Patta x Nike Air Max Plus "FC Barcelona" Releases October 17

In the ever-evolving landscape of sneaker culture, collaborations often serve as a barometer for what's current, meshing diverse styles and inspirations into products that resonate with a global audience. But every so often, a collaboration comes along that transcends the expected, merging worlds you never thought would collide. Enter the Patta x Barcelona FC x Nike Air Max Plus—a trifecta that links the sartorial flair of Amsterdam streetwear, the athletic prowess of one of Europe's biggest football clubs, and the sneaker legacy of Nike.

Born in 1998 as a Foot Locker exclusive, the Nike Air Max Plus, designed by Sean McDowell, has steadily climbed the ranks to become a staple in global sneaker culture. The silhouette enjoys a particularly dedicated following in the United Kingdom, Europe, and even as far away as Australia. The Dutch, too, have a storied love affair with the Air Max lineage, cementing their country as a prominent player in the sneaker scene. This latest endeavor sees Patta, an Amsterdam-based streetwear trailblazer, partnering with the football titan that is Barcelona FC, effectively intertwining fashion, sport, and a whole lot of history.

The collaboration adheres closely to McDowell’s original design, allowing Barcelona's signature blue and garnet hues to grace the shoe in a striking gradient pattern across its mesh base. Double Swoosh logos add to the profiles, matching the gradient colors on the whale tail-like shanks underfoot. The distinctive hairy fabric usually found on the Air Max Plus' spine reappears here but is partnered with plastic “Tn AIR” badges swapped for Patta's name.

Non-standard lace dubraes further enrich the design, showcasing Barcelona's iconic emblem. The final touches of this Barcelona homage are found in the striped aglets, sunburst orange accents in the sole unit, and the phrase "Culers del món" (Catalan for "Fans of the world") on the sock liners. And if all of these detailed nods to FC Barcelona weren't enough, the shoes even come packaged in a special co-branded box and will be released alongside a range of matching apparel.

Expect to see a release first via Patta's in-house channels on October 13, followed by a wider rollout on global Nike.com sites on October 17th.