Prominent Figures
In 2020, Bad Bunny made headlines by partnering with Crocs to create a distinctive pair of shoes, complete with custom Jibbitz charms. This collaboration piqued some interest but was widely seen by fans as a fleeting trend. Indeed, the excitement soon fizzled out, at least concerning that particular collaboration. However, the following year brought new opportunities as Bad Bunny joined forces with Adidas, leading to a partnership that has endured five prosperous years. Now, Adidas seems poised to double down on its investment in the artist, with the unveiling of his very own signature shoe just around the corner.
The 2021 collaboration between Bad Bunny and Adidas marked a pivotal moment as they breathed new life into one of the brand’s legendary designs. They revamped the Adidas Forum, a timeless basketball shoe that first gained popularity in the 1980s, by introducing the dynamic “First Café” edition. This reimagined product, known as the Forum Buckle Low, borrowed elements from the original but emerged as an entirely fresh creation. It captivated the attention of sneaker fans, including those who traditionally leaned towards Nike.
From First Drop to Cultural Institution
Back in 2021, Bad Bunny and Adidas teamed up to reimagine one of the company’s most iconic silhouettes. The Adidas Forum, a classic basketball shoe from the 1980s, got a brand new look, with the “First Café” offering. The Forum Buckle Low, as it was marketed, took some basic concepts from its predecessor, but it was an entirely new shoe, and one that had fans, many of whom heavily favored Nike, taking notice.
Since then, the releases have never let up. In five years of partnership, Bad Bunny and Adidas have worked together a dozen or more times, and added design elements that are unique to Bad Bunny, like the double tongue on his Gazelle and Campus offerings.
The collaboration has spanned the Forum Buckle Low, the Forum Powerphase, the Response CL, the Campus, and the Gazelle, along with more experimental releases like a Taekwondo-inspired Ballerina shoe. Then it happened: Adidas gave the artist a signature shoe. In early 2026, the BadBo 1.0 was released and was successful enough to garner pretty significant attention. The BadBo 1.1 is set for release in September, proving Bad Bunny’s partnership with Adidas is locked in.
How Far Will the Collaboration Go?
Bad Bunny and Adidas celebrated five years of collaboration with a signature shoe line. While that achievement is generally reserved for athletes, musicians with a cult following are among the most recent demographic tapped for sneaker collaborations. And it seems to be working out swimmingly.
Nike has Travis Scott, and now, Adidas has Bad Bunny. Considering the company’s marketing efforts, it looks like they are planning a long and likely very lucrative collaborative relationship with Bad Bunny.
The BadBo 1.1 will be released on September 15 on the Confirmed app. The shoe will retail for $120.