Brands like BAPE: 7 alternatives, from Ura-Harajuku peers to US hype labels
The closest matches to BAPE, in our view, are WTAPS, NEIGHBORHOOD and CLOT. The Sole Supplier says A Bathing Ape was founded by Nigo in 1993 in the streets of Ura-Harajuku. WTAPS's own site says it came out of Ura Harajuku, and END. places it just after peers such as NEIGHBORHOOD, BAPE and UNDERCOVER. In a 2012 Hypebeast interview, CLOT's Kevin Poon said the group visited Tokyo, met brands including Bathing Ape and NEIGHBORHOOD, and then had the idea to open a store.
We found no like-for-like price between BAPE and any pick. BAPE's Japan online store lists yen (a Ghost Tee at ¥12,100 and a pullover hoodie at ¥39,600), undated, checked October 2026; most picks list other currencies. We have sorted the picks by what you are probably after: Tokyo and Asian peers, a collaboration-led sneaker-culture label, or a US graphic-hoodie label.
Last verified · 50 sources checked · how we chose
The short answer
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Closest in scene
The brand's site says it came out of Ura Harajuku.
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A 1990s Tokyo peer
Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo lists 1994 as the year it was established.
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Collaboration-led, from Hong Kong
adidas Originals' page carries a headline about a three-way Superstar release with BAPE.
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Sneaker and hip-hop culture, from Amsterdam
Complex lists Patta collaborations with adidas, ASICS, Converse and Reebok.
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Graphic hoodies from Atlanta
Highsnobiety says its early history began with a series of sold-out hoodies.
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Sneaker shop that became a label
Hypebeast calls it a premium sneaker boutique.
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Broad New York lifestyle label
Began as a footwear retailer and expanded into streetwear, fashion and lifestyle.
What 'like BAPE' usually means
In our view, alternatives usually offer one or more of three things: the scene (Tokyo's Ura-Harajuku and the labels around it), the look (camo, bold graphics and playful logos) or the collaboration-heavy model. Few brands deliver all three.
NSS Magazine says BAPE's first camo pattern was proposed in 1996, in yellow and green, on windbreakers and sweatshirts. The Japan online store's brand menu lists A BATHING APE, MR. BATHING APE, AAPE BY A BATHING APE, BAPE BLACK, APEE, BABY MILO STORE and A BATHING APE PIRATE STORE. The Sole Supplier says Nigo sold approximately 90% of the brand to I.T Group in 2011.
BAPE's Japan store listed a Ghost Tee at ¥12,100, a College Coach Jacket at ¥36,300 and a Shark Long Wallet at ¥25,300, without saying whether tax is included (checked October 2026). StockX labels a retail price of $356 for the ABC Camo Shark Pullover Hoodie, released 1 March 2025. Yen, dollars, euros and Hong Kong dollars are not directly comparable, so each price note below says 'no like-for-like price' unless a pick lists a comparable item.
7 brands like A Bathing Ape, ranked by how close they get
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#1 · $$–$$$$
The closest match in scene, in our view. The brand's own site says WTAPS started in 1996 and came out of Ura Harajuku (END. gives 1997); END. places it just after peers such as NEIGHBORHOOD, BAPE and UNDERCOVER.
What it shares
- Ura-Harajuku roots: The Sole Supplier says BAPE was founded in the streets of Ura-Harajuku, and WTAPS's site says the same of its own origin
- Camo: Heddels reports that WTAPS's early collections leaned on olive drab, camouflage and ripstop, and NSS Magazine dates BAPE's first camo pattern to 1996
- Collaborating with each other: Highsnobiety lists WTAPS collaborations with UNDERCOVER and BAPE early on
Where it differs
- WTAPS is military and utilitarian: Highsnobiety refers to nyco and ripstop fabrics and lots of pockets; NSS Magazine lists many camo variants for BAPE
- Highsnobiety says WTAPS opened its first and only flagship in 2011 and, until very recently, sold only from its showroom; Wikipedia says BAPE operates 19 stores in Japan
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- No like-for-like price. Overkill lists euros: a BDY 01 cotton T-shirt at €155 and a Ghill sweater at €179, undated (checked October 2026). BAPE's Japan store lists yen. StockX labels $125 for the Vans Vault x WTAPS hoodie, a collaboration piece.
- Best for
- The scene BAPE came from, with a military rather than playful look.
