If you’ve ever watched Donovan Mitchell slice through a defense, you know he plays with a certain kind of "pop." It turns out that energy might be fueled by more than just elite athleticism and a high motor. It’s actually gummy bears. Specifically, Haribo Goldbears.
The Donovan Mitchell shoes Haribo collaboration isn't just a gimmick or a random marketing play. It's a tribute to a legitimate obsession. Mitchell has been vocal for years about his love for these snacks, often seen munching on them during high school, college at Louisville, and now in the NBA locker rooms. When Adidas finally dropped the Haribo x D.O.N. Issue 6 collection on October 31, 2024, it felt like the most logical—and colorful—partnership in basketball.
Why Gummy Bears on a Basketball Shoe?
Most signature sneakers try to look "fast" or "aggressive." Not these. Well, they look fast, but they also look like something you’d find in a candy aisle. The collaboration takes the D.O.N. Issue 6 silhouette and splashes it with the DNA of the world’s most famous gummy bears.
Honestly, the details are what make this work. We’re talking about a squishy "jelly" finish on the Spida logo located on the tongue. It actually feels like a gummy bear under your thumb. If you flip the shoe over, the translucent rubber outsole reveals a massive Haribo logo staring back at you. It’s bold. It’s a little ridiculous. And for sneakerheads who are tired of the same old black-and-red colorways, it’s a breath of fresh air.
The Flavor Profiles
They didn't just throw random colors on these. The pack specifically honors Mitchell’s three favorite flavors: raspberry, pineapple, and strawberry.
✨ Don't miss: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Cloud White Version (JH7918): This is the "Pineapple" tribute. It features a clean white mesh upper but hits you with neon green and "Solar Red" accents that mimic the bright, artificial-but-delicious hues of a candy bag.
- The Lucid Red Version (JH7917): This one screams "Raspberry." It’s loud, vibrant, and impossible to ignore on the court.
- The Friends & Family Green: There’s also a green "Strawberry" pair that was floating around, mostly seen on the feet of Mitchell’s inner circle and certain sneaker reviewers like WearTesters.
Performance Breakdown: Is It Just for Show?
You’d be forgiven for thinking a candy shoe is just for casual wear. You’d also be wrong. Underneath the "Solar Green" and "Vivid Green" aesthetic, this is a serious performance beast. The D.O.N. Issue 6 is built for a specific type of player—the shifty guard who needs to stop on a dime.
The cushioning is where it gets technical. Adidas used a full-length Lightstrike midsole but tucked a Lightstrike Pro insert in the forefoot. If you aren't a gear nerd, basically, Lightstrike is light and stable, while Lightstrike Pro is the "super foam" Adidas uses in their marathon-breaking running shoes. This combo gives you a springy, explosive feel when you’re pushing off for a layup.
Traction and Fit
The outsole uses a circular traction pattern. It’s sticky. On a clean court, you’ll hear that high-pitched squeak every time you change direction. However, some early reviewers on Reddit and basketball forums mentioned that the outsole can be a bit of a dust magnet. If you’re playing in a local YMCA that hasn't seen a mop since 2022, you might find yourself wiping your soles every two possessions.
The fit is snug. It uses an internal bootie construction that hugs your foot. Most players find it fits true to size (TTS), but if you have a foot like a 2x4, you might want to go up half a size. The mesh upper is surprisingly breathable, which is great because nobody likes "swamp foot" during a pickup game.
🔗 Read more: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
The Packaging: A Collector’s Dream
You can't talk about the Donovan Mitchell shoes Haribo without mentioning the box. Seriously. Usually, shoe boxes end up in the recycling bin or at the back of a closet. This one is different.
The box is designed to look exactly like the iconic golden Haribo Goldbears bag. It even has a little "window" on the front, similar to the clear plastic on a candy bag that lets you peek at the contents. When the shoes arrived at retailers like Foot Locker and Dick's Sporting Goods, the presentation was a massive part of the hype.
To make it even cooler, Haribo actually produced 2,500 custom bags of "Spida’s Picks" Goldbears. These weren't for sale to the general public; they were a special gift for Mitchell and his circle, containing only his favorite flavors. It’s that level of commitment to the "bit" that makes this one of the best collaborations in recent years.
How to Get Your Hands on the Haribo D.O.N. Issue 6
The retail price was set at $130, which is pretty reasonable for a signature performance shoe with a major license attached. Since the release happened in late 2024, you won't find them sitting on every shelf today.
💡 You might also like: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
- Check Secondary Markets: StockX and GOAT are your best bets now. Prices fluctuate based on size, but you can often find them near the original retail price because Adidas produced a decent amount of stock.
- Look for Sales: Occasionally, you’ll find "orphaned" pairs at places like Finish Line or JD Sports, especially in larger sizes.
- The Kids' Advantage: If you have smaller feet, the Grade School (GS) versions are often cheaper and still feature most of the cool Haribo branding, though sometimes the tech (like the Lightstrike Pro) is slightly dialed back.
Practical Insights for Players and Collectors
If you're buying these to actually play in, keep the "Lightstrike break-in" period in mind. The foam can feel a bit stiff for the first hour or two of play. Don't judge them the second you pull them out of the box. Once the foam compresses a bit, that "spring" really starts to show up.
For the collectors, keep the box in a cool, dry place. The golden finish on the Haribo packaging can be prone to scuffing if you stack too many heavy boxes on top of it. And please, for the love of all things holy, don't try to eat the "jelly" logo on the tongue. It looks tasty, but it's definitely just TPU plastic.
The Donovan Mitchell shoes Haribo collab is a rare example of a professional athlete leaning into something they actually love. It's not a corporate-mandated "lifestyle" play. It’s just a guy who likes candy, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and wearing shoes that make people smile when they look at his feet. In a world of serious, "dark" sneaker aesthetics, maybe we all just need a little more sugar.
To keep your Haribo sneakers looking fresh, use a soft-bristled brush on the mesh upper to prevent dust from settling into the weave. If the translucent sole starts to yellow, keep them out of direct sunlight when you aren't wearing them. This preserves the "clear candy" look of the Haribo branding on the bottom for much longer.