Last year, Brain Dead did something that nobody saw coming. Right in the middle of the boom of boxing shoes and football trainers and trail runners, the LA streetwear label linked up with Adidas for the Bowling – a sneaker that was, well, actually made for bowling.
It was weird. But at the same time, it also played things surprisingly safe. Decked out in clean ‘Core Black’ leather, it looked almost sensible. But now, 20 months later, the Brain Dead x Adidas Bowling is back. And this time, it’s completely off the leash.
Brain Dead x Adidas Bowling ‘Animal Pack’
Brain Dead
Dubbed the ‘Animal Pack’ (for obvious reasons), it’s wrapped in two absolutely insane colour combos, including a hairy leopard-print one and a minty green faux snakeskin version. Both come with Three Stripes stitched across the sidewalls, a smooth sole that’s designed for a bit of tenpin, and a Brain Dead x Adidas hangtag that was made exclusively for this drop.
And the timing couldn’t be better. This year, animal prints took over. Onitsuka Tiger went all in with wild Mexico 66 colourways. Wales Bonner and Adidas have been experimenting with snakeskin textures. Dolce & Gabbana even linked up with Diadora for leopard-covered sneakers. After a full year of flat, minimal trainers, the sneakerverse has remembered that having fun exists. If last year’s Bowling was the gateway drug, this is the full-blown fever dream.
Brain Dead x Adidas Bowling ‘Animal Pack’
Brain Dead
And the best part? Underneath all the fake fur and reptilian vibes, it’s still the same freaky Bowling model that made us all stop scrolling the first time around. It’s just got a lot more bite to it now.
The Brain Dead x Adidas Bowling ‘Animal Pack’ is set to release via Brain Dead on August 1, with a wider launch at Adidas, the Confirmed app, and select stockists worldwide a few weeks later. If your sneaker rotation has been looking a little too tame lately, you know what to do.