There’s no denying that Kanye West’s partnership with adidas has birthed some absolutely incredible sneakers over the years. Ever since the duo first got together in 2015 they’ve been focused on creating game-changing designs that redefine sneaker standards. Much like Kanye himself, his sneakers are constantly evolving and often go through an amount of aesthetic and stylistic changes, creating clear differences between each Yeezy era.
Today we’re taking an in-depth look at none other than the Yeezy Boost 700. First introduced in 2017, the sneaker single-handedly became one of the best-selling Yeezy models ever, and continues to prove popular with footwear fans across the world even today. There’s been multiple different renditions of the Yeezy 700, so we’re taking a detailed look at every different variation, quirks and all. So without further ado, let’s jump right in and get started!
Yeezy Boost 700 OG (2017)
The first-ever rendition of the Yeezy 700 hit the market in November 2017. Seen in its OG “Wave Runner” colourway, this sneaker dropped right as the footwear scene was already obsessed with chunky silhouettes, meaning it was instantly propelled into popularity. The pair was designed by none other than Steven Smith, an esteemed footwear designer famous for models like the New Balance 550, the New Balance 997 and the Nike Air Spiridon Caged 2. Combined with the retro-inspired colourway, the Yeezy Boost 700 won over the hearts of sneakerheads around the globe.
It’s released in plenty of different variations since its introduction, with notable colourways including “Analog”, “Utility Black” and “Enflame Amber”. There’s a clear shift towards more vibrant colourways that’s noticeable at around 2021 mark, something that reflects Kanye’s design language at the time.
Yeezy Boost 700 V2 (2018)
Coming in hot just a year after the release of the first rendition, the Yeezy Boost 700 V2 hit the market. Opting for a more streamlined and contemporary feel than the OG, the V2 relied heavily on an updated upper section, with the general basis and DNA of the sneaker remaining the same. Debuting in a “Static” colourway, the V2 showed off an upper crafted from a variety of different fabrics, along with flowing lines on the laterals and even 3M reflective details. Closely after the release of the “Static”, we saw a “Vanta” option that decked the kicks out in a stealthy triple black look.
Fans quickly fell in love with the updated look at the V2, with earthy-hued colourways such as “Geode” and “Tephra” launching soon after. The model is still a popular choice today, with some colourways, such as “Static” receiving multiple re-releases, much to the delight of sneakerheads.
Yeezy 700 V3 (2019)
While the first two renditions of the Yeezy 700 appeared relatively similar, the Yeezy 700 dropped out of nowhere in 2019 and totally redefined the model’s appearance. Launching in the OG “Azael” colourway, the Yeezy 700 V3 marked a shift towards Kanye’s futuristic design language, and mirrored the look seen across other silhouettes, such as the Foam Runner and the Yeezy Slide. Interestingly, this model also came without any Boost technology, unlike the previous iterations (notice the absence of Boost in the model’s official name).
The Yeezy 700 V3 quickly gained traction and became a popular choice for sneakerheads, with additional colourways such as “Kyanite” and “Arzareth” also proving successful. We haven’t seen any V3s launch since 2022, but could they potentially make a return soon?
Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN (2020)
Last but by no means least, the Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN first dropped in 2020, showcasing a return to the original design language with an updated twist. Sharing the same midsole unit as V2 silhouette, the MNVN showcased a simplified upper that featured bold “700” branding across the design. Many MNVN colourways offered up stark colours such as “Phosphor” or “Orange”, similar to colourways that were launching across other silhouettes at the time.
There was also a laceless version of the Yeezy 700 MNVN that launched briefly in 2022, although we only saw two colourways of this version. Overall, the MNVN was probably the least successful variation of the 700, perhaps due to the overt branding seen across the model’s upper.