January 2026 Launch Set For Innovative ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT Collection

ASICS and MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO are taking performance fashion into new territory with the launch of the ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT project, debuting with the avant-garde HYPER TAPING sneaker in January 2026. Rooted in a deep study of the human foot, the collaboration blends ASICS sports science with ISSEY MIYAKE’s body-first design approach for a shoe that aims to feel as natural as a second skin.

A new chapter for ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT

The ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT project is a long-term footwear development platform jointly led by MDS (MIYAKE DESIGN STUDIO) and ASICS, created to explore footwear from the body outward rather than from seasonal trends. The partners describe it as an ongoing, research-driven initiative instead of a one-off collaboration, with future models expected to evolve from continuous testing and dialogue around movement, comfort, and daily life.

Rather than chasing quick drops, the project focuses on process: the teams closely examined foot structure, motion, and sensation, taking time to prototype and refine before the first product was revealed on the IM MEN Spring/Summer 2026 runway in Paris. This approach reflects both brands’ shared commitment to thoughtful design and Japanese craftsmanship centered on the human body.

HYPER TAPING: taping as design

The first release, HYPER TAPING, reimagines the iconic ASICS Stripes as a system of elastic bands that wrap the foot much like athletic taping used to support joints and muscles. Thick, dynamic bands extend across the upper to stabilize movement while creating a bold visual rhythm that stands apart from typical lifestyle sneakers.

Built on a wrestling-inspired outsole, the sneaker is designed for a secure, full-ground contact feel, supporting balance and lateral stability in everyday use. A newly developed last and responsive midsole—paired with an OrthoLite-type insole—is engineered to deliver cushioning and comfort suitable for walking and daily wear.

From runway to street in 2026

HYPER TAPING first appeared during the IM MEN Spring/Summer 2026 show at Paris Fashion Week, signaling the project’s fashion-forward positioning before its commercial rollout. The shoe will officially launch on January 5, 2026, at select ISSEY MIYAKE boutiques and ASICS retailers in Japan, followed by wider availability across the brands’ networks.​

The debut model will arrive in three colorways: vivid GREEN, all-BLACK, and all-GREY, offering options that range from statement-making to quietly minimal. Pricing has been reported at around $220, positioning the sneaker firmly in the premium fashion-sport crossover space.

Fashion meets sports science

Behind ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT is a shared belief that footwear can go beyond aesthetics to actively support how people move through the world. MDS brings its history of exploring the relationship between the body and clothing, while ASICS contributes decades of research into gait, pressure distribution, and sport-driven foot mechanics.

In official communications, both teams have framed the project as a platform for new possibilities in footwear design, with HYPER TAPING serving as the first expression of that vision.

Where to buy and what’s next

From launch day, HYPER TAPING will be available at select ISSEY MIYAKE stores, chosen ASICS locations, and a curated group of retailers aligned with the project’s design-forward, performance-driven ethos. Sizes will range from 23 cm to 29.5 cm, ensuring broad unisex appeal for both fashion and performance consumers.

The ISSEY MIYAKE FOOT project is set to continue beyond this first drop, with future designs expected to further explore boundaries between fashion, sport, and everyday function. For now, HYPER TAPING signals a clear direction: footwear that treats the foot as a design starting point, not an afterthought.