Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills: The Funky Collab I’ve Been Waiting For

You know that feeling when two of your favorite brands team up and you just can’t contain your excitement? That’s exactly where I’m at right now with the upcoming Brain Dead x adidas Forest Hills collaboration dropping in April 2025. I literally spilled my morning coffee when the first images popped up on my feed last week.

Let’s rewind a bit. I’ve been collecting sneakers since my college days (way longer ago than I’d like to admit), and there’s something about these heritage tennis models that just hits different. The Forest Hills isn’t exactly adidas’s most hyped silhouette, which honestly makes this collab even more special to sneaker nerds like me.

A Blast From The Past Gets Weird (In The Best Way)

The original Forest Hills first stepped onto the scene back in 1976 – yep, nearly 50 years ago! Named after the Forest Hills neighborhood in Queens, New York, this sneaker has deep roots in tennis culture as it honors the place that hosted the US Open before it moved to Flushing Meadows. I actually visited Forest Hills once during a summer trip to NYC, and there’s still this charming tennis vibe lingering in the air there.

But forget what you know about classic tennis shoes, because Brain Dead is taking this preppy staple and turning it completely upside down. The preview images show a blue-teal shaggy suede base that reminds me of Cookie Monster – if Cookie Monster went to art school and developed expensive taste.

Then there’s the muted violet accents on the eyestays that somehow just… work? To top it all off, they’ve added these wild furry white laces that look like something my cat would instantly try to attack. The neon green Brain Dead branding is the cherry on top of this wonderfully weird sundae.

Why I’m Setting My Alarm For This One

I’ve been following Brain Dead for years now, and their approach to design always feels like someone raided a thrift store, a science lab, and an art gallery, then somehow made it all make sense. My favorite hoodie is from their 2019 collection – it’s got this strange graphic that people always ask about, and I never know how to explain it. That’s the beauty of Brain Dead.

This isn’t their first rodeo with adidas, either. Remember those limited-edition bowling shoes they dropped? I couldn’t snag a pair, and I’m still not over it. Then there were those reimagined Stan Smiths that sold out in minutes. My sneaker collection has a Brain Dead-shaped hole in it, and I’m hoping these Forest Hills will finally fill it.

The Details That Matter

Walking through my neighborhood in Brooklyn yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking about how these would look on feet. The Forest Hills has this distinctive outsole that’s super comfortable for all-day wear – I had a pair of the OGs years back until they literally fell apart from overuse.

What really gets me is how they’re keeping the silhouette recognizable while completely transforming its personality. It’s like when you run into an old friend who’s gone through a dramatic style change but is still fundamentally the same person underneath.

No word on pricing yet, but based on previous Brain Dead collabs, I’d guess these will land somewhere in the $150-200 range. Not cheap, but probably worth it for something this unique.

Why This Collab Matters

In a world of endless sneaker releases (trust me, my credit card statements tell the painful story), it’s refreshing to see attention given to somewhat forgotten models. The Forest Hills isn’t exactly at the top of most hypebeasts’ wish lists, and that’s exactly why this collaboration feels special.

I was telling my girlfriend about these over dinner last night, and her eyes glazed over about thirty seconds in – a clear sign I was getting too deep into sneaker talk again. But that’s how it goes with these niche releases; they’re not for everyone, and that’s part of their charm.

There’s something deeply satisfying about watching creative brands like Brain Dead breathe new life into classic designs. It’s like they’re saying, “Hey, remember this? Well, you’ve never seen it like THIS before.”

Mark Your Calendars

April 2025 might seem like a long wait, but it’ll be here before we know it. I’ve already set a reminder in my phone, much to the amusement of my more practically-minded friends.

Will these be easy to get? If history is any indicator, probably not. Brain Dead collabs tend to fly off shelves faster than free food at an office party. I’ll definitely be setting my alarm early and having multiple devices ready for the drop.

Until then, I’ll be here, scrolling through the preview images way too often and reorganizing my sneaker shelf to make room for what might be the quirkiest addition to my collection yet. And if I don’t score a pair? Well, I guess I’ll see you all in the resale market, fighting over these fuzzy-laced beauties like the sneaker-obsessed adults we are.