YEEZY Shoes: An Essential Beginner's Guide to the Kanye x adidas Sneaker
To the uninitiated, the insane demand for YEEZY shoes may seem inexplicable, and to some degree, it kind of is.
But these Kanye West-designed adidas YEEZY shoes are without a doubt some of the biggest status symbols in the sneaker world. In fact, an entire ecosystem has developed around the YEEZYs shoes craze, from Facebook groups and Twitter pages devoted to sharing leaked information, to secondary marketplaces that grow and thrive from the sale of YEEZYs as well as other adidas releases that benefit from the Kanye association, not to mention a flourishing counterfeit market for those that want the look, but aren't willing to fork over hundreds of dollars.
To help make sense of the ins, outs, and soles of one of the most popular shoes in the world, we've made a beginner's guide to everything from answering how much are YEEZYs to the YEEZYs shoes available right now and a primer on Kanye West's ongoing partnership with adidas Originals. We cover the history and background of the collaboration, outline some tips to help you buy YEEZY sneakers, and, of course, what releases to look forward to in the future.
Kanye West x adidas
After West's public fallout with former collaborator Nike, the rapper-turned-designer inked a subsequent deal with German sportswear brand adidas in the beginning of 2013.
After Kanye was spotted working with adidas Originals' Nic Galway - who also worked directly with other high-profile adidas collaborators including Raf Simons, Yohji Yamamoto and others - the rumor mill went into overdrive, fueled by pictures of Kanye making trips to China, presumably related to manufacturing. Once onboarded to adidas, West has been closely linked with the brand's head of Global Entertainment and Influencer Marketing Jon Wexler.
The resulting co-branded Kanye West x adidas YEEZY shoes made their eventual debut in early 2015, with the adidas Originals YEEZY Boost 750 making its grand entrance in a grey colorway. Since then, the collaboration has expanded to include many more colors (all hail the black YEEZYs) and footwear silhouettes (the 350, 500, 700 and the 950 boot), in addition to apparel collections for men and women, accessories, jewelry, and a Calabasas diffusion line.
West has also enlisted the help of footwear designer Steven Smith as one of YEEZY's lead designers working in the Calabasas office. Smith has previously worked for brands like New Balance, adidas, Nike, FILA, and others. Smith was also joined at YEEZY by former Reebok and Nike designer Christian Tresser.
Over time, Ye's dropped the YEEZYs shoes more and more frequently, in line with his ambitions to provide YEEZY sneakers to everyone who wants them. In 2015, West Tweeted, "Eventually, everybody who wants to get YEEZYs will get YEEZYs. adidas has promised me that, because there’s so many kids that have wanted them that couldn’t get them.”
In September 2018, West announced the biggest-ever drop of YEEZY sneakers, stating, "On September 21 we're doing our largest drop ever of the 350 V2 Triple White."
Where to Buy YEEZYs
adidas typically makes official YEEZY announcements one week or several days prior, or in some cases the same week of the release date. Most commonly, these announcements are made through the adidas Originals Twitter account, then via retailers.
Often, insider information is leaked on social media weeks or months ahead of time, giving YEEZY fans a heads up on forthcoming re-stocks and colorways. These sources are not 100% reliable, but certain groups like Yeezy Mafia in particular have developed a fairly reliable track record when it comes to predicting drops.
If purchasing through adidas direct, registry on the brand's adidas app is recommended. Currently, app launch zones include the following select cities: Berlin, London, Milan, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, Long Island, North New Jersey, Orange County, Philadelphia, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. The app is set to be discontinued however, as adidas revealed, "In the coming weeks Adidas Confirmed will transition away from being a standalone experience and will move under the Adidas App portfolio of services, where users will continue to have safe and fair access to the most anticipated Adidas releases."
After signing up for the launch of a specific sneaker, randomly selected users will have the chance to reserve a pair in their size. Sneakers can be picked up from adidas flagship stores as soon as they are available. Head to the iTunes store to download the app for free.
YEEZY Supply also stocks YEEZY releases online, as well as other Kanye West products like zines and apparel.
Independent stockists and sneaker boutiques, on the other hand, will release YEEZYs through varying methods, including raffles, social media contests, as well as in-store and online drops. We advise checking with your local retailer for more information, but size? in Europe, as well as reputable retailers like RSVP Gallery and Kith in the United States should be expected to hold relatively democratic releases.
A current global stock list for Kanye West x adidas sneakers can be found at adidas.com/yeezy.
After release day, certain stores and publications (including Highsnobiety) will also hold contests, giving sneakerheads yet another chance to cop, or to be sent a free pair. Stay posted to our Instagram for that. After that, the only place to go is the secondary market, more specifically reselling sites and shops which sell coveted items like YEEZYs for well above retail.
