Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills Pack: The Throwback Collab I’m Losing Sleep Over
Alright, here’s the thing about sneaker collabs these days—they’re everywhere. But when I heard about the upcoming Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills collection dropping this April, I literally spilled my morning coffee all over my desk. Not kidding. My keyboard still has a slight sticky feeling to it, but that’s beside the point.
Let me take you back a bit. I remember when I was first getting into sneakers around 2013. I’d spend hours scrolling through forums and Instagram, learning about silhouettes and their histories. The Forest Hills was one of those models that always caught my eye—a classic tennis shoe from 1976 that somehow looked both vintage and ahead of its time.
Fast forward to today, and Brain Dead (one of the coolest brands out there, if you ask me) is putting their spin on this adidas gem. And boy, they’re not holding back.
What’s Coming Our Way
Let’s talk details. This collection features four colorways that I’m already trying to figure out how to justify buying all of. Trust me, my wife isn’t thrilled about the idea, but some things are worth sleeping on the couch for.
The standout feature has to be the shaggy suede upper. I saw some early pics last week, and the texture looks so good you’d want to pet it like a dog. Sorry, that was weird, but you know what I mean.
Here are the colorways dropping:
- Violet Tone/Pantone-Core Black (which reminds me of this purple sweater my grandma knitted me that I pretended to love)
- Shadow Brown/Red-Cream White (giving me major 70s basement vibes in the best way possible)
- Core Black/Pantone-Branch (probably the most wearable, but still unique)
- Cream White/Pantone-Night Red (this one’s gonna get dirty fast, but worth it)
They’re set to drop on April 25, 2025, and retail for $120. Pretty reasonable considering most collabs these days make my credit card shriek in terror.
Why This Collab Hits Different
I’ve been following Brain Dead for years now. I still remember going to their pop-up in LA back in 2018 where I waited two hours in line only to chicken out on buying a $200 hoodie. Still regret that one.
What makes this partnership work is how Brain Dead brings their chaotic, artistic energy to adidas’ classic designs. These aren’t just recolors—they’re reimaginations. The Forest Hills might have started as a tennis shoe nearly 50 years ago, but these versions look like they belong in both a museum and on your feet at the grocery store.
This isn’t their first rodeo together either. Remember their bowling shoe? Or those wild Stan Smiths? They’ve proven they know how to collaborate without losing the essence of either brand.
How I’m Planning to Style These
I’ve already started planning outfits around these shoes, which my wife says is “putting the cart before the horse,” but whatever. The Violet Tone pair would look amazing with some faded jeans and a simple white tee. Sometimes you gotta let the kicks do the talking, you know?
The Shadow Brown colorway is screaming to be worn with some cargo pants and an oversized flannel. I can already feel the compliments rolling in at the coffee shop. “Nice shoes, man.” Yes, thank you, random stranger. I know.
I’ve got a friend who works at a local sneaker shop who promised to text me the minute they arrive. Last time he did this, I was in the middle of a work meeting and had to pretend my “grandma was in the hospital” to step out and make the purchase. Sorry, boss, if you’re reading this. Grandma was fine.
The Verdict
Look, not every collab is worth the hype. Some feel forced, like when your mom tries to use slang she heard on TikTok. But this Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills pack feels authentic to both brands.
At $120, they’re not cheap, but they’re not in the ridiculous territory either. And let’s be honest—how many plain white sneakers do you really need in your collection? These bring something different to the table.
If you’re thinking about copping a pair (or all four—no judgment here), I’d recommend setting those alarms early for April 25th. If Brain Dead’s previous releases are any indication, these won’t sit on shelves for long.
I’ll be there, credit card in hand, probably telling myself “this is the last pair for a while,” which we all know is a lie. But hey, sneakers are cheaper than therapy, right?
Anyone else eyeing this collection? Drop a comment below about which colorway you’re feeling most. In the meantime, I’ll be clearing space in my already overcrowded sneaker rack and practicing my explanation to my wife about why these are “essential purchases.”
