The New Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS ILARGI FF Splits the Toe

By Elliot Nash - News

Published: 25 Feb 2026

Readtime: 3 min

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Sneakers are heading in some strange directions lately. Hybrid loafers. Inflated trail runners. Soles built like concept cars. Now we’ve got a full split toe.

Assc x g shock collaboration 5 — Close-up of the ILARGI FF Tabi in Carbon. Image: Kiko Kostadinov

The Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS ILARGI FF Tabi doesn’t ease you into it. The forefoot is divided clean down the middle. It looks old and new at the same time. You’ll either stare or scroll.

While it might look runway-first, the idea isn’t new. Tabi footwear dates back centuries in Japan, originally worn with split socks. Over time, the design became common workwear for Japanese construction crews. Separating the big toe improves grip and balance, enhancing stability on unstable surfaces. It’s practical before it’s provocative.

Kostadinov leans into that lineage rather than treating it as costume. The ILARGI FF references ASICS marathon uppers from the 1950s and pairs the historic split-toe build with modern performance cushioning. Underfoot, it runs on ASICS’ FlyteFoam midsole, combined with a rubber and EVA outsole for lightweight comfort and traction. The upper stays streamlined, using breathable engineered materials and refined panel work to keep the profile clean.

Assc x g shock collaboration 2 — Top-down view of the ILARGI FF Tabi highlighting the split-toe construction. Image: Kiko Kostadinov

Available in Carbon and Electric Blue, neither colour hides the split. If anything, they amplify it. But it also means you’re committing to split-toe socks. There’s no halfway here.

Priced at GBP 200 (AUD $380), the ILARGI FF has already sold out through Kiko Kostadinov’s London store. A wider global release landed February 23 via the brand’s webstore and select flagships in Los Angeles and Tokyo (Australian availability not yet confirmed).

This marks the first Tabi release in a four-part series planned for 2026. Centuries ago, the split toe was about grip and balance. It still is. It just takes a minute to get used to.

Assc x g shock collaboration 9 — Outsole view showing the separated forefoot traction pattern. Image: Kiko Kostadinov

Assc x g shock collaboration 13 — Outsole view of the Electric Blue ILARGI FF with separated forefoot traction pattern. Image: Kiko Kostadinov

Key Details: Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS ILARGI FF

Model: ASICS ILARGI FF Tabi
Collaboration: Kiko Kostadinov x ASICS SportStyle
Price: GBP 200 (AUD $380)
Colourways: Carbon, Electric Blue
Midsole: FlyteFoam cushioning
Outsole: Rubber and EVA combination
Upper: Engineered breathable materials with split-toe construction
Inspiration: Traditional Japanese tabi work boots and 1950s ASICS marathon uppers
Release Date: February 23 (global webstore and select flagships)
Australian Availability: Unconfirmed
Series: First of four planned Tabi releases for 2026