Few brands bring as much creative chaos to the table as Brain Dead. The Los Angeles-based collective, founded by Kyle Ng and Ed Davis, has built a cult following by blending art, subculture, and streetwear into something entirely its own. Known for turning the familiar into the unexpected, Brain Dead’s collaborations often feel like experiments in design storytelling. For the Fall/Winter 2025 season, the brand is teaming up once again with Adidas to reimagine a forgotten silhouette, the Taekwondo shoe. The result is a mix of sleek futurism and throwback simplicity that somehow feels perfectly balanced. While recently, Adidas has been pushing the Taekwondo sneaker into the spotlight, this collaboration is one of its most sleek and futuristic designs yet.
What to expect from the Taekwondo Pack
For this release, Adidas and Brain Dead have zeroed in on contrast. The Taekwondo Pack drops in two distinct colorways —Core Black and Silver Metallic —each with its own personality. The Silver Metallic version leans into a space-age aesthetic with a smooth, reflective finish, hidden laces under a sleek shroud, and a small chrome-like chip detail that feels straight out of a sci-fi movie. The Core Black pair, on the other hand, keeps things grounded with a minimalist leather build, visible laces, and a cream midsole that gives it that worn-in, vintage appeal.
Both pairs are expected to retail around $140 and will release later this fall through adidas.com, Brain Dead’s website, and select global retailers. Whether you’re into statement sneakers or subtle everyday pairs, this collaboration offers a little of both with one bold and one understated. It’s a perfect example of how the brand continues to walk the line between art, performance, and streetwear style.
