Explore the Yeezy Collections
Adidas Yeezy: the story of the collaboration between Adidas and Kanye West
The Adidas Yeezy represents one of the most influential projects in recent sneaker history.
The collaboration between Adidas and Kanye West, now known as Ye, took shape in the first half of the 2010s and hit the market in 2015 with the first Yeezy releases developed together with the German brand.
The project connected West’s creative language with the technologies and production capabilities of Adidas, giving rise over the years to very different silhouettes: from the Yeezy Boost 350 to the 700, passing through the 500, 380, QNTM, Foam RNNR, and Yeezy Slide.
The Yeezy family thus became a true product ecosystem, capable of spanning sneakers, basketball-inspired footwear, slip-ons, and foam constructions.
The first Adidas Yeezy of 2015
2015 marks the fundamental year for the birth of the Adidas Yeezy collaboration.
Among the first releases was the Yeezy Boost 750, followed by the Yeezy Boost 350, a silhouette destined to become the most recognizable model of the entire project.
The 350 introduced an aesthetic very different from traditional Adidas sneakers of that era: a knit upper, a low-cut structure, and Boost midsole hidden inside a sole with simple, continuous lines.
The success of the first releases led Adidas and Kanye West to progressively expand the project, developing new generations and product families.
Yeezy Boost 350 and Yeezy 350 V2
The Yeezy Boost 350 is the most important family in the entire Adidas Yeezy universe.
The first generation introduced colorways such as Turtledove and Pirate Black and used a combination of Primeknit and Boost cushioning.
In 2016, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 arrived, a reinterpretation that modified the shape, upper construction, and proportions compared to the original 350.
The V2 quickly became the dominant generation of the family and was produced in numerous colorways, including Zebra, Beluga, Onyx, Bone, Static, Carbon, Core Black Red, and many others.
The sheer number of releases makes “Yeezy 350” one of the primary search intents related to the entire project today.
Yeezy Slide
The Yeezy Slide took the Adidas Yeezy project outside the traditional concept of a sneaker.
The construction is essential, using a one-piece mold characterized by soft volumes, a wide upper band, and a serrated outsole.
Colorways such as Bone, Black Onyx, Slate Grey, Azure, Ochre, Granite, and Pure have transformed the Slides into one of the most recognizable families in the Yeezy universe.
However, the visual simplicity hides a very precise identity: oversized proportions and a minimalist design allow the Slides to be recognizable even without large external logos.
Yeezy Foam RNNR
The Yeezy Foam RNNR represents one of the most radical experiments developed during the collaboration.
The silhouette uses a foam structure with large side vents and a continuous shape that eliminates most of the traditional elements of a sneaker.
Colorways like Onyx, Ochre, Sand, Stone Sage, MX Cinder, and MX Carbon also showcase two different approaches: monochromatic versions and “MX” releases characterized by irregular color effects.
The Foam RNNR and Yeezy Slide therefore represent the most minimalist and experimental side of the Yeezy catalog.
Yeezy 700
The Yeezy 700 follows a completely different direction.
The first Wave Runner used significant volumes, numerous panels, and an aesthetic that recalls the runners of the nineties and two-thousands.
Over time, the family expanded through different generations.
The original Yeezy Boost 700 uses Boost cushioning, while the 700 V2 modified the paneling and lines of the upper.
The Yeezy 700 V3 changed the language again, introducing a particular external structure that wraps around the upper, even forgoing the Boost technology used in the first generations.
Wave Runner, Vanta, Salt, Analog, Safflower, and Kyanite show just how much the Yeezy 700 name actually encompasses very different constructions.
Yeezy 500
The Yeezy 500 pushes the project toward organic shapes and substantial proportions.
Unlike many other Yeezys, the 500 does not use Boost cushioning.
The silhouette instead combines a multi-layered upper with a sole characterized by rounded, voluminous shapes.
Colorways such as Blush, Utility Black, and Stone Taupe clearly show the generally neutral language used for the family.
The Yeezy 500 thus represents an independent branch from the 350 and 700, both in terms of aesthetics and the technologies used.
Yeezy Boost 380
The Yeezy Boost 380 further develops the knit sneaker concept introduced by the 350.
The silhouette uses a snug upper and a Boost sole with different proportions compared to the 350 V2.
The design appears more organic and continuous, with patterns and color schemes that often span the entire surface of the upper.
Models like Alien, Calcite Glow, Covellite, and Mist show the various interpretations developed during the relatively short life of the 380 family.
Yeezy QNTM
The Yeezy QNTM was born from the attempt to bring the Yeezy language toward a basketball-inspired silhouette.
QNTM, short for Quantum, uses a high-top construction, a multi-layered upper, and proportions very different from the lower lifestyle families.
Versions such as Quantum, Sea Teal, and Mist Slate therefore belong to one of the most distinctive branches of the catalog.
The QNTM shows well how the Yeezy project was not limited to a single type of sneaker.
Boost, Primeknit, and Adidas technologies in Yeezy
The collaboration uses various Adidas technologies, but not all Yeezys are constructed the same way.
Boost technology is central to models like the Yeezy Boost 350, 380, and some 700 generations.
Primeknit is used primarily in families characterized by knit fabric uppers, creating a flexible and relatively snug structure.
Other silhouettes, however, follow completely different approaches.
The Yeezy 500 does not use Boost, the 700 V3 adopts its own construction, and the Slide and Foam RNNR abandon the traditional sneaker structure almost entirely.
Therefore, it is more accurate to speak of specific technologies for each model rather than attributing Boost and Primeknit to the entire Yeezy catalog.
Adidas Yeezy and the end of the collaboration
The collaboration between Adidas and Ye ended in October 2022.
After the conclusion of the partnership, Adidas halted production and distribution of the Yeezy business and subsequently organized several sales of existing stock.
These releases continued in 2023 and 2024 until the inventory of Yeezy products held directly by Adidas was exhausted.
The original production from the collaboration now constitutes a closed catalog: the different colorways and silhouettes belong to specific periods and releases of the partnership.
This makes it particularly important to correctly identify the model, year, and product code when comparing different Adidas Yeezys.
Men’s and women’s Yeezy
Men’s and women’s Yeezy models are produced in size ranges that vary depending on the silhouette.
A Yeezy Boost 350 V2 has a completely different construction than a 500, a Slide, or a Foam RNNR, so the fit cannot be generalized across the entire catalog.
Many releases are considered unisex and can be chosen by referring to the correct EU size.
However, it is always important to verify the specific model, because the shape, materials, and construction can significantly alter the feel on the foot.
How much do Adidas Yeezys cost?
The price of Yeezys changes based on the model, colorway, size, year, and availability.
A standard Yeezy 350 V2 follows different dynamics compared to a particularly rare colorway, just as the Slide, Foam RNNR, 500, and 700 can have very different values from one another.
The availability of a specific size can heavily impact the secondary market.
For this reason, there is no single price valid for all Adidas Yeezys: you must always distinguish by model, version, and colorway.
Original Adidas Yeezy and authenticity
The popularity of the project makes it particularly important to correctly distinguish every original Adidas Yeezy.
The shape, materials, knit, sole, Boost, labels, stitching, product codes, boxes, and packaging vary significantly between a Yeezy 350, a 700, a Slide, or a Foam RNNR.
Comparisons must therefore always be made against the specific release and not by using a single model as a reference for all Yeezys.
At ResellZone, every product undergoes the verification process designed to check its authenticity and accuracy against the specific release. The method used is explained in detail on the page dedicated to product authenticity.