Shark Hoodies for Your Feet: BAPE Unveils The SHARK STA

Japanese streetwear giant A BATHING APE, or simply BAPE, is back with a sneaker drop that's ready to shake things up! BAPE is launching their new silhouette, the SHARK STA, with the ‘Country Pack,’ featuring 11 unique colourways, each representing a different nation's flag including Malaysia, Italy, and the UK.

Instead of taking inspiration from basketball, tennis, and hiking, the SHARK STA takes its cues directly from the brand's famous Shark Hoodie. "The Shark Sta is our first footwear product inspired by Bape apparel and designed for a toe-to-head look," reveals Adrien Kunz-Aubert, General Manager for Europe at BAPE speaking to GQ.

Originally launched in 2004, the BAPE Shark Hoodies quickly became favourites among hiphop legends like Pharrell Williams, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, and Ye. Known for their distinctive shark graphics and vibrant colours, these hoodies have been a fashion staple for nearly two decades. With the SHARK STA silhouette, BAPE is celebrating the 20th anniversary of this iconic piece, bringing that same vibe into footwear.

Earlier this year, sneaker enthusiasts caught a sneak peek of the SHARK STA during Central Cee’s Paris Fashion Week showcase. While it initially slipped under the radar, those in the know couldn’t help but admire the shoe’s luxurious details.

Looking at the sneakers, we do see a lot of layers of premium materials, in a variety of finishes. There's a tightly knit mesh base, wrapped in quality materials like suede, nubuck, and leather. Some versions also feature a glossy patent finish.

"For the Shark Sta, not only were we influenced by the hoodie, we also paid homage to the shark itself, an animal that can only move forward and thrives in motion," states Mahmoud El Salahy, CEO of A Bathing Ape. A striking mudguard wraps the silhouette, sitting atop a chunky foam midsole with accents that mimic shark gills.

The SHARK STA marks a fresh direction for the brand, after BAPE's recent resolution of the legal dispute with Nike. The sneaker showcases curvilinear suede panels radiating from the eye stays, a stacked composition of thinner layers on the sidewalls, and shark teeth motifs in the middle section. The 'Shooting Star' logo appears on the midsole, splitting the underfoot traction in half.

The brand's first entry into the world of mesh running trainers, this sneaker has already drawn comparisons to popular New Balance models due to its chunky construction and prominent midsole.

The SHARK STA will be available at BAPE STORE London on Conduit St., Mayfair, or online at uk.bape.com, starting the 5th of October. There is also set to be further releases of this model throughout October, with a BAPE x A Bored Ape Yacht Club collection set to drop on October 12th.