From ice cream flavors to fast food chains, these bizarre collaborations pushed the boundaries of footwear design
The sneaker world has always been a playground for creativity, but some collaborations make you wonder if the designers were having a fever dream. While most brand partnerships play it safe with subtle colorways and premium materials, these wild collaborations threw caution to the wind and created something truly unforgettable – for better or worse.
Ben & Jerry’s x Nike SB Dunk Low “Chunky Dunky” (2020)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🍦🍦🍦🍦/5
When two icons of indulgence collided, the result was as sweet as you’d expect. The “Chunky Dunky” featured tie-dye uppers reminiscent of the ice cream brand’s psychedelic aesthetic, complete with a black leather Swoosh that looked like it was dripping chocolate. The real kicker? The sockliner featured a melting ice cream graphic, and each pair came with special Ben & Jerry’s themed packaging.
What do you think: Deliciously creative or a brain freeze? Rate it in the comments!
McDonald’s x Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 (2021)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🍟🍟🍟🍟🍟/5
Yes, you read that right – McDonald’s got into the sneaker game. This triple collaboration featured backward Swooshes, red and blue color blocking, and perhaps most bizarrely, a bandana print that somehow tied into the fast-food aesthetic. The shoes came with special McDonald’s-themed merchandise, making it feel more like a Happy Meal for adults than a serious sneaker release.
Crocs x Salehe Bembury “The Pollex Clog” (2021-2023)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🐊🐊🐊🐊/5
Who knew Crocs could get weirder? Designer Salehe Bembury reimagined the classic clog with fingerprint-inspired ridges and earth-tone colorways that somehow made plastic shoes look almost… sophisticated? The collaboration spawned multiple colorways including “Kuwata,” “Sasquatch,” and “Urchin,” each selling out faster than you could say “comfort footwear.”
KFC x Crocs Classic Clog (2020)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗/5
If you thought the previous Crocs collab was strange, KFC took things to another level. These fried chicken-scented (yes, scented!) Crocs featured the Colonel’s face and came with removable fried chicken Jibbitz charms. The shoes were designed to look like a bucket of KFC chicken, complete with red and white stripes. They sold out in 30 minutes, proving that sometimes weird works.
Hidden NY x Converse Chuck 70 “Sunflower” (2022)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🌻🌻🌻/5
This collaboration turned the classic Chuck Taylor into a walking garden. The upper featured an all-over sunflower print that was simultaneously beautiful and overwhelming. While not as bizarre as some entries on this list, the sheer boldness of covering an entire shoe in giant sunflowers earns it a spot among the weird and wonderful.
Pizza Hut x Pie Tops (2017-2018)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕/5
Perhaps the most functional weird collaboration ever created, these high-top basketball shoes literally let you order pizza with your feet. The “Pie Tops” featured Bluetooth connectivity and a button on the tongue that connected directly to Pizza Hut’s ordering system. The sequel, “Pie Tops II,” even let you pause your TV. It’s unclear if these made anyone better at basketball, but they certainly revolutionized halftime snacking.
MSCHF x Lil Nas X “Satan Shoes” (2021)
Our Weirdness Rating: 😈😈😈😈😈/5
These modified Air Max 97s became one of the most controversial sneakers ever made. MSCHF created just 666 pairs, each allegedly containing a drop of human blood in the midsole. The shoes featured satanic imagery and sold for $1,018, referencing Luke 10:18. Nike quickly sued, and the collaboration became more famous for the legal drama than the actual footwear.
Taco Bell x Vans “Taco Tuesday” Collection (Fan Concept)
Our Weirdness Rating: 🌮🌮🌮/5
While this never became an official collaboration, the fan-created concept gained so much traction online that it deserves mention. The designs featured taco shell colorways, lettuce-green accents, and sauce packet-inspired graphics. Sometimes the weirdest collaborations are the ones that only exist in our imagination.
Rate These Wild Collaborations!
We’ve shown you some of the weirdest sneaker collaborations ever created, but now it’s your turn to weigh in. Which of these bizarre partnerships do you think actually worked? Which ones made you question humanity’s creative judgment?
Drop your ratings in the comments:
- 🔥 Fire – Would definitely cop
- 👍 Decent – Weird but it works
- 🤔 Confused – Not sure how to feel
- 👎 Pass – Hard no
- 💀 Cursed – Should never have existed
Discussion Questions:
- Which collab surprised you the most?
- Are there any weird collaborations we missed?
- What’s the strangest brand partnership you’d like to see happen?
- Do weird collaborations help or hurt sneaker culture?
The sneaker world continues to push boundaries with increasingly bizarre partnerships. While not every weird collaboration is a winner, they all contribute to the rich, chaotic tapestry of sneaker culture. After all, in a world full of basic white sneakers, sometimes we need a little fried chicken-scented weirdness to keep things interesting.
What’s the weirdest sneaker in your collection? Share a photo and tell us the story behind it!
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