Split toe sneakers have returned to fashion runways and streetwear racks, with new releases from Vans, ASICS, Nike and other labels, according to company announcements and product releases.
Split toe sneakers: a short history
The split toe silhouette traces to Japan’s 15th century tabi socks, later adapted into the rubber soled work shoe called the jika tabi, according to historical footwear references and brand notes. Maison Margiela introduced the Tabi boot in 1988, bringing the divided toe into high fashion, the Maison Margiela archive shows. Nike introduced the Air Rift in 1996, a casual running inspired shoe often nicknamed the ninja shoe, Nike product history states.
Designers have since reinterpreted the split toe form as a functional feature and a visual statement. The result is a growing market for split toe sneakers that mix comfort, performance, and a distinct silhouette.
New collaborations to watch
Vans x FDMTL
Vans and Japanese denim label FDMTL announced a Fall Winter 2026 collaboration that applies traditional Tabi split toe construction to the classic Vans Authentic silhouette. The partners described three colorways, including white, light blue suede and a patchwork option, in a joint release on their websites.
ASICS x Kiko Kostadinov, ILARGI FF
ASICS and designer Kiko Kostadinov released the ILARGI FF, a split toe sneaker that the brands say borrows from traditional rubber soled work boots. The partners highlighted a close, natural fit and a breathable upper that references ASICS marathon running silhouettes, according to their product brief.
ASICS x Kiko Kostadinov, LYASA FF
A second ASICS and Kiko Kostadinov release, the LYASA FF, draws inspiration from a 2008 ASICS prototype made for astronaut training in microgravity, the collaboration statement says. The shoe uses a laceless entry, mesh upper and distinct pattern work for a modern take on Tabi function and form.
Nike Air Rift updates
Nike continues to refresh the Air Rift line with new materials and colorways, Nike press materials show. Recent drops include a polka dot version that mixes playful pattern and classic Air Rift construction, the brand said.
NikeSKIMS Rift Mesh
Nike and SKIMS, the shapewear brand founded by Kim Kardashian, launched the NikeSKIMS Rift Mesh earlier in 2026, the companies said in a joint statement. The silhouette adapts the Air Rift platform to SKIMS minimal design principles, and the release received wider attention after K pop star Lisa was photographed wearing the pair, fashion accounts on social media reported.
SOU SOU Tabi
Kyoto brand SOU SOU continues to produce its Tabi line, blending traditional divided toe construction with contemporary patterns and fabrics. SOU SOU notes on its website that these shoes are produced in Takasago, Hyogo prefecture, a center of Japanese rubber manufacturing with more than a century of local industry history.
Tabi Footwear WMNS Sandal
Tabi Footwear markets a WMNS Sandal that combines Japanese tabi inspiration with Nordic minimalist lines, the brand website states. The company says the split toe allows freer movement of the big toe and can aid stability, and it offers the sandal in colorways from black and white to leopard print.
How to wear split toe sneakers
Split toe sneakers work as a subtle focal point for casual and elevated outfits. Pair them with cropped trousers to show the silhouette, or with relaxed denim for a layered streetwear look favored by stylists, according to styling notes from the brands and fashion editors.
Because the shape differs from conventional sneakers, try neutral colorways first to understand fit and proportion. For consumers new to the form, several collaboration releases this season provide accessible options across price points.
Expect split toe sneakers to remain visible in seasonal drops as designers continue to reinterpret Tabi heritage through material and pattern.
