After Vandy Collab, ASICS Readies Another GEL-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate”

Dropping for Fall/Winter 2026.

Matt Varga August 28th, 2026 (updated)

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“Strike while the iron is hot” is sage advice for both brand and individual designer. That’s no doubt why VandyThePINK and ASICS sought each other out just under a year after their initial sell-out GEL Nimbus 10.1, and surely why the Japanese giant is seeking to extend the afterglow with the GEL-Kayano 12.1.

Though no inline effort could replicate Vandy’s cutesy charm and heady packaging, the ASICS GEL-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate” might just be the next best thing. Rich brown mesh underpinnings and GEL units as well as vanilla-like off-white sole units create an unexpected piece of contrast to the standard silvery overlays on the hybrid formulation. In lieu of shelling out top dollar on the resale market, perhaps this is an easy way to get a sneaker of the year contender for a bit less.

The ASICS GEL-Kayano 12.1 “Chocolate” should be coming soon to ASICS.com, retailing for $170.

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WHERE TO BUY

Mens ASICS GEL-Kayano 12.1

SKU: 1203A759-200

RETAIL PRICE: $170

RELEASE DATE: Sep 2026

US Sep 2026

Retailer	Release type	Status
ASICS	Standard	Check Site

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.