Asics and Kiko Kostadinov Release Second Version of Popular Tabi Sneaker
The Kiko Kostadinov x Asics Lyasa FF II shoe.
Asics SportStyle and Kiko Kostadinov are back together again, this time with their second tabi silhouette.
Designed by Kiko Kostadinov’s Laura and Deanna Fanning, the new Lyasa FF II shoe model arrives in two colorways — Clay Grey/Jasper Green and Reddish Brown/Asics Blue — and merges the language of a brogue at the front with the structure of a trail shoe at the back.
First seen on the runway in 2025, the Lyasa FF II shoe builds on a series inspired by the split-toe Asics footwear developed for astronauts participating in a space training program in 2008. While retaining the distinctive tabi construction of its archival reference, the collaborative series introduces thicker bases and more substantial proportions to create a new expression.
For this fourth iteration, Laura and Deanna Fanning looked to archival Asics models featuring leather uppers, combining their formal qualities with technical details drawn from outdoor footwear. Brogue-inspired detailing gives the forefoot a more crafted and traditional appearance, while the trail-informed rear construction introduces a sense of utility.
The Lyasa FF II shoe is produced using a specially selected leather that develops natural variations across its surface. Differences in wrinkling, color, markings, grain and veining are inherent characteristics of the material, making each pair subtly unique without affecting its quality or performance.
The Kiko Kostadinov x Asics Lyasa FF II shoe, which retails for $230, is now available on both brand’s respective websites.
This latest project marks nearly a decade of collaboration between the Bulgarian fashion brand and the Japanese sportswear company. In February, the duo released the first iteration of the Lyasa FF shoe.
Kiko Kostadinov isn’t Asics’ only collaborator. Indeed, last month saw the release of Asics’ newest shoes with Amsterdam-based brand Camiel Fortgens. The project featured two updated takes of the Asics Gel-Cumulus 16 sneaker, realized in a mary jane-inspired style and a Velcro silhouette.
In August, Asics North America reported another strong quarter. According to the company, the U.S. saw sales grow 19.4 percent in the second quarter, while Canada was up 25.8 percent and Mexico jumped 30.4 percent.
The SportStyle category sustained its impressive growth posting a 77.6 percent sales increase in the quarter versus the same period last year and posted a notable 95.7 percent increase in the wholesale channel across all categories, including boutique and athletic specialty/sporting goods. The Gel-1130 and Gel-NYC footwear models produced triple-digit growth for the second consecutive quarter and were supported by strong sales of the Gel-Cumulus 16 shoe.
The Kiko Kostadinov x Asics Lyasa FF II shoe in Reddish Brown/Asics Blue.
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