UP THERE x ASICS GEL KAYANO 20 Turns High Vis Into a Sneaker You’re Allowed to Wear to the Pub

By Ben McKimm - News

Updated: 26 August, 2026

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Readtime: 3 min

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• ASICS SportStyle and UP THERE launch new GEL-KAYANO 20 collab.
• The design explores Australia’s high-vis culture.
• Features a breathable two-tone mesh upper borrowed from the GEL-KINSEI 4.
• Now available at UP THERE and OneASICS from September 3, 2026.

ASICS SportStyle and Melbourne retailer UP THERE are back, building on their previous nature-inspired collaborations with a GEL-KAYANO 20 that merges Japanese technological innovation with Australian high-vis culture. Trading in heavy steel cap boots for GEL cushioning, the new shoe turns our unofficial national uniform of safety yellow into a statement you can actually wear straight to the pub after a hard day on the tools.

But beyond the pub banter, it’s a great-looking shoe with an upper constructed from a two-tone mesh borrowed from the GEL-KINSEI 4 that enhances breathability while adding visual depth. Our favourite feature is the technical gradient that fades from fluorescent yellow into crisp white across synthetic overlays and down through the dual-layered midsole.

The UP THERE x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20 (AUD$300) is now available at UP THERE in-store and online. If you missed out, and you’re shopping locally, you can also grab pairs via OneASICS member access starting at 9 am AEST on September 3, 2026.

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To champion Australian sneaker culture once again, UP THERE drew direct inspiration from the local affinity for ultra-bright footwear. Subtly marking the collaboration, UP THERE opted for signature green hits on the lace tips, insole, and GUIDANCE LINE. Reflective accents ensure low-light visibility after dark, while clear GEL inserts and an icy outsole emphasise the dynamic look.

Tech-wise, the shoe delivers all-day comfort with a soft two-tone mesh upper, a TRUSSTIC shank system for midfoot stability, and GEL technology integration underfoot. Look for specific co-branding details throughout, including custom insoles and vibrant green aglets on both the primary yellow laces and the included secondary white lace set.

This project adds to UP THERE’s growing list of regional Australian storytelling projects with the brand, following nature-inspired concepts like the GEL-Terrain and the Kookaburra-themed GEL-1130. This momentum mirrors a broader wave of high-profile partnerships for the ASICS sportstyle brand, including the brutalist architectural concepts of the HAL Studios x ASICS GEL-NYC 2.0 and celebrations like the ASICS GEL-KAYANO Legacy that mash together retro elements spanning three decades.

The UP THERE x ASICS GEL-KAYANO 20 (AUD$300) will release in Australia at 10 am AEST on August 20, 2026, via UP THERE in-store, 6 pm AEST online, and on September 3 on asics.com for OneASICS members.

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