PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black': Design and Fit

PACE's textured, tonal take on the ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1, finished with red at the heel.

By Sandy Li 21 October 2026 3 minute read

PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black' photographed by PUSHAS

The PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black' is PACE's take on a 2006-rooted ASICS runner. It leans on texture: reptile-style overlays, black stripes and red at the heel and midfoot. It arrived in March 2026 as the second collaboration between PACE and ASICS.

You can find the pair at PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black', part of the ASICS range and the wider Gel-Kayano collection at PUSHAS.

Who PACE is

PACE is the label behind this release. For this project it returned to ASICS, a partner it first worked with in 2023. Hypebeast and Sole Retriever both describe the Kayano 12.1 as the second collaboration between the two.

Design and materials

Hypebeast and Sole Retriever both describe reptile-style overlays, crocodile-inspired in Hypebeast's words.

PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black'

The PUSHAS photos show a white and cream mesh base, metallic silver overlays and black ASICS stripes. A red accent sits at the heel, and a red section appears in the midfoot of the outsole. The midsole is cream with grey and silver detailing.

The palette stays tight: cream, silver and black, with red kept to the heel and midfoot.

The Gel-Kayano 12 and 12.1 lineage

The 12.1 builds on the 2006 Gel-Kayano 12, according to Highsnobiety and ASICS. House of Heat and ASICS both describe it as the Gel-Kayano 12 upper on Gel-Nimbus 17 tooling. For more on the model, see our Gel-Kayano 12.1 guide, or look at a second colourway in the Dragon Fruit Black story.

The wider Kayano line has its own lifestyle chapter. The Gel-Kayano 14 was first released in 2008 as a running shoe, designed by Hidenori Yamashita as the first Kayano model not designed by Toshikazu Kayano, and it returned in late 2020 as a lifestyle shoe, as Highsnobiety and Hypebeast reported. ASICS and Sneaker Freaker both tie the Kayano 14's GEL cushioning and tooling to the 2008 original. The 12.1 draws on the 2006 Gel-Kayano 12 upper with Gel-Nimbus 17 tooling. Our Gel-Kayano 14 vs 20 vs 12.1 comparison sets the generations side by side.

The collaboration and release

Hypebeast and Sole Retriever both report a release date of 6 March 2026. It followed PACE's first ASICS project in 2023, which makes the Kayano 12.1 the second pairing between the two.

Fit and styling

Check the Gel-Kayano size guide before choosing a size.

For styling, try the cream and silver palette with washed denim, grey sweats or a black technical shell. A black or white sock is one option with the black stripes, or try a light, neutral outfit. For a sharper look, try tapered black trousers and a cream knit that picks up the midsole; for weekends, try wide-leg cargo trousers in grey or olive with a plain white tee.

Who it is built for

Shoe	Built for	The look
PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black'	Texture and tonal detail	Cream and silver with black stripes and red at the heel
Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Dragon Fruit Black'	A different colourway of the same model	See the dedicated story for the details
Gel-Kayano 14	A different Kayano generation	Covered in our Kayano 14 vs 20 vs 12.1 comparison

Live now at PUSHAS

Stock as of 21 October 2026: PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black' in 15 sizes from US M 4.5 to US M 13.

Every pair is authenticated by hand, so you can shop with confidence. The live listing shows the current price. See the PACE x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Cream Black'.

Comparing generations? Read Gel-Kayano 14 vs 20 vs 12.1 and check the size guide.