Vans Vault x WTAPS hoodie (Smokey Olive) $125 (StockX retail price, released Dec 2022) · WTAPS x New Balance Academy long-sleeve T-shirt (Heather Grey) $150 (StockX retail price, released Aug 2021) · BDY 01 cotton T-shirt (pink) €155 (Overkill, Oct 2026) · Ghill sweater (black) €179 (Overkill, Oct 2026) · SDDT2001 ripstop trousers (olive drab) €235 (Overkill, Oct 2026) · Standard Supply x WTAPS hanging pouch €69 (Overkill, Oct 2026) · Pertex x WTAPS T-7 cap €95 (Overkill, Oct 2026)
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#2 · $$–$$$$
Hypebeast says Shinsuke Takizawa resigned from Major Force in 1994 to launch NEIGHBORHOOD, and Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo lists 1994 as the year it was established. END.'s WTAPS page lists NEIGHBORHOOD and BAPE among the peers WTAPS arrived just after.
What it shares
- A Tokyo label from the 1990s: Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo gives 1994, and The Sole Supplier gives 1993 for BAPE
- A named link: in the 2012 Hypebeast interview, CLOT's Poon said the group met brands including Bathing Ape and NEIGHBORHOOD in Tokyo
- Graphic tees and collaborations: Harresoe names graphic tees among NEIGHBORHOOD's signature pieces, and Highsnobiety dates its first collaboration with Supreme to 2007; The Sole Supplier dates BAPE's BAPESTA 'College Dropout' sneaker with Kanye West to 2007
Where it differs
- Highsnobiety describes American military, biker and rock & roll culture and a blacked-out, skull-adorned look; NSS Magazine dates BAPE's first camo pattern to 1996
- We did not find a source saying who owns NEIGHBORHOOD; The Sole Supplier says Nigo sold approximately 90% of BAPE to I.T Group in 2011
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- No like-for-like price. END.'s US site listed a Pigment Dyed Logo T-Shirt at $125 and a Staple Logo Zip Hoodie at $245, undated (checked October 2026). BAPE's Japan store lists yen.
- Best for
- A Tokyo contemporary with a darker, biker-and-military look.
Pigment-dyed logo tee $125 (END., Oct 2026) · Staple logo zip hoodie $245 (END., Oct 2026) · Zip work jacket $299 (END., Oct 2026)
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#3 · $$–$$$$
HBX and Hypebeast say CLOT was established in 2003 by Edison Chen and Kevin Poon, and Hypebeast gives Hong Kong as its headquarters. adidas Originals' page carries a headline about a Superstar by Edison Chen from adidas Originals, CLOT and BAPE.
What it shares
- Tokyo as the inspiration: Poon said the group visited Tokyo, met brands including Bathing Ape and NEIGHBORHOOD, then had the idea to open a store
- Disney: HBX says CLOT has worked with Disney, Nike and adidas, without dates, and Wikipedia describes BAPE's late-2018 Disney partnership as its first direct one
- A sub-label structure: Mixmag Asia describes CLOTTEE as CLOT's youth-oriented sub-label, and BAPE's Japan store menu lists several lines
Where it differs
- adidas Originals' promotional page says Edison Chen's aesthetic marries Chinese traditional motifs with contemporary streetwear
- Juice Store sells CLOT online in Hong Kong dollars; we found no source on who owns CLOT
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- No like-for-like price. Juice Store lists the CLOT World T-Shirt at HK$480 and the Balaclava Zip Hoodie at HK$1,680 (checked October 2026). BAPE's Japan store lists yen, and we do not convert between them.
- Best for
- A collaboration-heavy Asian label with a Tokyo origin story.
CLOT World T-Shirt (Charcoal) and Wreath T-Shirt (Grey) HK$480 (Juice Store, checked Oct 2026) · Balaclava Zip Hoodie (Black) HK$1,680 (Juice Store, checked Oct 2026) · 2003 CLOT Logo Socks HK$270 (Juice Store, checked Oct 2026) · Patch Logo Cap (Black), sale price HK$336 (HK$480 before) (Juice Store, checked Oct 2026) · Embroidery Cargo Shorts (Olive), sale price HK$826 (HK$1,180 before) (Juice Store, checked Oct 2026)
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#4 · $$–$$$
Mixmag says Patta was founded in 2004 by Edson Sabajo and Guillaume Schmidt in Amsterdam. Its own site describes both founders as active in the Dutch hip-hop and nightlife scene.
