A Genius Sneaker: Every Iteration of the adidas Yeezy Boost 350
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By Stadium Goods |A Genius Sneaker: Every Iteration of the adidas Yeezy Boost 350
We break down how Kanye West’s most iconic sneaker has been remodeled over the years.
Matt DeSciora
Have you ever wondered what Kanye West is like behind the scenes? Thanks to the new “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” documentary on Netflix, fans are gaining a new perspective on West’s personal life and transition from soul sample-obsessed beat maker to rap demigod in the early 2000s. The three-part series, directed by West’s childhood friend Clarence Simmons (also known as Coodie), and Chike Ozah, details the lead-up to the rapper’s acclaimed “College Dropout” album and the immediate fallout thereafter in 2004.
In celebration of “jeen-yuhs,” we’re taking a look at ‘Ye’s progression as a sneaker designer by highlighting his most iconic and transformative shoe to date: the adidas Yeezy Boost 350.
Since debuting back in 2015, the 350 has become West’s most popular signature shoe with adidas. The silhouette’s ultra comfortable Boost cushioned midsole makes wearing the shoe a pleasure, and it comes in many easy-to-match colorways, too. But as you’ll see, with so many variations of the Yeezy Boost 350 to choose from, there’s undoubtedly (at least) one style out there that’s perfect for everyone.
Whether you’re just getting familiar with the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 after watching “jeen-yuhs” or want to know a little more about the differences between, say, the original Yeezy Boost 350 and the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 CMPCT, you’ll find that information in this comprehensive guide.
This is every iteration of the adidas Yeezy Boost 350.
Original colorway: “Turtle Dove”
Release date: June 15, 2015
First Yeezy Boost 350
The original adidas Yeezy Boost 350 is the “Turtle Dove” colorway, a grey-based design that succeeded West’s first adidas Yeezy, the Yeezy Boost 750, in June 2015. The inaugural 350 features a grey-and-black marled Primeknit upper with a ribbed, white rubber midsole housing adidas’s Boost cushioning technology. Compared to later versions, the first 350 has a slightly more low-slung profile. The original 350 is also the only version to have a suede panel on the medial side at the arch of your foot.
Original colorway: “Beluga”
Release date: September 24, 2016
First Yeezy Boost 350 V2
West and adidas cooked up several colorways of the original Yeezy Boost 350 before introducing the shoe’s second and most popular edition so far, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2, in September 2016. The “Beluga’s” modified appearance is highlighted by a woven Primeknit base and a contrasting side panel with “SPLY-350” branding. In recent years, the 350 V2 has been released without the monofilament side stripe, and sometimes with or without a pull tab on the heel.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Static”
Original colorway: “Static”
Release date: December 29, 2018
Translucent Side Stripes Introduced, First Reflective Variant
The original Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Static” is the first colorway of the silhouette to feature a translucent monofilament stripe on the side as well as a new multidirectional weave pattern on its Primeknit upper. The “Reflective Static” variant was the first of many Yeezy 350 colorways to feature reflective detailing added into the Primeknit that shines when exposed to light in the dark.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Mono
Original colorway: “Mono Ice”
Release date: June 18, 2021
First With Translucent Mesh Upper
You would think that Kanye and adidas would’ve explored all possible ways to modify the Yeezy Boost 350 a few years into the shoe’s lifecycle. But the duo clearly wasn’t done tinkering with it as recently as June 2021. Last year, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Mono Ice” was the first 350 with a translucent monofilament mesh upper. As radically different as the “Mono Ice” is compared to the original 350 and 350 V2 models, it still retains the silhouette’s original heel tab, laces, and ribbed midsole with Boost cushioning.
Original colorway: “MX Oat”
Release date: October 23, 2021
“Mix” Primeknit Brings A New Look
Pretty much the same as the original adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2, the MX has a side monofilament stripe on the side, a pull tab on the back, and traditional laces. All original components of the original 350 V2. The MX, however, features an all-marbled blend of colors on its Primeknit material. Inspiration for the new swirled design can be traced back to the Yeezy Foam Runner MX.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 CMPCT
Original colorway: “Slate Blue”
Release date: December 6, 2021
“CMPCT” Remodel Goes Streamlined
Things got interesting for the adidas Yeezy franchise in 2021. There was the new Yeezy 450 that debuted in June, followed by the Yeezy Knit Runner in September, the gargantuan Yeezy Insulated Boot and Yeezy Knit Runner Boot in November and the Yeezy Knit Basketball in December. Oh, and this shoe, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 CMPCT, which came out in December and is basically the non-performance version of the Yeezy Knit Basketball. Compared to the original 350 V2, the CMPCT (“Compact”) has an elastic collar, quick-lacing system, and modified woven Primeknit base all in a more streamlined silhouette.