BAPE Sneakers in the Spotlight
BAPE sneakers naturally tap into multiple current zeitgeist moments and it’s got them feeling fresher than ever
BAPE’s long cultural history is undeniable, but after a lull in popularity, signs of the brand returning to the spotlight are becoming more and more noticeable. Take the Houston Rockets’s Jalen Green, who is regularly adorned by the label’s signatures, or the star-studded New York presentation in June—it feels like the Japanese label is hitting its stride again. It tracks though: BAPE’s maximalist camos and playful graphics in bold colorways fit squarely with the Y2K aesthetic, which is still dominating contemporary style.
BAPE sneakers are one of the most popular sides of the brand’s output. From the Air Force–derived BAPE STA™ shoes to adidas x BAPE collaborations, BAPE’s 2023 sneaker collection runs the gamut, offering understated staples as well as bold highlights. Keep in mind that when it comes to how BAPE shoes fit, we recommend taking a half size down from your usual size.
The BAPE STA™ sneakers are, evidently, heavily inspired by Nike’s Air Force 1. As such, the BAPE STA™ design slots naturally into every rotation, especially when it’s dressed in a colorway like this one. Alternating leathers give the white upper texture while contrasting black logo hits to the tongue and heel tab round out the classic aesthetic.
BAPE Brown SK8 STA #6 Sneakers
In footwear design, recent seasons have seen a concerted move toward the massive. Lanvin’s Curb sneaker continues to pique interest, while labels like ERL showcased even bigger iterations of similar skate-style silhouettes for FW23. The BAPE SK8 offers a chance to bag this style with a little less cushioning. This neutral brown palette, underlined by a pink logo to the sidewall, feels like the colorway of an early ‘00s grail.
BAPE Green & Pink Road Sta #1 M2 Sneakers
The BAPE Road takes a more sportswear-leaning tack with a 180-degree air bubble to the heel. The layered suede upper combines hits of beige, turquoise, maroon, and hot pink for a complex but harmonious colorway.
BAPE Black Mad Sta #1 Sneakers
Finding inspiration in retro basketball sneakers, the BAPE Mad is one of the more lightweight offerings in the A BATHING APE footwear family. Here, textured black leather makes up the upper, coupled with a white sole, laces, and logos. Black BAPE sneakers work hard, opening styling doors across the board.
BAPE White Skull Sta M1 Sneakers
BAPE women’s sneakers are arguably headed up by the Skull design. Referencing the iconic SuperStar, this silhouette features a distinctive shell toe. The white colorway sets the foundation for signature camouflage, which fills out the shooting star motif on the sidewalls.
Maximalist Y2K aesthetic has found its way into all sides of the style spectrum, and BAPE’s highlight designs are right at home with the trend. Shiny patent leather uppers in pastel green are hard to look away from, recalling the colorful era of hip-hop style typified by the likes of Pharrell Williams and Kanye.
Bringing the fun in summer, and adding light to dark days in winter, these pink BAPE sneakers are a lively addition to any seasonal wardrobe. Doubling down on the label’s Harajuku roots, the Road sneaker exudes a hectic confidence that’s hard not to love.
BAPE Green Adidas Edition Forum 84 Sneakers
Using adidas’s increasingly popular Forum 84 as the canvas, this adidas x BAPE collaboration combines the unmistakable branding of both labels. Gold hardware to the laces celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of A BATHING APE, marking this pair out as a special moment in the label’s long subculture history.
