Sweet-but-edgy girls, take note! Vans x BAPE’s retro street-style collab has already caught the eye of Y2K trendsetters
The details this time are honestly way too good～
Summary
- The collaboration sneakers rework the loose, retro silhouette of the Vans Knu Skool that first launched in 1997.
- Highlights include the side panels combining the Vans 3D Sidestripe with BAPE’s classic STA star logo.
- The rubber sidewall of the midsole is debossed with the A Bathing Ape wording and molded with the brand’s signature shark tooth motif.
- The series comes in “Camo Black” and a high-saturation pink‑green‑purple “Color Camo” colorway, priced at US$ 150.
Ever open your shoe closet and feel like you’re missing a pair of retro sneakers that show off your personality while staying comfortable enough for a day out? Chunky ’90s “bread shoes” are still going strong, and the streetwear world has some exciting news: Vans and A Bathing Ape (BAPE) are joining forces once again to launch the new Vans x BAPE Premium Knu Skool collection worldwide on July 15, 2026. It’s sure to be one of this summer’s most talked-about releases.
- Related reading: This season’s hottest sneakers: emmi teams up with FILA for the milk-tea blue ECHAPPE MS, a pair you’ll fall for at first sight!
A maximalist meeting of streetwear heavyweights
Introduced in 1997, the Vans Knu Skool is known for its exaggerated padded tongue, thick collar, and plush 3D Sidestripe. This BAPE x Vans collaboration doesn’t replace one brand’s identity with the other’s; it layers their signature elements together. Black suede covers the toe, heel, and areas around the eyelets for the durability expected of a skate shoe, while the canvas side panels showcase the collection’s most recognizable prints.
Exquisite craftsmanship in the details
The most captivating detail of the Vans Knu Skool collaboration is undoubtedly the visual contrast along the sides. Vans’ signature raised Sidestripe sits alongside BAPE’s STA star logo, with each standing out on the same panel. On the sole, the rubber sidewall is subtly embossed with the A Bathing Ape name, while a bold shark-tooth motif is molded into the front of the midsole. Even more surprising, the wide laces are finished with delicate silver Ape Head metal lace locks, while Vans’ classic Checkerboard pattern shows through the translucent icy outsole. Detail lovers will find it hard to resist.
Vans’ collaborations have brought one surprise after another over the past few years, and this latest partnership with BAPE takes the retro trend to another level. Rather than opting for conservative basics, the collection’s bold color clashes better capture the free-spirited nature of skate culture. Pair them with loose, washed jeans or cargo shorts to bring out that Y2K streetwear feel.
Join POPBEE Circle and subscribe to the POPBEE newsletter for the latest updates, and get early access to exclusive perks and special discounts. Beyond this article, here are a few recent stories worth checking out:
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