Some people once derided the rapper as the biggest name in the sneaker world. They can never surpass NBA superstars or earn the respect of the top artists in the shoe industry. And then there’s Kanye West. It all started in 2009 when he released his Nike Air Yeezy I, then the Louis Vuitton collection, the Air Yeezy II, the move to Adidas, and the story goes on. Of course, there are shoes he’s made before: unreleased Reebok S. Carters and Nike Air Max 180s. But West’s true passion as a footwear designer came true when West had his own sneaker, the Yeezy, and all of its current iterations.
But what’s so good about Yeezy? From color scheme to comfort, like Kanye’s rap style, say: it’s all in the details.
So what did we do? We’ve ranked all his sneakers, cool Yeezys and Louis Vuittons, his own creations and his partners.Here are the remaining 10 pairs in the Storepc Kanye version quality rating
10. Adidas Yeezy 500
When the Yeezy 500 launched in December 2017, many immediately dismissed it because it was only available when you bought the $760 clothing bundle. All future color versions will be available. There was no release of Kanye West’s mandatory outfit, and public acceptance varied, but it’s fair to say that the initial release was a bit silly. Despite its minor flaws, the silhouette was one of Kanye’s more interesting designs, and its distinctive suede and mesh upper shape matched the trends that dominated sneakers at the time. Borrowing the midsole from Kobe Bryant’s signature KB3 is another added touch that some may not realize, but is definitely worth mentioning. 500 is never particularly hard to come by, but many solid colors sell out with relative ease every time. However, that doesn’t mean they resell at super high prices. All of these are great options if you want to buy Yeezy at a more reasonable price than some of its counterparts.
9. Louis Vuitton Don
Before Virgil Abloh was named artistic director of Louis Vuitton menswear in 2018, West launched a shoe collection with the historic French fashion house in 2009. This collaboration is undoubtedly a precedent. Fashion design space moves forward. Of all of Kanye West’s Louis Vuitton styles, the red low-top is arguably the most sought-after of the five releases, but it’s pretty impressive to see any luxe sneaker on the street these days. These sneakers are also one of Kanye West’s best moments ever. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, watch this.
8. Adidas Yeezy 700 V3
The Yeezy 700 V2 has very subtle strip adjustments to differentiate it from its predecessor. However, the recently introduced 700 V3 has a more noticeable overhaul. The result is arguably one of the best sneakers Kanye has made since adding the three-stripes. When the “Azael” shoe came out in December 2019, it seemed like everyone had to get their hands on the latest Yeezy version for the first time. The black neoprene bootie design and the creamy glow in the cage make the design futuristic and wearable. The lower price tag, at just $200 versus $300, is also noteworthy. An all-black option is rumored to come in February, and we hope it’s not the only pair coming next year.
7. Adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR
Affectionately referred to by many as the “Yeezy Crocs” for its familiar perforated foam upper, the RNNR Foam is easily one of the most unique styles in the Yeezy collection. The shoes themselves are important for many reasons. To be even more sustainable, the silhouette, designed in collaboration with shoe design legend Steven Smith, is made from seaweed foam. The shoe is also primarily made in the U.S., a major selling point as West continues to insist on strengthening Yeezy’s manufacturing infrastructure in the country. Polarity, $75 slippage has had no issues since its initial launch in June 2020, despite naysayers. The debut colorway “Ararat” is now over $700 and comes in a variety of sizes. It’s possible that everyone will never be conquered by a design like the Foam RNNR. We understand. It is a tuber. It has no lanyard. It doesn’t even have to be a pair of sneakers. But that’s not to say it can’t easily be one of the best Yeezys to date.
6. Nike Air Yeezy I
These are the sneakers that started it all. Created in collaboration with Nike designer Mark Smith, the shoe references some of West’s favorite sneakers, including the Air Jordan III he drew in class when he was in elementary school. Released in three different colors, these sneakers will not only be the basis for his second pair of Nike sneakers, but also a whole host of other shoes from Nike and other brands. These sneakers may not fit as well as some of his other sneakers, mainly due to their large, bulky designs, which have fallen out of favor over the years. But it encapsulates the early energy and passion West put into his sneakers.
5. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 might not be the first adidas Yeezy shoe to drop in price, but it’s certainly the one that’s propelled the relationship into trend. Around the time The Life Of Pablo project in the West was released, some fans were lucky enough to get a free pair as they managed to guess what TLOP meant on social media.
Featuring the original “Turtle Dove” colorway, it’s safe to say that the 350s Fast Run is the mystery rapper with the three stripes at their best. Unfortunately, the popularity of this model has resulted in a plethora of knockoffs being produced, so if you’re looking for a pair of your own, watch out for knockoffs. – Ben Feldstein
4. Louis Vuitton Jasper
In 2009, when Kid Cudi wore it on the pages of Complex Magazine, I thought it would be the moment when I thought it would be a classic sneaker with a pink sole trapped in a bunch of cartoon pink shoes. With a grey suede upper and sole, this colorway shows that Kanye West knows how to draw attention with shoe design. It also shows that he can make people drop serious coins on a pair of shoes. These sell for $1,140. This might not seem like much on the secondary market today, but it never happened 10 years ago. Many believe that West didn’t create this collaboration for the “sneakerheads.” He proved them wrong. He went on to become bigger stars and more mainstream projects, but the partnership with Louis Vuitton still holds a special place in the hearts of his loyal fans.
3. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2
Adidas’ most accessible Kanye West design is by far his most important. West’s second pair of three-stripe flip-flops helps him deliver on his promise that everyone who wants Yeezys will eventually get them, thanks to a plethora of colorways and extras over the years. The 350 V2 makes West’s line of sneakers more than a limited-edition offering for a lucky few customers. It made Yeezy mainstream. Collectors might hate the oversaturation and lack of exclusivity this model currently has, but that’s exactly why it ranks so high on this list.
2. Adidas Yeezy Boost 700
From a design standpoint, the Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 is the best Kanye West sneaker, and it’s a strong case. This is by far the best Adidas design, although the 350 V2 is more popular. It has it all: layers, materials, true silhouette construction and OG colorways. The “Wave Runner” 700 is Kanye’s best adidas sneaker. These sneakers also transform the Kanye collection from socks to real sneakers. He can outrun a Boosted sweater (despite having 700 Boosts in the midsole). He has some depth in his reach. Sneakers are also introduced in due course. The “daddy shoe” trend is still in its early stages, and this shoe type is one of the best out there. The chunky midsole features a ’90s design with help from Steven Smith, one of the godfathers of the original dad shoe. It’s since been toned down by a ton of inconspicuous colors that make the original Wave Runner version even more interesting.
1. Nike Air Yeezy II
Kanye’s song Swan with the Swoosh remains his best work to date. Snakeskin side panels, hieroglyphs and a luminous Air Tech Challenge II sole are designed for a more durable fit than the Air Yeezy I. The original colors “Pure Platinum” and “Sun Red” launched in 2012, just as sneaker culture really started to get more attention. Honestly, Red October will release this gem in two years. From the moment he spits out “All Yeezys on your couch / These are Red Octobers,” the hype train rattles on Yeezus cut “Hold My Liquor.” The launch barely happened as West was leaving his Nike contract for greener pastures, making nike.com’s February 2014 random drop all the more epic. The Air Yeezy II remains the ultimate mug for many collectors and a perfect tribute to West’s Nike days.