Beginner's Guide to Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66

Over time, many sneakers have transcended their athletic purpose to become cultural icons and globally recognizable style statements. Take, for instance, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66. Based on a silhouette called the Limber-Up, Onitsuka developed the shoe for athletes competing at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico, as the Japanese label strived to create a renowned shoe that could hold up against German sportswear giants like adidas and PUMA. 

Released two years ahead of the Games, it was worn by various athletes in the pre-trials and then by the Japanese national team—who also had input into the design process—during the official tournament as they went on to secure 11 gold medals. Around the same time, Nike, then operating as Blue Ribbon Sports, began importing Onitsuka Tiger shoes to the American market, propelling the brand name further internationally.

Away from the athletics track, the Mexico 66 began forging fresh paths in the world of cinema. Bruce Lee notably wore a striped yellow pair with a matching tracksuit in his final film, Game of Death. Around 30 years later, Uma Thurman wore the same style as an homage in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Volume 1. Minimalist and versatile, the Mexico 66 also became synonymous with the mid-2000s indie rock movement, often paired with drainpipe jeans. Adam Brody’s alt-rock obsessed Seth Cohen character in teen drama The OC regularly wore the shoes.

From 1977 to 2001, Onitsuka Tiger operated as a lifestyle brand of ASICS. In 2002, ASICS relaunched Onitsuka Tiger as demand for vintage sneakers surged. In 2023, the Mexico 66 went through a culture renaissance following renewed interest among the global style community and cultural figures including Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber and Kaia Gerber.

Different Types of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s

Throughout the years, premium iterations of the Mexico 66 have been released as part of the artisanal Nippon Made line, with these deluxe versions incorporating handcrafted elements and intricately painted calligraphy. While the Nippon Made Mexico 66 shoes are considered the most premium iterations of the silhouette, the “SD” (Super Deluxe) series also uses superior materials than standard Mexico 66 models albeit not to the same quality as Nippon Made.

The Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 is primarily regarded as a low-top silhouette but is also available in a high-top cut. Select iterations swap out laces for fastening straps, allowing for easier on-off access. 

The Mexico 66 is available in full family size runs, including men’s, women’s and kids’.

Best Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Colorways

The Mexico 66 series is characterized by both vibrant and subdued color stories. Below, a guide to some of the silhouette’s best colorways.

Mexico 66 'Kill Bill' 2023  

The mustard-colored Mexico 66 is filed alongside the Air Jordan 1 ‘Bred’ and adidas Stan Smith ‘White Green’ as one of the most notable sneaker colorways of all time. ‘Kill Bill’ remains timeless and has cemented its place in both sneaker and cinematic culture.

Mexico 66 'White Blue' 2023

After ‘Kill Bill,’ the ‘White Blue’ Mexico 66 combination is the most recognizable. The style pairs a white base with red and blue Tiger stripes, rounded out with a grey mudguard.

Mexico 66 'Birch Peacoat'

‘Birch Peacoat’ is a highly versatile color combination with a two-tone, off-white upper offset with a deep navy blue.

Mexico 66 Vintage 'Birch Black' 

‘Birch Black’ adopts the same makeup as the ‘Birch Peacoat’ color scheme, swapping out navy for an equally subtle black tone.

Mexico 66 'Chrome Silver'

One of the more vibrant colorways in the Mexico 66 oeuvre, ‘Chrome Silver’ ties in neatly with the style community’s love of retrofuturism and all things Y2K.

Mexico 66 SD 'Mantle Green Tiger Yellow' 

Onitsuka Tiger’s iconic yellow tone hits the Tiger Stripes, juxtaposed against a military-inspired green tone on the ‘Mantle Green Tiger Yellow.’

Wmns Mexico 66 'Cream Blush'

‘Cream Blush’ is a versatile colorway for summer, rendered in creamy white tones with pastel pops of pink.

Features of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 Shoes

The Mexico 66 remains stylistically similar to its initial design in the ’60s and is cherished for its vintage appeal. In the interim years, the shoe has been updated with technical tweaks for improved comfort and performance, while the shape has also been altered slightly for modern sensibilities.

Below, a guide to the Mexico 66’s key anatomy.

Tiger Stripes

The asymmetrical stripes, or Tiger Stripes, is the key visual element of the Mexico 66. The design symbolizes power and dynamism, harking back to the sneaker’s early athletic days. The stripes vary in color depending on the model.

Leather Upper

The upper, which hosts the Tiger Stripes, is executed with a smooth leather finish for all-day comfort. The brand has experimented with different upper materials over the years, including plush textiles, canvas and woven denim.

Toe Guard

A reinforced suede toe guard is placed on top of the leather upper for increased durability and support. This addition is a common feature on retro sneaker models, including the adidas Samba.

Sole Unit

The cushioning technologies vary depending on the Mexico 66 model, with some incorporating a thin sole with AMPLIFOAM cushioning at the heel and a novel outsole compound for extra grip. Deluxe editions of the Mexico 66 are engineered with a fuzeGEL midsole and Ortholite insole for additional comfort.

Popular Collaborations for Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66s

As the Mexico 66 experienced a cultural resurgence in the late 2010s and early 2020s, the silhouette served as a canvas for creative partnerships. Below, a guide to some of the most popular collaborations.

Onitsuka Tiger x Street Fighter

In 2019, Onitsuka Tiger and Street Fighter joined forces in celebration of the video game franchise’s 30th anniversary. The collaboration paid homage to character Chun-Li’s signature outfits, arriving in three distinct colorways.

Astro Boy x Onitsuka Tiger

Yet another all-Japanese collaboration, Onitsuka Tiger came together with Osamu Tezuka’s Astro Boy in 2023 to celebrate their 75th and 100th anniversaries, respectively. A trio of Mexico 66 sneakers emerged as the centerpiece of the celebration, executed in tonal color palettes.

Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 FAQ