The History of the adidas Yeezy Boost 350
Rapper Kanye ‘Ye’ West’s journey into the fashion world began in 2009, but not with adidas; in fact, Ye first released the Air Yeezy 1 with Nike, a high-top sneaker with the brand’s famous Air unit.
Unfortunately for Nike, Ye left the brand in 2013 when Nike refused to sell him the rights to the sneakers, and in an outstanding move, the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 ‘Turtle Dove’ debuted a year later at New York Fashion Week.
The unique style of the sneaker, which combined elements of sportswear and high fashion in a low-top silhouette, stood out amongst the crowd with its Primeknit upper and BOOST sole.
After the ‘Turtle Dove’, several more colorways rapidly released: ‘Pirate Black’, ‘Moonrock’ and ‘Oxford Tan’ came out in 2015.
In 2016, a second version of the Boost 350 was released, with a chunkier looking Primeknit upper and SPLY-350 stripe on the side of the sneaker. The sole of the V2 was also slightly wider, more transparent, and consisted of two parts. The new V2 model was released in eight different colorways in its first year.
In 2022, adidas decided to end their collaboration with Ye. The rapper made public statements that adidas could not and would not ignore. The break-up had major financial consequences for adidas, and the brand projected a potential loss of $1.3 billion in revenue in 2023 due to unsold Yeezy inventory.
Despite the discontinuation, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 remains a defining sneaker of the 2010s, influencing countless footwear designs and trends across the industry.
Yeezy Boost 350: Answering Your Questions
What is the difference between the Yeezy Boost 350 V1 and V2?
The Yeezy Boost 350 V1 has a minimalist design, smoother Primeknit upper, and a fully exposed Boost sole. It feels lighter on the foot.
The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 features a bolder design, with a ribbed midsole, a semi-translucent outsole, and a "SPLY-350" stripe. It has a tighter, thicker Primeknit, and some colorways lack a heel tab.
Is the Yeezy Boost 350 appropriate for running?
The Yeezy 350 are very comfortable sneakers that you can run in, however, they are not a running model. If you are looking for a quality running sneaker that supports you in the right way, there are more suitable options out there.
What does SPLY-350 mean?
The exact meaning of 'SPLY-350' on the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 has never been officially confirmed by adidas or Kanye West, but popular theories include 'Supply 350', suggesting 'Yeezy Supply', which was the official website for Yeezy drops, or 'Saint Pablo Loves You', which is a reference to Kanye's 'Saint Pablo' tour.
Are Yeezy Boost 350 comfortable?
The Yeezy Boost 350 and 350 V2 are extremely comfortable. This is because the Yeezy sneaker uses a full PrimeKnit upper with a sock-like fit. The midsole uses adidas Boost technology, and the sole provides a soft and resilient feel.
Does the Yeezy Boost 350 fit true to size?
In general, the Boost 350 V2 fits small. It is recommended to order about half a size bigger than your normal adidas size. In contrast, the V1 falls normally.
How to tell if Yeezy Boosts are fake?
You don't recognise fake Yeezys by one fixed indicator. In fact, it is a combination of indicators that vary from pair to pair. However, you can use these indicators to virtually determine whether a pair are genuine:
- Material - The Primeknit material has a tight weave, while fakes look loose, or inconsistent.
- Stripe - The stripe should be properly aligned and blended with the knit pattern.
- Stitching - Should be neatly finished with a clear pattern.
- Boost - Has a bumpy, pellet-like texture, and is soft and bouncy. Fakes generally have a flatter, less detailed design.
- Sole - Has a high-quality, semi-translucent finish, while fakes might look too opaque, or glossy.
- Logo - Should be clean and deeply imprinted on the insole.
- Packaging – the box should be high-quality and sturdy, not flimsy or damaged. Check the style code matches an official listing.
How do you style the adidas Yeezy Boost 350?
The Yeezy Boost 350 has a versatile look that goes well with different outfits. For inspiration on styling the model, check out the article here!
How do you tie the adidas Yeezy Boost 350?
For guidance on tying your Yeezy Boost 350 laces, check out our Ultimate Sneakerjagers Lacing Guide!
How do I clean my adidas Yeezy Boost 350?
An adidas Yeezy Boost 350 is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, remove the laces, then use a toothbrush to remove obvious dirt from the surface. Mix a mild detergent with some water, and use a sponge or cloth to gently scrub harder stains. Use a damp cloth to wipe off the residue, then let them air-dry.
For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.
Laces can be cleaned with a mild detergent and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.
When is a new Yeezy release coming?
There will most likely be no more new Yeezy releases. adidas decided to end its collaboration with Ye in October 2022 after he publicly made anti-Semitic remarks. A restock did take place in early June 2023 with the last remaining stock in the warehouse.
Where can I buy adidas Yeezy Boost 350?
Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the Yeezy Boost 350 at different retailers and at different prices.
Popular Yeezy Boost 350 Colorways
adidas have released many successful colorways on the Boost 350, and these are some of the most popular and all-time favourites.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Bred’ | CP9652
One of the most iconic and sought-after sneakers of Kanye West’s Yeezy line, the ‘Bred’ got a restock in 2020 after first dropping in 2017.
The black Primeknit upper is complemented with red details on the lateral and pull tab, while the ribbed black rubber outsole maintains its signature Boost cushioning.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Beluga’ | BB1826
The debut colorway of the V2 version of the Boost 350, the ‘Beluga’ features a grey Primeknit upper with a vibrant Solar Red SPLY-350 stripe.
In 2021, adidas released the ‘Beluga Reflective’, featuring the same colour scheme but with reflective elements incorporated into the upper.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Zebra’ | CP9654
One of the most popular colorways in the Yeezy line, the ‘Zebra’ has a prominent black and white Primeknit upper in the style of its namesake, with a white side-stripe adding to the theme.
Released in limited quantities, the colorway was initially hard to acquire, but the brand re-released it in 2017 and 2022, making it more accessible.
adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Bone’ | HQ6316
The super clean V2 ‘Bone’ features a triple white colorway, with a softer Primeknit upper providing more flexibility than previous V2 releases.
The subtle, monochromatic look of the colorway makes it the perfect option for those looking for a more neutral everyday sneaker.
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