Is Sprayground Owned by Bape? The Real Story Behind These Streetwear Backpack Brands
When you walk into a high school hallway, you’ll see backpacks everywhere-but not just any backpacks. You’ll spot bold graphics, camouflage patterns, and logos that scream streetwear. Two names come up again and again: Sprayground and Bape. And if you’ve ever scrolled through TikTok or Instagram, you’ve probably seen someone ask: Sprayground owned by Bape? The answer isn’t simple, and the confusion isn’t just random-it’s built into how these brands market themselves.
What Sprayground Actually Is
Sprayground started in 2007 in New York City as a small streetwear brand focused on bold, graphic-heavy backpacks. Their designs? Think cartoon characters, graffiti-style fonts, and oversized logos. They didn’t try to be luxury. They tried to be loud. And it worked. By 2015, they were selling over 500,000 backpacks a year, mostly to teens and young adults who wanted to stand out.
Sprayground backpacks aren’t made in Japan or Italy. They’re manufactured in China, like most mass-market bags. But what sets them apart is the design. Each season, they drop new collections with themes like anime, horror movies, or pop culture references. A Sprayground backpack isn’t just storage-it’s a statement. And that’s why it’s so popular in high schools across the U.S.
What Bape Really Is
Bape, short for A Bathing Ape, was founded in 1993 by Nigo in Tokyo. It started as a high-end streetwear label with a cult following. The iconic shark hoodies, camouflage prints, and ape head logos became symbols of status. Bape didn’t just sell clothes-it sold exclusivity. Limited drops, collaborations with artists and musicians, and insane resale prices made it a global phenomenon.
Bape backpacks? They’re expensive. A single Bape backpack can cost between $250 and $600. They’re made with higher-grade materials, often feature hand-stitched details, and come with serial numbers. You won’t find them at Target or Walmart. You’ll find them at select boutiques, or on StockX, where they sell for double the retail price.
Why People Think Sprayground Is Owned by Bape
Here’s the real reason the confusion exists: both brands use similar visual language. Camouflage. Animal motifs. Bold, blocky lettering. Both target the same age group. Both sell backpacks with oversized front pockets and padded straps. To a 15-year-old scrolling through Instagram, they look like twins.
But here’s the truth: Sprayground and Bape are completely separate companies. Sprayground is owned by a private U.S.-based company called Sprayground LLC, headquartered in New York. Bape is owned by A Bathing Ape Co., Ltd., which is now under the umbrella of the Japanese conglomerate I.T Group since 2011.
No merger. No acquisition. No shared ownership. Just two brands that accidentally ended up looking alike.
Key Differences Between Sprayground and Bape Backpacks
It’s not just about price. The whole experience is different.
| Feature | Sprayground | Bape |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $30-$80 | $250-$600 |
| Manufacturing | China | Japan, Vietnam, China (limited editions) |
| Materials | 600D polyester, basic zippers | High-density nylon, YKK zippers, reinforced stitching |
| Availability | Amazon, Walmart, Target, Urban Outfitters | Bape stores, SSENSE, END., StockX, resale markets |
| Resale Value | Low-drops quickly in value | High-often sells for 2-3x retail |
| Design Philosophy | Pop culture, humor, loud graphics | Minimalist streetwear, exclusivity, collectibility |
If you’re a high school student looking for a backpack that gets attention without breaking the bank, Sprayground makes sense. If you’re saving up for months, tracking drops, and care about brand history and resale value, Bape is the move.
What High School Students Actually Want
Most teens don’t care about corporate ownership. They care about two things: does it look cool, and can they afford it?
A 2024 survey of over 1,200 U.S. high school students found that 68% chose their backpack based on appearance, not brand reputation. Only 12% could name the parent company of their bag. For the rest, it’s about the design, the color, and whether their friends have one.
Sprayground wins here because it’s accessible. You can walk into a Target and grab one on the spot. Bape? You need a PayPal balance, a good internet connection, and luck.
And let’s be real-most high schoolers aren’t buying backpacks as investments. They’re buying them because they want to look like the person in the TikTok video they watched last night.
Counterfeit Backpacks Are a Real Problem
Because both brands are popular, knockoffs are everywhere. Amazon, eBay, AliExpress-there are dozens of fake Sprayground and fake Bape backpacks sold as "authentic."
How to tell the difference?
- Sprayground: Real ones have a small embroidered logo on the side strap. Fake ones often have printed logos that peel off after a few weeks.
- Bape: Authentic Bape backpacks come with a numbered authenticity card, a dust bag, and a tag with a unique serial code. If it doesn’t have these, it’s fake.
Buying from a trusted retailer matters. Don’t risk $500 on a backpack from a random seller on Instagram.
Should You Buy Sprayground or Bape?
Let’s cut through the noise.
If you’re a high school student on a budget, want a backpack that turns heads, and don’t care about resale value-go with Sprayground. It’s durable enough for daily use, and you can replace it every year without guilt.
If you’re an older student, a collector, or someone who treats fashion like an investment-Bape is worth the wait. But be prepared to spend serious money and time.
And no, Sprayground is not owned by Bape. They’re not even in the same league. One is mass-market fun. The other is high-end hype. Confusing them is like thinking a $50 Nike hoodie is the same as a $500 Supreme one. They might look similar from far away-but up close, the difference is clear.
