ISSEY MIYAKE and ASICS are Trading Trends for Taping in 2026

The debut footwear from ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT, called “HYPER TAPING™”, reimagines the iconic ASICS Stripes into a new structural design language. It merges performance thinking with everyday wear. The shoe is built around a taping-inspired construction intended to stabilize the body. It supports movement and feels timeless enough for long-term use.

Reconstructing the ASICS Stripes

The first ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT product, “HYPER TAPING™”, was created by deconstructing and rebuilding the ASICS design icon. This icon is known as the “ASICS Stripes”. Historically, the ASICS Stripes were not only a visual signature. They were engineered to reinforce structural strength and improve fit on performance shoes.

Drawing from this integration of function, structure, and design, MDS (the Miyake Design Studio) developed the central idea of “taping.” This refers to the supportive banding used in sports and physiotherapy to stabilize joints and muscles. In “HYPER TAPING™”, that taping logic is translated into 3D form. It wraps the upper and sidewall in a way that makes the support system a visible part. Moreover, it becomes part of the sneaker’s identity rather than a hidden technical layer.

From Performance Outsole to Everyday Comfort

To anchor the concept in real performance heritage, “HYPER TAPING™” adopts a wrestling-inspired outsole, chosen for its grip, ground feel, and lateral stability. A completely new last (foot form) was developed for this project. This allowed the teams to fine-tune proportions, stance, and internal volume specifically for this silhouette. They did not borrow an existing shape.

Alongside the outsole and last, the insole was redesigned with daily wear in mind. It prioritizes cushioning and comfort for off-mat, all-day city use. This combination of a performance-rooted base and comfort-driven interior positions the shoe as a hybrid. It is between technical sports footwear and refined design object.

Material, Form, and Color as Design Language

Beyond the structural idea, “HYPER TAPING™” is defined by its material mix and surface detailing. The teams focused on how different textiles, synthetics, and overlays could enhance both the taping narrative and the visual flow of the shoe. Form details — such as the way the “tapes” intersect, the sculpting of the side profile, and the integration of the stripes — were refined to keep the design minimal yet expressive.

Colorways play a key role in emphasizing the taping structure. Contrast tones and blocking are used to highlight the wrapped elements without sacrificing the shoe’s aim. The aim is universality. The goal was to create a sneaker that feels new in concept while still carrying the calm attitude associated with ISSEY MIYAKE design.

A New but “Universal” Footwear Proposition

From outsole selection and last development to insole engineering and upper composition, every stage of “HYPER TAPING™” was calibrated to balance innovation with longevity. The intention is for the shoe to function as a truly new kind of footwear concept born from taping, yet remain versatile enough to be worn across seasons and contexts.

As the first chapter of ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT, “HYPER TAPING™” signals a footwear approach that treats structure and support as aesthetic drivers, not just technical requirements. It positions the line as a meeting point between performance heritage, experimental form, and the quiet universality that has long defined the ISSEY MIYAKE universe.