What it shares
- Sneaker collaborations: Complex lists Patta collaborations with adidas, ASICS, Converse and Reebok, and a Nike Air Max 1 'Amsterdam' in 2005 where Patta was in an advisory role; The Sole Supplier says BAPE released a BAPESTA 'College Dropout' sneaker with Kanye West in 2007
- Hip-hop ties: Patta's site describes its founders as a DJ and an MC, and The Sole Supplier says Nigo and Pharrell Williams decided in 2003 to launch Billionaire Boys Club
Where it differs
- Mixmag quotes Patta's Virgil Chocolaad saying the company had no outside investors; The Sole Supplier says Nigo sold approximately 90% of BAPE to I.T Group in 2011
- Patta's online store listed no physical store locations when we checked in October 2026
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- No like-for-like price. Patta's store shows a $ sign with no currency code: a Black Patta Hoodie at $160 and a Converse x Patta T-shirt at $120 (checked October 2026). BAPE's Japan store lists yen.
- Best for
- Sneaker-and-music culture from an Amsterdam label.
Converse x Patta T-Shirt Black $120 (pattaofficial.com, Oct 2026) · Ajax Patta Shirt $120 (pattaofficial.com, Oct 2026) · Black Patta Hoodie $160 (pattaofficial.com, Oct 2026) · Carhartt Patta Jacket $250 (pattaofficial.com, Oct 2026) · Converse Patta Pants $150 (pattaofficial.com, Oct 2026) · Nike Air Max 1 Patta Chlorophyll $185 (pattaofficial.com, Oct 2026) · Patta Smooth Operator T-Shirt, END. sale price €38 (was €59) (END., Oct 2026) · Patta Washed Canvas Jacket, END. sale price €120 (was €239) (END., Oct 2026) · Patta Tricot Track Jacket, END. sale price €65 (was €129) (END., Oct 2026)
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#5 · $$$–$$$$
Highsnobiety describes Sp5der as founded as SP5DER Worldwide in 2019 by Young Thug, and Wikipedia says it operates in Los Angeles with roots in Atlanta.
What it shares
- Graphic hoodies as the core product: Highsnobiety says the brand's early history began with a series of sold-out hoodies; BAPE's Japan store lists a Sport Relaxed Fit Pullover Hoodie
- Hip-hop founders: Young Thug at Sp5der, and Nigo, who launched Billionaire Boys Club with Pharrell Williams in 2003 and made a BAPESTA with Kanye West in 2007
- Sneaker collaborations: Complex reported a Sp5der x adidas Supermodified Superstar in February 2026
Where it differs
- Much newer: first public release in July 2019 per Wikipedia, against 1993 for BAPE
- Complex describes a luxury-meets-punk visual identity, where NSS Magazine dates BAPE's first camo pattern to 1996
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- Closest we have to a comparison, but not like-for-like. StockX labels a retail price of $200 for Sp5der's Legacy hoodie, released 7 May 2024, and $356 for BAPE's ABC Camo Shark Pullover Hoodie, released 1 March 2025. These are different designs about ten months apart, so we do not call Sp5der cheaper. Sp5der's own shop listed the Studded OG Logo V2 hoodie at $200 in October 2026.
- Best for
- Graphic hoodies from a hip-hop-founded newer label.
Now and Forever tee $75 (official shop, Oct 2026) · Studded OG Logo V2 hoodie $200 (official shop, Oct 2026) · Studded OG Logo V2 sweatpant $175 (official shop, Oct 2026) · Distressed Logo denim $195 (official shop, Oct 2026) · R-05 camo script bomber jacket $375 (official shop, Oct 2026) · Legacy hoodie (orange), retail at release $200 (May 2024)
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#6 · $$–$$$
Hypebeast gives Undefeated's founding as 11 September 2002 by James Bond and Eddie Cruz, calling it a premium sneaker boutique with Los Angeles as home city. Complex says the store opened on La Brea in 2001, so sources differ on the year.
What it shares
- A shop at the root: Complex describes the original store as walls sparsely populated with hard-to-find, limited-edition sneakers; The Sole Supplier says Nigo and Jun Takahashi opened the NOWHERE store in Harajuku
- Sneaker collaborations: Sneaker Freaker lists Undefeated x Nike releases including a Kobe release on Mamba Day in 2018; The Sole Supplier dates BAPE's BAPESTA 'College Dropout' with Kanye West to 2007
- Own-label clothing: Undefeated's site lists jerseys, jackets, crewnecks and tees
Where it differs
- Highsnobiety describes a tally mark logo symbolising a series of defeated opponents; NSS Magazine dates BAPE's first camo pattern to 1996
- Undefeated's site also lists Nike, Jordan and adidas footwear
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- No like-for-like price. Undefeated's site listed the Aux S/S tee at $45 and the Racing Jacket at $200 as regular prices (checked October 2026). BAPE's Japan store lists yen, such as the Ghost Tee at ¥12,100.
