Seven pairs, two brands, one direction: the late-2000s runner is the shoe of 2026. ASICS and Mizuno have spent the year reissuing their archive running models, and the ones worth wearing are now on the shelf at Im Your Wardrobe, led by the ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1.

Below is our pick of the seven runners to know, what each one is, why it matters and how it wears. Every pair is in stock now in the ASICS and Mizuno collections, with free NZ shipping on every order.

Key facts

1. ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'White/Carrier Grey'

The Gel-Kayano 12.1 is the pair at the centre of this wave. ASICS built it from the Gel-Kayano 12 of 2006, keeping that shoe's layered upper with its armour-like metallic overlays and open mesh, then set it on the tooling from the Gel-Nimbus 17, with GEL in the heel and forefoot. ASICS lists the 12.1 as co-created with Kith.

White/Carrier Grey is the easiest way in: white mesh, silver overlays and grey hits that work with everything from wide trousers to cargo shorts. If you only buy one runner this season, make it this one.

2. atmos x Albino & Preto x ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 'Black/Safety Yellow'

Same shoe, very different energy. Jiu jitsu label Albino & Preto and sneaker store atmos took the Kayano 12.1 to the gym: the pack is inspired by the jiu jitsu gi, with "Albino" moulded into the midsole and a repeating X pattern along the side. It dropped on 28 August 2026 as a limited release through the two partners.

The black colourway runs a near-all-black upper into a midsole fade of volt green. It is the louder Kayano for anyone whose rotation is already full of silver. Shop the Black/Safety Yellow pair.

3. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 10.1 'Cream/Polar Night'

The Gel-Nimbus 10.1 brings back the Gel-Nimbus 10 from 2008. The detail to look for is the asymmetric, slightly twisted upper: the lacing and the toe panels shift to one side, which was designed to follow the shape of the foot. Synthetic leather overlays, open mesh panels and GEL branding on the heel complete the late-2000s look.

Cream/Polar Night swaps the usual silver for a warmer cream base with dark navy accents, so it sits nicely with brown, olive and washed black. See the Gel-Nimbus 10.1.

4. Giorgio Armani x Kith x ASICS Gel-Mai 0.1 'Monument/Quarry'

The newest pair here, and the most refined. Giorgio Armani and Kith revealed the Gel-Mai 0.1 at their 'Dream of the Dune' show in the Agafay Desert near Marrakech, and it released through Kith and Armani on 16 October 2026. Two colourways came out; Monument/Quarry is the grey one.

Expect grey suede with white accents, an asymmetric upper shape, Kith and Armani co-branding and a 'Dream of the Dune' stamp on the insole. It is a runner that looks right with tailoring, so wear it with grey trousers and a light knit. Shop the Gel-Mai 0.1.

5. Mizuno Wave Prophecy LS 'Black'

If ASICS owns the silver runner, Mizuno owns the sculptural one. The original Wave Prophecy arrived in 2011 as Mizuno's first shoe with full-length Infinity Wave: two Wave plates joined at ten points, replacing the foam in the forefoot. It was built as a stability running shoe and has since been picked up by fashion.

The LS is Mizuno Sportstyle's lifestyle version, with the same Infinity Wave unit under a layered mesh upper. In all black it is the stealth pick, and it looks best under wide, dark trousers that just touch the sole. Shop the Wave Prophecy LS Black, or browse every colourway in the Mizuno collection.

6. Mizuno Wave Rider 10 'White/Black/Silver'

The Wave Rider 10 first launched in 2007 as a competition running shoe, and it became a reference point for the Mizuno runners that followed. The design is pure mid-2000s: breathable mesh, metallic overlays, the Runbird logo on the quarter and a silver TPU Wave plate in the heel for cushioning and a smoother toe-off.

White/Black/Silver is the cleanest version and an easy alternative if you like the Kayano look but want something less common. See the Wave Rider 10.

7. Setsumasa Kobayashi x Mizuno Wave Prophecy Ring Moc 'Brown/Off White'

The outlier, and the one people ask about. Setsumasa Kobayashi, the designer behind Mountain Research and General Research, revisits an earlier moccasin collaboration with Mizuno by putting a moccasin upper on the Wave Prophecy sole. The upper is suede with leather panels and visible stitching, there is a mesh inner, and a metal ring strap crosses the midfoot.

It is a slip-on that still has the Infinity Wave sole, so it works with shorts in summer and wide trousers year round. Shop the Ring Moc.

How do these runners fit?

Check our ASICS size guide for model-by-model notes before you order. Mizuno sizing is listed in US men's on each product page, along with the sizes in stock right now.

Where to buy ASICS and Mizuno runners in NZ

Every pair above is in stock at Im Your Wardrobe. Each one is authentic and inspected before it ships, delivery is tracked nationwide, NZ shipping is free on every order, and you can pay with Afterpay. For more new pairs, see what's new or the full sneakers collection.

Featured photo: ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 on feet, 📸 @sizeofficial via Pinterest.

FAQ

What is the ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1?

The Gel-Kayano 12.1 is an ASICS SportStyle shoe based on the Gel-Kayano 12 running shoe from 2006. It keeps the original's layered upper and sits on the tooling from the Gel-Nimbus 17, with GEL cushioning in the heel and forefoot.

What is the difference between the Mizuno Wave Prophecy and the Wave Prophecy LS?

The Wave Prophecy was Mizuno's first shoe with full-length Infinity Wave tooling, launched in 2011 as a stability running shoe. The Wave Prophecy LS is Mizuno Sportstyle's lifestyle version, with the same Infinity Wave sole under a layered mesh upper.

Where can I buy ASICS Gel-Kayano 12.1 in NZ?

Im Your Wardrobe stocks the Gel-Kayano 12.1 in several colourways, including White/Carrier Grey and the atmos x Albino & Preto Black/Safety Yellow. Every pair is authentic, NZ shipping is free on every order and Afterpay is available.

Is the Mizuno Wave Rider 10 a new shoe?

No. The Wave Rider 10 first launched in 2007 as a competition running shoe. Mizuno Sportstyle has brought it back as a retro with the original's mesh upper, metallic overlays and Wave plate in the heel.