When StockX first launched in 2016, the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 was the most popular sneaker silhouette on the market. Three of the top five products that year were 350 V2s, displaying the massive influence of Kanye West in the sneaker industry.
The 350 V2 wasn’t Kanye’s first foray into the sneaker game, nor was it his first project with adidas (that honor belongs to the 2005 Kanye West Rod Laver). But it was the sneaker to show that Kanye could sell hundreds of thousands of units without losing demand or ruining his reputation as a style icon.
With a streak of instant sellouts that has lasted more than six years, it can be difficult for a newfound Yeezy fan to know what the 350 V2 is all about. To assist in your hunt for that next pair of Yeezy 350 V2s, we put together a comprehensive crash course with all of the information you need.
Here is everything you need to know about the adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2.
History of the Yeezy Boost 350 V2
The original adidas Yeezy Boost 350 arrived as a result of the shifting demands of consumers, more specifically, the rise in popularity of Nike’s FlyKnit technology and the Roshe Run.
From 2012 to 2015, Nike Roshe Runs were among the best-selling shoes in most sneaker retailers. Their simplistic yet versatile design fit easily into many shopper’s wardrobes at the time, and adidas responded quickly to this demand by introducing adidas BOOST and PrimeKnit technologies, which respectively offered adjacent qualities.
With the growing popularity of BOOST and PrimeKnit in 2015, adidas and Kanye West combined the two in a design unlike anything Kanye had ever released before: the adidas Yeezy Boost 350.
Image by Revolt TV
Instead of a design made of suede or leather, the Yeezy Boost 350 featured a knit upper that gripped the foot in a sock-like way. There was no tongue, or even a side slit like the Yeezy Boost 750 had. Everything about the shoe was fresh and minimal, marking a change in the aesthetic trajectory of the Yeezy brand.
Since announcing his partnership with the Three Stripes, Kanye’s stated mission had been to make Yeezys available to everyone. It took some time to start making good on that promise. At a retail price of $200, the 350s were cheaper than the Yeezy 750s ($350). But they were still largely inaccessible to most buyers. The original colorways all released in limited amounts, and the massive hype around the first few 350s drove resale prices into the stratosphere.
Image by Sneaker Bar Detroit
Then in the fall of 2016, Yeezy Boost 350s became more accessible with the arrival of a new variation, the Yeezy Boost 350 V2. The V2 is the most frequently released product in the Yeezy line with over 55 colorways on the market since its initial debut. Despite being produced in larger quantities and more colorways than the first iteration, 350 V2s are still not easily accessible at the retail level, contrary to Kanye’s mission.
Original Colorways
The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 was originally released in eight colorways: Beluga, Copper, Green, Red, Oreo, Bred, Zebra, and Triple White. About half of the original colorways have received restocks, providing buyers with a second or third chance of purchasing a pair for retail.
How Do Yeezy 350 V2s Fit Into Your Wardrobe?
The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 is one of the most wearable silhouettes in Kanye’s catalog. It is prime for casual wear on the streets, but it is also responsive and breathable enough to handle a workout in the gym. With the 350 V2, Yeezy’s focus on combining high-performance technology with stylistic appeal has created a highly adaptable shoe that fits virtually everyone’s needs.
How Much Do Yeezy Boost 350 V2s Cost?
Yeezy 350s retail at $200 for the first version and $220 for the V2. However, like most Yeezys, they often sell out immediately, so their market price is considerably higher. Original Yeezy 350 colorways resell for $850 on average, while V2s (the more frequently produced iteration) currently resell for $340 on average. For any given release, prices tend to increase over time as deadstock supply diminishes and demand increases, but two events can lower the value of a Yeezy 350: a restock and the rumor of a restock.
The chart above shows the average price impact at two stages in the Yeezy 350 V2 restock process: rumors of restocks and then actual restocks. For this analysis, we looked at all Yeezy 350 V2 restocks, then attempted to pinpoint when a rumor occurred by identifying irregularities in trading patterns. In the weeks and months before every 350 V2 restock, we invariably observed an unusual boost in trade volume – the result of sellers hearing restock rumors and unloading supply on StockX. In this way, we were able to isolate the effect of restock rumors and measure their impact on resale prices. (Note that we only analyzed instances where restocks eventually took place: that is, we did not measure the impact of “false” restock rumors, though we expect the effect is similar).
It’s clear that the average Yeezy 350 V2 price takes a severe hit during the restock process, both at the rumor stage and the actual restock stage. In the eight Yeezy 350 V2 restocks that we observed, we found that Yeezy 350 V2 prices dip by 9% on average after a restock rumor. An influx of supply directly from a restock could be the reason behind decreased Yeezy 350 V2 prices. Most sellers understand that restocks result in a devaluation of their investment, and when they hear the rumor, they are motivated to sell. This increases the supply of 350 V2s on StockX and pushes prices down. Then, when the actual restock takes place, there is even more supply on the market, and prices fall another 23% on average. When all is said and done, prices are down 32% on average compared to the pre-rumor baseline.
The Takeaway
The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 was Kanye’s first step to opening greater access to his product. But even with a constant stream of releases and a plethora of colorways, the model’s demand still exceeds its supply. Part of the reasoning behind the 350 V2s sustained demand is its functionality, which sits perfectly at the intersection of leisure and fitness.
Kanye and adidas have extended access by frequently replenishing Yeezy 350 V2 quantities on the market through restocks, which inadvertently prevents resale prices from climbing too high. If you are a buyer looking to nab a pair of Yeezy 350 V2 s at the most affordable price, our data suggests purchasing a pair upon a restock will save you the most money. Even if the Yeezy 350 V2 you desire doesn’t actually restock, if there is a rumor it will, there is a good possibility you can get your 350s at a discount.
Between new releases, regular restocks, and efficient market pricing on StockX, it’s never been easier to get your hands on Kanye’s most popular silhouette. The dream of ‘Yeezys for everyone’ has never been closer to reality.
