A closer look at how brands are reworking the split-toe into sneakers, making the tabi more wearable for everyday style
In recent years, tabi shoes have moved beyond niche reference. Once closely associated with Maison Margiela, the split-toe design now appears across both runway collections and streetwear. Still, it remains a challenging silhouette – distinctive but not always easy to style.
That is starting to change in how brands approach it. Instead of replicating the traditional form, a growing number of collaborations are translating the tabi into sneakers, retaining the defining split-toe while grounding it in something more familiar. From Vans to Asics and Nike, the idea is being reworked across the industry, making it more accessible and increasingly relevant to everyday wear. Below are the tabi sneakers helping to drive this shift.
FDMTL x Vans Authentic Tabi
First previewed during FDMTL’s Fall/Winter 2026 runway, this collaboration with Vans offers one of the most direct takes on the tabi in sneaker form. Built on the classic Authentic silhouette, the split-toe is paired with FDMTL’s signature indigo denim in a patchwork boro construction. Layers of blue tones and visible sashiko-style stitching give it a distinctly handcrafted feel. At the same time, the familiar vulcanised sole keeps things grounded, so it still feels wearable despite the more experimental upper.
Kiko Kostadinov x Asics Lyasa FF Tabi
Taking a more conceptual approach, Kiko Kostadinov’s ongoing work with Asics reframes the tabi through performance design. The Lyasa FF Tabi draws from archival ASICS marathon shoes from the 1970s and is reinterpreted through a sleek slip-on silhouette that prioritises lightness and flexibility. Constructed with a soft elastic upper and minimal seams, it offers a close, sock-like fit. Rather than emphasising the split visually, the design integrates it into a fluid, sculptural form, making the tabi feel like a natural extension of the shoe.
NikeSkims Rift Mesh
Elsewhere, Nike has long explored tabi-adjacent design through the Air Rift, and its recent collaboration with SKIMS brings that idea into a more contemporary context. The Rift Mesh refines the silhouette with lightweight materials and a clean, minimal finish. Breathable mesh uppers and a slim profile give the shoe a lighter presence. Rendered in muted, earth-toned colourways, it aligns with today’s understated styling trends while retaining the split-toe structure, blending everyday comfort with an athletic edge.
Maison Margiela x Reebok
Of course, integrating the tabi into sneaker design isn’t entirely new. Between 2020 and 2022, Maison Margiela and Reebok explored this through a series of collaborations that reworked iconic silhouettes with Margiela’s signature split-toe construction. Models like the Classic Leather Tabi and Club C combined premium materials with a restrained, often monochromatic palette. The result strikes a balance between heritage and reinterpretation, preserving the identity of the tabi while placing it within a recognisable sneaker framework.
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