Adidas Yeezy 700: history, design and generations
The Adidas Yeezy 700 represents one of the most significant changes in the history of the collaboration between Adidas and Kanye West.
Following the more minimal silhouettes of the first Yeezy Boost 350s, the 700 introduces much larger volumes, an upper composed of numerous panels, and an aesthetic inspired by retro runners.
The first Yeezy 700 was showcased in 2017 during Yeezy Season 5 and arrived on the market the same year with the Wave Runner colorway.
Within the Adidas Yeezy family, the name 700 subsequently became a true line consisting of deeply different generations: Yeezy Boost 700, 700 V2 and 700 V3.
Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner
The Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner is the sneaker from which the entire family was born.
Presented in 2017, it breaks sharply with the design language of the Yeezy 350s thanks to a more voluminous construction and an upper composed of mesh, suede and overlapping panels.
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Wave Runner combines grey, black, green and orange details within a silhouette that recalls the runners of the nineties.
The lower part integrates Boost cushioning inside a midsole that is much more massive compared to that of the Yeezy 350.
The Wave Runner itself became the aesthetic reference for the first Yeezy 700s and one of the models most associated with the rise of chunky sneakers in the second half of the 2010s.
Yeezy Boost 700: the first generation
The first generation is generally identified as the Yeezy Boost 700.
After the Wave Runner, numerous colorways were released that maintained the same structure, primarily focusing on variations in color and materials.
The multi-level upper, voluminous sole and Boost cushioning remain the main common elements.
Colorways such as Analog, Salt, Utility Black, Hi-Res Blue, Hi-Res Red, Bright Blue and Wash Orange show how the same silhouette can change its identity, moving from neutral palettes to much bolder configurations.
Yeezy Boost 700 Analog
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Analog takes the first generation toward light and relatively uniform tones.
Mesh, suede and overlapping panels use white, cream and grey, highlighting above all the different textures of the upper.
Compared to the Wave Runner, which is characterized by a much more complex color combination, the Analog represents the more minimal side of the Yeezy Boost 700.
The construction, however, remains the voluminous and layered one that identifies the first generation.
Yeezy Boost 700 Salt
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Salt also uses a neutral palette.
The sneaker maintains the combination of mesh and overlapping panels typical of the 700, but significantly reduces color contrasts.
This type of colorway allows the shoe's structure to take center stage: the shape of the midsole, paneling and volumes are more evident than in the multicolored releases.
Yeezy Boost 700 Utility Black
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 Utility Black, on the other hand, follows an almost completely dark direction.
The black and anthracite palette unifies the mesh and paneling, while the chunky construction of the sneaker remains immediately recognizable.
Utility Black clearly demonstrates a recurring characteristic of the Yeezy project: using relatively simple color schemes on very complex silhouettes.
Yeezy 700 V2
The Yeezy 700 V2 represents the second evolution of the family.
The foundation remains that of a voluminous runner, but the upper has been completely redesigned with more elongated lines, different paneling and reflective details present on various releases.
The V2 also maintains the Boost technology used by the first generation.
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 V2 Vanta exemplifies this language through a dark, monochromatic construction that emphasizes the different surfaces of the upper.
Yeezy 700 V1 and V2: what changes?
The first Yeezy Boost 700 and the 700 V2 share significant proportions and Boost cushioning, but they use different uppers.
The first generation features more pronounced panels and a structure that directly recalls retro runners.
The V2 instead uses longer lines and a visually more technical construction, with reflective details integrated into various releases.
The difference is therefore not simply chromatic: the V1 and V2 are two different interpretations of the same 700 concept.
Yeezy 700 V3
The Yeezy 700 V3 represents the most radical change in the family.
The silhouette has been redesigned with a textile upper wrapped in a rigid external structure that becomes one of the main design elements.
The lower part also changes completely.
In fact, the V3 abandons the Boost technology present on the first two generations and uses a different midsole construction. The first V3, the Azael, debuted at the end of 2019.
The result is a sneaker that is much more futuristic compared to the original 700s.
Yeezy 700 V3 Safflower
The Adidas Yeezy 700 V3 Safflower uses yellow and neutral tones within the distinctive V3 structure.
