A Lot Has Changed in the adidas Yeezy Line Since Kanye West’s Last Album

While we wait for “Donda,” we look back at the evolution of the adidas Yeezy line since “Jesus Is King” dropped in 2019.

Prior to “DONDA,” Kanye West’s last studio album was October 2019’s “Jesus is King.” To no one’s surprise, ‘Ye’s adidas Yeezy footwear line looked completely different back then versus today. A glut of new Yeezy styles in addition to modifications of existing models have helped pace the rapper’s ever-growing signature shoe collection in the period between West’s album releases.

Without further delay, because you’ve likely already exhausted whatever patience you had waiting for “DONDA” to become a reality, here’s a brief rundown of the evolution of Yeezy footwear since Mr. West’s last album, “Jesus is King.”

The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V3 Becomes the Yeezy Boost 380

When: November 2019

Rumors seem to penetrate every facet of Kanye West’s life, including his signature Yeezy line. After adidas seemingly exhausted its color options on the Yeezy Boost 350 V2, a purported Yeezy Boost 350 V3 was thought to be in the works. The shoe eventually did release, albeit under a different name: the adidas Yeezy Boost 380.

Get ‘Em High: The adidas Yeezy 500 High is Introduced

When: December 2019

Introduced in December 2017, the adidas Yeezy 500 “Desert Rat” or “Blush” brought a retro basketball influence to the Yeezy line. The model’s Feet You Wear sole was culled from Kobe Bryant’s former signature adidas KB8 3 basketball shoe. Two years later, adidas dropped the Yeezy 500 High in “Slate.” Like its low-top predecessor and the KB8 3, the high-top Yeezy 500 also features a funky Feet You Wear sole.

The adidas Yeezy 700 V3 Arrives

When: December 2019

Adidas and Kanye West chased the Yeezy 500 High with the Yeezy 700 V3 in December 2019. The third variation of the popular “dad shoe,” the 700 V3 represented a completely new approach in design that included a new “cage” made from RPU overlays. Instead of saddling the Yeezy 700 V3 with a Boost cushioned sole, adidas equipped the shoe with a new foam midsole that was nearly double in size of prior 700 models.

Casual Vibes: The adidas Yeezy Slide 

When: December 2019

Looking for one of the biggest differences between the adidas Yeezy collection circa 2019 and 2021? The advent of Yeezy Slides. Launched in December 2019 but released in much larger quantities in Summer 2020, the Yeezy Slide was one of last summer’s hottest “sneakers” in the world due to its effortless wearability and easy-on-the-eyes colorways.

The adidas Yeezy Boost Quantum is the First Performance Yeezy

When: February 2020

Technically, the first adidas Yeezy performance shoe was a sample Yeezy Boost 350 Cleat given to DeAndre Hopkins in 2016, but the adidas Yeezy Boost Quantum is the line’s first true performance style. It debuted in February 2020 and was actually offered in two models: a reflective “lifestyle” version and a non-reflective performance option made specifically for the NBA’s team uniform policy.

The adidas Yeezy 700 MNVN Takes Dad Shoes to the Future

When: February 2020

Branding has never really been part of the design equation of the adidas Yeezy line. Save for the Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN. In February 2020, the MNVN which, if you’re wondering, either references a lyric from a classic Kanye West song off his “Late Registration” album or stands for “modern version,” became the first silhouette in the 700 line to feature “700” detailing on its design. The Yeezy 700 MNVN was the first 700 to display a new lightweight nylon construction, as well.

The Yeezy Foam Runner Blows Minds

When: June 2020

The thought of wearing comfortable, non-traditional-looking shoes outside of one’s home had already begun to gain momentum as a trend with staying power by June 2020. The Yeezy Foam Runner kicked the idea into overdrive. Crafted from lightweight EVA foam and recycled harvested algae, the Foam Runner compromises nothing on the comfort front. The Foam Runner may not be for everybody, but it has already been extremely influential, as we’ve seen numerous copycats hit the market in 2021.

Worth the Wait: The adidas Yeezy 450 Finally Debuts

When: February 2021

The evolution of the adidas Yeezy collection continued on the Yeezy 450, a sock-like number that was teased by West on-and-off again from as far back as 2018. The low-slung shoe rides on a one-piece EVA foam sole that extends up to the collar. In other words, it’s the latest example of Kanye’s willingness to tap into an aesthetic that’s at once unique and his own.