Brain Dead Lets the adidas Bowling Shoe Go Wild

Brain Dead and adidas Originals aren't finished at the bowling alley just yet. Their take on an archival adidas bowling shoe from the '70s first surfaced as a friends-and-family release in 2024, before a wider rollout that included a link-up with Dover Street Market. Now it's back in two fresh colourways, and this time the animal kingdom is calling the shots.

A Closer Look at the Brain Dead x adidas Bowling Shoe...

Spots or Scales?

You've got two options to pick from. The first pair is wrapped in premium leather with a fur-style leopard print and goes by 'Cheetah' (KH8143). The second swaps the spots for a snakeskin-inspired leather upper, listed as 'Snakeskin' (KJ0662). Both stick with the archival bowling shape and finish things off with gold 'adidas' and 'Brain Dead' debossing on the lateral side.

It's All in the Details

Brain Dead hasn't stopped at the upper. Custom sock liners, custom laces and bespoke hang tags round off the package, so there's plenty to clock even once the box is open.

Who Are Brain Dead Again?

Founded by Kyle Ng in 2015, Brain Dead describes itself as a creative studio with its roots firmly on the fringes, pulling from art, music, film and design. That outsider streak shows here. Rather than a polite archive reissue, you get a bowling shoe that's near impossible to miss. It's been a busy year for the partnership too, with a Disney-backed football collection landing earlier in 2026.

How about the Drop Date?

The Brain Dead x adidas Bowling Shoe drops on 8 October 2026 in limited quantities via the adidas CONFIRMED app, select adidas stores and retailers, and Brain Dead's own webshop. Both colourways retail at £220, and you can grab the Cheetah and Snakeskin pairs at adidas.

You'll find all the key info on timing over on our release calendar.

IMAGE CREDITS: adidas