# Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills: When Nostalgia Gets a Fuzzy Upgrade
Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a sucker for a good sneaker collab. There’s something about the marriage of two brands that just gets my heart racing faster than my credit card can handle. And when I caught wind of the upcoming Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills collection dropping next April, I literally spilled my morning coffee all over my keyboard. (Don’t worry, it survived… mostly.)
I’ve been tracking Brain Dead’s collabs for years now, and there’s always something uniquely off-kilter about what this Los Angeles collective brings to the table. They never just slap their logo on something and call it a day. They dig deep, they get weird, and they make you look twice. That’s exactly what they’re doing with this adidas partnership.
Let’s talk about the Forest Hills model for a sec. If you’re not familiar with this silhouette, don’t feel bad. I wasn’t either until I fell down a rabbit hole of vintage tennis shoes back in 2018 when I was supposed to be finishing my taxes. The Forest Hills first hit the courts in 1976, and get this – it was adidas’ lightest tennis shoe at the time. They even used some NASA-developed tech in these babies! Talk about bringing space-age innovation to your backhand.
When I first saw images of the new collection, I couldn’t help but run my fingers across my screen like some kind of sneaker-obsessed weirdo, trying to imagine how that fuzzy premium suede would feel. The Brain Dead team has wrapped these classics in some seriously touchable textures that make me want to pet my sneakers. Is that strange? Probably, but I’m not apologizing.
The gold “Brain Dead” branding hits different too. It’s subtle but unmistakable – kinda like when my neighbor plays his music just loud enough that I can recognize the song but not quite loud enough to complain about. It’s that perfect balance.
Four Colorways to Empty Your Wallet
The collection features four distinct colorways, and honestly, I’m already struggling with which one I’ll try desperately to score when they drop. Each pair comes with these really cool contrasting accents that somehow manage to look both totally 70s and completely modern at the same time.
I was showing them to my friend Dave last weekend at our local coffee spot, and he said something that stuck with me: “They look like something your cool uncle would’ve worn in old photos, but also something you’d see on a fashion week runway.” Dave’s not usually that insightful (sorry Dave), but he nailed it with that one.
What really gets me is how they’ve managed to maintain the vintage charm while adding these contemporary touches. It’s like when someone renovates an old house but keeps all the original character – you get all the cool quirks of the past with none of the outdated problems. Or in sneaker terms, you get the iconic silhouette without the outdated cushioning that would have your feet screaming after an hour.
Mark Your Calendars
These beauties are set to drop on April 25, 2025, which gives us all plenty of time to save up. Who am I kidding? I’ll probably blow my budget on something else entirely before then and still end up justifying this purchase when the time comes. It’s the sneakerhead’s eternal struggle.
If you’re looking to grab a pair, they’ll be available at Brain Dead’s retail locations – which are always worth a visit for the vibes alone – and online at adidas.com. Based on previous Brain Dead collabs, I’d recommend setting an alarm and having your payment info ready to go. These things tend to vanish faster than my motivation to go to the gym in December.
Last summer, I missed out on the Brain Dead x ROA hiking boot collab by literally three minutes of indecision. I still wake up in cold sweats thinking about it. Not making that mistake again.
Why This Collab Matters
In a world of endless sneaker drops that sometimes blur together, collaborations like this remind us why we fell in love with this culture in the first place. It’s not just about having something exclusive – it’s about the storytelling, the history, the way these brands come together to create something that honors the past while pushing design forward.
The Forest Hills model deserved this moment in the spotlight. It’s one of those sneakers that hardcore enthusiasts know and love, but hasn’t necessarily gotten the mainstream recognition of, say, a Superstar or a Stan Smith. This collab feels like a proper introduction to a new generation.
So whether you’re an OG sneakerhead who remembers the original Forest Hills from back in the day, or you’re just getting into the game and building your collection, this drop is worth paying attention to. Just maybe don’t tell your significant other how much you’re planning to spend. That’s a conversation for another day.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to set up a separate savings account labeled “fuzzy tennis shoes from the future.” April 2025 can’t come soon enough.
