ASICS Reimagines the GEL-DS Trainer as a Ballet Flat

The ASICS GEL-DS TRAINER® silhouette debuted in 1995 as a hybrid running-training offering from the Japanese brand. Over the last 31 years, the sneaker has waned in and out of the spotlight, but recent memory has seen it play an important role in the company's dominance within the world of retro sportswear.

As Fall 2026 gets underway, ASICS has reimagined the GEL-DS TRAINER® through the lens of a ballet flat. Other GEL™-cushioned footwear options from the institution's expansive archive have indulged in structural updates rooted in trends—specifically those championed by "It Girls" across the globe. The GEL-DS TRAINER® SP is simply the latest example, coupling a performance-informed construction with a tongue-less presentation and laces that can be tied the same way a ballerina would tie her dance flats.

A breathable mesh base and synthetic overlays divvy up the upper, which features the most obvious nod to ballet flats by way of its non-traditional tongue. The update, however, does not give way with the comfortable padding found throughout the inner lining. "Black," "Glacier Grey," and "Cream" color schemes each take over one of the three inaugural pairs of the ballet-inspired ASICS trainers, making for a versatile trifecta.

The GEL-DS TRAINER® SP releases via ASICS.com and select retailers on Friday, Sept. 4, for $130 each.

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