ASICS and ISSEY MIYAKE are coming together for the first time on a footwear collaboration, unveiling HYPER TAPING™, set to release during the Spring Summer 2026 season. Launching through ASICS, ISSEY MIYAKE, and select global retailers, the project represents a meeting of two Japanese brands united by shared values of craftsmanship, innovation, and functional design.
ISSEY MIYAKE, founded in 1970 by legendary designer Issey Miyake, is one of Japan’s most influential fashion houses. The brand is globally recognised for its experimental approach to clothing, where technology, material innovation, and the human body are central to the design process. Rather than following trends, ISSEY MIYAKE focuses on timeless design systems that evolve with the wearer. Today, this philosophy is carried forward by Miyake Design Studio (MDS), the brand’s in-house research and design team that continues to explore new forms of clothing through movement, structure, and everyday functionality.
Built on years of mutual respect developed through product creation in Japan, the collaboration aligns ASICS’ performance-driven philosophy, guided by “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”, with the experimental design mindset of MDS. Together, the teams studied the human foot and movement, drawing on ASICS’ research-led expertise from the Institute of Sport Science to explore new possibilities in footwear.
First unveiled at Paris Fashion Week Men’s during the IM MEN SS26 show, HYPER TAPING™ reinterprets the iconic ASICS Stripes through the concept of “taping.” This idea is expressed through bold elastic bands that wrap around the upper, visually and functionally stabilising the foot while creating a strong design identity. Cushioned tongue wings and a refined ankle construction further enhance fit and comfort.
The silhouette takes inspiration from wrestling footwear, with an outsole that extends into the upper for added support and stability. Its structure references the gripping mechanics of a gecko’s foot, delivering strong traction alongside a striking visual profile. For everyday wearability, ASICS developed a wider, foot-shaped last, paired with a FLYTEFOAM PROPEL insole and Ortholite® sock liner, ensuring comfort despite the slim sole design.
Finished with a mixed leather and mesh upper, HYPER TAPING™ arrives in three colourways: fluorescent green, all-black, and all-grey. Designed to move seamlessly between performance and lifestyle, the collaboration presents a forward-looking approach to footwear rooted in long-term design thinking rather than trends.
The ASICS x Miyake Design Studio HYPER TAPING™︎ sneaker will be available globally from January 22, 2026, through selected ASICS stores, ASICS.com/au, and select retail partners for $340 AUD (Item Code: 1203A819.001/1203B189.020/1203B190.300 – Colour Name: Black/Black, Grey/Grey, Green/Blue).
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