Brain Dead Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary with adidas Bowling Shoe Collab

Brain Dead is one of the few brands that doesn’t restrict itself when it comes to shoe collaborations and having already solidified its expertise in the footwear realm through link-ups with Asics and ROA, plus the single-handed reinvigoration of Oakley’s Factory Team, the Fairfaxian streetwear staple is now forming an alliance with adidas.

Brain Dead wears its eccentricity like a badge of honour across all endeavours and rather than drumming up a simple colourway or co-branded tracksuit collection, the brand has gone “0-100” out the gate by convincing adidas to make a bowling shoe. 

Coming in time for Brain Dead’s 10-year anniversary, this specific version is currently limited to friends and family exclusives, but there’s no smoke without fire and the shoe fits Brain Dead’s M.O to a tee.

adidas’ ties to the Bowling Shoe niche date back to the 60’s and 70’s, when the style could be likened to today’s Samba in terms of popularity and was titled the Kegler Super. While iterations of the original model have since been birthed, Brain Dead’s version is a more faithful homage.

Seen here in black and white, the uppers are constructed from stiff leather with a contrasting stripe connecting the tongue and toe. Brain Dead and adidas’ wordmarks land on the side in the classic gold foil makeup - all propped up by alley-regulation leather soles and rubber heels. 

Expect more information on the upcoming adidas x Brain Dead collaboration project soon.