n 2015, Kanye West launched his first YEEZY Boost 750, a groundbreaking release with only 9,000 pairs worldwide. Resale prices soared past $20,000. Celebrities flaunted them, sneakerheads camped outside stores, and adidas used YEEZY to overpower Nike’s dominance—even forcing Nike to go to court to prevent their design team from jumping ship.
Fast forward to 2024, YEEZYs now sit untouched at North American outlets for $30, piled high like clearance stock. Once-coveted “Yeezys” have fallen so far that even Edison Chen wouldn’t give them a second glance.
💥 Five Truths About YEEZY’s Rise and Fall
1. Backlash of the Scarcity Model
Kanye once vowed to “make YEEZYs accessible to everyone.” By 2018, adidas flooded the market with over a million pairs, turning the once-iconic all-white YEEZY 350 V2 into a “workwear sneaker.” As the scarcity faded, so did resell premiums, leaving the secondary market in shambles.
2. A Decade of Stagnant Design
From the first 750 to the last iterations of the 350 V2, YEEZYs offered just seven designs and 27 colorways, with little to no innovation. Meanwhile, Nike kept reinventing the game with hits like G-Dragon’s AF1 “Para-noise,” Travis Scott’s backward swoosh designs, and Virgil Abloh’s “The Ten” series. These groundbreaking creations captivated younger audiences and stole the limelight.
3. Kanye’s Self-Destruction
In 2022, Kanye’s anti-Semitic remarks triggered a global backlash. Adidas swiftly severed ties, wiping out 60% of their market value and leaving YEEZY inventory as a liability. Meanwhile, Nike solidified its dominance with signature LeBron sneakers and the retro Dunk revival.
4. End of the High-Price Era
Economic slowdowns pushed consumers toward “downshifting” habits. YEEZYs, originally priced at $220, faced stiff competition from Chinese alternatives. In contrast, Nike classics like the AF1 and AJ1 thrived at affordable $100 price points.
🔥 Bottom-Feeders Rejoice: Are YEEZYs Still Worth It?
To clear inventory, adidas dumped YEEZY Slides and earth-tone 350 V2s into outlets, selling them for as little as $40—the price of a decent lunch. Sizes are widely available (tested and confirmed!). Yet seasoned sneakerheads warn: outdated designs and zero resale value make YEEZYs a “financial sinkhole.” Instead, they recommend grabbing Nike’s G-Dragon 2.0 collab or the latest AMBUSH Dunk colorways.
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- $59 YEEZY 500 “Soft Vision” (direct shipping from US warehouses, tax-saving tips included)
- $129 Nike × GD Para-noise 2.0 (lightning-fast delivery from China warehouses)
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