Inspired by Indonesia’s thousands of islands, the new collaboration connects pandan, culture and vintage tech design through one distinctive GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1.
This one feels a little different for me personally.
The atmos x ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1 ‘Archipelago’ marks the first ASICS collaboration created for Indonesia, bringing together ASICS Indonesia and atmos for a project that puts the country, its culture and its identity firmly in the spotlight.
What makes it even more special for me are the people behind it. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to build genuine personal relationships with people across ASICS Indonesia and atmos Japan. Some of the people from ASICS Indonesia who were involved in bringing this project together may have already moved on to new chapters, but I’m still incredibly blessed to have known them, worked with them and built those relationships on a personal level.
I remember when I was first told about this project. I was genuinely excited because I knew how significant it could be. Not just as another ASICS collaboration, but as an opportunity to put a bigger spotlight on Indonesia, its culture and the stories that make the country so unique.
That’s what makes this release hit differently for me. I’ve seen the relationships behind the scenes, watched people from different parts of the sneaker community connect over the years, and now seeing those connections come together in a project celebrating Indonesia is something I’m genuinely happy to see.
The ‘Archipelago’ brings together ASICS and atmos Indonesia for the first time, creating a sneaker inspired by Indonesia’s vast geography, diverse cultures and the shared identity connecting its more than 17,000 islands.
And for me, that makes this more than just another sneaker collaboration. It’s about the people, the relationships, the culture and the country behind the sneaker.
Inspired by Pandan
At the heart of the ‘Archipelago’ story is pandan, a familiar part of everyday life across Indonesia.
Recognised through its distinctive scent, flavour and colour, pandan is closely connected to memories of home, family gatherings and shared experiences across generations. For the collaboration, it becomes a symbol of the connection between communities throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
That inspiration comes through immediately in the sneaker, with bold pandan green complemented by subtle red accents, clean off white tones and warm neutrals inspired by Indonesia’s natural landscapes and modern urban environment.
Vintage Tech Meets Modern Performance
The GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1 brings together a vintage tech aesthetic with modern ASICS performance.
The upper takes inspiration from the GEL-KAYANO™ 12, featuring silver synthetic overlays, open mesh and TPU cutting welder details for a technical finish.
Underfoot, the sneaker uses tooling from the GEL-NIMBUS™ 17, combined with FLUIDRIDE technology, GEL cushioning in the forefoot and rearfoot, plus FlyteFoam and FF BLAST.
The result is designed to deliver responsive cushioning, stability and all day comfort while keeping the retro futuristic look that has made ASICS’ SportStyle runners such a strong part of contemporary sneaker culture.
More Than Just a Sneaker
‘Archipelago’ extends beyond the footwear itself.
The project includes curated sensory merchandise, culinary storytelling and experiential elements designed to turn familiar cultural references such as pandan into tangible experiences.
The visual campaign was also developed with award winning Indonesian filmmaker Edwin, whose creative perspective adds another layer to the project’s exploration of culture, identity and contemporary expression.
Jakarta Launch
To celebrate the collaboration, ASICS and atmos Indonesia will host an immersive pop up experience at Plaza Senayan in Jakarta from 8 to 12 October 2026.
The experience will feature sensory installations, cultural storytelling and community driven elements surrounding the ‘Archipelago’ concept.
The atmos x ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1 ‘Archipelago’ officially launches on 9 October 2026 through atmos in Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, as well as ASICS Indonesia’s official channels.
For sneaker fans in Australia and New Zealand, the collaboration will also be available online through ASICS.
Australia: Shop the GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1 ‘Archipelago’
New Zealand: Shop the GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1 ‘Archipelago’
For Australia and New Zealand, this is the release to keep an eye on if you’ve been waiting for the Archipelago to land locally.
Indonesia has thousands of islands, but the story is about what connects them. The Archipelago brings that connection to the GEL-KAYANO™ 12.1.
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