What to Look for in a High School Backpack
Whether you pick Sprayground, Bape, or something else, here’s what actually matters:
- Weight distribution: Padded straps and a waist belt make a huge difference when you’re carrying 15 pounds of books.
- Water resistance: Rain happens. Look for coated zippers and a water-repellent finish.
- Compartment layout: A laptop sleeve (15-inch or larger), a front pocket for pens, and a side pocket for water bottles are non-negotiable.
- Warranty: Sprayground offers a one-year warranty. Bape doesn’t advertise one-but if you buy from an official store, they’ll often replace damaged items.
Don’t get sucked into brand wars. Get a bag that works for your life.
Is Sprayground owned by Bape?
No, Sprayground is not owned by Bape. Sprayground is an independent U.S.-based brand founded in 2007, while Bape (A Bathing Ape) is a Japanese streetwear company founded in 1993 and now owned by I.T Group. They have no corporate connection.
Can you tell the difference between a real Sprayground and a fake one?
Yes. Real Sprayground backpacks have a small embroidered logo on the side strap, clean stitching, and a tag with the official website. Fakes often have printed logos that fade, uneven stitching, and misspellings like "Sprayground" written as "Spraygroundz." Always buy from authorized retailers like Target, Urban Outfitters, or the official Sprayground website.
Are Bape backpacks worth the price?
Only if you value exclusivity, craftsmanship, and resale potential. Bape backpacks are made with higher-quality materials, have better stitching, and often increase in value over time. But if you just need a backpack for school, you’re better off spending $50 on a Sprayground and using the rest of your budget on lunch or a new pair of shoes.
Which brand lasts longer: Sprayground or Bape?
Bape backpacks are built to last longer due to reinforced stitching, higher-grade nylon, and better hardware. But Sprayground bags are surprisingly durable for their price. Many students use them for two or three years with daily wear. The real difference is in the details-not the overall lifespan.
Why do so many students wear Sprayground backpacks?
Because they’re affordable, eye-catching, and easy to find. Sprayground drops new designs every season with pop culture themes that teens love-like anime, horror movies, or viral memes. You don’t need to wait in line or pay resale prices. Just walk into Target and grab one.
Final Thoughts
Brands like Sprayground and Bape aren’t just about bags-they’re about identity. For most high schoolers, the backpack is the first real fashion choice they make on their own. It’s not about who owns the company. It’s about what it says about you.
So if you’re wondering whether Sprayground is owned by Bape, the real question is: what kind of statement do you want to make?
Destiny Brumbaugh
January 14, 2026 AT 02:20Sprayground and Bape arent even in the same universe bro why are we even having this conversation
Sara Escanciano
January 14, 2026 AT 09:35People who buy Sprayground are just lazy consumers who cant afford real streetwear. This isn't fashion it's a cry for attention. You're not cool you're just wearing cheap plastic with a logo.
Elmer Burgos
January 15, 2026 AT 16:15look i get both sides honestly. sprayground is for the kid who wants to look like they're in a music video without breaking their mom's credit card. bape is for the guy who saves up for months and still gets scammed on stockx. both are valid if you ask me. just dont hate on someone for choosing the one that fits their life
Jason Townsend
January 17, 2026 AT 15:34theyre owned by the same shadow corporation that runs the school system and the fast food chains. sprayground is the gateway drug to bape and bape is the trap. you think youre choosing but youre being programmed. they want you to think its about style when its really about control
Antwan Holder
January 18, 2026 AT 04:34every backpack is a mirror. sprayground reflects the chaotic energy of a generation raised on tiktok dopamine. bape reflects the hollow ache of capitalism dressed in camo. we dont buy bags we buy identities we dont wear logos we wear wounds. the real question isnt who owns them its who owns us
Angelina Jefary
January 19, 2026 AT 08:25you people keep misspelling Sprayground as Spraygroundz or Spraygrounde. its not that hard. S-P-R-A-Y-G-R-O-U-N-D. if you cant spell the brand name correctly how can you take it seriously? this isnt just grammar its respect
Jennifer Kaiser
January 20, 2026 AT 05:10im not here to pick sides. but i do remember being 15 and saving every dollar from my after school job just to get my first real backpack. i got a sprayground because it had that neon dragon design and my best friend had one too. we felt like we belonged. later i saw a bape in a boutique window and it looked like a piece of art. i never bought it but i understood why someone would. its not about ownership its about what it means to you in that moment
TIARA SUKMA UTAMA
January 20, 2026 AT 17:18my cousin got a fake bape and it fell apart in a week. he cried. i told him to just get sprayground next time. cheaper better. no drama
Jasmine Oey
January 22, 2026 AT 04:12obviously sprayground is just a mass produced knockoff for the uneducated masses. bape is art. bape is legacy. bape is culture. sprayground? its what you buy when you dont know any better. and honestly if you cant tell the difference between a $30 backpack and a $500 one maybe you should just stick to target brand socks
Marissa Martin
January 22, 2026 AT 08:27i just wish people would stop comparing them. its not a competition. everyone deserves to feel confident in what they wear. even if its a sprayground.
James Winter
January 24, 2026 AT 03:11you americans think everything is owned by someone else. bape is japanese. sprayground is american. theyre not the same. stop acting like you own the world
Aimee Quenneville
January 24, 2026 AT 09:50so you're telling me the guy who paid $600 for a bape backpack is somehow more 'authentic' than the kid who got a sprayground for $45... because he cried while waiting in line? wow. i'm sure the backpacks are whispering secrets to each other at night.