Fresh Japanese Sneaker Collabs You Shouldn’t Miss | CoolJapan


You can always count on high-profile Japanese sneaker collabs to cause buzz among the fashionable crowd. And we can understand the hype. Almost every drop features a new covetable design or a fresh take on a classic silhouette. Want to add a new pair to your rotation? Check out these five pieces that will surely captivate your street style-loving heart.


BAPE x Vans Collection



BAPE, a Japanese streetwear fashion brand founded by designer Nigo, joined forces with Vans to refresh two iconic silhouettes: Sk8-Hi 38 DX and Authentic 44 DX. The former retained all signature details including the quilted counter and denim-like upper, both of which are now dressed in BAPE’s monochromatic version of the ABC camouflage outline. On the other hand, Authentic 44 DX’s new look sports the original green-toned camo pattern. These picks are great for upgrading your casual outfits without going over the top.


Skechers x kansaïyamamoto



This Skechers x kansaïyamamoto collaboration featuring Skechers Max Cushioning Premier is released posthumously, a year after legendary designer Kansai Yamamoto has passed. Even so, these shoes still bear the same flamboyant yet sleek look of Yamamoto’s creations. Inspired by the dynamic performing art of Kabuki, the piece showcases vibrant shades that are reminiscent of the bold costumes worn by actors on stage. You can definitely take your dramatic looks to the next level with these.


FPAR x Nike SB Blazer



Founded by Tetsu Nishiyama in 1993, FPAR (which stands for FORTY PERCENT AGAINST RIGHTS) believes that when you’ve altered about 40% of a piece, the original rights to that creation are already forfeited. You can see this same ethos applied to the Nike SB Blazer Low collab which has a luxe leather look with reptilian accents. It’s the same familiar versatile shoe many love but tweaked just enough to make it one-of-a-kind.


Rui Hachimura x Air Jordan 8



While Japanese basketball player Rui Hachimura may still be considered a newbie, he’s definitely already making an impression among fans. Case in point: Rui Hachimura already scored a collaboration with Nike’s Air Jordan for a special edition Air Jordan 8. The soon-to-be-released shoe features Japanese-inspired graphics including Hachimura’s own “Black Samurai” logo on the tongue. The design’s colourway is also striking which has a vintage-like, aged look contrasted with pops of red. It’s surely a unique piece you’d want to own.


UNITED ARROWS x New Balance 550



Already a chic silhouette, the New Balance 550 is made even more elegant thanks to Japanese clothing brand UNITED ARROWS’ minimalistic touch. If you think monochromatic colourways are boring, you’d be proven wrong with this version of the famous basketball-turned-lifestyle shoe. Shades of white and black are strategically mixed together and applied to different textures to create a simple shoe that could be styled easily with any ensemble.


Which of these latest Japanese sneaker collaborations caught your eye?


(Cover photo from: @unitedarrows_official)

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