Asics Tiger x SBTG's Monsoon Patrol collection is built to withstand the elements

Sportswear label Asics Tiger and sneaker artist SBTG (real name Mark Ong) are making it rain with their Monsoon Patrol collection. Ong has given Asics Tiger's GEL-LYTE and GEL-LYTE III styles — resistant to the most adverse of weather conditions — a camo-inspired spin, and thrown a complementary, lightweight trench coat into the mix. We picked SBTG's brain ahead of Monsoon Patrol's debut at Culture Cartel, and asked him every question we could think of about sneakers.

How many pairs of sneakers do you own?
I'd say I have about 20 pairs on rotation at the moment, which get replaced as I go along. I don't have a 'collection', in fact I got into my craft just so I could make the shoes that I wanted to wear. As the years have passed, I've reached a skill level that allows me to fulfil my own footwear desires, rather than having to search for them in stores. I do find myself drooling over some pieces, but always forget about them later.

How many pairs of shoes do you own that aren't sneakers?
I own 2-3 pairs of George Cox creepers and a postman shoe. 

How old are your oldest pair of sneakers?
33 years old. They're original Air Jordan 1s from 1985.

How young are your newest pair of sneakers?
I recently bought some Supra Jim Greco's in black and gold, so they're about a month old. I'm also looking forward to getting my some of my pieces from Monsoon Patrol.

Do your oldest and youngest pairs get along?
They are not friends. My oldest lives in my studio while my youngest lives at home. It's all cool, as long as they don't have to compete for attention.

Do you think you have a sneaker problem?
Nope, not at all. It's hard getting me to buy a pair, and I have a good offload system. 

What's the largest number of sneakers you've ever known of somebody owning?
I'm not sure, but I'm guessing over a thousand? It's a disgusting addiction, learn some self-restraint for God's sake.

What is the largest number of sneakers you'd consider it reasonable for one person to own? 
I would think about 50 pairs, 30 pairs of must-have classics and 20 pairs that you rotate and replace, maybe? And that's being very generous. There'd be no way to use each pair several times in a year, unless you were a millipede. Sneakers do disintegrate, you know?

• 01
• /
• 08

How old were you when you first got a pair of sneakers?
I started walking on my 1st birthday, so probably a little after that.

How old were you when you first bought your own pair of sneakers?
I don't remember exactly, but I must've been around 13 years old. They had to be skate shoes!

How old do you think you'll be before you stop wearing sneakers (or, basically, how old do you think you will live to be?)?
100. I think I will live till I'm 100.

What's the upper-limit price that you'd currently be willing to pay for a sneaker?
$350 SGD.

What's the most you've ever paid for a sneaker? Please state the price in earth currency, or, for comedic effect, as a percentage of your paycheck at the time.
I once paid around $500 USD for a deadstock pair of OG bred Air Jordan 1s. 

Did you consider that a reasonable amount?
I think it was a steal. Dumbass kids these days would give their kidneys for a current release pair. Y'all got it all wrong, man!

What's the most you've ever heard of someone paying for a sneaker?
I think getting ripped off for a pair of shoes shouldn't be something we share with the world, yeah?

Asicstiger x SBTG's Monsoon Patrol collection is now available at Limited Edt stores islandwide.