Sneaker collaborations are a relatively recent phenomenon, but they've more than made up for their youth with exponential growth—a collab family tree would start tiny and rapidly explode out in a Big Bang of brands and models. And with such growth, it's obvious that some collaborations, no matter how good, are forgotten. Even can't-miss collaborators like UNDFTD and Supreme have turned out models that have been lost amidst the seemingly endless onslaught of ________ x _________ drops. So take a look at 20 Awesome Sneaker Collaborations You Forgot About and let us know which ones you're searching for now.
Sneaker collaborations are a relatively recent phenomenon, but they've more than made up for their youth with exponential growth—a collab family tree would start tiny and rapidly explode out in a Big Bang of brands and models. And with such growth, it's obvious that some collaborations, no matter how good, are forgotten. Even can't-miss collaborators like UNDFTD and Supreme have turned out models that have been lost amidst the seemingly endless onslaught of ________ x _________ drops. So take a look at 20 Awesome Sneaker Collaborations You Forgot About and let us know which ones you're searching for now.
Stash x Lacoste Revan-Ardeur
Year: 2008
Familiar colors, unfamiliar model. Stash's waterproof Lacoste jumpoffs aren't as sought-after as his Air Max BWs or fat-capped Air Force 1 Highs, but they have the same features as the former and the understated pop of the latter. Do-anything sneakers with that extra French swag.
Patta x Rockwell x ALIFE Everybody Mid "RAP"
Year: 2008
There was indeed a time when ALIFE's house-brand kicks were everywhere—even turning up for Amsterdam-based collabs. The Patta Everybody Mids were done up in the red, white and blue of Holland and the U.S. of A., complete with 3M hits and Parra artwork. As for the RAP name, think Rockwell, ALIFE, Patta. Simple.
Nort x Nike Air Talaria
Year: 2007
A friends and family drop that never hit retail, this Nort take on the Nike Air Talaria was tough enough to find in 2007. Now, with Talaria hype rebuilding thanks to the Sole Collector Zoom Revis, maybe it's time for a real release? Give the people what they want.
New Era x DC Shoes Enzo Pack
Year: 2008
New Era? Don't they just make hats? Well, there's the flag logo right there on the heel. And the pack (for $250) did include a fitted. Only 2094 were made, in either black or red. The retro upper on the full-length Airbag gave them a little bit of an Air Jordan 2.0 feel, which actually made sense for an Italian-inspired (think Ferrari Enzo) sneaker. Then again the 2.0 didn't drop until 2011, so who made who?
Sole Collector x K-Swiss Si-18
Year: 2008
K-Swiss was all like, "you think we can't get crazy?" and Sole Collector was like, "we got you," and people were like, "what the fuck is that?" You don't have these, you don't even remember them ever happening, but now you want them. You're welcome.
Sneaker Freaker x PUMA Blaze of Glory
Year: 2008
Back when everyone else was messing with the Clyde, Australia's Sneaker Freaker flipped the retro-futuristic Puma Blaze of Glory (the Disc Blaze sans Disc) runner. And rather than create something that screamed "COLLAB!" they chose an understated style that would look perfectly proper on shelves right now.
ALIFE x adidas Grand Slam
The biggest reason collaborations seem forced is they try to hard going with a colorway that would have never happened or a gimmick to make it stand out from the originals. When ALIFE and adidas teamed up a decade ago, they didn't let some marketing minds get together—they used a team of experienced sneaker culture personnel to keep it simple but still make it better. Take notes.
STPL x Star Trek x Airwalk Terrain
Year: 2009
When Jeff Staple stepped up to do a line for Airwalk, it was a sneakerhead's dream come true—Staple Design at impossibly affordable prices (nothing more than $50), available at Payless, no less. There were a ton of models, but none stood out more than this "Enterprise" themed Terrain high—which was actually a Reed Space exclusive to coincide with the 2009 flick. There were also three other versions done up in Star Trek uniform colors for the super-nerds.
Concepts x New Balance 576
Concepts x New Balance 576
Year: 2007
Concepts has a reputation of always coming through when they team up with New Balance. With so much heat over the years, people may have forgotten the UCLA-colorway 576 that ran at $150 and was worth every single dollar. The white. baby blue, and yellow sneaker stands out from NB's traditional releases and Concepts always steps up the materials.
The Hundreds x Gravis 'Black Box'
Year: 2010
What better way to make a "Black Box" model stand out than do it in all white? This Adam Bomb-blessed Gravis would be a great shoe to break out, like, tomorrow.
Masterpiece x Vans Sk8-Hi "Red Stripe"
Year: 2006
Unlike the Nike SB Dunk Low "Famous Beer Brand That Doesn't Want To Be Associated With Them," it's a pretty safe bet that Red Stripe knew all about this collab. Perfect for summer.
Sole Collector x Pony Classic BB Low
Year: 2007
The recent re-launch of Pony US means there will probably be tons of Classic BB Lows in the future, but we're pretty sure none will be as outlandish as these Sole Collector joints from 2007. NDP's "Hawks" or Steve Mulholland's "Bulls"? You decide.
Undefeated x K-Swiss “Deuce”
Year: 2010
UNDFTD is known way more for its highly sought-after Nike collabs and mass-market Converse flips, but these toned-down classic K-Swiss tennis joints may have been one of their best efforts. #veryrare
Juice x Reebok Pump 20th Anniversary
Year: 2009
With 20 ultra-limited Pumps Bringbacks dropping at the same time, it's no surprise some got overlooked. This crazy apocalypse disco pair from Hong Kong's Juice complete with hits of chrome would kill right now.
Gasius x Nike Vengeance "GASR"
Year: 2006
The Nike "V" series of runners hit the market in all sorts of ways—from Lunar updates to pre-vintaged archival styles. But perhaps none were better than this Gasius take on the Vengeance. Multiple textures and finishes popped in the black and grey and purple scheme, complete with diamond-shaped perfs. Good luck tracking them down.
HUF x PRO-Keds 69er Lo
Year: 2010
HUF does their own sneakers, of course, but they also did their share of collabs. Everyone remembers the tie-dye Dunk SBs, but these PRO-Keds 69er Los may have fallen by the wayside. Maybe it's because an SF company re-worked a shoe made famous in New York City.
Junya Watanabe x Nike Air Kukini
Year: 2000
Before sneakerheads had bloggers dick-riding every major move, real enthusisats just knew. In '00, Japanese powerhouse Junya Watanabe linked up with Nike for the second time, using an unconventional model to cook up one of the most underrated collabs to date. The futurustic look made the trainers a cult favorite but maybe a little too stylish for logging in miles. And just like that the blueprint was set for streetwear and sneaker companies to build and destroy tradtional releases.
Tretorn x Commes des Garcon Shirt Collection
Year: 2009
Yes, we know, you could make these Commes des Garcon collab Tretorns yourself with a Sharpie. But you didn't, and they did. And what with the recent Supreme x Commes des Garcon x Vans collabs, it's high time to recognize the earlier efforts.
Supreme x Vans Mountain Edition
Year: 2008
Supreme collabs aren't really forgotten as much as they are overshadowed by the latest and greatest. And as the years go by, people focus on whatever's newest as well as the key ones from the past. The Mountain Edition doesn't really hold the same weight as all-time classics like the Half Cab and the Old Skool, but this version, made from premium materials, deserves to be remembered.
Stash x Gravis "Black Box" Collection
Year: 2006
Stash has done an awful lot of sneakers for an awful lot of brands. These Gravis mids, which loosely resemble his AF-X Air Force 1 Mids, strayed from his traditional blues and greys, but it's impossible to go wrong with black and camo.
