"If there's something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call?" Ghostbusters!
Ghostbusters, the beloved franchise that introduced us to the unforgettable team of paranormal investigators, Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), has not only captured our imaginations on the big screen but has also made its mark in the world of fashion, particularly in the realm of sneakers. As the franchise gears up to celebrate its 40th Anniversary alongside the release of the highly anticipated 2024 film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, let's take a nostalgic journey through the history of Ghostbusters sneakers.
In the franchise's early days, following the massive success of the original 1984 film, Ghostbusters fever was at an all-time high. However, sneaker collaborations would not begin until the early 00s. This is mainly because sneaker collaborations were niche until brands started to venture out more in the 21st century. So, in 2009, A Bathing Ape became the first brand to create a collaborative footwear collection with the Ghostbusters franchise. This BAPE collab was done to celebrate the Ghostbusters' 25th Anniversary. Other brands such as Fila, Reebok, K-Swiss, and most recently, Timberland have grabbed their proton packs and hit the city streets searching for ghosts.
As Ghostbusters enthusiasts eagerly await the release of the 2024 film, anticipation is high for what's next from the franchise, both sneaker-related and not. So follow along as we take you through each Ghostbusters sneaker release, from the A Bathing Ape Bape Sta to the Timberland 6" Premium Boot.
Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta 25th Anniversary White (2009)
In 2009, A Bathing Ape (BAPE) became the first footwear brand to collaborate with the Ghostbusters franchise. The two labels cooked up three colorways of the classic Bape Sta, including this clean white-based pair. Made to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Ghostbusters, an oversized Ghostbusters logo adorns the heel, while another is found on the back heel tab.
Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta 25th Anniversary Red (2009)
Alongside the abovementioned pair, A Bathing Ape cooked up this red-based pair of Bape Sta's to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Ghostbusters. The Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta 25th Anniversary Red edition sports a classic all-patent leather upper in red. White accents the Bape star on the sides, laces, midsole, and leather lining. An oversized Ghostbusters logo is on the heel, while a red solid rubber outsole completes the look.
Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta 25th Anniversary Black (2009)
The Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta 25th Anniversary Black edition finishes the trio. This pair, more limited than the White and Red iterations, was available exclusively in-store at BAPE's NYC and LA locations. It features an all-black upper with the Ghostbusters logo on the heel and back heel tab, just like the abovementioned pairs.
Nas x Ghostbusters x Fila FX-100 (2016)
Seven years after BAPE, Fila became the second brand to partner with Ghostbusters. Released in 2016, this Ghostbusters x Fila FX-100 is actually a three-way collab with artist and rapper Nas. The NYC native is a big fan of the Ghostbusters franchise, so tying him in was a no-brainer. Made to resemble the classic jumpsuits worn by the paranormal investigators, this pair sports a cream-based suede upper with a black leather removable ankle strap. Nas' N logo is embroidered on the back heel, while the Ghostbusters emblem is on the leather insoles. Custom packaging ties everything together.
Ghostbusters x Fila Original Fitness (2016)
The Ghostbusters x Fila Collection continued beyond the Nas co-signed FX-100 pair. It ventured onto two other classic silhouettes, including the Original Fitness. Barring a resemblance to the FX-100, this pair is also inspired by the classic jumpsuits worn by the Ghostbusters crew. The Ghostbusters x Fila Original Fitness features a cream-based upper with black accents and small hits of red. The Fila branding on the back heel patch mimics the ones emblazoned on each respective Ghostbuster's chest.
Ghostbusters x Fila T-1 Mid (2016)
Rounding out the Ghostbusters x Fila Collection is the T-1 Mid. Perhaps the most popular pair from the set, this pair sports a clean, black-based suede upper with small hits of red coming via the Fila branding. The Ghostbusters logo is present on the insoles, just like the FX-100 and Original Fitness, but what makes this pair stand out the most is the full glow-in-the-dark outsole!
Bait x Stranger Things x Ghostbusters x Reebok Ex-O-Fit Clean Hi Vintage (2017)
In 2017, Seattle-based retailer Bait teamed up with Netflix and their smash hit, Stranger Things, to honor 80s icon Ghostbusters with a two-shoe capsule made in partnership with Reebok. The Bait x Stranger Things x Ghostbusters x Reebok Ex-O-Fit Clean Hi was done in two iterations. Both pairs feature artwork by Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo, who plays Dustin in the series. This capsule coincided with the Halloween episode of Stranger Things Season 2, where the group dressed up as Ghostbusters. This Vintage iteration sports an aged look and was the more limited pair of the two.