Offering in-store locations as well as websites, certain trusted names like Stadium Goods have built a reputation for offering product that is double-checked for authenticity. StockX has also disrupted the reselling landscape in recent months, offering a proxy service for buyers and sellers that will verify products and vet inauthentic items.
In the United States, Grailed has become a go-to destination for resellers, but no authenticity check is included in the service, and buyers are left to their own devices, although paying through goods and services on PayPal does act as a safety net. For Europe, Klekt is quickly becoming a respected online marketplace, similar to Grailed where no authenticity check is included in the service. Often these platforms will take a premium from the final sale.
Some sellers also list products on Facebook groups like YEEZY Talk Worldwide, while local sneaker-dedicated Facebook groups are also a smart place to check. Transactions here are completely peer-to-peer, with all negotiations handled between the buyer and seller, so make sure you know your stuff.
How Much Are YEEZYs on the Resell Market?
YEEZY Resell Prices 2016
YEEZY Resell Prices 2017
YEEZY Resell Prices 2018
Naturally, given the insane demand for any Kanye West-affiliated products, adidas YEEZYs can sell for exponentially more than retail. Early drops like the 350 "Turtle Dove" or "Pirate Black YEEZYs" have retained their value, being far more limited than later drops. Starting part way through 2018, adidas and West significantly increased production numbers for certain YEEZY releases, rendering resell prices much closer to the retail price tag.
Resell prices above are split up by year and by silhouette.
See a full breakdown of YEEZY resell prices.
YEEZY Releases
Below, see a full timeline of YEEZY Boost Releases, including price and date, starting with the first drop in early 2015.
adidas YEEZY Boost 750
First Released: February 14, 2015 Price: $350 Shop: Grailed, eBay, GOAT, Stadium Goods, StockX, Flight Club
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 "Turtle Dove"
First Released: June 27, 2015 Price: $200 Shop: Grailed, eBay, GOAT, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 "Pirate Black"
First Released: August 22, 2015 Price: $200 Shop: Grailed, eBay, GOAT, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 "Moonrock"
First Released: November 14, 2015 Price: $200 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 750 "Black"
First Released: December 19, 2015 Price: $350 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 "Oxford Tan"
First Released: December 29, 2015 Price: $200 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX, Fight Club
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 "Pirate Black" Re-Stock 2016
First Released: February 19, 2016 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, GOAT, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX,
adidas YEEZY Boost 750 "Grey/Gum"
First Released: June 11, 2016 Price: $350 Shop: eBay, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Beluga"
First Released: September 24, 2016 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, GOAT, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 750 "Light Brown"
First Released: October 15, 2016 Price: $350 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX, Flight Club
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Copper/Green/Red"
First Released: November 23, 2016 Price: $220 Shop: Copper (GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX) Green (GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX) Red (GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX)
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Core White"
First Released: December 17, 2016 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Zebra"
First Released: February 25, 2017, June 24, 2017 (Re-stock), November 16, 2018 (Re-Stock_ Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas "Calabasas" Powerphase
First Released: March 28, 2017 & June 4, 2017 (Re-stock) Price: $120 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, Grailed, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Cream White"
First Released: April 29, 2017 and September 21, 2018 (Restock) Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700
First Released: August 12, 2017, March 10, 2018 (Restock) & September 15, 2018 (Restock) Price: $300 Shop: Grailed, GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Semi-Frozen Yellow"
First Released: November 18, 2017 & December 14, 2018 (Re-Stock) Price: $220 Shop: , GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Gray/Bold Orange”
First Released: November 25, 2017 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas "Calabasas" Powerphase "Grey"
First Released: December 9, 2017 Price: $120 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY 500 "Super Moon Yellow"
First Released: Dec 6, 2017 & June 9 (Re-Stock) Price: $760 (Available via the December drop only as a pack with sweatshorts and hoodie) and $200 (regularly priced via the June drop) Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Blue Tint"
First Released: December 16, 2017 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT, Grailed
adidas "Calabasas" Powerphase "Black"
First Released: March 17, 2018 Price: $120 Shop: , Stadium Goods, GOAT, Grailed, eBay, StockX
adidas YEEZY 500 "Blush"
First Released: February 16, 2018 (Pre-order through YEEZY Supply) February 17-18 (2018 NBA All-Star Weekend at adidas 747 Warehouse), April 14, 2018 (Global adidas stockists) Price: $200 Shop: Stadium Goods, GOAT, Grailed, eBay, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Butter"
First Released: June 30, 2018 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY 500 "Utility Black"
First Released: July 7, 2018 Price: $200 Shop: Stadium Goods, GOAT, eBay, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 "Mauve"
First Released: October 27, 2018 Price: $300 Shop: , GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY 500 "Salt"
First Released: November 30, 2018 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Sesame"
First Released: November 23, 2018 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Static Reflective"
First Released: December 26, 2018 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Static Non-Reflective"
First Released: December 27, 2018 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 V2 "Static Non-Reflective"
First Released: December 29, 2018 Price: $300 Shop: Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 "Salt"
First Released: February 23, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: , GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 "Inertia"
First Released: March 9, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "TRFRM"
