9 Most Expensive Yeezy Sneakers
Similar to the Ultra Boosts and the Air Jordans, the Yeezys have become one of the most popular sneakers to be released in the past decade. Developed in collaboration with Grammy-winning rapper Kanye West, the Yeezys have brought big bucks for Adidas ($1.3 billion in sales in 2019 alone) as well as for Nike when West was still part of the brand for around four years. Even today, Yeezys are still very expensive shoes with prices rising further in the aftermarket. Here are nine of the most expensive Adidas Yeezy sneakers ever sold:
1. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 ‘Synth’ (Reflective) - $1,500
The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 and V1 continue to be the most popular sneakers in the entire Adidas and Nike Yeezy collection. West officially commenced his partnership with Adidas in 2015 with the release of the 350 V1. He would follow it up a year later with the release of the 350 V2. Of the numerous 350 V2s that were released, the Synth is considered by many to be the best. It’s also one of the most expensive.
Officially launched in 2019, the 350 V2 ‘Synth’ (Reflective) was only sold in select retailers in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It comes with a cream and light grey colorway and was initially sold for a retail price of $220.
2. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 ‘Turtle Dove’ - $2,000
The Adidas Yeezy lined officially begun with the Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 ‘Turtle Dove’. The shoe features a woven Primeknit upper and a full-length BOOST midsole. Much like the 250 V2 Synth, the Yeezy Turtle Dove uses Ultra Boost’s innovative BOOST sole which is known to provide unparalleled comfort. Every Adidas Yeezy has since adapted the BOOST sole for all of its sneakers. Collectors can purchase this iconic Yeezy silhouette at online reselling marketplace StockX for $2,000, making it the most expensive Yeezy 350 to date.
3. Adidas Yeezy Boost 750 OG Light Brown - $2,600
Although it didn’t get the same love as its predecessor the 350 V1, the 750 was still a hit among collectors and casual sneaker fans. The 750 OG Light Brown was released in 2016, a year after the first pairs of 750s hit retail shops. This mid-top Adidas Yeezy retro sneaker features an all-suede upper as well as a white-colored BOOST sole which contrasts with the gum-colored sole from the previous 750s.
4. Nike Air Yeezy 1 ‘Net’ - $3,600
Released in 2009, the Air Yeezy 1 ‘Net’ would be the last Nike Air Yeezy 1 colorway to hit retail stores. The Air Yeezy 1 Net features a beige colorway for the upper and a pink colorway for the tongue. The shoe also comes with a suede upper and a high collar mounted on a midsole borrowed from the Nike Air Jordan 3. Although the air unit of the Jordan 3 doesn’t have the same comfort levels as the BOOST, there have been no complaints of people who have managed to get hold of the limited edition shoe.
5. Nike Air Yeezy 1 ‘Zen Grey’ - $4,000
A few months before the Air Yeezy 1 Net was released, the Air Yeezy 1 ‘Zen Grey’ hit shelves albeit in limited pairs. Although it’s the same shoe as the Net, Zen Grey features different shades of grey as well as yellow details in the collar lining. Celebrities Jay-Z, Kevin Hart, Rick Ross, and Big Sean as well as NBA player PJ Tucker were all seen rocking the shoe.
6. Nike Air Yeezy 1 ‘Blink’ - $4,600
The Nike Air Yeezy 1 is the third of the Air Yeezy 1 line and is currently the most expensive. Much like its Zen Grey and Net siblings, Blink was already sold at an expensive retail price of $245. But when the pair was no longer to be found at stores, prices went as high as $4,600 in the aftermarket.
This expensive sneaker features a black and pink colorway (hence the “blink” moniker) and was first featured in the Keri Wilson “Knock You Down” music video where West made a short cameo. In a time where collectors would still camp outside of sneaker stores for days, the Air Yeezy 1 Blink together with the Zen Grey and Net were some of the sneakers that sneakerheads would patiently wait for; the same shoes that would also launch Kanye West as a force in sneaker wear.
7. Nike Air Yeezy 2 ‘Pure Platinum’ - $7,600
Similar to the Air Yeezy 1, West would release another three colorways for the Air Yeezy 2. Unfortunately, the three would be the last Nike Yeezy shoes before West made his much publicized switch to Adidas in 2013. The Air Yeezy 2, released in 2012, continues to be one of the most visually stunning sneakers the rapper has released. The snakeskin texture on the side panels as well as the iconic shark fin designs at the heel give the Air Yeezy 2 a very distinct look. The ‘Pure Platinum’ comes with varying shades of grey as well as a dash of red for the collar lining.
8. Nike Air Yeezy 2 ‘Solar Red’ - $7,700
Released together with the Pure Platinum, the ‘Solar Red’ bears similarities with the Air Yeezy 1 Blink due to its identical colorways. But unlike its Yeezy 1 counterpart, the Solar Red is considered to be a more superior shoe thanks to the Air Yeezy 2’s striking silhouette. The Solar Red also features a glow-in-the-dark outsole.
9. Nike Air Yeezy 2 ‘Red October’ - $24,000
The Air Yeezy 2 ‘Red October’ holds the title as the most expensive Yeezys and one of the most expensive sneakers ever released. Debuting in 2014, the shoe was the official curtain call for West at Nike. But unlike the previous Air Yeezy releases, the Red October was clouded with controversy as it was delayed numerous times. When it was finally released online in 2014 without any advance notice, the rumors circulating that West had already signed a multi-year deal with Adidas was confirmed. In a 2018 interview, West mentioned that the decision to leave was mainly down to Nike refusing to pay him royalties for his own shoe.
Nonetheless, the Red October still remains as one of the most popular Yeezys ever released and is up there with the 350 and 750 in terms of popularity and sales. Staying true to its name, the Red October features a scarlet finish contrasted with metallic gold lace tips. The most controversial Yeezys deservingly command a massive price tag: $24,000.
The Yeezys have truly cemented itself in sneaker lore. And as Kanye West continues to build his empire, expect sneakerheads and collectors to pay huge sums just to secure Yeezy pairs no matter what the cost.
