Los Angeles streetwear titans Brain Dead, renowned for its bold and graphic-intensive designs, is no stranger to collaboration. With a history of successful partnerships with footwear giants like Oakley, ASICS, and Reebok Classic, they've carved a niche with their art-centric reinterpretations of sneaker classics. Their latest venture sees them teaming up with HOKA ONE ONE (previously known as just HOKA), a brand revered for its pioneering and performance-centric footwear.
The joint creation, the Brain Dead x HOKA Hopara, encapsulates the best of both worlds. This shoe is more than just a merger of brands; it's an emblem of innovation and artistic brilliance. The Hopara's upper is rendered in an eye-catching iridescent finish, paired with vibrant purple mesh accents. A nod to vintage gaming culture is unmistakably evident with Brain Dead's name debossed in a retro 8-bit font on the heel. Further detailing, like the textured overlays near the midfoot and toe, adds layers of depth to the already dynamic design. The midsole captures attention with its gradient green hue juxtaposed against sleek black segments, while the rugged rubber outsole, featuring a translucent aged finish, ties everything together with a touch of nostalgia.
A brainchild of Brain Dead's co-founder, Kyle Ng, the Hopara's cutout upper showcases metallic Peapod Green paneling, delivering a sleek, futuristic aesthetic. What sets this collaboration apart is its functional prowess. The revamped Hopara now comes equipped with a neoprene collar, ensuring ease of wear, and a redesigned sole that guarantees improved traction and durability. Ensuring convenience, the shoe also retains the hassle-free bungee lace system and is adorned with an embroidered Brain Dead-branded strip. Brain Dead's distinct, somewhat eerie branding makes a statement on the shoe's heel tab and side ankle collar. Complementing this, the translucent details on the rubberized EVA midsole and toe cap infuse an ethereal quality.
The Brain Dead x HOKA Hopara is set to release on Brain Dead's official website on August 22nd. Following this, the standard edition of the revamped Hopara will be available from August 25th on HOKA's website and select stockists.