The external cage crosses the side of the sneaker and makes it possible to immediately distinguish this generation from the Yeezy Boost 700.
The Safflower clearly shows how, on the V3, the external structure becomes a fundamental part of the model's aesthetic identity.
Yeezy 700 V3 Kyanite
The Adidas Yeezy 700 V3 Kyanite, conversely, takes the design toward blue and light tones.
In this case as well, the color is distributed between the textile part of the upper and the external structure, creating multiple visual layers.
Compared to the first 700 generation, where the identity derives primarily from different panels and materials, on the V3 it is the relationship between the upper and the cage that characterizes the sneaker the most.
Yeezy 700 V3 Copper Fade
The Copper Fade develops the same concept through warmer tones.
Brown, orange and natural shades are applied to the futuristic construction of the V3, proving how much the third generation can change its character through color without modifying its structure.
Safflower, Kyanite and Copper Fade therefore represent three different interpretations of the same V3 family.
Yeezy 700 V1, V2 and V3: main differences
The three main Yeezy 700 generations share the name but are very different sneakers.
The original Yeezy Boost 700 is the one most closely tied to the retro runner aesthetic: mesh, suede, prominent paneling and Boost cushioning.
The 700 V2 maintains Boost and similar proportions, but completely redesigns the upper with more technical and elongated lines.
The 700 V3, meanwhile, changes both the aesthetic language and construction, introducing the characteristic external cage and abandoning Boost.
This is why it is important to always distinguish the generation before comparing materials, fit or colorways.
Yeezy 700 and Boost technology
The name Yeezy Boost 700 is correct for the first generation and for the 700 V2.
Both in fact use Boost cushioning.
It is not correct, however, to automatically use "Boost" when speaking about the Yeezy 700 V3, because the third generation uses a different construction.
This distinction is particularly important when comparing the different versions of the 700 family.
Yeezy 700 and Yeezy 500: what are the differences?
The Yeezy 500 is probably the most natural comparison.
Both use significant proportions and uppers composed of multiple materials and panels.
The Yeezy 700, however, maintains an identity more clearly tied to retro runners, while the 500 uses more organic forms and a completely different sole.
The cushioning also changes: the first Yeezy 700s use Boost, while the Yeezy 500 uses adiPRENE.
Yeezy 700 and Yeezy Boost 350
The difference compared to the Yeezy Boost 350 is even sharper.
The 350 uses a relatively continuous knit upper and a low silhouette.
The 700, on the other hand, uses numerous panels, different materials and a much more voluminous structure.
The two families therefore represent almost two extremes of the Adidas Yeezy catalog: minimalism and knit on the 350, and chunky, multi-level construction on the 700.
Yeezy 700 for men and women
Yeezy 700s for men and women are generally considered unisex sneakers and are offered in numerous size ranges.
However, the fit can change between the original 700, V2 and V3 because the shape and construction of the upper are different.
To choose correctly, it is therefore useful to refer to the EU size and the specific generation, instead of considering all Yeezy 700s identical.
How do Yeezy 700s fit?
The fit of the Yeezy 700 depends in part on the version.
The first generations use a highly structured upper, while the V3 features a different construction and an external cage.
Foot shape and the specific release can also influence the feel on the foot.
For this reason, it is preferable to check the information relating to the individual sneaker instead of automatically using the same size chosen for the Yeezy 350 or 500.
How much do Yeezy 700s cost?
The price of the Yeezy 700 varies based on the generation, colorway, size and availability.
Wave Runner, Vanta, Analog, Utility Black, Safflower and Kyanite can follow very different dynamics on the secondary market.
V1, V2 and V3 should also not be considered equivalent from the standpoint of availability.
For this reason, the price must always be evaluated based on the specific release.
Original Yeezy 700s and authenticity
To correctly recognize an original Yeezy 700, one must first identify the generation.
Shape, paneling, mesh, suede, reflective details, external cage, midsole, Boost, internal labels, product code and packaging can be completely different between V1, V2 and V3.
A Wave Runner therefore cannot be used as a universal reference to verify a Vanta or a Safflower.
At ResellZone, every product undergoes the required verification process to check its authenticity and correspondence with the specific release. The method used is explained in detail on the page dedicated to product authenticity.