Quick Facts
- Australian sneaker boutique Up There is launching a Gel-Kayano 12.1
- The colorway is titled Natsukashii, which is a Japanese phrase that refers to nostalgia
- Up There adds details from other Asics models onto the pair
- The Up There x Asics Gel-Kayano 12.1 Natsukashii will release October 9 for $201
When Up There steps to the design table, you know you’re in for a treat. The Australian-based retail storefront became a household name in the footwear world with the Backyard Legends project with New Balance on the 2002R. Since then, they’ve partnered with others in the sneaker industry, including Asics, who tapped them for a Gel-Lyte III and Gel-Terrain in 2023 and 2024, respectively. Before we close out 2025, Up There has just announced its latest project with Asics, this time working on the Gel-Kayano 12.1.
First introduced as part of a Kith collaboration in June 2024, the Gel-Kayano 12.1 combines the upper from the Gel-Kayano 12 with the tooling from the Gel-Nimbus 17. Both models were off shelves for years before Fieg and his Kith brand helped revive the sneaker. New Kith pairs dropped in October 2024 and June 2025 before Asics GR’d the sneaker this past summer.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