Bait x Stranger Things x Ghostbusters x Reebok Ex-O-Fit Clean Hi (2017)
Alongside the Vintage pair was the Bait x Stranger Things x Ghostbusters x Reebok Ex-O-Fit Clean Hi. Identical to the abovementioned pair, this one ditches the vintage look for a classic all-white vibe. The same custom drawings by Gaten Matarazzo are seen throughout, along with custom insoles.
Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta White (2019)
A Bathing Ape and Ghostbusters joined forces for a second time in 2019. This time, the two were commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Ghostbusters franchise. Working on the Bape Sta again, two colorways were released, a white- and a red-based pair. This version is the white-based pair. It features a white-based patent leather upper accented by a red logo on the sides. Ghostbusters branding is found on both parts of the back heel, with Baby Milo appearing behind the classic no ghost logo.
Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta Red (2019)
Along with the abovementioned white-based pair, the Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta Red was also released in 2019 to coincide with the 35th Anniversary of the franchise. This pair is the opposite of the white-based pair, flipping the script by sporting a red-based patent leather upper with white accents. Ghostbusters and Bape Milo branding adorn the back heel while the pair came in special packaging to elevate the collaboration further.
Ghostbusters x K-Swiss Classic 2000 Slimer (2019)
Also in 2019, K-Swiss joined in on the 35th Anniversary Ghostbusters festivities. The two brands came together on the K-Swiss Classic 2000, paying homage to everyone's favorite ghost, Slimer. The upper is wrapped in translucent PVC with green accents. Slimer's face is present on the insoles, while the pink tongue furthers the Slimer vibe. The classic Ghostbusters logo is on the tongue, while a full translucent glow-on-the-dark outsole completes the look.
Ghostbusters x K-Swiss Si-18 International Stay Puft (2019)
Ghostbusters and K-Swiss collaborated on not one but two classic silhouettes in celebration of the franchise's 35th Anniversary in 2019. Alongside the Classic 2000 was the K-Swiss Si-18 International. This pay honors another fan favorite, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The Ghostbusters x K-Swiss Si-18 International Stay Puft edition sports a white-based quilted leather upper that gives off a puffy vibe reminiscent of a plump marshmallow. Red and blue accents tie back to Stay Puft's sailor outfit, finished off by a full translucent outsole. Details include custom laces with the phrase "I Ain't Afraid Of No Ghost" printed throughout, Stay Puft prominent on the tongue tag, a dual-branded patch on the back heel, and GB-84" embroidered on the heels.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Ghost Smashers (2020 & 2022)
In 2020, Reebok rejoined the Ghostbusters franchise for a second footwear capsule. This time, the two brands worked together without the help of Bait and Netflix. Reebok cooked up an all-new silhouette for this collection based on the Alien Stomper, which was properly named the Ghost Smashers. The Ghostbusters x Reebok Ghost Smashers edition draws inspiration from the classic Ecto-1 vehicle.