- Best for
- A sneaker shop that grew its own clothing line, at listed dollar prices.
Aux S/S tee $45 (undefeated.com, Oct 2026) · Athletics crewneck $120 (undefeated.com, Oct 2026) · Racing jacket $200 (undefeated.com, Oct 2026) · Heavy Gauge Cuff Beanie $40 (undefeated.com, Oct 2026) · Rally keychain $8 (undefeated.com, Oct 2026)
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#7 · $$$–$$$$
Wikipedia says Kith was established in New York City in 2011, when Ronnie Fieg opened a boutique called Kith NYC on 11 November 2011.
What it shares
- Several lines under one name: Kith's site navigation lists Kith Women, Kids, Baby and Ivy, and BAPE's Japan store menu lists lines including AAPE BY A BATHING APE and BABY MILO STORE
- Kids' clothing: BAPE's Japan store sells kids' categories, and Kith's site lists Kith Kids
- Brand partnerships: Wikipedia lists a Nike co-branded pop-up in 2016 and a Versace partnership; Wikipedia describes BAPE's late-2018 Disney partnership
Where it differs
- Kith began as a footwear retailer; The Sole Supplier says Nigo and Jun Takahashi opened the NOWHERE store in Harajuku
- Wikipedia lists Kith Treats, a cereal bar, and Kith Ivy, a private members' club in the West Village
- Price vs A Bathing Ape
- No like-for-like price. StockX labels US$175 for the Kith Classic Logo Nelson Hoodie, released 1 December 2025, and $356 for BAPE's ABC Camo Shark Pullover Hoodie, released 1 March 2025. Those are different designs nine months apart, and we found no kith.com price list.
- Best for
- A bigger lifestyle label with sneaker-retail roots and a lot of collaborations.
Classic Logo long-sleeve tee, heather grey (men's) US$75 (StockX retail price field, released 5 Nov 2018) · Classic Logo Nelson Hoodie, Nocturnal US$175 (StockX retail price field, released 1 Dec 2025) · Kith x BMW wool coaches jacket, black (collaboration) US$695 (StockX retail price field, released 6 Dec 2024) · New Balance 2011 Kith, Leaf Green (collaboration) $200 (currency inferred from the page) (StockX retail price field, released 29 Jun 2026) · US pocket tee US$48 (Kith post, 6 Apr 2015) · Classics short-sleeve frayed hoody US$125 (Kith post, 6 Apr 2015) · Classics Frayed Bleecker short US$84 (Kith post, 6 Apr 2015)
At a glance
| Brand | From | Price tier | vs A Bathing Ape | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Bathing Ape | Tokyo | $$$–$$$$ | — | Camo, Ura-Harajuku roots, collaborations, Shark hoodies |
| WTAPS | Tokyo | $$–$$$$ | No like-for-like price | Military-coded design, Ura-Harajuku roots |
| NEIGHBORHOOD | Tokyo | $$–$$$$ | No like-for-like price | Biker and military codes, skull branding, graphic tees |
| CLOT | Hong Kong | $$–$$$$ | No like-for-like price | Collaborations, Chinese motifs, Hong Kong base |
| Patta | Amsterdam | $$–$$$ | No like-for-like price | Sneaker collaborations, Dutch hip-hop roots |
| Sp5der | Atlanta | $$$–$$$$ | No like-for-like price | Hoodies, tees, adidas collaboration |
| Undefeated | Los Angeles | $$–$$$ | No like-for-like price | Nike collaborations, tally mark logo |
| Kith | New York City | $$$–$$$$ | No like-for-like price | Footwear collaborations, broad lifestyle range |
Price tiers use the directory's $–$$$$$ scale and describe typical retail positioning, not exact prices.
A note on dupes and replicas
We don't list replicas. BAPE's Japan online store at jp.bape.com sells men's, women's and kids' categories, so that is the clearer route; we did not check shipping or any store outside Japan. We found no source on how BAPE handles counterfeits, so we make no claim about it.
A genuine alternative is a different brand with its own designs. The picks above were chosen on that basis: each is a separate brand selling under its own name.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best brands like BAPE?