First Released: March 16, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "HYPERSPACE"
First Released: March 16, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 V2 "Geode"
First Released: March 23, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 "Clay"
First Released: March 30, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
YZY DSRT BT Rock
First Released: April 13, 2019 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods
YZY DSRT BT Oil
First Released: April 20, 2019 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Bodega
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 “Analog”
First Released: April 27, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT, Grailed
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Glow”
First Released: May 22, 2019 Price: $250 Shop: StockX, GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, Grailed
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Black Reflective”
Release Date: June 5, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Black”
Release Date: June 7, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 V2 “Vanta”
Release Date: Pre-sale on May 31, 2019 followed by an online release June 6, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Synth Reflective”
Release Date: June 21, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Synth”
Release Date: June 22, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Antlia”
Release Date: June 22, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, GOAT, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Antlia Reflective”
Release Date: June 27, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 “Utility Black”
Release Date: June 29 Price: $300 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Lundmark”
Release Date: July 11, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Lundmark Reflective”
Release Date: July 11, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY 500 “Bone White”
Release Date: August 24, 2019 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, GOAT, Grailed, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY 700 “Magnet”
Release Date: September 9, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 V2 “Inertia”
Release Date: September 7, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, StockX, GOAT
YZY DSRT BT “Salt,” “Rock,” and “Oil”
Release Date: September 14, 2019 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
YEEZY Powerphase “Clear Brown,” “Quiet Grey,” & “Simple Brown”
Release Date: September 18, 2019 Price: $120 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Citrin”
Release Date: September 23, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 V2 “Hospital Blue”
Release Date: September 28, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, https://www.goat.com/sneakers/yeezy-boost-700-v2-hospital-blue-yzy-700-v2-hsptl
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 V1 “Teal Blue”
Release Date: October 26, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, https://www.goat.com/sneakers/yeezy-boost-700-teal-blue-yzy-700-teal
adidas YEEZY 500 “Stone”
Release Date: November 23, 2019 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Pirate Black”
Release Date: November 29, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: eBay
adidas YEEZY Boost 380 “Alien”
Release Date: December 12, 2019 Price: $230 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY 500 High “Slate”
Release Date: December 16, 2019 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 “Carbon Blue”
Release Date: December 18, 2019 Price: $300 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY 700 V3 “Azael”
Release Date: December 23, 2019 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Yeshaya”
Release Date: January 11 (China), January 25 (USA) Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 v2 “Marsh”
Release Date: Febraury 1, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YZY QNTM & BSKTBL
Release Date: February 16, 2020 Price: $250 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Taillight”
Release Date: February 22, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Flax”
Release Date: February 22, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Earth”
Release Date: February 22, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 MNVN “Orange”
Release Date: February 28, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Desert Sage”
Release Date: March 14, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Cinder”
Release Date: March 21, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 380 “Mist”
Release Date: March 25, 2020 Price: $230 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY 700 V3 “Alvah”
Release Date: April 11, 2020 Price: $200 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Slide
Release Date: April 16, 2020 Price: $55 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Linen”
Release Date: April 18, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Sulfur”
Release Date: May 9, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY 500 High “Tyrian”
Release Date: May 16, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay,StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 MNVN “Black”
Release Date: May 23, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay,StockX, GOAT
adidas YZY QNTM “Barium”
Release Date: June 25, 2020 Price: $250 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Foam Runner
Release Date: June 27, 2020 Price: $75 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 700 MNVN “Bone”
Release Date: July 11, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: Stadium Goods, eBay, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Zyon”
Release Date: July 18, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 380 “Blue Oat” Reflective & Non-Reflective
Release Date: July 24 (Reflective), July 25 (Non-reflective) Price: $240 / €240 (Non-reflective), $270 / €270 (Reflective) Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Israfil”
Release Date: August 22, 2020 Price: $220 Shop: eBay, Stadium Goods, StockX, GOAT
adidas YEEZY Boost 380 "Stone Salt"
Release Date: October 18, 2021 Price: $200 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods
adidas YEEZY Foam RNNR “Vermillion”
Release Date: October 29, 2021 Price: $80 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Beluga Reflective”
Release Date: December 18, 2021 Price: $240 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “MX Rock”
Release Date: December 21, 2021 Price: $220 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “Dazzling Blue”
Release Date: February 26, 2022 Price: $230 Shop: GOAT, Grailed, eBay, Stadium Goods
adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 “MX Frost Blue”
Release Date: March 12, 2022 Price: $230 Shop: GOAT
Stay posted as we update this adidas YEEZY guide with more information.
