Andrew Rizzo Though often controversial and retooled more than a handful of times, there’s no denying the Bapesta’s place in sneaker and streetwear history. 2026 marks an important year in that regard, with the model celebrating its 25th anniversary at a time when 2000s-esque patent leather looks are trending once again. Look no further than recent Nike Air Force 1 drops for proof.
That makes fertile ground for a callback to the Bapesta’s original run. Bape has curated four OG-inspired patent leather colorways for May 16th, led (at least in our eyes) by a striking blue, red, and yellow makeup that captures the energy of the era. A “Neapolitan” colorway follows, alongside a light blue, pink, and yellow do-up worthy of an “Easter” reference. Closing things out is a white, pine green, and yellow makeup.
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Each pair features a colored midsole in alignment with the Bapesta’s original run. None of the four are a direct 1-to-1 recreations in terms of color blocking as far as we can tell, though the blue/red/yellow and “Easter” makeups come closest. Creating a true Bapesta retro is now impossible anyway, as Bape agreed to alter the model’s shape following a lawsuit by Nike that settled in 2024. Key differences include a rounded quarter section and a reworked outsole.
Bape’s 25th anniversary “Patent Pack” drops May 16th via Bape stores and the Bape website. Expect pricing in the $325-$350+ range.
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