to note that Sneaker Politics is using the "Just Say No" initiative to start a conversation, not dismantle the footwear industry that keeps many of our lights on. As written in a fictional newspaper titled Politics Austin Weekly used to announce the ASICS GEL-Kayano 14 collaboration, "the campaign sparks meaninful conversations about the importance of making thoughtful choices and staying true to personal style...it's a movement that instrills strength, resilience, and a commitment to building a more conscious, trend-free sneaker future for generations to come."

Although the effectiveness of the boutique's 1980s-like campaign has yet to pan out, it's an honorable effort.

In terms of the collaborative pair that accompanies the "Just Say No" messaging, the model shown in the project's teaser image previews the shoe. A retro-inspired off-white and silver color scheme takes over the bulk of ASICS' beloved silhouette, although a reddish-orange and bronze-like accents also land across the collaboration.

Sneaker Politics has confirmed that its GEL-Kayano 14 project will release on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. (local time) at all of its locations via a first come, first served release. The shoe should be priced at $160.

For more sneaker news, check out the Tom Sachs Mars Yard 3.0, the controversial artist's first collaboration with Nike since allegations about inappropriate workplace behavior surfaced.