Didn’t see this coming, did you? One of the most iconic silhouettes in pop culture riding all over one of the most iconic silhouettes in World football. Well that’s what adidas Originals, Brain Dead and Disney have just offered up.
A good collab should cross the world’s of two (or more) entities that really should have no business in each other’s business, introducing fans of each to the beauty of the other. So when I heard that Brain Dead x Adidas were giving us the chance to wear not just Adidas Predator dress shoes, but Mickey Mouse-emblazoned Adidas Predator dress shoes…well, they had me at hello.
Having launched a football-inspired capsule with adidas Originals back in mid-December 2025, Brain Dead are back with the Three Stripes, only this time it’s not just the two of them. No, they’ve invited Disney along for the ride. Mickey Mouse on a Predator. If that’s not a vibe, then I don’t know what is.
Now, I’m not one of these people who spend every holiday at a Disney theme park, and I certainly don’t get the whole dressing up in Disney as an adult. But I do love a bit of Disney in general, and this feels like it opens the door just a wee bit to some grown up appreciation, with the collection blending performance heritage with pop culture, sealed with a streetwear stamp of approval.
The centrepiece of the collection is the street-ready version of the first ever adidas Predator from ‘94. Instead of studs, you get a hefty rubber outsole that makes the whole thing feel far more street than sideline, but the upper keeps that unmistakable ribbed, rubberised look that made the original so iconic.
The fun really kicks in with the details. You’ve got two removable foldover tongues to play with, meaning you can switch things up depending on your mood – faux croc leather if you’re feeling a bit flash, or patent leather if you want to go full glossy chaos. And because this is where Disney fully crashes the party, the patent option is perforated so you can pin in a set of six vintage-style Disney character badges. It’s basically customisation, but with an animated twist of nostalgia.
Beyond the shoes, the rest of the collection taps straight into that golden era of ‘90s football kit design. Think EQT energy, bold striping, and colourways that feel like they’ve been pulled straight from international tournaments burned into your memory. There are three full co-branded kits – jerseys, shorts and socks – in yellow with green and black, white with green and red, and blue with white and red. You can read those however you like: Jamaica (not present at WC26 but not forgotten), Mexico, USA… maybe even a cheeky nod to France if you want.
Each kit is loaded with detail, too: flock-printed Disney characters on the sleeves, a Disney logo on the chest, Brain Dead tucked into the neckline, and an all-over Mickey print that ties it all together without (somehow) tipping over into total madness. It’s busy, sure, but it works.
All in all, it’s one of those collaborations that probably shouldn’t make sense on paper – performance football heritage, offbeat LA streetwear, and the most recognisable cartoon character on the planet – but somehow lands exactly where it needs to. It’s playful without being throwaway, nostalgic without feeling stuck in the past, and weird in a way that actually makes you want to wear it.
Mickey Mouse on a Predator might sound like a punchline. Turns out, it’s actually a pretty solid fit. Now excuse me, I’m off to book tickets to Disneyland…
Arriving in limited quantities on 29 June, the adidas Originals x Brain Dead by Disney collection is available via adidas CONFIRMED app, adidas.com, and on wearebraindead.com