In our assessment, WTAPS, NEIGHBORHOOD and CLOT come closest: Tokyo-scene labels and a Hong Kong label that has worked with BAPE. Sp5der and Kith suit you if you want US graphic hoodies or a broad lifestyle label.
Are there cheaper brands like BAPE?
We could not show a clear case. BAPE's Japan store lists yen, and the alternatives list dollars, euros or Hong Kong dollars on different items. StockX's labelled retail prices for a Kith hoodie ($175) and a Sp5der hoodie ($200) sit below its $356 for a BAPE hoodie, but they are different designs and dates.
Who founded BAPE?
The Sole Supplier says A Bathing Ape was founded by Nigo in 1993 in the streets of Ura-Harajuku.
Who owns BAPE?
The Sole Supplier says Nigo sold approximately 90% of the brand to I.T Group in 2011. We did not find a source confirming who holds the brand today; the Japan online store's footer reads NOWHERE Co., Ltd..
Is there a BAPE dupe?
We don't list replicas. Each brand on this page sells under its own name; we do not list replica sellers.
Where can you buy BAPE?
The online store at jp.bape.com is in Japanese, English, Traditional Chinese and Korean. Wikipedia says BAPE operates 19 stores in Japan plus stores in Hong Kong, Taipei and Beijing, with no date for that count.
How we chose these brands
We shortlisted seven brands from the directory whose scene, look or collaboration style overlaps with BAPE, using only brands whose research records we have completed. Facts such as founding, ownership and prices come from the numbered sources in each brand's research record, opened and checked in October 2026. Rankings, 'what it shares' and 'best for' are our editorial judgement: the sources we opened do not compare most of these brands to BAPE directly. Price comparisons are like for like only where the garment, currency and listing type are comparable; otherwise we say so, and BAPE's own listings are in yen. Prices are single snapshots from retailers and brand sites and will change.
Sources
- The Sole Supplier: From BAPE to Kenzo, a timeline of Nigo's career
- Wikipedia: A Bathing Ape
- BAPE Japan online store
- NSS Magazine: BAPE camo
- StockX: BAPE ABC Camo Shark Pullover Hoodie SS25
- WTAPS: Feature 08 (brand site)
- Heddels: WTAPS
- Highsnobiety: WTAPS clothing brand
- END.: WTAPS
- Overkill: WTAPS
- StockX: Vans Vault x WTAPS Hoodie (Smokey Olive)
- StockX: WTAPS x New Balance Academy L/S T-Shirt (Heather Grey)
- Highsnobiety: NEIGHBORHOOD
- HYPEBEAST: Shinsuke Takizawa
- END.: NEIGHBORHOOD
- Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo: NEIGHBORHOOD
- Harresoe: The Chronicle, NEIGHBORHOOD
- END.: NEIGHBORHOOD T-shirts
- adidas Originals: Edison Chen
- HBX: CLOT brand page
- Hypebeast: CLOT brand page
- Hypebeast: Hypebeast Trade, Kevin Poon of CLOT (2012)
- Mixmag Asia: CLOTTEE dim sum capsule (2020)
- Juice Store: CLOT collection
- Mixmag: Patta Amsterdam streetwear interview
- Patta: About (patta.nl)
- Patta: About (pattaofficial.com)
- Complex: A complete history of Patta sneaker collaborations
- Patta online store
- END.: Patta
- Wikipedia: Sp5der
- Highsnobiety: Sp5der FW24 runway show
- Complex: Max B Sp5der campaign (2025)
- Complex: Sp5der x adidas Supermodified Superstar (2026)
- Sp5der: shop (bottoms)
- Sp5der: shop (all)
- StockX: Sp5der Legacy Hoodie Orange
- Sp5der: shop (outerwear)
- Hypebeast: Undefeated brand profile
- Highsnobiety: Undefeated
- Complex: Sneaker Spaces, Undefeated
- Sneaker Freaker: A brief history of Undefeated x Nike (2021)
- Undefeated: official store
- Wikipedia: Kith (brand)
- Kith: official site navigation
- StockX: Kith Classic Logo L/S Tee Heather Grey
- StockX: Kith Classic Logo Nelson Hoodie Nocturnal
- StockX: Kith x BMW Wool Coaches Jacket Black
- StockX: New Balance 2011 Kith Leaf Green
- Kith: Classics frayed hoodies, shorts and US pocket tees (2015)