adidas x Brain Dead revive the Japan Lo and Hi with a Californian twist

Words, SVD. Photos, SVD and adidas.

adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVD

August 26, 2025.

Brain Dead and adidas join forces once again, bringing back two historic archive silhouettes into the present. Find out how two 1964 icons come back to life in the hands of Los Angeles’ most disruptive collective.

adidas Crewneck x Brain Dead | SVDadidas Crewneck x Brain Dead | SVD
adidas T-Shirt x Brain Dead | SVDadidas T-Shirt x Brain Dead | SVD
adidas Stan Smith x Brain Dead | SVDadidas Stan Smith x Brain Dead | SVD

Strength in numbers: collaborations with Reebok, Converse, and adidas

 

Founded in Los Angeles in 2014 by Kyle Ng and Ed Davis, Brain Dead has become one of the most influential streetwear brands today. Its unique aesthetic blends fashion, film, comics, and music into colorful, irreverent designs deeply rooted in underground culture.

Thanks to this vision, Brain Dead quickly drew the attention of footwear giants. With Reebok, it reimagined models like the Beatnik and Pump Court, experimenting with unconventional materials and bold colors. With Converse, it pushed silhouettes like the Chuck 70 Hi and Bosey Boot OX into experimental territory. And with adidas, the partnership has continued to grow through projects exploring the German brand’s archives—from the adidas Stan Smith x Brain Dead and the Forest Hills, to iconic apparel pieces like the Track Jacket, Polo Shirt, and Shorts. Each collaboration has highlighted what unites both brands: respect for sports heritage and a shared drive to break boundaries with provocative designs.

adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVD
adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Core Black” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Core Black” | SVD
adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Core Black” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Core Black” | SVD
adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVD
adidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVDadidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVD
adidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVDadidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVD
adidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVDadidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVD

adidas x Brain Dead Japan Lo & Japan Hi

 

The new Brain Dead x adidas drop draws inspiration from the Japan, a sneaker first introduced during the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games and declared by adidas as its go-to training model. After decades in the archives and a return in 2024, both the Japan Lo and Japan Hi now receive a radical transformation at the hands of Brain Dead.

On one side, the Japan Lo becomes a true statement sneaker—blending historic tribute with urban style thanks to a nylon upper with flame-shaped suede overlays, contrasting leather trims, and details that turn its minimalist silhouette into a creative canvas. In the Shadow Brown colorway, yellow flames brighten earthy brown and olive tones, while the Core Black version breaks up the black-and-white contrast with bold purple accents. A vintage-style leather-lined tongue and frayed laces add texture and character, while the thin ridged sole preserves its 1960s essence.

On the other, the Japan Hi “Black Cream White” elevates the classic 1964 silhouette with a high-top profile that highlights its utilitarian and contemporary edge. As with the Japan Lo, the upper mixes fabrics and colors for a striking visual contrast.

 

adidas x Brain Dead, now at SVD

 

The new adidas x Brain Dead collaboration is now available at SVD.

adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Core Black” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Core Black” | SVD
adidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVDadidas Japan Lo x Brain Dead “Shadow Brown” | SVD
adidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVDadidas Japan Hi “Black Cream White” x Brain Dead | SVD