Few brands have shaped European sneaker culture quite like Patta. What started as a small Amsterdam boutique in 2004 quickly became a global tastemaker, known for bridging hip-hop, football culture, and streetwear with some of the biggest names in footwear. From Air Max grails to genre-defining New Balance drops, here’s everything you need to know about Patta and how their collaborations became some of the most sought-after releases in the game.
The Origins
Founded by Edson Sabajo and Guillaume ‘Gee’ Schmidt, Patta began as a platform for importing hard-to-find sneakers into the Netherlands. At a time when European sneaker culture was still finding its feet, Patta built a community around exclusivity, storytelling, and music. It wasn’t long before brands came knocking.
Patta x Nike
Any conversation about Patta collaborations starts with Nike, specifically the Air Max line. It all started back in 2006 with the Air Max 90 ‘Homegrown’, a 420-friendly design made to promote the Dutch hip-hop platform, State Magazine. As Patta’s first major sneaker collab, the Homegrown made history and now goes for thousands on the resale market.
Air Max 1 ‘Chlorophyll’ (2009)
Patta’s second major breakthrough came with the Nike Air Max 1 ‘Chlorophyll’. Built with premium leather, mesh and bright green denim overlays, it elevated the classic runner with rich materials and subtle co-branding. The release set the tone: OG silhouettes, refined upgrades, and limited quantities. After achieving its grail status, the ‘Chlorophyll’ was rereleased in 2024 for Patta’s 20th anniversary.
The 5th Anniversary Collection (2009)
To celebrate five years, Patta dropped a pack of Air Max 1 colourways including the legendary ‘Purple Denim’, ‘Lucky Green’, and the ‘Cherrywood’ pair designed with Piet Parra. Today, these pairs are considered grails among collectors, helping cement Patta as one of Nike’s most important European collaborators.
Air Max 1 ‘Waves’ (2021-Now)
If by 2021 you still hadn’t heard of Patta, their ‘Waves’ collab on the Air Max 1 made everyone take notice. The Air Max 1 ‘Monarch’ introduced the now-iconic wavy mudguard, a bold redesign of Tinker Hatfield’s original blueprint.
More than just a visual tweak, the ‘Waves’ pack told stories rooted in black culture and community, supported by Patta’s short film series, The Wave. Each pair also came with a bracelet featuring the flag of Suriname, a nod to Patta’s Caribbean heritage. Additional colourways like ‘Noise Aqua’ and ‘Black’ followed, proving that even a decades-old silhouette could feel brand new. The Waves series is even set to continue in 2026, with two new colourways dropping in February.
Air Max Plus & Air Huarache 20Y24
Patta didn’t stop at the Air Max line. Their collaboration with FC Barcelona on the Nike Air Max Plus featured a bold purple gradient upper and street-ready energy. Meanwhile, their all-new running club-inspired 20Y24 take on the Nike Air Huarache leaned into stripped-back, functional aesthetics. Each release balanced heritage with experimentation, never straying too far from the DNA that made the original models iconic.
Air Max 90 ‘Waves’
In 2025, Patta took their signature Waves motif and reapplied it to the Air Max 90. This pack featured four colourways, each heavily inspired by the futuristic streetwear looks of the Y2K era.
Patta x New Balance
While Nike collaborations defined Patta’s early dominance, their partnership with New Balance showcased a different side of the brand.
New Balance 920 (2020)
The Boston brand first tapped Patta for the launch of their new Made in UK 920 model, covering the futuristic shoe in neutral grey tones It felt understated but elevated, a perfect alignment of New Balance and Patta’s mature design language.
New Balance 991 (2021)
Patta’s follow-up on the 991 was a bit more colourful but with that same neutral, mature approach. This pair featured ‘Dusty Pink’ suede over a petrol green mesh, featuring Patta branding embroidered on the heel.
New Balance 990v3 (2022)
Part of the ‘Keep Your Family Close’ pack, the 990v3 came in a muted olive base with vibrant neon hues, pushing beyond the typical NB palette. The campaign emphasised community and intergenerational connection, themes that have always been central to Patta’s identity.
New Balance 991v2 (2024)
In 2024, Patta was tasked with promoting another major New Balance launch, the 991v2. Their two colourways ‘Pickled Beet’ and ‘Sea Moss’ both featured glossy premium leather over unique, corduroy-like mesh.
ASICS
Patta’s collaborative resume doesn’t stop there. Since they’ve produced some serious heat with ASICS across a range of their best runners. Standouts include boutique’s black red and green colourways on the Gel-Saga II and Gel-Lyte III, as well as the bold anime-inspired Gel-Respector from 2017.
KangaROOS
In the 2010s onwards, Patta built a strong relationship with KangaROOS. This collaboration kicked off with the 2011 PxK hiking collection, featuring the durable K2 and Woodhollow models. On the slimmer side of things, Patta also released a three-pack of KangaROOS Tennis Oxfords the following year.
Reebok
For the 25th anniversary of the Reebok Workout model, Patta presented one of 15 unique designs to celebrate the shoe. This came in the form of a fluffy grey pair inspired by the speed of the hare. For something a little more subtle, their Club C 85 from 2020 came in classic white leather with added Patta branding and Pan-African details.
Diadora
If we’re talking runners, we can’t forget about Patta’s work with Diadora. The Italian label’s catalogue serves as the perfect foundation for super-premium collaboration, something Patta easily took advantage of. One of the standout releases would have to be the Made in Italy N9000 ‘Patta Italia’ from 2014.
Mizuno
To round out Patta’s love affair with classic runners, let’s talk Mizuno. Since 2020, the boutique has released several colourful looks for the Japanese brand’s popular Sky Medal silhouette.
The Legacy
What separates Patta from other boutiques isn’t just their eye-catching designs, it’s their narrative. Every major drop feels intentional. Whether referencing Caribbean heritage, 90s hip-hop, or Amsterdam’s multicultural identity, Patta ensures each sneaker tells a story. Limited runs keep demand high, but it’s the cultural weight behind each project that keeps collectors invested.
In an era where collaborations can feel endless, Patta remains selective. That careful curation has preserved their credibility for over two decades. From the early Air Max 1 grails to modern-day experimental redesigns, Patta has helped redefine what a sneaker collaboration can be. They’ve proven that a boutique can influence global design language and not just follow trends.
With new projects constantly rumoured and archival pairs skyrocketing on the resale market, one thing is clear: Patta’s collaborative legacy is still being written. If you’re looking to add a piece of that history to your rotation, keep an eye on upcoming drops and don’t sleep when they land.
There’s still so many Patta collabs we haven’t mentioned, including Vans, Converse, and Karhu. Check out the full range available on KLEKT
