Now that the Adidas Yeezy line has ended, we can definitively say that the Yeezy Boost 700 is one of the very best and all-time most popular styles from the entire collection. The most “dad shoe” style from the Yeezy line, the 700 certainly reflects the trends in sneaker culture from the late 2010s to early 2020s.
It’s also the Adidas Yeezy model with the largest number of different versions, as Kanye West and his Yeezy design team iterated on it multiple times. That is why we come here today: to help you keep track of all the different styles with this all-encompassing buyer’s guide to the already classic Yeezy 700.
History of the Yeezy 700
The Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 was released on August 12, 2017, in the now-iconic “Wave Runner” colorway. This initial release was available only on the Yeezy Supply site, and it was very limited and highly sought after, with pairs going for $1,000+ on the resale market. Luckily for fans of the shoe, Adidas later dropped the 'Wave Runner' colorway again in November of 2017, along with various restocks for the sneaker in the months and years to follow. In the end, everybody who wanted the 'Wave Runner' was able to get a pair. That being said, there are now only so many deadstock pairs left now that the Yeezy line has ended, so find your pair on KICKS CREW now while you still can.
The Yeezy 700 was designed by veteran footwear designer Steven Smith, who had designed many classic sneakers while working at multiple brands since the 1980s. Just a few of the notable shoes that Smith designed include the New Balance 996 and 997, the Reebok Instapump Fury, and the Nike Air Spiridon Cage 2. In 2016, Smith was tapped to lead the Adidas Yeezy design team, where he created more classics like the 700.
The Yeezy 700 is arguably the perfect example of what was trending in sneaker culture at the time of its release. It combined the “dad shoe” trend, sneakers with norm-core aesthetics and chunky silhouettes, with the high-fashion sensibilities for sneakers with premium materials and higher price points that began to creep into the culture in the late 2010s. The 700 is the perfect mid-point between a dad shoe like the Nike Air Monarch and an avant-garde, high-fashion sneaker like the Balenciaga Triple S. Smith’s design for the Yeezy 700 features a sporty, ‘90s running shoe look combined with high-end lifestyle materials and fashion-forward color combinations. Thanks to its ample Boost foam cushioning in the thick midsole and plush materials on the upper, it’s also known as one of the most comfortable Yeezy sneakers.
What Are the Different Types of the Yeezy 700?
After the initial design of the Yeezy Boost 700 was released in 2017, Adidas eventually released three more versions of the style. All four include the Yeezy Boost 700, Yeezy Boost 700 V2, Yeezy 700 V3, and Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 700
The original design of the Yeezy 700 features a mesh, suede, and leather construction with reflective detailing, similar to the build of classic running shoes from the 1980s and ‘90s. While the materials are similar, the 700 stands far apart from the design of classic styles thanks to its extra-chunky midsole and the unique, almost liquid-like aesthetic of the lines and shapes throughout its upper and sole. The Yeezy Boost 700 was released in many now-beloved colorways, including the Wave Runner, Inertia, Mauve, and Analog editions.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 V2
The Yeezy Boost 700 V2 (or Version 2) was introduced in 2018 and is the most similar design to the shoe's initial iteration. The upper materials are the same and sit on the same sole unit, but the upper panels are redesigned with a different mesh style and different shapes throughout the panels. The V2 also features more reflective detailing and adds an arching, somewhat abstract interpretation of Adidas’s Three Stripes logo on the sides. The most popular colorways for the Yeezy Boost 700 V2 include Static, Geode, and Vanta.
Adidas Yeezy 700 V3
The Yeezy 700 V3 was first released in 2019 and is the most different in comparison to the other three iterations of the model. When leaked images of this sneaker first hit the internet, nobody thought it was a 700. This version is also the only 700 that doesn't utilize Boost foam cushioning, instead opting for a streamlined, full-length EVA foam sole. Thoroughly futuristic, the 700 V3 features a knit material for the upper base with an overlying soft TPU “cage” for shape and support. Popular colorways of the Yeezy 700 V3 include Azael, Copper Fade, and Clay Brown.
Adidas Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN
The Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN shares the same sole unit and overall silhouette of the first two versions but completely switches up the upper materials for a more minimal and streamlined look. This is achieved with a modern one-piece nylon material across the upper with fused “film” overlays in a thicker material at the toe, heel, and lacing areas. The 700 MNVN also adds large reflective “700” branding across the midfoot to add to its futuristic appeal. By the way, “MNVN” is said to stand for “Modern Version.” Notable Yeezy Boost 700 MNVN colorways include Triple Black, Blue Tint, and Phosphor.
The Yeezy 700: A Landmark Sneaker
You could say that the Yeezy 700 was a sneaker in the right place at the right time, but that would discredit the design genius of Steven Smith and Kanye West’s overall vision for his Adidas sneaker line. The 700 was not only a response to some of the trends in sneaker culture at its time, but it also propelled the “dad shoe” and high-end sneaker trends to the next level. There is no doubt that when we look back at the five years from 2017-2022, the Yeezy 700 will be one of the very best and most remembered examples of that important era that was packed with notable sneaker phenomena like the Off-White x Nike “The 10” collection, Travis Scott collaborations, and other partnerships like the KAWS x Air Jordan 4. In other words, the Yeezy 700 is truly an iconic sneaker and a must-have part of any collection.