The details on this pair stand out the most. Proton Pack-inspired removable Ectoplasm cartridges with tubes are found on the back heel, with the classic Ghostbusters logo on the tongue. Vintage vibes are seen throughout, along with black stripes covering the yellow Reebok branding on the mid-foot strap. They were re-released in 2022, known as the Ectoplasm edition, featuring slight differences like more of a worn vibe throughout, tying back to the present-day Ecto-1 vehicle seen in Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Classic Leather (2020)
The Ghostbusters x Reebok Classic Leather was released in 2020 alongside the debut of the Ghost Smashers silhouette. This pair draws inspiration from the classic Ghostbusters jumpsuits, just like the Fila collabs did previously—a beige-based all-canvas upper mimics the outfits, complete with a Reebok patch on the side. The Ghostbusters logo is prominent on the tongue with the phrase "Ready To Believe You" written across the back heel tabs.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Instapump Fury (2021)
Every Halloween, millions of people worldwide dress up in various costumes to celebrate the holiday. One of the most popular themed costumes seen over the last 40 years is Ghostbusters. In 2021, the Ghostbusters x Reebok partnership continued with their biggest footwear capsule. Four silhouettes were released, including the classic Reebok Instapump Fury. This pair, in particular, draws inspiration from the slime and ooze seen throughout the Ghostbusters franchise. Pink, purple, and green slime covers most of the sneaker, accents by white leather perforations peeking out.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Answer 4 Zuul (2021)
Allen Iverson's classic Reebok Answer 4 joined in on the Ghostbusters celebration in 2021. Known as the Zuul edition, this pair draws inspiration from the main antagonist from the original 1984 film. A dark grey suede upper is accented by red and purple. A ghoul's mouth on the sides represents the terror dog that took Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) and possessed her body to prepare for the coming of Gozer. Completing the look is a slim green-colored outsole.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Ecto Boot (2021)
Also a part of the 2021 collection, Reebok cooked up another brand new silhouette for the Ghostbusters line entitled the Ecto Boot. The Ghostbusters x Reebok Ecto Boot sports a futuristic look with utilitarian vibes. The boot features a grey-based upper with subtle yellow accents. The pair came in special packaging that mimicked the infamous Ghostbusters ghost trap.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Zig Kinetica Muncher (2021)
For the 2021 film Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the franchise introduced a new ghost to the mix, Muncher. Drawing similarities to Slimer, Muncher is attracted to metals instead of food. Reebok made a special Muncher edition of their Zig Kinetica silhouette to commemorate the new baddie. The sneaker features a white-based upper with a translucent shroud. Blue detailing, representing the color of Muncher, is found on the tongue, alongside the classic Ghostbusters logo. Custom-printed insoles and a ZigTech sole complete the look.
Ghostbusters x Reebok Zig Kinetica Stay Puft GS (2021)
Ghostbusters and Reebok designed not one but two versions of the Zig Kinetica silhouette for their 2021 capsule. While the men's pair represented Muncher, a kids' exclusive honored the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. The Ghostbusters x Reebok Zig Kinetica Stay Puft edition sports a white-based design with a puffy upper. Various designs of Stay Puft cover most of the upper, accented by a black tongue featuring the classic Ghostbusters logo. A translucent ZigTech sole exposes yellow and black stripes, nodding to the infamous ghost trap.
Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta Camo (2022)
In 2022, A Bathing Ape and Ghostbusters teamed up for a third time. This collaboration featured a one-off release of the Bape Sta. Made to pay homage to Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the entire upper is covered in a camo-life design featuring unique Ghostbusters graphics. A double-star logo adorns the sides in white and red patent leather. Ghostbusters branding is seen on the heel as well as the back heel tab with Bape on the tongue tags. A clean, all-white outsole finishes things off for the Ghostbusters x A Bathing Ape Bape Sta Camo edition.
Ghostbusters x Timberland Premium 6" Boot NYC (2024)
Ghostbusters turns 40 in 2024! To celebrate, the latest film in the franchise, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, hits theatres in May alongside a new footwear collection in collaboration with Timberland. One of two colorways of the Premium 6" Boot, this pair is known as the NYC edition. A unique take on the classic wheat book, this pair sports a premium nubuck upper with Ghostbusters debossed into the black leather collar. The Ghostbusters logo is also prominent on the tongue. Additional details include custom yellow and black striped laces and hangtags.
Ghostbusters x Timberland Premium 6" Boot Slimer (2024)
Timberland cooked up a Slimer iteration of their classic Premium 6" Boot alongside the NYC pair. Made in collaboration with Ghostbusters to commemorate the launch of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and the 40th Anniversary of the franchise, this pair comes in a black-based colorway. Dressed in premium black nubuck, a glow-in-the-dark slime graphic adorns the collar. Additional glow-in-the-dark hits come via the laces, Ghostbusters logo on the tongue, Timberland tree logo on the heel, outsole, and hang tags.
Keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Steve Jaconetta is the Head of Content based out of Connecticut. An encyclopedia for sneaker releases, he's covered the industry for over fifteen years. His stops have included Sole Collector, Complex, and StockX, to name a few. He considers the Air Jordan 11 Concord the greatest sneaker of all time and has a strong affection for 80s pop culture. Email: steve@soleretriever.com
