VANDYTHEPINK x ASICS GEL-Kayano 12.1 “Vanilla” Raffles Are Live 

Raffles for the VANDYTHEPINK x ASICS GEL-Kayano 12.1 “Vanilla” are now starting to go live. After the “Chocolate” colorway was handled as a VANDYTHEPINK site exclusive, the “Vanilla” pair is now appearing on the first retailer pages, making this release feel a little more accessible — at least on paper.

That does not mean it will be an easy cop. The VANDYTHEPINK x ASICS project has a very strong look, the packaging is playful, and the GEL-Kayano 12.1 continues to fit perfectly into the current retro-runner wave. With raffles now opening, this is definitely a release worth keeping an eye on.

A Softer “Vanilla” Take on the GEL-Kayano 12.1

The “Vanilla” colorway takes a much lighter approach than the darker Chocolate pair. The upper mixes creamy mesh, metallic silver overlays, pale yellow ASICS stripes, mint accents and soft pink details across the lining, outsole and small branding hits.

The result feels playful without becoming too loud. It still has the food-inspired VANDYTHEPINK energy, but it works well as a wearable pastel runner. The fuzzy laces, translucent heel details and dessert-style packaging give the shoe a clear identity beyond just another ASICS collaboration.

Why This Pair Could Be Hard to Get

The big difference here is distribution. While the Chocolate colorway was a VANDYTHEPINK site exclusive, the Vanilla pair is now being listed by the first retailers. That should give more people a chance to enter, but demand will likely still be high.

VANDYTHEPINK collaborations usually stand out visually, and ASICS has been one of the strongest brands in the lifestyle runner space over the last few years. Add the GEL-Kayano 12.1 shape, the detailed packaging and the limited collab angle, and this pair should move fast once raffles close and launch day arrives.

Release Details and Raffle Info

The VANDYTHEPINK x ASICS GEL-Kayano 12.1 “Vanilla” is currently scheduled to release on August 14, 2026 for $195. The style code is 1203B302-100.

Raffles are now live at the first retailers, with more stores possibly following as the release gets closer. Since the Vanilla colorway is not looking like a pure VANDYTHEPINK-exclusive drop, it could be the better chance for many people who missed out on the Chocolate pair.