The Complete History of Bad Bunny x adidas Sneakers
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Known for blending reggaeton, trap, and Latin pop music into chart-topping hits, Bad Bunny is not just a global musical icon but a bonafide fashion influencer as well. Together, the music and eccentric fashion choices of Benito Antonio Martizen Ocasio have cultivated an identity that's unmistakably "Bad Bunny."
Previously sporting Nike sneakers and collaborating with Crocs, the Puerto Rican superstar announced a shift in his fashion choices in his track "Yo Visto Así,” which translates to, “I dress like this." In it, Bad Bunny sings about putting away his Nikes and switching to adidas. The song released in November 2020, five months before adidas officially announced the partnership.
Bad Bunny said in a press release for the announcement: “I have always loved sneakers since I was a kid. They were the essential detail of the style I wanted and the look I wanted to have depending on what I was going to do that day,” continuing, it’s something that defines you and at the same time, it brings people together.” An integral part of the partnership is giving back through philanthropic acts, with adidas and Benito both committed to distributing shoes to low-income communities in need.
Bad Bunny’s first collab, the Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low The First Cafe, sold out immediately and has fetched astronomical prices on the secondary market. On average, the pair sold for around $700 right after release. Now, the same pair will run you back around $1,100 on StockX. Demand continued to grow as more colorways of the Forum would hit the market, sell out instantly, and garner high prices on the secondary market — similar to adidas' Yeezy and Humanrace lines.
The partnership expanded in 2022 to include more than the Forum with the release of an all-new hybrid sneaker specifically made for Bad Bunny, the adidas Forum Powerphase. Shortly after, Benito’s take on the archival-running-inspired Response CL released in two colorways.
With each release, the reggaeton star brings a fresh, culturally infused perspective to his sneaker designs. The range and depth of his creativity, combined with his commitment to representing his roots authentically, have resulted in a series of sneakers that resonate with his fans and push the boundaries of what is expected from celebrity footwear. Benito's personal habits and more abstract themes are represented in pairs like the Forum Buckle Low First Cafe, a nod to his morning coffee, and the Forum Buckle Low Blue Tint inspired by Puerto Rico’s blue sky.
Down below, we take you back through every sneaker from the Bad Bunny and adidas collaboration.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low The First Cafe (March 2021)
The first release from the Bad Bunny x adidas partnership was a re-imagination of the classic adidas Forum Low, the Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low The First Cafe. The sneaker showcases a metallic buckle on the strap, with puffy mesh added to the collar and heel for a modern, skate-inspired look. A double tongue also bears Bad Bunny's third eye logo, or "El Ojo," a symbol in Latin culture believed to ward off evil spirits. A bungee lace features on the heel, and a secondary heel counter appears inside. Reflective of Bad Bunny's daily coffee ritual, the colorway utilizes varying brown hues across the leather and suede construction. Alongside an adidas launch across the globe, The Three Stripes partnered with Uber Eats to release the pair in Puerto Rico. The sneaker also came with bonuses such as a dust bag, extra laces, and a replacement tongue.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Easter Egg (April 2021)
Embracing the spirit of spring, the Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Easter Egg features pastel pink hues dressing the premium leather and suede upper. The design, identical to the first Forum Low release, draws inspiration from Easter eggs and the typical palette of the spring season. In promotion of the release, The Three Stripes sent select influencers the sneakers in custom Easter Egg packaging.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Back To School (August 2021)
The all-black Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Back To School hit the market at the end of summer, just in time for those first days back in class. The promotional campaign highlighted students wearing the sneaker, which maintains key features such as the El Ojo tongue tag, double tongue, buckle strap, puffy collar, and bungee lace set.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Yellow Sample (December 2021)
The Yellow Sample of San Benito’s Forum Buckle Low was first spotted on the feet of Bad Bunny’s long-time friend and creative consultant Janthony Oliveras. Taking on tonal shades of cream and yellow, the sneaker maintains the original build of other Bad Bunny Forums. Over a year later, detailed in-hand images of the sample emerged online. To date, there still hasn’t been any confirmation that this pair will see a release.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Powerphase Catch and Throw (February 2022)
Representing a fusion of several adidas designs, the Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Powerphase Catch and Throw was the first completely new design to emerge from the partnership. Components on the sneaker include the Forum's upper, Powerphase's sole unit, ZX 6000's eyelet, Marathon TR's Ghillie lacing, and the Special-Rowing's double heel counter and velcro Trefoil. Vintage tan with muted blue, orange, and pink form the color scheme, with a pop of volt green arriving on the internal heel counter.
Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL White & Yellow (March 2022)
Bad Bunny first previewed his Response CL during his El Último Tour Del Mundo. Reimagining the retro adidas runner, "melted" leather panels throughout the multi-layer design symbolize Benito’s fluidity and freedom as an artist. Two colorways were presented at launch: one in vintage white and silver, the other in vibrant yellow, black, and red. Both feature the El Ojo logo on the heel tab and heart embroidery on the toe.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Blue Tint (August 2022)
After a year-long hiatus, Bad Bunny's adidas Forum returned with the Blue Tint colorway. The model is inspired by the eternal summer of Puerto Rico, and its blue sky informs the various shades of blue present. As part of the promotion, adidas ran a contest on the Confirmed App rewarding winners with a private jet to Puerto Rico. Just like previous Bad Bunny Forums, the sneaker features premium leather, suede, and added details from Benito like the El Ojo and bunny logos.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Last Forum (December 2022)
Drawing inspiration from a concept that says, "Summer lives in you," the Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Last Forum sports white and grey hues. The sneaker's release was promoted by adidas through a Mexico City "ICE STORE" offering entry to raffle winners. The storefront featured everyday beach items such as chairs, blow-up balls, and sand all trapped within the ice.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Cangrejeros de Santurce (February 2023)
Benito is a co-owner of the Puerto Rican basketball team Cangrejeros de Santurce, so it's fitting for his adidas Forum to honor the franchise. Taking inspiration from the colors and logo of the team, the Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Cangrejeros de Santurce was showcased during NBA All-Star Weekend. The sneaker is adorned in navy blue and red, with the team's logo appearing on the tongue tag.
Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Paso Fino (February 2023)
Bad Bunny wore what was then a sample pair of the Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Paso Fino while sitting courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game. This pair differed from his previous Response CLs by featuring suede and textile construction. Earth tones a sophisticated touch, accentuated by hits of purple near the toe and tongue. Various shades of tan and brown make up the remainder of the sneaker. Following this early look, the sneaker was released in October 2023.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Light (February 2023)
Bad Bunny’s first interpretation of the adidas Campus, dubbed the Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Light, saw the artist transforming the silhouette in a manner similar to his adidas Forum Buckle Low. The entire sneaker is cloaked in cream-based colors. The upper is predominantly draped in shaggy suede, while the collar and heel areas receive a puffy mesh treatment. Inspiration for the colorway comes from astrology, constellations, and signs. The choice of white for the color scheme emulates the color of the stars and invites the wearer to shine with their own individual light.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Buckle Low Orange Sample (April 2023)
An Orange sample colorway of Bad Bunny's adidas Forum Buckle Low boasts various shades of orange across the leather and suede upper, emitting a warm, energetic vibe. Key elements from the original design remain the same, including the metallic buckle, puffy collar, double tongue, bungee lace on the heel, and Bad Bunny branding. As of writing, it remains unclear if this version will be released to the public.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Wild Moss (April 2023)
adidas introduced the Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Wild Moss when Benito headlined the Coachella music festival. Retaining the same beefed-up design as the first adidas Campus, the suede upper features shades of olive green evoking a natural, earthy aesthetic. Cream accents grace the lace set, rubber portions, Three Stripes, and sole unit. A Coachella activation gave festival-goers the opportunity to buy pairs early.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Blue Tint Sample (April 2023)
Another sample that emerged in 2023, the Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Blue Tint utilizes a similar color scheme to the adidas Forum Buckle Low of the same name. This model boasts an all-over light blue suede upper complemented by tan leather striping. Like the other samples on this list, including the following three, release details have yet to be confirmed.
Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Black White Sample (April 2023)
This sample colorway of the Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL showcases the OG construction of Benito's previous work on the model. The upper features a primarily white finish coupled with black accents on the leather toe box, eyestays, and collar. It also features the same distinctive “melted” appearance on the overlays, with a cream finish on the sole unit.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Royal Blue Sample (May 2023)
Offering a slight redesign compared to past colorways, the Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Royal Blue features a mix of suede and nylon. The puffy collars and rubberized portions remain, but this pair features a blend of light blue, dark royal blue, and black. The El Ojo logo stays situated on the tongue, and the internal heel counter is consistent with previous designs.
Bad Bunny x adidas Forum Powerphase Black White Sample (May 2023)
Bad Bunny’s hybrid Forum Powerphase appeared in a black-and-white version nearly a year after the original colorway’s release. This rendition flaunts tumbled leather, canvas, and smooth leather on its upper. The Benito branding stands out in white on the midfoot, matching the Three Stripes. The rest of the sneaker, save for the back heel tab on the right pair, comes in a sleek black finish. Completely new to this pair is the inclusion of Bad Bunny’s bunny and El Ojo logos on the back heel tab.
Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Triple Black (June 2023)
First spotted on Bad Bunny’s feet at CinemaCon 2022, the Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Triple Black retains the exact construction and “melted” features as the first two Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL colorways. These panels sit atop a mesh base and are accented by purple TPU Three Stripes at midfoot and rest on a black sole unit. The retail release for the sneaker came more than a year after Benito first previewed the pair.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Brown (July 2023)
The Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Brown mirrors the construction of Benito's previous Campus collabs with a suede upper, leather Three Stripes, double tongue, extra heel counter, and puffy mesh on the collar and heel. Tonal brown shades dominate the suede, while cream accents the secondary tongue, rubberized sections of the upper, and sole unit. This sneaker also marked the first time a large retailer like Finish Line carried a Bad Bunny sneaker, as prior releases have been reserved for boutiques and specialty stores.
Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Boston Day (August 2023)
Released exclusively at Concepts in Boston, the Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Boston Day is the most limited pair of Bad Bunny adidas sneakers to date. Though one may not immediately connect Benito with Boston, the city's mayor declared August 18 "Bad Bunny Day" in 2022 and adidas celebrated this with the Response CL one year later.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus White Black (September 2023)
With the Forum no longer being utilized by Bad Bunny, the Campus silhouette has begun to appear more and more. This sample pair keeps things clean with a primarily white build contrasted with black hits on the tongue. Currently, it's unknown if the pair will see a retail release.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus Brown Chalk (January 2024)
Bad Bunny and adidas remained quiet after the release of the Response CL Paso Fino with no news of pairs for 2024. That all changed in the first few days of the new year as the Campus silhouette was once again getting Benito's touch. Images emerged from a retailer in the UAE of a dark brown colorway accented by cream and pink hits. Currently, a global release date has not been announced but it is expected in the next few months.
Bad Bunny x adidas Response CL Wonder White (January 2024)
The sixth iteration of the Response CL to be released by Bad Bunny and adidas will be a clean Wonder White colorway. The pair retains the "melted" overlays and embroidered details while coming in tonal white hues. The only non-white hits are found bordering the Three Stripes. While the pair did pop up via Asian adidas websites, the global launch has not been announced yet.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
